Christmas Events for Kids in Thunder Bay (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

3 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 3 Christmas events for kids in Thunder Bay. The season opens on November 28 with Market at the Moose and runs until December 19 with Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra: The Christmas Songbook (Pops #2). 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 Thunder Bay: 3
  • First: Market at the Moose, Thunder Bay, November 28
  • 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 Thunder Bay

Kids’ Christmas events
3 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
Thunder Bay
Season
November 28 to December 19
Free events
None confirmed yet
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Thunder Bay

Listed soonest first: 3 confirmed events in Thunder Bay.

Christmas market

Market at the Moose

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The market lists about 60 vendors, a chance to get a photo with Santa and live music. The dates run from Saturday, November 28 to Saturday, December 12, 2026. Hours, admission and the exact market days were not shown on the page we read, and it came from an events listing site, so confirm those with the organizer.

Parent tip: Ask the organizer which days and hours the market is open, and whether the Santa photos are free, before you bring the kids.

Host
(opens in a new tab)
Where
The Moose Hall, Thunder Bay (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 2 more Thunder Bay 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 Thunder Bay.
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Coming up on this page

  • 1 Santa
  • 1 Crafts
  • 1 Markets
  • 1 Zoos and museums

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Christmas crafts

Weird Winter Wonderland

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The day runs from 11am to 4pm at the Thunder Bay Museum. Families can colour, make crafts and pose for a Krampus photo. Admission is by donation to the museum. The only source we found was an events listing site, so treat the details as a lead and check with the museum before you go.

Parent tip: Krampus is a horned folk figure from Alpine Christmas stories, so younger kids may find the photo spot spooky. Bring a few dollars for the donation.

Host
Thunder Bay Museum (opens in a new tab)
Where
Thunder Bay Museum (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Thunder Bay Museum (opens in a new tab)

New events in Thunder Bay every week

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

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Family Christmas event

Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra: The Christmas Songbook (Pops #2)

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Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Christmas leads the orchestra through classic seasonal favourites and newer selections from the Christmas pop songbook. The auditorium's event page calls the program perfect for all ages. It lists the concert at 1 Paul Shaffer Drive. Ticket prices were not shown on the page we read, so check the auditorium box office before you plan.

Parent tip: The concert starts at 7:30pm, so it suits older kids who can sit through an evening show. Check the auditorium site for ticket prices and seat choices before you go.

Host
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)
Where
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, Thunder Bay (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)

New events in Thunder Bay every week

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

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in Canada

A story for the trip home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

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Christmas events for kids in Thunder Bay: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Thunder Bay?

For 2026, we confirmed 3 Christmas events for kids in Thunder Bay, each on its host’s own page: Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra: The Christmas Songbook (Pops #2), Market at the Moose and Weird Winter Wonderland. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Thunder Bay?

Where to see Santa: Market at the Moose. 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 Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay holds its Santa parade in the morning, down Memorial Avenue, and saves the lights for a night parade of decorated trucks. Both draw families into the cold.

A 10am Santa on Memorial Avenue

Thunder Bay's Santa Claus parade is a morning event. The Rotary clubs put it on, and it follows the traditional route down Memorial Avenue with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the centre. A TBnewswatch report on the 31st annual parade said about 10,000 people had come out the year before, and that watching costs nothing.

The night-time version is the Parade of Lights, a line of decorated transport trucks. Its 24th annual run was set for Saturday, December 2, 2023, about 7pm, along the Harbour Expressway and Memorial Avenue. The CP Holiday Train stopped the night before, Friday, December 1, 2023, at the CP Station on Syndicate Avenue, with the Anyway Gang as musical guest.

Superstore to Memorial Avenue on November 15, 2025

The 2025 Rotary Santa Claus Parade ran on Saturday, November 15, from 10:00am to 12:05pm. It started at the Real Canadian Superstore, rolled down Memorial Avenue and cost nothing to watch. Families lined the sidewalks to see the floats and Santa.

