Santa Claus is ready to come to Cambridge

The countdown is on until the annual Santa Claus Parade hits the streets of Cambridge on Nov. 19.

And after the last two years, parade organizers are once again gearing up for a ‘traditional’ parade, since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“It will be a special one, especially after two very long years,” said Brittany Wallace, director of Community Relations for the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee.

“It’s so great to have some normalcy. We are now seeing events coming back, to the way they were before. We can all gather again and celebrate the holidays together.”

Wallace says people can expect a grander parade this year.

“It will be a big one! We are very excited to get back to a traditional parade. We’ve had lots of floats sign up, so we are very excited this year,” Wallace said.

“Typically, we see about 50 or so floats, and this year, we are up to about 65 or so.”

The 2022 Cambridge Santa Claus Parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19.  

The parade will move onto Hespeler Road from Dunbar Road at 6 p.m. It will turn off Hespeler Road at Langs Drive. 

“Industrial Road will be closed after 3 p.m. and Hespeler Rd. will close right at 6 p.m. It will be busy on parade night so come early to find parking and seats. We expect a huge turnout this year,” Wallace said.

Wallace was born and raised in Cambridge. She participated in the parade for many years with the Girl Guides of Canada.

With children of her own, Wallace looks forward to bringing the same Christmas magic that she once felt as a child, to her own children and other families in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Santa Parade Committee, over the past 43 years, have been made of dedicated volunteers who work together to keep the spirit of Christmas alive with each parade. 

“The parade is all run by volunteers, with five of us currently on the committee,” Wallace said.  

For anyone who would like to volunteer for the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade, visit here.

The Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee is also accepting sponsors until Nov. 14.  To become a sponsor, visit here.

Since 1972, the city has welcomed Santa Claus during the holiday season.

The parade is one of the few in Ontario to be held at night-time allowing everyone involved, an opportunity to illuminate their floats and make the parade sparkle.

It is also one of the only parades to have both Santa and Mrs. Claus in attendance. Mrs. Claus has been a regular guest at the parade for over 14 years.

“This is a unique parade as it is the only night-time parade in the region where you get to experience all the lights bringing the true holiday spirit,” Wallace said.  

The Cambridge Food Bank will be collecting food donations and the Salvation Army will be accepting new unwrapped toys along the parade route.

“We also have a very special addition this year. From 4 – 6 p.m., in the State and Main parking lot, children can come and talk to Santa on the radio. The Amateur Radio Club will be set up with the radio equipment for anyone who would like to talk to Santa,” Wallace said.

Road closures will be in effect from 4:30p.m. for about three hours. Police and security personnel will be controlling traffic, including exiting parking lots along Hespeler Road. There are plenty of parking lots along the parade route.

“This really is the start of the Christmas season,” Wallace said.

“To bring that Christmas joy to everyone, the Santa Claus Parade is where it all starts.”

For more information about the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade, visit here.