Christmas Events for Kids in Oshawa, Ontario (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Oshawa, Ontario. The season opens on November 20 with Bright and Merry Market and runs until January 4 with Whitby Lights the Night. 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 Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Bowmanville: 6
  • First: Bright and Merry Market, Oshawa, November 20
  • 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 Oshawa, Ontario

Kids’ Christmas events
6 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Bowmanville
Season
November 20 to January 4
Free events
None confirmed yet
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Oshawa

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Oshawa.

Christmas market

Bright and Merry Market

Details, tips and host

The City of Oshawa runs this evening from City Hall along Centre Street to Memorial Park. Families can line up to meet Santa Claus inside City Hall in two sessions, 5 to 6:30 pm and 7 to 8:30 pm, by following the giant candy canes in Civic Square.

Along the route there is an artisan market, a fire truck to visit, bus painting, face painting at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, a carol sing and a children's colouring area at St. George's Memorial Church, and a holiday trolley. Choirs and school groups perform on the Memorial Park bandshell from 5:30 pm, and the Park Illumination tree lighting is at 8:30 pm. The Canadian Automotive Museum holds a holiday open house by donation.

Host
City of Oshawa (opens in a new tab)
Where
City Hall and Memorial Park, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Oshawa (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 5 more Oshawa, 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 Oshawa, Ontario.
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Coming up on this page

  • 6 Santa
  • 4 Lights
  • 4 Parades
  • 2 Crafts

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Santa Claus parade

Santa Claus Parade of Lights

Details, tips and host

Durham Region's tourism page lists the Oshawa Santa Claus Parade of Lights for November 21 at 6:30 pm. The route runs westbound on Bond Street, starting at Division Street and ending at Gibbons Street.

The page does not give a price, so check the City of Oshawa notices for road closures and any updates before heading out.

Host
Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bond Street West, Oshawa (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

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

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Christmas events for kids in Whitby

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Whitby.

Visit with Santa

Whitby Lights the Night

Details, tips and host

The festival night on November 27 runs 5 to 9 pm with live entertainment, strolling performers, a Christmas edition of the Whitby Farmers' Market, cookie decorating, seasonal crafts and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting is at 5:30 pm, and there is an inclusive sensory room. A town trolley and parking shuttle are offered.

The lights then stay on every evening from dusk until 10 pm through January 4, 2027, with displays in Civic Park, Celebration Square and Grass Park.

Host
Town of Whitby (opens in a new tab)
Where
Whitby Civic Park, 555-575 Rossland Road E (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Town of Whitby (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

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

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Santa Claus parade

Whitby Santa Claus Parade

Details, tips and host

Durham Region's parade list gives December 5 at 10 am for the Whitby Santa Claus Parade on Brock Street North.

The page does not state a price or age range. A morning parade leaves the rest of the day free for the Whitby lights later that evening.

Host
Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)
Where
Brock Street North, Whitby (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

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

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Christmas events for kids in Ajax

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Ajax.

Santa Claus parade

Ajax Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights

Details, tips and host

The Ajax Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights is listed for November 28 at 6 pm, starting at Bayly Street and Harwood Avenue South.

The page gives no price or age range. Dress warmly, since the parade is outdoors after dark.

Host
Town of Ajax (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bayly Street and Harwood Avenue South, Bayly Street at Harwood Avenue South, Ajax (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Town of Ajax (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

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Christmas events for kids in Bowmanville

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Bowmanville.

Santa Claus parade

Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade

Details, tips and host

Durham Region's parade list gives November 21 at 10:30 am for the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade, held on King Street.

The morning start suits younger children who tire by the evening. Because the same day also has Oshawa's evening parade, some families could see both.

Host
Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)
Where
King Street, Bowmanville (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Durham Region Tourism (opens in a new tab)

New events in Oshawa, Ontario every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Oshawa, 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

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Christmas events for kids in Oshawa, Ontario: questions parents ask

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

For 2026, we confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Oshawa, Ontario, each on its host’s own page: Bright and Merry Market (Oshawa), Whitby Lights the Night (Whitby), Santa Claus Parade of Lights (Oshawa) and 3 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Oshawa, Ontario?

Where to see Santa: Bright and Merry Market (Oshawa), Whitby Lights the Night (Whitby), Santa Claus Parade of Lights (Oshawa) and 3 more. 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 5, 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 Oshawa, Ontario

Oshawa's holiday story starts with Parkwood, a 55-room mansion built for the president of General Motors of Canada. Today the season centres on a tree lighting in Memorial Park and a Santa parade a night later.