A week later, on Sunday, November 23, the 11th Holiday Craft Revival took over the Waterfront District and Prince Arthur's Landing. It had free admission, more than 150 artisans, live music and photo spots. The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra closed the pops season on December 20 with Holiday Pops at 7:30pm. The city's calendar had not posted a 2026 date for the parade when this was written. For 2026, the dates we could confirm are Market at the Moose from November 28, Weird Winter Wonderland at the museum on December 5, and The Christmas Songbook on December 19.

$45,636.10 from a line of lit-up trucks

The Parade of Lights has a chair, Greg Stephenson, a retired city police officer who has led it since 2003. The 2022 edition raised $45,636.10 for four groups that serve children and young adults with special needs: Autism Ontario Thunder Bay and District, the George Jeffrey Children's Centre, Special Olympics Ontario Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association.

Northern Ontario Travel's winter guide also points to Westfort Winter Wonderland, with bonfires, hot cocoa and a tree lighting. The community Nutcracker has brought the city's dance schools together on stage at the Community Auditorium, and the December 14, 2024 show was a 1pm matinee.

Traditions today

  • Rotary Santa Claus Parade: A free Saturday morning parade down Memorial Avenue. In 2025 it ran from 10:00am to 12:05pm on November 15, starting at the Real Canadian Superstore.
  • Parade of Lights: Decorated transport trucks light up the route, with proceeds going to four groups serving children and young adults with special needs.
  • CP Holiday Train stop: A short stop at the CP Station on Syndicate Avenue with live music, listed for 2023 on Friday, December 1.
  • Holiday Craft Revival: A free November market at the Waterfront District with more than 150 artisans. The 2025 edition was the 11th.
  • Holiday Pops: The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra plays its Christmas concert at the Community Auditorium every December, and The Christmas Songbook is set for December 19, 2026.
  • Community Nutcracker: Thunder Bay and area dance schools perform together at the Community Auditorium, with a 1pm show on December 14, 2024.

A fact for kids

Thunder Bay's Parade of Lights is a parade of decorated transport trucks, and the 2022 edition raised $45,636.10 for children and young adults with special needs.

Questions about Christmas in Thunder Bay

When is The Christmas Songbook with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in 2026?

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra plays The Christmas Songbook (Pops #2) on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 7:30pm at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive. The auditorium calls it perfect for all ages.

Who conducts The Christmas Songbook concert in Thunder Bay?

Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Christmas leads The Christmas Songbook. The concert mixes classic holiday favourites with newer selections from the Christmas pop songbook.

When do tickets go on sale for the December 19 symphony pops concert?

The auditorium's page says general tickets went on sale April 17, 2026, at 4:30pm, and loge seats on October 20, 2026, at noon. Check the auditorium box office for what is left.

What time did the Rotary Santa Claus Parade start in Thunder Bay in 2025?

The 2025 Rotary Santa Claus Parade ran from 10:00am to 12:05pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025. It started at the Real Canadian Superstore and went down Memorial Avenue.

Does it cost anything to watch the Thunder Bay Santa Claus parade?

No. The city's events calendar lists the 2025 Rotary Santa Claus Parade as free, and a TBnewswatch report on an earlier parade also said families can come at no cost.

Has the 2026 Thunder Bay Santa Claus parade date been posted?

Not on the City of Thunder Bay events calendar when this page was researched. That calendar showed only the November 15, 2025 parade, so check the Rotary clubs or the city calendar closer to the season.

Which Thunder Bay clubs run the Santa Claus parade?

The city's Rotary clubs put on the parade. A TBnewswatch report named Dawn Sebesta as a co-organizer, and the city calendar lists her as the contact for float registration.

How many people watch the Santa parade on Memorial Avenue?

A TBnewswatch report on the 31st annual parade said about 10,000 people attended the year before. It described the parade as one of the city's most popular annual events.

Do the Thunder Bay Christmas trucks have a night parade too?

