Toronto 
Mississauga will mark the beginning of the holiday season with a city-wide event featuring the annual lighting of the Christmas tree and the Santa Claus Parade.
Credit: City of Mississauga
The festivities will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Mississauga, centered around Celebration Square.
The annual “Light Up the Square” event features the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and the reopening of the largest outdoor skating rink.
Until early January, the Square will be transformed into a festive wonderland, blending traditional holiday cheer with art installations.
Here is What to See & Do at Lightup the Square:
The festive kickoff includes live music, family-friendly entertainment, and vibrant art installations. The evening begins at 4:00 p.m. and goes on until 8:00 p.m.
Things to Do This Christmas & Holiday Season in Mississauga
- Highlights include live performances by Soul Sublime with disco-themed holiday covers, SHOUT! The Band, and an LED hoop dance by Theland Kicknosway.
- The entertainment will be hosted by Liem Vu and Jaden Lee-Lincoln from Global News.
- Photos with Santa will be available at the Square until 6:00 p.m., after which Santa’s friends, in partnership with Coca-Cola, will continue photo opportunities until 8:00 p.m.
- Other attractions include a glitter face painting bar, food trucks, and festive photo stations throughout the area.
- The City’s largest outdoor skating rink will open for the season with skate rentals available, weather permitting.
- Holiday Express Stop at Living Arts Drive and Princess Royal Drive, features trackless train rides, illuminated art displays, and food trucks.
- At the Candy Cane Corner, located in the Square One P3 lot, visitors can expect busker performances, interactive musical bikes, and additional parade-themed activities.
- As part of the parade, Santa will light the City’s Christmas tree from his float as he passes through Celebration Square.
Santa Claus Parade:
The Santa Claus Parade, presented by TD, will begin at 6:00 p.m., travelling through downtown Mississauga.
Parade starts at Rathburn Drive and Living Arts Drive and travels along Living Arts Drive, turns right to City Centre Drive and finishes at City Centre Drive and Kariya Gate.
Road Closures
- Noon – 8 p.m.: Princess Royal Drive, from Living Arts Drive to Duke of York Boulevard.
- 4p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Living Arts Drive, from Rathburn Road to Burnhamthorpe Road West.
- 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: City Centre Drive, from Living Arts Drive to 55 City Centre Drive.
- The intersection of City Centre Drive and Kariya Gate will remain open until the parade approaches.
- 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Duke of York Boulevard, from Square One Drive to
Burnhamthorpe Road West.- Access to parking in Civic Centre underground lots will be available
- 4 p.m.–7:30 p.m.: The Exchange Road, from City Centre Drive to Burnhamthorpe.
- 5:30 p.m. –7:30 p.m.: Rathburn Road, from Confederation Parkway to Duke of York Boulevard.
6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.: Kariya Gate, from City Centre Drive to Burnhamthorpe Road West.
MiWay Diversions:
MiWay will divert the buses on Sat Nov 22 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm on routes that run along:
- Living Arts Dr between Rathburn Rd and City Centre Dr
- City Centre Dr from Living Arts to east of Kariya Gt.
The routes include: 3, 6, 8, 9, 26, 28, 61, and 66.
