Christmas Events for Kids in St. Catharines, Ontario (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in St. Catharines, Ontario. The season opens on November 14 with Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade and runs until January 10 with Winter Festival of Lights. Of these, 2 are free. 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 Niagara Falls, Stevensville and Thorold: 5
  • First: Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade, Niagara Falls, November 14
  • Free events: Winter Festival of Lights and Winter Festival of Lights

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 St. Catharines, Ontario

Kids’ Christmas events
5 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
Niagara Falls, Stevensville and Thorold
Season
November 14 to January 10
Free events
2
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Niagara Falls

Listed soonest first: 3 confirmed events in Niagara Falls.

Santa Claus parade

Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade

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The City of Niagara Falls parade starts at 4 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Armoury Street and Victoria Avenue. It heads north on Victoria Avenue, turns right onto Valley Way, continues down Queen Street and finishes at City Hall.

Expect floats, community groups, costumed characters, marching bands and performances, with Santa and Mrs. Claus as the finale. Post-parade celebrations follow in Centennial Square. Canada Post collects Letters to Santa along the route, and Project Share collects cash or non-perishable food donations.

Parent tip: Queen Street closes from 10 am to 6:30 pm and Victoria Avenue from Ryerson Crescent to Huron Street from 3:30 pm, so park a few blocks away.

Host
City of Niagara Falls (opens in a new tab)
Where
Victoria Avenue to Queen Street and City Hall, Victoria Avenue and Queen Street, Niagara Falls (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Niagara Falls (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 4 more St. Catharines, Ontario events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

  • 3 Lights
  • 2 Santa
  • 2 Parades
  • 2 Free

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Christmas lightsFree

Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)

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The 44th Winter Festival of Lights covers sites around Niagara Falls with about three million lights, new displays and interactive exhibits, and views of the Falls. The tourism board calls it Canada's largest free outdoor festival. The lights come on nightly from 5 pm to midnight, including holidays.

Fireworks last five minutes and start at 8 pm. They run Fridays and Saturdays from Nov 14 to Dec 12, nightly from Dec 18 to Jan 2, and on Jan 8 and 9, with a nine-minute show at midnight on Dec 31. The page also mentions a live holiday show on the OLG Stage and a festival map with a prize draw. Donations are accepted at Dufferin Islands.

Parent tip: Plan a night visit and layer up, since much of it is a walk outdoors. Fireworks shows are brief and early, so arrive before 8 pm.

Host
Niagara Falls Tourism (opens in a new tab)
Where
Various locations along the Niagara Parkway and Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls L2E 6X8 (opens in maps) (near Toronto)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Niagara Falls Tourism (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)

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The 2026 Winter Festival of Lights runs from November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027, with displays lit nightly from 5 pm to midnight, holidays included. Most displays are along the Niagara Parkway between Clifton Hill and Dufferin Islands, with more in the Fallsview District and on Lundy's Lane. The route spans more than 8 km.

Entry is free, and voluntary donations are accepted at Dufferin Islands. Five-minute fireworks go off at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays from November 14 to December 12, plus January 8 and 9, and nightly from December 18 to January 2. The Misty Lodge in Queen Victoria Park is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 pm.

Parent tip: The page says more updates are coming, so check it again before you go.

Host
Niagara Falls Tourism (opens in a new tab)
Where
Niagara Parkway between Clifton Hill and Dufferin Islands, plus Fallsview and Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Niagara Falls Tourism (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Stevensville

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Stevensville.

Christmas lights

Safari Lights (Stevensville)

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Safari Lights runs for the 2026 season from November 20 to January 3. From November 20 to December 9 it is open Fridays to Sundays, plus Toy Drive Night on November 26 and Food Drive Night on December 3. From December 10 to January 3 it is open daily, except December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Entry starts at 5:30 pm, with last entry at 7:30 pm and some December and January nights later, up to 8:45 pm. Pricing is per vehicle: $24.95 on Value Nights, $29.95 on Peak Nights, $34.95 for Any Night, and $14.95 on Toy Drive Night and Food Drive Night.