Yes. The Parade of Lights features decorated transport trucks. Its 24th annual run was set for Saturday, December 2, 2023, about 7pm, along the Harbour Expressway and Memorial Avenue. No 2026 date had been confirmed when this was researched.

Where does the money from the Thunder Bay Parade of Lights go?

Proceeds go to Autism Ontario Thunder Bay and District, the George Jeffrey Children's Centre, Special Olympics Ontario Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association. The 2022 edition raised $45,636.10.

Who started leading the Parade of Lights in 2003?

Greg Stephenson, a retired city police officer, has chaired the Parade of Lights since 2003. He calls it "our parade".

Where does the CP Holiday Train stop in Thunder Bay?

In 2023 the train was due at the CP Station, 440 Syndicate Avenue, at about 8:45pm on Friday, December 1, with the Anyway Gang as musical guest. Check the 2026 stop time before you go.

What is the Holiday Craft Revival in Thunder Bay?

It is a free November market at the Waterfront District and Prince Arthur's Landing. The 2025 edition, the 11th, ran Sunday, November 23, 10am to 4pm, with more than 150 artisans, live music and photo opportunities. Its 2026 date was not posted when this was researched.

Is there a Santa photo at a Thunder Bay market in 2026?

An events website shows Market at the Moose at the Moose Hall from Saturday, November 28 to Saturday, December 12, 2026, with about 60 vendors, Santa photos and live music. Confirm days and hours with the organizer.

What is Weird Winter Wonderland at the Thunder Bay Museum?

An events website shows a Saturday, December 5, 2026, event from 11am to 4pm at the Thunder Bay Museum with colouring, crafts and a Krampus photo op. Admission is by donation. Confirm with the museum.

Is there a Nutcracker in Thunder Bay for kids?

Thunder Bay's community Nutcracker has brought the city's dance schools together at the Community Auditorium, and the December 14, 2024 show was at 1pm. No 2026 Nutcracker date had been posted when this was researched.

What did Thunder Bay's winter guide suggest for small kids in 2025?

Northern Ontario Travel's December 2025 guide pointed to Westfort Winter Wonderland, with bonfires, live music, Santa sightings, hot cocoa and a tree lighting. It also listed a free all-ages variety show at the Community Auditorium and a New Year's Eve Family Frolic at Fort William Historical Park.

Where can Thunder Bay families go on New Year's Eve with young kids?

Northern Ontario Travel's 2025 guide listed a New Year's Eve Family Frolic at Fort William Historical Park with skating, crafts, games, live music and fireworks, ending early enough for young children. Check for 2026 details.

Where can we spend Christmas Day in Thunder Bay with kids?

None of the Thunder Bay events confirmed for 2026 fall on December 25. The latest confirmed date is the symphony concert on December 19, so plan Christmas Day yourself and use Rally Takes the Train's Thunder Bay Christmas events guide for the outings that do have dates.

What other Christmas outings can Thunder Bay kids fit in beyond the symphony concert?

Rally Takes the Train's Thunder Bay Christmas events guide lists the Moose Hall market from November 28 and the museum's Weird Winter Wonderland on December 5, both from an events website, plus the December 19 concert.

Sources

  1. Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra: The Christmas Songbook (Pops #2), Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
  2. Rotary Santa Claus Parade Presented by Canadian Tire, City of Thunder Bay events calendar
  3. 2025 Thunder Bay Rotary Christmas Parade Thrills Children and Adults Alike, NetNewsLedger
  4. Santa Claus parade returns for its 31st year, TBnewswatch
  5. Parade of Lights to return for 24th year, TBnewswatch
  6. CP Holiday Train and Parade of Lights and Thunder Bay Events Coming Up, NetNewsLedger
  7. 12 Winter Events You'll Love in Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario Travel
  8. Holiday 2025 Craft Revival, City of Thunder Bay events calendar
  9. Thunder Bay's Community Nutcracker, Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
  10. Thunder Bay kids events, allevents.in (listing site)
  11. Holiday Pops, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
Kelsey Cecil
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