Christmas Events for Kids in North Bay, Ontario (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 3 Christmas events for kids in North Bay, Ontario, running from November 7 to November 27. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Canada.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in North Bay: 3
  • First: North Bay Outdoor Winter Market Experience, North Bay, November 7
  • Free events: None confirmed yet

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in North Bay, Ontario

Kids’ Christmas events
3 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
North Bay
Season
November 7 to November 27
Free events
None confirmed yet
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in North Bay

Listed soonest first: 3 confirmed events in North Bay.

Christmas market

North Bay Outdoor Winter Market Experience

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Tourism North Bay lists the Outdoor Winter Market Experience at Jack Burrows Parkette, in front of the North Bay Museum at 100 Ferguson Street. It runs on Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21, from 4 to 8pm, with a finale on Friday, November 27, from 5 to 9pm, alongside the Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas Walk.

The page lists Santa's Workshop and Elf Academy, Santa Claus visits, mini-train rides, Christmas lights displays, a self-guided Christmas movie tour with a holiday film set photo booth, and tours of the North Bay Museum and Dionne Quints Museum. Special programming includes a visual artist on November 7, circus artist Joey Albert on November 14, stilt walkers on November 21 and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan on November 27. The page does not list prices.

Parent tip: The page does not say which activities cost money, so check Tourism North Bay before you go. Dress for an evening outdoors.

Host
Tourism North Bay (opens in a new tab)
Where
Jack Burrows Parkette, in front of the North Bay Museum, 100 Ferguson Street (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Tourism North Bay (opens in a new tab)

New events in North Bay, Ontario every week

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 2 more North Bay, Ontario events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in North Bay, Ontario.
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  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
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Coming up on this page

  • 3 Santa
  • 2 Lights
  • 2 Markets
  • 1 Parades

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Santa Claus parade

North Bay Santa Claus Parade

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The City of North Bay holds its Santa Claus Parade on a Sunday afternoon in November, and the 2026 parade is on November 15, starting at noon. This year's theme is Christmas at the Zoo. The route starts at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens and ends at the corner of Main Street West and Cassells Street.

The city says the parade usually has nearly four dozen entries. Past parades have included Canada Post collecting letters to Santa and the North Bay Food Bank taking non-perishable donations, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Businesses and groups can register a float through the city's parade page. The page does not list a price.

Parent tip: Noon in mid-November can still be cold, so bring warm layers. Bring a letter for Santa and a food donation if the city repeats the past requests.

Host
City of North Bay (opens in a new tab)
Where
Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens to Main Street West at Cassells Street, North Bay (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of North Bay (opens in a new tab)

New events in North Bay, Ontario every week

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Visit with Santa

Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk

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Tourism North Bay lists the Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk on Friday, November 27, from 6 to 9pm along Main Street. Its winter market page says the market finale runs the same night, from 5 to 9pm, with the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan.

In recent years the walk has closed Main Street to traffic. A 2024 Northern Ontario Travel guide listed kids' mini train rides, Santa photos at the Capitol Centre and a tree lighting with city dignitaries. The 2026 listing does not give a price or a schedule of activities, so treat those as past-year details.

Parent tip: The 2026 activity schedule had not been posted when this was checked. Look for it on the Downtown North Bay and Waterfront site before you go.

Host
Downtown North Bay & Waterfront DIA (opens in a new tab)
Where
Main Street, Downtown North Bay (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Downtown North Bay & Waterfront DIA (opens in a new tab)

New events in North Bay, Ontario every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in North Bay, Ontario every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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More Christmas events for kids in Canada

A story for the trip home

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Christmas events for kids in North Bay, Ontario: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in North Bay, Ontario?

For 2026, we confirmed 3 Christmas events for kids in North Bay, Ontario, each on its host’s own page: North Bay Outdoor Winter Market Experience (North Bay), North Bay Santa Claus Parade (North Bay) and Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk (North Bay). Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Where can kids see Santa this year in North Bay, Ontario?

Where to see Santa: North Bay Outdoor Winter Market Experience (North Bay), North Bay Santa Claus Parade (North Bay) and Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk (North Bay). Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 8, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in North Bay, Ontario

North Bay marked 100 years of Christmas in its 2025 parade, and the 2026 theme is Christmas at the Zoo. Main Street has closed to traffic for a downtown walk.