A 55-room mansion and a car company's long shadow

Oshawa's best-known old Christmas address is Parkwood, the estate of Colonel R. S. McLaughlin, president of General Motors of Canada. He and his wife Adelaide developed it between 1915 and 1940, and the 55-room house went up in 1916 and 1917. They lived there for 55 years.

Today the city's own holiday traditions are more public. A downtown tree lighting, a Santa parade and a market run through City Hall, Centre Street and Memorial Park, and neighbouring Whitby, Ajax and Bowmanville each hold their own parades and lightings.

A Friday tree lighting and a King Street parade in 2025

On Friday, November 14, 2025, the Bright and Merry Market ran from 5 to 9 p.m. with live performances, family activities, a visit with Santa and local vendors. The official tree lighting was at 8 p.m. in Memorial Park, and visitors could bring non-perishable food for Feed the Need in Durham.

The next night, Saturday, November 15, Santa's Parade of Lights ran from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. along King Street from Stephenson Road to Ritson Road. Roads closed from 3 to 9:30 p.m. For 2026, the market is Friday, November 20, and the parade is listed for November 21.

Candy canes, a headphone disco and 200,000 lights

Finding Santa at the 2026 market means following giant candy canes through Civic Square to City Hall. The Canadian Automotive Museum opens for a holiday open house, and the library hosts a silent headphone disco.

Whitby Lights the Night takes the lights further. Its Civic Park display has over 200,000 lights, a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on November 27, 2026, and an inclusive sensory room. The lights burn nightly until January 4, 2027. Colonel McLaughlin's Parkwood sits on about 12 acres, with a sunken garden and an Art Deco water garden.

Traditions today

  • Park Illumination tree lighting: The tree in Memorial Park is lit at 8:30 p.m. during the Bright and Merry Market on November 20, 2026.
  • Santa inside City Hall: Families meet Santa in two sessions on market night, 5 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Santa Claus Parade of Lights: The evening parade is listed for November 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. on Bond Street West.
  • Holiday trolley: A trolley runs on market night from Centre Street South and John Street.
  • Whitby Lights the Night: Over 200,000 lights shine in Whitby from November 27, 2026 to January 4, 2027.
  • Neighbouring parades: Bowmanville, Ajax and Whitby each hold their own Santa parade between November 21 and December 5.

A fact for kids

Santa's line at Oshawa City Hall is marked by giant candy canes, so you can spot the way from across Civic Square.

Questions about Christmas in Oshawa, Ontario

Where did Oshawa's Christmas tree lighting happen in 2025?

The 2025 Bright and Merry Market ran Friday, November 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. at City Hall's Civic Square and along Centre Street to Memorial Park. The official tree lighting was at 8 p.m. in Memorial Park, with Santa visits, crafts and live performances earlier in the evening.

When is the Bright and Merry Market in 2026?

The City of Oshawa lists the Bright and Merry Market for Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. It runs from City Hall at 50 Centre Street South to Memorial Park. The Park Illumination tree lighting is at 8:30 p.m., and Santa visits are inside City Hall.

When is the Oshawa Santa Claus Parade of Lights in 2026?

Durham Region's tourism page lists the Oshawa Santa Claus Parade of Lights for November 21 at 6:30 p.m. It goes west along Bond Street from Division Street to Gibbons Street. In 2025 the parade took place on Saturday, November 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on King Street.

Does Oshawa have a Christmas market in 2026?

Yes. The Bright and Merry Market on Friday, November 20, 2026 includes an artisan vendor market on Centre Street, alongside Santa photos, a tree lighting and a holiday trolley. Rally Takes the Train's Oshawa Christmas events guide lists the full schedule and addresses for families planning the evening.

Who was R. S. McLaughlin and why does he matter to Oshawa?

Colonel R. S. McLaughlin was president of General Motors of Canada. He and his wife Adelaide developed Parkwood, a 55-room mansion at 270 Simcoe Street North, between 1915 and 1940, and lived there for 55 years. Parks Canada designated it a National Historic Site in 1989.

How big is Parkwood Estate in Oshawa?

Parkwood covers about 12 acres in central Oshawa. The main house has 55 rooms and was built in 1916 and 1917. The grounds hold a sunken garden with a Japanese pavilion, an Italian garden, a rose garden and an Art Deco water garden.

Is Parkwood Estate open for Christmas tours in 2026?

Parkwood Estate is at 270 Simcoe Street North, and winter hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. No 2026 Christmas tour dates have been announced, so call 905-433-4311 or check the estate's booking page before planning a visit.

Can kids see Santa at the Bright and Merry Market?