Parent tip: The lower non-peak tickets are only valid until December 11, so check the operating schedule for your date.

Host
Safari Niagara (opens in a new tab)
Where
Safari Niagara, 2821 Stevensville Road, Stevensville L0S 1S0 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Safari Niagara (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas events for kids in Thorold

Listed soonest first: 1 confirmed event in Thorold.

Santa Claus parade

Thorold Santa Claus Parade

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The Thorold Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, November 28, 2026, starting at 4 pm. It travels down Sullivan Avenue and turns left onto Pine Street. The town's page points to a Parade Route and Closures menu for the new 2026 route.

Floats are decorated with lights, and there are live bands, marchers and popular characters, with Santa and Mrs. Claus attending. Before the parade, a Meet & Greet with Santa runs from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Prince of Wales Public School parking lot, 40 Pine Street South, with free face painting. Three free hot chocolate stations are along the route.

Parent tip: Plan to arrive for the 1:30 pm Meet & Greet if your child wants a Santa photo before the crowds line the route.

Host
City of Thorold (opens in a new tab)
Where
Sullivan Avenue and Pine Street; Meet & Greet at Prince of Wales Public School, 40 Pine Street South, Thorold (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with City of Thorold (opens in a new tab)

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More Christmas events for kids in Canada

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Christmas events for kids in St. Catharines, Ontario: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in St. Catharines, Ontario?

For 2026, we confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in St. Catharines, Ontario, each on its host’s own page: Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls), Thorold Santa Claus Parade (Thorold), Safari Lights (Stevensville) and 1 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in St. Catharines, Ontario?

Yes, 2 of the 5 events here are free: Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in St. Catharines, Ontario?

Where to see Santa: Thorold Santa Claus Parade (Thorold) and Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade (Niagara Falls). 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 St. Catharines, Ontario

When the 2020 parade was cancelled, St. Catharines set up a Holiday Square at St. Paul and James Streets. Today the city's own winter tradition is a free light trail that starts in Port Dalhousie, and families also head to nearby Niagara Region communities: parades in Niagara Falls and Thorold, and lights in Niagara Falls and Stevensville.

A Holiday Square on St. Paul Street and lights in Port Dalhousie

In 2020 the city skipped its Santa parade and set up an STC Holiday Square at the corner of St. Paul and James Streets instead. Santa appeared every half hour from 1 to 7 p.m., and a light and sound show ran on the hour.

The city's main winter tradition today is Let It Glow, a lights festival centred on Rennie Park in Port Dalhousie, with more installations at Rankin Bridge, James Street Alley and City Hall. The 2023 launch party was on December 1, with a carousel opening at Lakeside Park and a scavenger hunt.

A downtown trail, late shopping and a November 22 tree lighting

The Downtown Holiday Trail ran from November 23 to December 23, 2025, with stops including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Meridian Centre and RAIN. Downtown stores stayed open until 8 p.m. on December 4 and 18.

A regional guide listed Let It Glow from November 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026, free, in Port Dalhousie and downtown. Nearby, Welland held its parade on November 22 at 5 p.m. and lit the Civic Square tree. Niagara Falls ran its parade on November 15, and its Winter Festival of Lights opened that same day.

Chili cook-offs, a fireworks schedule and a car-by-car price

The Welland parade ended with a chili cook-off between the fire department and Niagara Regional Police at 6:30 p.m. None of these outings is in St. Catharines itself, but all are a short drive away in the Niagara Region. In the town of Thorold, the 2026 Santa Claus Parade turns from Sullivan Avenue onto Pine Street.

In Niagara Falls, the Winter Festival of Lights route covers more than 8 km, and its 2026 fireworks run on Fridays and Saturdays until December 12, then nightly from December 18. In Stevensville, Safari Lights charges by vehicle, not by person, so a full car costs the same as a car with one passenger.

