Welcome Santa Claus to Newmarket at our annual Santa Claus Parade!
Bundle up and bring your family and friends to see the festive holiday floats followed by our special guest - jolly Old St. Nick.
Please remember to bring your letter to Santa to be picked up by Canada Post and your non-perishable food item to be collected for the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Applicants who do not submit all required documentation at the time of submission will not be considered.
Applications deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Santa Claus Parade Committee is also looking for responsible high school students, 16 years of age and older, to volunteer in the parade as costume characters and elves.
In addition, responsible adults interested in volunteering are invited to participate as parade marshals during the parade.
If interested or if you have any questions please contact nmktsanta@gmail.com by Friday, November 6.
Letters to Santa
Attendees are encouraged to bring their letters for Santa as members of Canada Post and the Parade Marshalls will be walking throughout the parade, collecting letters, to then be mailed out to the North Pole for jolly Old St. Nick to see.
Food donations to the Newmarket Food Pantry
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them to the parade with all donations going to the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Parade Route
The parade starts at the corner of Eagle Street and Lorne Avenue, proceeds East on Eagle Street to Main Street, continues North on Main Street to finish at Ontario Street.
Road Closure Notice
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Cane Parkway / Lorne Avenue from William Roe Boulevard to Avenue Road
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Andrew Street from Dennie Avenue to Ellen Street
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Eagle Street / Water Street from Helmer Avenue to Prospect Street
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Main Street from Water Street to Davis Drive
Image
Town of Newmarket
Santa Claus Parade Committee - Members Needed
The Santa Claus Parade Committee is looking for dedicated and hard working Newmarket community members who would be interested in volunteering their time to fullfill the vacancy of Treasurer or Band Coordinator.
Please click on both the Treasurer and Band Coordinator drop downs below to learn more about each position.
If interested or if you have any questions, please contact the Santa Claus Parade Committee by email atnmktsanta@gmail.com
In addition to other duties as they may be assigned, the role of the Treasurer includes the following duties:
September/October
Once confirmed, meet Chair and past Treasurer at the bank to change signing authority.
Attend committee meetings and provide financial update, also prepare, and present financial statement.
November
Prepare cheque payments for REACT, bands and other expenses.
On Parade Day (third weekend of November)
Assist on parade day as marshal.
Give cheque to REACT.
Collect receipts.
In addition to other duties as they may be assigned, the role of the Safety Coordinator includes the following duties:
Attend scheduled committee meetings.
Communication lead with Marshals.
Attend meetings with YRP, Town staff organized by Town staff liaison or Chair.
September
Contact REACT and confirm participation.
October
Contact marshals.
Assign pace vehicle volunteer drivers.
Organize marshal assignments, responsibilities and assignments.
Confirm radio's for marshals to borrow on parade day.
November
Review power point presentation for Safety Meeting.
Coordinate attendance of REACT at Safety Meeting.
Prepare written comments for presentation. Deliver presentation at Safety Meeting. Introduce REACT and have them provide comments on the de-staging area.
Answer questions from attendees at Safety Meeting.
November (week leading up to the parade)
Forward Marshal assignment document to marshals and answer any questions from marshals.
November (parade day)
Prepare and present parade information, last minute details, marshal assignment and questions from marshals at Marshal Meeting held at the Town Offices at 8:30 am (suggest marshals arrive at 8:15 with 8:30 am meeting start).
Stay in contact:
Parade Chair
Float Coordinator
Band Coordinator
Town Liaisons
YRP contact
Town staff (Roads) if applicable
REACT
Marshals (with or without radios)
November (post-parade)
Ensure marshals return vests and red jackets.
Ensure marshals remove all personal belongings from golf carts.
Contact marshals to request their thoughts and feedback post parade and bring comments to parade debrief meeting.
Provide names and addresses to Communication Coordinators so letter of appreciation can be sent to marshals.
In addition to other duties as they may be assigned, the role of the Safety Coordinator includes the following duties:
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
Contact the costume provider to reserve the date of the Parade and to find out if there are any new costume characters that we may be interested in using. Also check to see if the price is the same as the previous year.
SEPTEMBER
Contact all the students that signed up at the previous parade to be in the current year's parade to see if they are still interested.
Contact the Guidance Counsellor at the local High Schools to see if they will post a notice to let the students that are interested in their Community Service hours know about the parade.
OCTOBER
Town will post on the Santa Claus Parade website that we are looking for high school students for costume characters and elves for the parade.
Contact the costume provider with the list of costumes you wish to use this year and confirm pick up and return date and time. Usually 9am on the Friday before the parade and 9am on the Monday for return.
Contact the people that will be serving the food after the parade.
COSTUME PICK UP DAY
Coordinate with the Town of Newmarket costume pick up and delivery to the Municipal Offices.
DRESS REHEARSAL
Coordinate and manage the costume assignment to the volunteers at the volunteer costumer dress rehearsal session on the Thursday evening prior to the parade.
PARADE DAY
Arrive around 8 a.m.
When the students check in with you, highlight their name on the list so you know who has arrived.
Assist the volunteers get into their costumes.
Have the students leave their Community Services. sheets with you so that you can have them signed when they get back.
Meet with the volunteers regarding the rules on the parade route.
Discuss and confirm Parade plan and logistics
After the parade, assist volunteers remove their costumes
Provide volunteers with their Community Services form.
COSTUME DROP OFF DAY
Coordinate with the Town of Newmarket costume pick up and delivery back to the costume provider.
2025 Float Winners
The Mayor's Trophy (Best Overall), sponsored by Mayor John Taylor's Office Winner: Sanctuary Day Spa
Most Original Float, sponsored by NT Power Winner: York Pride
Image
Best Commercial Business Float, sponsored by Central York Chamber of Commerce Winner: Green Infrastructure Partners
Image
Best Dance/Cheer/Baton, Sponsored by the Toombs Team Real Estate Group Winner: Alpha Cheer & Tumbling
Image
Best Non-Profit Float sponsored by Main Street Newmarket BIA Winner: Our Happy Place
Other sponsors
Image
Photo & video release
Media and Town of Newmarket staff will be taking photos and video footage at Town of Newmarket Special Events. These images may be used, re-used and published in news stories, social media and on websites, in addition to distributed to our event partners.