Yes. In 2026 Santa sees families inside City Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on November 20. Look for the giant candy canes in Civic Square to find the entrance. The city page does not say whether photos cost extra.

What can kids do at the Bright and Merry Market besides see Santa?

The 2026 schedule lists a fire truck visit, bus painting, a Canadian Tank Museum visit, face painting at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, a children's colouring area at St. George's Memorial Church, and a holiday trolley. Choirs perform on the Memorial Park bandshell from 5:30 p.m.

When does Whitby Lights the Night start in 2026?

The Town of Whitby lists the festival for Friday, November 27, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Civic Park, 555-575 Rossland Road East. The tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. The lights then glow every evening from dusk to 10 p.m. through January 4, 2027.

How many lights are in Whitby Lights the Night?

The Town of Whitby says the display has over 200,000 lights, with ground displays in Civic Park, Celebration Square and Grass Park. Downtown Whitby also gets snowflake decorations, and Downtown Brooklin gets seasonal decor. Families driving from Oshawa can also use the town trolley and parking shuttle on festival night.

Is there a sensory-friendly option at Whitby Lights the Night?

Yes. The Town of Whitby lists an inclusive sensory room at the November 27, 2026 festival night. The night also has cookie decorating, seasonal crafts, strolling performers and a Santa visit. The page describes the event as family-friendly but gives no age range.

Where can we see a Santa parade near Oshawa in 2026?

Durham Region's tourism page lists Bowmanville on November 21 at 10:30 a.m., Oshawa on November 21 at 6:30 p.m., Ajax on November 28 at 6 p.m., and Whitby on December 5 at 10 a.m. Scugog's Port Perry parade is December 5 at 5 p.m.

Is there a Santa parade in Ajax in 2026?

Yes. The Ajax Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights is listed for November 28 at 6 p.m., starting at Bayly Street and Harwood Avenue South. The Town of Ajax event page shows 6 to 7:30 p.m. on November 28, 2026 and gives no price. Rally Takes the Train's Oshawa Christmas events guide lists it along with other Durham parades.

What is Moonlight Magic in Bowmanville?

Moonlight Magic is Bowmanville's downtown tree-lighting evening on Temperance Street. The Clarington page describes horse-drawn wagon rides from 5 p.m., a ceremony at 6:30 p.m., carols, children's entertainment, photos with mascots and a Find the Elves window hunt. Admission and parking are free. No 2026 date was confirmed for it.

When is the Whitby Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

Durham Region's tourism page lists the Whitby Santa Claus Parade for December 5 at 10 a.m. on Brock Street North. The page gives no price. A 2025 Whitby page put the parade on Saturday, December 6, starting at 10 a.m. and running from Manning Road to Trent Street.

What museums join in on the Oshawa holiday market night?

In 2026 the Canadian Automotive Museum at 99 Simcoe Street South holds a Holiday Open House by donation until 9 p.m., and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery at 72 Queen Street stays open with face painting and hot chocolate. A Canadian Tank Museum visit is also listed on Centre Street.

Does the Oshawa library take part in the holiday market?

Yes. The 2026 city page lists the Oshawa Public Library McLaughlin Branch at 65 Debwewin Miikan as open until 9 p.m. on November 20, with a silent headphone disco from 5 to 9 p.m. and music from the Bruce Gorrie Trio on Queen Street.

Can we donate food at Oshawa's holiday market?

In 2025 the City of Oshawa invited visitors to bring non-perishable food donations for Feed the Need in Durham to the Bright and Merry Market. The 2026 event page does not repeat that request, so check the event page for updates before November 20.

Where should we spend Christmas Day in Oshawa with kids?

The holiday events listed here end before December 25, apart from the Whitby lights, which glow every evening through January 4, 2027. Parkwood Estate and the Oshawa Public Library publish their own holiday hours, so confirm those directly before heading out.

Sources

  1. Bright and Merry Market, City of Oshawa
  2. Santa's Parade of Lights, City of Oshawa
  3. The countdown is on for Oshawa's Bright and Merry Market, City of Oshawa
  4. Celebrate the season at these Santa Claus parades in Durham Region, Durham Region Tourism
  5. 30 Christmas markets and holiday events in Durham Region, Durham Region Tourism
  6. Whitby Lights the Night, Town of Whitby
  7. Parkwood National Historic Site of Canada, Parks Canada
  8. Parkwood Estate, Parkwood Estate
  9. Moonlight Magic, Bowmanville BIA
  10. The top things to do in Whitby this holiday season, Town of Whitby
Kelsey Cecil
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