Traditions today

  • Let It Glow: A free, self-guided lights festival in Port Dalhousie and downtown, with displays, a carousel at Lakeside Park and a Santa photo station in the 2024 to 2025 season.
  • Downtown Holiday Trail: A downtown trail that ran November 23 to December 23, 2025, with late shopping until 8 p.m. on December 4 and 18.
  • Mitten Tree at the museum: A winter clothing drive at the St. Catharines Museum, tied to Let It Glow in the 2023 to 2024 season.
  • Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 4 p.m., ending at City Hall with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
  • Thorold Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 4 p.m., with a Santa Meet & Greet beforehand and free hot chocolate stations on the route.
  • Winter Festival of Lights: A free festival of lights in Niagara Falls from November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027.

A fact for kids

A Safari Lights ticket is priced per vehicle, not per person, so a car full of kids costs the same as a car with one passenger.

Questions about Christmas in St. Catharines, Ontario

When is the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

The Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 4 p.m. It begins at Armoury Street and Victoria Avenue, goes north on Victoria Avenue, turns right onto Valley Way and follows Queen Street to City Hall. Santa and Mrs. Claus close the parade, and celebrations follow in Centennial Square.

When is the Thorold Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

Thorold's parade is on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 4 p.m. It goes down Sullivan Avenue and turns left onto Pine Street, and the town has posted a new 2026 route. Santa and Mrs. Claus attend. A Meet & Greet with Santa runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 40 Pine Street South.

Is there a Santa Claus parade in St. Catharines in 2026?

No 2026 date has been announced for a St. Catharines parade. In 2020 the city ran a Holiday Square at St. Paul and James Streets as a parade alternative. Families can head to the Niagara Falls parade on November 14 or the Thorold parade on November 28, both confirmed for 2026.

When does the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights start in 2026?

The 2026 festival opens November 14, 2026, and runs to January 10, 2027. Displays are lit nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight, including holidays. Entry is free, and donations are accepted at Dufferin Islands. Most displays line the Niagara Parkway between Clifton Hill and Dufferin Islands, with more in the Fallsview District and on Lundy's Lane.

Which nights have fireworks at the Winter Festival of Lights in 2026?

Five-minute fireworks go off at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from November 14 to December 12, 2026, plus January 8 and 9, 2027. They run nightly from December 18 to January 2. A nine-minute show lights the sky at midnight on December 31. The Misty Lodge in Queen Victoria Park is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

How much does Safari Lights cost in 2026?

Safari Lights is priced per vehicle. Value Nights are $24.95, Peak Nights are $29.95, and an Any Night ticket is $34.95. Toy Drive Night on November 26 and Food Drive Night on December 3 are $14.95 per vehicle. The lower non-peak tickets are only valid until December 11.

When does Safari Lights run in 2026, and where is it?

Safari Lights runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 at Safari Niagara, 2821 Stevensville Road, Stevensville. Through December 9 it is open Fridays to Sundays, plus the two donation nights. From December 10 it is open daily. It is closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1. Entry starts at 5:30 p.m.

What is Let It Glow in St. Catharines?

Let It Glow is the city's free, self-guided lights festival. The 2024 to 2025 season ran from November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025, with more than 50 illuminated displays, interactive light sculptures, a historic carousel at Lakeside Park, a Santa photo station and live entertainment. A regional guide lists the 2025 to 2026 season from November 29, 2025.

Where do you see the Let It Glow lights?

The main site is Rennie Park in Port Dalhousie, where the launch party has been held. Downtown installations have included the Rankin Bridge by the Meridian Centre, James Street Alley and City Hall at 50 Church Street. The historic carousel at Lakeside Park has opened for the launch event. Check the city's holiday guide for the 2026 plan.

What was the Downtown St. Catharines Holiday Trail?

The Downtown Holiday Trail ran from November 23 to December 23, 2025, with stops including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Meridian Centre and RAIN. Downtown retail stores stayed open late, until 8 p.m., on December 4 and 18. No price was stated. No 2026 version has been announced.

