What's On This Weekend: First Santa Parades, Fireworks and Holiday Markets Across South & Central Ontario (Nov 13–15)

Tasha and Marcus moved to Mount Albert in East Gwillimbury in the spring, after six years in a Scarborough condo. Their daughter Zoe is seven, Tasha's sister Keisha visits most weekends, and their rescue mutt Pepper has finally learned that a backyard is not a racetrack. On Tuesday, Tasha sent me a text: "Jenn, Zoe has asked about Santa every day this week. Please tell me there's something on this weekend."

There is, and a lot of it. The weekend of Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2026 is when the holiday season really gets going across South and Central Ontario. The first Santa Claus parades roll out, the fireworks start, and holiday markets pop up in almost every town. Here's the list I sent Tasha, with a few extras for families farther east and north.

Friday night: lights, fireworks and a farmers' market

Downtown Whitby Christmas Market, Whitby. Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Celebration Square (405 Dundas Street West). Admission is free. There's live entertainment on the outdoor stage, a magic show, free maple taffy on snow, kids' crafts, visits with Santa and the Grinch, trolley rides and local vendors. Event details

Winter Nights, City Lights, Pickering. Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Esplanade Park and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. The tree lighting and pyro-musical fireworks happen at 6 p.m. both nights, which is early enough for little ones. You'll also find live entertainment, food and holiday vendors, and roaming characters. The City asks that dogs who don't like crowds or loud noises stay home. Event details

Christmas at the Orillia Farmers' Market, Orillia. Friday, 3 to 7 p.m., at the Orillia Public Library. It's a special Friday-evening holiday edition of the market, with local makers and seasonal food. Event details

Saturday: holiday markets (and one for the dog)

Georgina Holiday Market, Keswick. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Autism Unplugged Learning Centre (23324 Woodbine Avenue). More than 70 local vendors, food trucks, Santa's Workshop, pony rides and free kids' activities. Admission is $2 or a non-perishable food item for the Georgina Food Pantry. Event details

Market Brewing's 9th Annual Christmas Market, Newmarket. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 17775 Leslie Street. More than 20 handmade vendors, food and live acoustic music, all outdoors, and the brewery says to bring the whole family and the dogs too. Your "ticket" is a non-perishable food donation or $5 cash per person for the Newmarket Food Pantry. Parking is limited, so use the plaza across the street. Event details

Sock it to Santa: Santa Paws Edition, Whitby. Saturday at Sheridan Nurseries on Taunton Road West. Bring new socks for charity, meet the TAGS dogs and get a holiday photo with your pet. The organizer hasn't posted times yet, so check before you go. Event details

The Merry Little Market, Innisfil. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the gym at Innisfil Community Church (1571 Innisfil Beach Road). Santa is there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free photos, and kids can mail a letter to Santa and do a treasure hunt at the vendor tables. Admission is a food donation or $1 for the Innisfil Food Bank. Event details

Quayle's Outdoor Christmas Market, Oro-Medonte. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Quayle's Brewery. About 40 local vendors set up in the tree-lit beer garden, with live music and hot food in the tap room. Event details

For the kids

Saturday Family Storytime, Aurora. Saturday, 10:30 to 11 a.m., at Aurora Public Library (15145 Yonge Street). Stories, rhymes and songs, best for ages 5 and under with a grown-up. Event details

Superhero Weekend at The 400 Market, Innisfil. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2207 Industrial Park Road. Meet costumed heroes, get a photo, and come dressed as a superhero or princess for a chance to win a prize. Free photos with Santa run all day, and it's $1 per car. Event details

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto. This is the final weekend: Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Exhibition Place. Kids love the petting farm, the Farm and Play Zone, and the SuperDogs and herding border collies in the Animal Theatre. Sunday is also the Royal Square Dancing Competition. Event details

Sunday: the first Santa Claus parades

East Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade, Holiday Market and Tree Lighting. Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m. The parade starts at 3 p.m. at Mount Albert Road and Leslie Street (in front of the EG Civic Centre, 19000 Leslie Street) and ends at the EG Sports Complex (1914B Mount Albert Road), where the holiday market runs until 6 p.m. Bring letters for Santa, plus food and new unwrapped toys for the drive. Roads close at 2:30 p.m. It's free. Event details

Newcastle Santa Parade, Clarington. Sunday at 5:30 p.m. for its 20th anniversary. The Town Hall lights go on at 5 p.m., the night parade opens with fireworks and then travels east along King Avenue from North Street. Event details

Uxbridge Farmers' Market Holiday Market, Uxbridge. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Uxbridge Arena (291 Brock Street West), with more than 30 vendors selling local gifts, food and seasonal goods. Event details

Medieval Christmas Market, Peterborough. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Austin Doran Hall, Mount Community Centre. Expect knights in armour, a falconer, a "red dragon", Santa and the Grinch, axe throwing and catapult games, and about 20 fantasy merchants. Costumes are encouraged. Event details

What Tasha's family picked

Saturday morning, Marcus and Keisha are taking Zoe to the Georgina Holiday Market for pony rides and Santa's Workshop. After lunch, they'll pick up Pepper and head to Market Brewing's market in Newmarket, where dogs are welcome. On Sunday, they don't need to drive anywhere. The East Gwillimbury parade starts a short walk from their front door, so Zoe is bringing her letter to Santa and a bag of canned goods for the food drive.

Tasha told me it finally feels like they live in a town, the kind of place where you see your neighbours at the parade. I hear that a lot from families who make the move north or east of the city. From Mount Albert and Keswick to Innisfil, Whitby and Peterborough, South and Central Ontario has plenty of places where the holidays feel like a small-town tradition.

Thinking about a move?

• Want to find a town that has its own Santa Claus parade? Search homes across South & Central Ontario.
• Wondering what your home is worth before the new year? Book a free home evaluation with our team at LPT Realty, Brokerage.

We checked each event on the organizer's or town's official page, but details can change. Please confirm times, tickets and weather before you head out.

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