A Sunday noon parade that ends at Main and Cassells

North Bay's Santa Claus Parade is held on a Sunday afternoon in November, and the city says it usually has nearly four dozen entries. Canada Post has collected letters to Santa along the way, and the North Bay Food Bank has taken non-perishable donations. In 2026 it is Sunday, November 15, at noon, with the theme Christmas at the Zoo. It runs from Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens to Main Street West at Cassells Street.

Downtown's Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk is the other long tradition. Main Street closes to traffic, and in past years it opened with a tree lighting. The 2026 walk is Friday, November 27, from 6 to 9pm.

One hundred years of Christmas in the 2025 parade

The 2025 parade was on Sunday, November 16, and its theme was 100 Years of Christmas in North Bay, tied to the city's centennial. CTV News Northern Ontario reported hundreds of families watching Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive in freezing temperatures and high winds.

The city's page for that parade invited local businesses and organizations to submit a float, and it listed no cost to watch. A year earlier, in 2024, the parade was Sunday, November 17, at noon, with a country Christmas theme. Families were asked to bring a letter for Santa and donations for the North Bay Food Bank.

Christmas movie sets, mini trains and a holiday caravan

North Bay is a popular filming location for Hallmark Christmas movies, and the 2026 winter market includes a self-guided Christmas movie tour and a holiday film set photo booth. The market runs Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21, from 4 to 8pm, and ends Friday, November 27, from 5 to 9pm, at Jack Burrows Parkette beside the North Bay Museum.

Listed programming includes Santa's Workshop and Elf Academy, mini-train rides, circus artist Joey Albert on November 14, stilt walkers on November 21 and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan on November 27.

Traditions today

  • North Bay Santa Claus Parade: The parade starts at noon on Sunday, November 15, 2026, with the theme Christmas at the Zoo.
  • Letters to Santa and food donations: Canada Post has collected letters to Santa and the North Bay Food Bank has taken non-perishable donations at the parade.
  • Outdoor winter market: It runs three Saturdays and a Friday finale in 2026 at Jack Burrows Parkette, with Santa visits and mini-train rides.
  • Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk: Downtown's walk is listed for Friday, November 27, 2026, from 6 to 9pm along Main Street.
  • Christmas movie tour: A self-guided Christmas movie tour and film set photo booth are part of the 2026 winter market.

A fact for kids

North Bay's 2025 parade celebrated 100 years of Christmas in the city, and the 2026 parade theme is Christmas at the Zoo.

Questions about Christmas in North Bay, Ontario

When is the North Bay Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

The City of North Bay says this year's parade is on Sunday, November 15, 2026, beginning at noon. The theme is Christmas at the Zoo. It is an afternoon parade, held on a Sunday in November each year, so families can fit it in before the winter market weekends.

What is the 2026 theme of the North Bay Santa parade?

The City of North Bay lists Christmas at the Zoo as the 2026 parade theme. The parade starts at noon on Sunday, November 15. Businesses and groups can register a float through the city's parade page, and the city says the parade usually has nearly four dozen entries.

Where does the North Bay Santa parade start and end?

The 2026 route starts at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens and ends at the intersection of Main Street West and Cassells Street. The city's page links to a route map but does not describe the streets in text, so check the map before choosing a spot to watch.

How many floats are in the North Bay Santa Claus Parade?

The City of North Bay says the parade usually has nearly four dozen entries. Past parades have included Canada Post collecting letters to Santa and the North Bay Food Bank accepting non-perishable donations, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Local businesses and organizations can register a float on the city's parade page.

What should we bring to the North Bay Santa parade?

Past parades have asked for letters to Santa, which Canada Post has collected, and non-perishable donations for the North Bay Food Bank. In 2024 families were asked to bring a letter for Santa and Food Bank donations. Mid-November can be cold, so dress warmly and check the city page.

What was the theme of the 2025 North Bay Santa parade?

The 2025 parade was on Sunday, November 16, with the theme 100 Years of Christmas in North Bay. It marked the city's centennial. The city's page invited local businesses and organizations to submit a float, and it listed the event as free to attend.

How was the weather at last year's North Bay parade?

CTV News Northern Ontario reported freezing temperatures and high winds at the 2025 parade on November 16. Hundreds of families still turned out to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive. For a noon parade in mid-November, bring warm layers, mitts and a hot drink for small children.