What was the STC Holiday Square in 2020?

The STC Holiday Square was the city's alternative to a Santa Claus parade in 2020. It ran at the corner of St. Paul and James Streets, with Santa appearing every half hour from 1 to 7 p.m. and a light and sound show on the hour. It also had hot drinks, artisanal vendors and a touchless holiday photo booth.

Where can kids meet Santa near St. Catharines in 2026?

In Thorold, a Meet & Greet with Santa runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2026, in the Prince of Wales Public School parking lot at 40 Pine Street South, with free face painting. Santa and Mrs. Claus also finish the Niagara Falls parade on November 14. Rally Takes the Train's St. Catharines Christmas events guide collects these Niagara Region dates.

Where can families see Christmas lights near St. Catharines?

Two light shows are nearby, though neither is in St. Catharines itself. The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls is free and runs November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027. Safari Lights in Stevensville is a drive-through show priced per vehicle from November 20. In St. Catharines itself, Let It Glow lit Port Dalhousie and downtown in past seasons, so check the city site for 2026 dates.

What can kids do at Christmas around St. Catharines besides Let It Glow?

Confirmed for 2026 are two parades, Niagara Falls on November 14 and Thorold on November 28, plus a Santa Meet & Greet in Thorold with free face painting. Families can also drive through Safari Lights or walk the Winter Festival of Lights. The dates are in our St. Catharines Christmas events guide.

What is open on Christmas Day for families near St. Catharines?

The Winter Festival of Lights displays are lit nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight, including holidays, and fireworks run nightly from December 18 to January 2. Safari Lights is closed on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1, so plan the drive-through for another night. Check each host's page before heading out.

When was the Welland Santa Claus Parade in 2025?

Welland's parade was on Saturday, November 22, 2025, starting at 5 p.m. at East Main and Wellington Streets and ending at Civic Square. Santa and the mayor lit the tree there. A chili cook-off between the fire department and Niagara Regional Police began at 6:30 p.m. No 2026 date has been announced for Welland.

When was the Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade in 2025?

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade was on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. It started at King and Centre Streets in Old Town and followed Castlereagh, Wellington, Byron and Prideaux, Simcoe and Queen Streets. Queen Street was closed to parking until 2 p.m. No 2026 date has been announced.

What is the Mitten Tree at the St. Catharines Museum?

The Mitten Tree was a winter clothing drive at the St. Catharines Museum tied to Let It Glow. In the 2023 to 2024 season it ran from December 2, 2023 to January 6, 2024. No 2026 dates have been announced, so check the museum before you go.

Can kids get a Santa photo during Let It Glow?

Yes, in past seasons. The 2024 to 2025 Let It Glow included a Santa photo station. In December 2023 the festival also had a free skate at the Meridian Centre on December 10, from noon to 4 p.m., with a Santa and Mrs. Claus photo session. Confirm 2026 photo details with the City of St. Catharines.

What are Toy Drive Night and Food Drive Night at Safari Lights?

They are two reduced-price nights in the 2026 Safari Lights season. Toy Drive Night is November 26 and Food Drive Night is December 3, each $14.95 per vehicle. Both fall in the Friday to Sunday period, which runs November 20 to December 9. Safari Niagara does not say what donations to bring, so check with Safari Niagara.

Sources

  1. STC Holiday Square to offer Santa Claus parade alternative, City of St. Catharines
  2. Let It Glow illuminates St. Catharines for the holiday season, City of St. Catharines
  3. Let It Glow: A Celebration of Light, Love STC
  4. Downtown Holiday Trail, Love STC
  5. Guide to Christmas and Holidays in Niagara Falls Region, Todo Canada
  6. Welland Santa Claus Parade, City of Welland
  7. Santa Claus Parade, City of Niagara Falls
  8. Santa Claus Parade, City of Thorold
  9. Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls Tourism
  10. Safari Lights, Safari Niagara
  11. Christmas Parade, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Kelsey Cecil
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