Santa Claus Parade route and road closures in Toronto for 2023

The Santa Claus Parade is back in Toronto this weekend, which means hundreds of thousands of people will be taking to the streets to get in the festive spirit and see St. Nick in the flesh on Sunday, November 26.

Of course, the big event will necessitate some major road closures and transit detours along the route, which everyone travelling around the city should be mindful of.

Santa Claus Parade route

Just like in years past, the parade will kick off at Christie Pits Park at 12:30 pm before heading east on Bloor Street, where the route will change for 2023.

Instead of going south on University Avenue, this season’s Christmas convoy will veer right a little early, heading down Spadina Avenue and across Harbord Street to get to Queen’s Park.

After going around the iconic circle, the 25 floats will keep moving southward, turning east from University onto Wellington Street West, then south again on Yonge Street.

From there, the procession — with Santa in the caboose — will travel east on Front Street, heading to the endpoint at St. Lawrence Market.

Santa Claus Parade road closures

For the setup beforehand, the 2.5-hour celebration itself, and the disassembly, various roads around the downtown core will be shuttered. Barricading will start early in the day, as the Holly Jolly Fun Run will lead the parade starting at 11:45 am.

The closures, taking place on Sunday, are:

• Bloor Street W from Ossington Avenue to Christie Street at 7 am
• Bloor Street W from Christie Street to Spadina Road at 10 am
• Spadina Road from Bloor Street W to Harbord Street at 10:30 am
• Harbord Street from Spadina Road to Queen’s Park Crescent at 10:30 am
• Queen’s Park Crescent from Harbord Street to College Street at 11 am
• University Avenue from College Street to Dundas Street at 11 am
• University Avenue from Dundas Street to Front Street at 11:15 am
• Wellington Street from University Avenue to Jarvis Street at 11:30 am
• Front Street from Bay Street to Jarvis Street at 11:45 am
• Front Street from Jarvis Street to Sherbourne Street at 11 am

Any vehicles parked along the route will be towed starting at 6 am Sunday.

You might also like:
• $800 on tacos among Ontario's biggest food delivery orders of 2023
• Fans line up for hours outside Toronto club after Drake makes surprise appearance
• Lululemon's Black Friday sale is on and there are HUNDREDS of deals

TTC service disruptions for the Santa Claus Parade

While the 503 Kingston Road, 504 King, 505 Dundas, 506 Carlton and 511 Bathurst streetcars will continue to run through gaps in the parade, a number of TTC routes will be diverting as a result of the festivities:

• 13 Avenue Road
• 19 Bay
• 72 Pape
• 75 Sherbourne
• 94A Wellesley
• 121 Esplanade-River
• 126 Christie
• 501B Queen
• 501D Queen
• 300 Bloor-Danforth

The TTC is also upping the frequency of trains to the Line 1 and 2 subways to support the crowds.

The theme for this year’s Santa Claus Parade, now in its 119th year, is “Being there is believing.”