Christmas is on its way, and so are the annual Santa Claus Parades and amazing Holiday light displays in the Capital region.
Photo Credit: Help Santa Toy Parade
A list of Christmas Lights & Santa Claus Parades in the Ottawa area during the 2026 – 2027 Holiday Season.
Contents:
- Holiday/Christmas Lights
- Santa Claus Parades
For all other Holiday events, see Christmas in Ottawa & Things to Do This Weekend in Ottawa.
For Christmas lights across Ontario —
I. Holiday/Christmas Lights in Ottawa Area
Magic of Lights
Magic of Lights is a dazzling 2-kilometre drive-through holiday lights show featuring more than 300 spectacular displays using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Ottawa’s favorite holiday tradition. Details
November 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Wesley Clover Parks Campground
411 Corkstown Road, Ottawa
$25.99 & up per vehicle
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Alight All Night
Credit: Upper Canada Village
Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting! Close to one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village, creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival…a true winter wonderland! Details
November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Road 2
Morrisburg
$15 to $18
Vintage Village of Lights
Relax and enjoy the festive scenery from your vehicle as you pass through a 1920s and 30s village illuminated by over 30,000 lights. Colourful vignettes will highlight Christmas traditions from the interwar years, while an old-fashioned radio program will bring the sounds of the season to you. Details
November 27 to December 20, 2026
The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Road, Ottawa
$27.16 to $33.96 per group of six
Ottawa Christmas Market
Experience Lights at Lansdowne and festive atmosphere including the presence of the largest Christmas tree in Ottawa, an impressive canopy of lights in and around Casino Lac-Leamy Plaza and other Instagrammable elements. Details
November 20 to December 20 & December 31, 2026
Lansdowne, 1015 Bank St, Ottawa
Free
Festival of Lights
Discover Coulonge Falls Park trails under beautiful bright lights while being surrounded by holiday cheer. More than 10,000 twinkling Christmas lights and special effects will guide you to the waterfall. Details
TBA
Coulonge Falls Park, 100 Parc-des-Chutes Drive, Mansfield-et-Pontefract
Brockville River of Lights
Brockville River of Lights
The River of Lights is a free holiday light display on Blockhouse Island, which includes thousands of twinkle lights and flood lights set to music. Details
November 28, 2026 – Sunday, January 3, 2027
Blockhouse Island Parkway, Brockville (at the base of Market St. West at Water Street)
Free
Country Christmas Holiday Light Festival
Join us for an amazing A Country Christmas Holiday Light Festival – a stunning walking trail adorned with thousands of colourful lights and music on our beautiful 180-year-old family farm. Details
December 5th – December 30th 2026
Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Road, Ottawa
$25 & up+fees
Winter Lights Across Canada
In Canada’s Capital Region, the winter landscape glows with hundreds of thousands of multicoloured lights during the holiday season. Throughout Christmas Lights Across Canada, the lights in Ottawa–Gatineau will glow each evening with Christmas lights at many sites along Confederation Boulevard. Details
December 7, 2026 to January 7, 2027
Parliament Hill, Confederation Boulevard, Ottawa and Downtown Ottawa.
Taffy Lane Street of Lights – Visit Taffy Lane in Orléans during Christmas season to enjoy the neighbourhood lights.
Smiths Falls Celebration of Lights
Come celebrate the magic of the holidays and tour Centennial Park lit by thousands of holiday lights! Details
TBA
Town Square, Smith Falls
Free
Holiday Light Tour
Go on a light tour of beautifully lit houses in the Riverside South Community. Details
Holiday Season
Riverside South, Ottawa
Free
Stanley’s Holiday Stroll
Visitors will be welcome to come and enjoy the beauty of the Holidays while taking a stroll through our forest trails that have been decorated with colourful lights and displays. Since the trails are wide enough for multiple groups, you can feel free to stop and admire the scenery as much as you like without having to worry about getting in anybody else’s way. Details
December 3 to 5, 10 to 12, 17 to 19, 2026
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, 2452 York’s Corners Road, Edwards
$10.60 to $13.78
Christmas Village at Canadian Museum of History
Set in the open air along the banks of the Ottawa River, this immersive village invites visitors of all ages to experience the magic of Christmas for an evening.