Where is the North Bay outdoor winter market in 2026?

Tourism North Bay lists the Outdoor Winter Market Experience at Jack Burrows Parkette, in front of the North Bay Museum at 100 Ferguson Street. It runs Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21, from 4 to 8pm, with a finale on Friday, November 27, from 5 to 9pm.

What can kids do at the North Bay winter market?

Tourism North Bay lists Santa's Workshop and Elf Academy, Santa Claus visits, mini-train rides, Christmas lights displays, a self-guided Christmas movie tour with a photo booth, and tours of the North Bay Museum and Dionne Quints Museum. The page does not list prices, so ask before you go.

What special shows are at the North Bay winter market?

Tourism North Bay lists a visual artist called Free Flow on November 7, circus artist Joey Albert on November 14 and King and Queen stilt walkers on November 21. The November 27 finale features the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan and runs alongside the Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas Walk.

What is the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan in North Bay?

Tourism North Bay lists the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan as the special programming on Friday, November 27, 2026, the finale of the winter market at Jack Burrows Parkette. The market runs from 5 to 9pm that night, and the Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas Walk happens on Main Street the same evening.

When is the North Bay Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk in 2026?

Tourism North Bay lists the Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk on Friday, November 27, 2026, from 6 to 9pm on Main Street. The winter market finale runs the same night at Jack Burrows Parkette. The Tourism North Bay entry does not give a price or an activity schedule yet.

What happens at the North Bay Christmas Walk?

In past years Main Street has closed to traffic, and local reporting described a tree lighting, hydro bucket rides, train rides, Santa photos, roasting marshmallows, carolers and free treats. A 2024 guide listed kids' mini train rides, Santa photos at the Capitol Centre and a tree lighting with city dignitaries. The 2026 schedule had not been posted.

How long has North Bay's Christmas Walk been going?

A BayToday article calls the Old Fashioned Christmas Walk a tradition of over three decades and describes the edition it covered as the 34th. The article carries no year, so the count is for that edition only. The 2026 walk is listed for Friday, November 27, along Main Street.

Is North Bay a Hallmark Christmas movie location?

Northern Ontario Travel calls North Bay a popular filming location for Hallmark Christmas movies and describes a self-guided Holiday Movie Hot Spots Tour, including a historic carousel in A Christmas Carousel. In 2026 Tourism North Bay lists a Christmas movie tour and a film set photo booth as part of the winter market.

Where can families drive to see Christmas lights in North Bay?

A 2024 Northern Ontario Travel guide suggested driving through Birchaven, Graniteville, Airport and Wallace Heights, Gateway and Pinewood to see Christmas lights. It also noted that Powassan's enhanced light show is about a 15-minute drive away. Check current sources before heading out, since displays can change each year.

What is the Festival of Trees and All Things Christmas in North Bay?

The 2026 dates for this event are not confirmed here, so check with the host before planning around it. A past edition had free entry, a silent auction of decorated trees and wreaths, and proceeds for the NBRHC Foundation.

Is there a Christmas market in North Bay in 2026?

Yes. Tourism North Bay lists the Outdoor Winter Market Experience on November 7, 14, 21 and 27. The winter market has a host page with 2026 details.

What is on in North Bay on Friday, November 27, 2026?

Tourism North Bay lists the winter market finale at Jack Burrows Parkette from 5 to 9pm with the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, and the Downtown Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk on Main Street from 6 to 9pm. Both are outdoors in late November, so plan warm clothes and an early arrival.

Where can I find a full list of Christmas events for kids in North Bay?

Rally Takes the Train's North Bay Christmas events guide lists the Santa Claus Parade on November 15, the outdoor winter market and the Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk with their 2026 dates and addresses, so parents can plan the November weekends in one place.

Sources

  1. Santa Claus Parade, City of North Bay
  2. North Bay Christmas Events, Tourism North Bay
  3. Outdoor Winter Market Experience, Tourism North Bay
  4. North Bay celebrates centennial with festive Santa Claus parade, CTV News Northern Ontario
  5. 2025 North Bay Santa Claus Parade: 100 Years of Christmas in North Bay, City of North Bay
  6. Downtown Christmas Walk a signature winter event, BayToday
  7. Holiday Magic: 10 Festive Delights to Discover in North Bay, Northern Ontario Travel
Kelsey Cecil
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