Winnipeg 
Countdown to the magic of the season with the arrival of the big guy in red!
Credit: Visit Winnipeg
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade – Grey Cup Edition will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, along Portage Avenue. There is a lot of fun to enjoy, including block parties and a pre-parade block party.
Block Parties
Festivities will start early with a series of block parties beginning at 4:00 p.m. along the parade route, hosted by various local organizations, each offering unique activities:
- Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. (Memorial to Vaughn, 4 PM – 5 PM): Representing 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations with more than 87,000 citizens, SCO will host a warming station with hot chocolate and holiday treats.
- University of Winnipeg Faculty of Business & Economics and Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (Vaughn to Kennedy, 4 PM – 5 PM): Guests can take part in festive activities and enjoy complimentary snacks while learning about local Indigenous business initiatives and educational programs.
- Rogers Communications (Kennedy to Edmonton, 4 PM – 5 PM): Representatives from the telecommunications company will provide information on current promotions and engage the crowd with interactive games, prize giveaways, and family-friendly contests.
- Manitoba Hydro (Edmonton to Carlton, 3:30 PM – 5 PM): The Manitoba Hydro Gallery will be open to the public, featuring live music, cookies, lineman demonstrations for children, and a Christmas Cheer Board donation station.
View this post on Instagram - Recycle Everywhere (Carlton to Hargrave, 4 PM – 5 PM): Recycle Everywhere invites visitors to test their recycling speed in a friendly competition. The party will also feature face painting, giveaways, and recycling experts available for questions. The event aims to engage the public in fun, eco-friendly activities.
- Sport Manitoba – Fit Kids Healthy Kids (Hargrave to Donald, 4 PM – 5 PM): This free play zone has games and sports activities set up for children to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and live music. Children will have the chance to see a lineman safety demonstration. The Christmas Cheer Board will be on-site, collecting donations for families in need.
In addition, True North Plaza and Hargrave St. Market will host two special events:
- A pre-parade block party on Level 2, Hargrave Street Market, with DJ Crease, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with giveaways and a hot chocolate bar, and Mottola’s signature cookies
- A post-parade happy hour from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. featuring jazz musician George Druxman and festive feature cocktails at Rose Bar.
Parade Route and Road Closures
The parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. along Portage Avenue, running from Main Street to Memorial.
To accommodate the event, numerous road closures will be in place, impacting traffic in the downtown area.
Grey Cup Festival Closures (already in effect):
- Eastbound York Avenue closed between Edmonton Street and Carlton Street until Sunday, November 16 at 9 a.m.
- Young Street closed from Portage Avenue to Ellice Avenue until Sunday, November 16 at 9 a.m.
- Spence Street closed from Portage Avenue to Ellice Avenue until Monday, November 17 at 8 a.m.
Santa Claus Parade Closures – beginning Saturday, November 15 at 11 a.m.:
- Portage Avenue closed in both directions from St. Mary Avenue to Main Street. All cross streets within this section will have restricted access.
Additional closures starting at 11 a.m.:
- Southbound Main Street from McDermot Avenue to York Avenue
- Portage Avenue East from Westbrook to Main Street
- Westbound St. Mary Avenue from Edmonton Street to Memorial
- Eastbound York Avenue from Colony Street to Memorial
- Osborne Street North / Memorial Boulevard / Colony Street from Broadway to Ellice Avenue
Restricted Parking and Access (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.):
There will be no through traffic and limited parking lot access at Portage Avenue on the following streets:
- Fort Street (Graham Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Garry Street (Ellice Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Smith Street (St. Mary Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Donald Street (Ellice Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Hargrave Street (St. Mary Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Carlton Street (Ellice Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Edmonton Street (St. Mary Ave. to Portage Ave.)
- Kennedy Street (Portage Ave. to Graham Ave.)
- Vaughan Street (Portage Ave. to Graham Ave.)
Temporary Closure for Parade Crossing:
- Northbound Main Street will close briefly in the late afternoon to allow the parade to cross Main Street at Portage Avenue.
All closures—other than those tied to the Grey Cup Festival—are expected to be lifted by 10 p.m.
Winnipeg Transit routes will be adjusted to facilitate the parade, and transit services will provide access to designated seating areas.
Parade-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to local charities and new, unwrapped toys for the Christmas Cheer Board. Canada Post representatives will be on hand to collect letters to Santa, with no postage needed.
Organizers recommend dressing warmly for the evening event. Spectators are encouraged to wear layered clothing and bring extra mittens, scarves, and hats to stay comfortable throughout the festivities.
Portable toilets, including accessible options, will be available along the route. Medical assistance will be on-site, with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services and St. John’s Ambulance personnel stationed along the parade route.
The Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade will be a comfortable and inclusive experience for all attendees.