Explore a dozen themed stations, including hot chocolate, slides, train rides, a gift workshop, an artisan market, comfort food, and waterfront tastings. Details
December 10 to January 3, 2027
Canadian Museum of History, 100 Rue Laurier, Gatineau
Free to $19.95
II. Santa Claus Parades in the Ottawa Area
Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Holy Redeemer Church to Hazeldean Mall, Kanata
Cornwall Santa Claus Parade
The theme for the 54th Annual Parade is “What is Christmas”. Details
Saturday November 14th, 2026 | 5:00 PM
St. Lawrence Intermediate School, 1450 Second Street East.
Kemptville Rotary Santa Claus Parade
Join us for a festive celebration that warms hearts and spreads goodwill. Join us for a festive celebration that warms hearts and spreads goodwill. Details
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Beginning at Van Buren & Bridge Street (405 Van Buren, Rusch Truck Centre Service Location), then west on Van Buren Street, turning north/right on Prescott Street, then turning east/right on Clothier Street then turning north/left on Sanders Street. Parade finishes beside B&H Grocer.
Help Santa Toy Parade
Every year since 1969, the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters’ Association has been organizing the Help Santa Toy Parade and collecting toys along the parade route for distribution to the less fortunate children in Ottawa-Carleton.
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 11:00 am
Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Somerset St W to Southbound Queen Elizabeth Driveway ending at Lansdowne Park / TD Place, Ottawa
Manotick’s Parade of Lights
Santa Claus is coming to town for Manotick’s Parade of Lights. The parade route will be the same as the Dickinson Days in June.
Friday, November 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Main St. and Through Manotick Mews, Manotick
Riverside South Community Association Toy Mountain Parade
Join for the RSCA Toy Mountain Parade. Details
Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 11 AM
Spratt Rd, Gloucester
Orléans Santa’s Parade of Lights
Join us for the Parade of Lights hosted by Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association. Toy and cash donations will be collected by the Firefighters along the route. Details
Saturday – November 28, 2026 | 6:00 PM
St-Joseph Blvd – Youville Drive to Place D’Orléans Blvd, Orleans
Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade
Downtown Carleton Place invites you to join us as we celebrate the Christmas Season. Details
Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Bridge Street, Carleton Place
Santa Claus Parade of Lights – Pembroke
by the City of Pembroke. Details
Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 5:30 PM
Pembroke Street West, Pembroke
Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade
Get into the Christmas spirit as you welcome Santa to town. Details
Sunday, November 29, 2026 | 5:30 P.M.
Strandherd Drive, Ottawa
Osgoode’s Parade of Lights
Osgoode Village Community Association is bringing back Osgoode’s Parade of Lights.
Friday, December 4, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Starting at Nixon & Main ending at Foodland Parking Lot, Osgoode
Pakenham Santa Claus Parade
Don’t miss Santa’s favourite event with the Pakenham Santa Claus Parade! Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and head to downtown Pakenham at 1pm for an old-fashioned, festive parade.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 1 PM – 2 PM
You can watch the parade from anywhere in Downtown Pakenham.
Perth Santa Claus Parade
Annual Parade of Lights.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Sunset Blvd- Wilson St – Foster St- Gore St- Cockburn, Perth
Constance & Buckhams Bay Santa Claus Parade
Join us at the Constance & Buckham’s Bay Santa NIGHT Parade.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 5 PM
St. Gabriels Church, 205 Bayview, Ottawa
Richmond Santa Claus Parade
The Richmond winter festivities have been an annual tradition for all the families in Richmond. Details
Saturday, December 5, 2026 and begin at 5:30 PM
Richmond Village, Ottawa
Stittsville Parade of Lights
The SVA’s annual Parade of Lights is a community favourite, drawing thousands of spectators along the parade route. Each year, dozens of beautifully decorated community floats set the tone for Santa’s much anticipated arrival at the end of the parade.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Stittsville Main Street, Ottawa
Almonte Christmas Night Parade
Celebrate the arrival of the holiday season with Almonte’s nighttime parade- an annual favourite for adults and children alike!
Sunday, December 6, 2026| 5 PM – 7 PM
Frank Davis Street and Industrial Drive to John Levi Community Centre, Almonte
Carp/Huntley Community Association Christmas Parade
Annual Christmas parade. Details
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6:00PM
Staging at Diefenbunker, Right on Carp Rd, left on Donald B. Munro Dr, Left on Langstaff Dr, Left on Juanita Ave, Right on Carp Rd, Diefenbunker
Metcalfe Santa Claus Parade
Annual Christmas parade. Details
Sunday, December 13 | 2 PM
Victoria Street to 8th Line, Ottawa
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