Toronto 
Get ready for some feathered fun in Stratford, as the annual swan release and parade is happening on April 6th.
It’s the annual swan release and parade, where the swans are released from their winter home to the Avon River. This year, it will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2 p.m.
The parade will be led by the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums Band and will start at the winter quarters on Morenz Drive. The parade will continue along Lakeside Drive before entering the river at North Street.
The swans are owned by the City of Stratford and are cared for by the Community Services Department. From November to March, the swans are kept in their winter quarters, which are located behind the William Allman Arena. But now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s time for them to hit the river.
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It’s a spectacle not to be missed! Did you know that many of the swans in the Avon River are descendants of a pair gifted to Ottawa from Queen Elizabeth II’s royal herd in honour of Canada’s Centennial anniversary? And did you also know that despite their name, Mute Swans are actually quite noisy? There are even different types of Mute Swans, like the black-legged Royals from Great Britain and the beige-legged Polish from Eurasia.
Road Closures; Credit: City of Stratford
Please note that temporary road closures will be in place on Morenz Drive and Lakeside Drive to allow for the annual release of the swans from their winter quarters.
Morenz Drive from Lakeside Drive to Water Street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Lakeside Drive from Waterloo Street to North Street will be closed from noon to 3 p.m.
Mark your calendars, and don’t forget to join in on the fun and witness the adorable swan parade this weekend in Stratford!
If you plan to make it a weekend getaway, here are all the fun activities you can add to your Stratford trip in spring.
