Christmas Events for Kids in Whitby, Ontario (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in Whitby, Ontario. The season opens on November 21 with Brooklin's Christmas in the Village 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 Whitby: 4
  • First: Brooklin's Christmas in the Village, Whitby, November 21
  • 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 Whitby, Ontario

Kids’ Christmas events
4 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
Whitby
Season
November 21 to January 4
Free events
None confirmed yet
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Whitby

Listed soonest first: 4 confirmed events in Whitby.

Breakfast with Santa

Brooklin's Christmas in the Village

Expand to see the parent tip

The Town of Whitby page for Brooklin's Christmas in the Village shows Saturday, November 21, 2026. The Whitby Farmers' Christmas Market runs at Brooklin United Church, 19 Cassels Road East, from 9am to 2pm, with local produce, baked goods, handmade gifts and festive music. The Optimist Club serves a pancake breakfast at Brooklin Masonic Hall, 14 Cassels Road East, from 9am to 2pm while quantities last.

The family activities are at Grass Park, 41 Baldwin Street, from 11am to 3pm. The page lists a sleigh photo spot, a visit with Santa Claus, carols and strolling performers, horse and wagon rides, holiday crafts, and a storytime hosted by the Brooklin library followed by a scavenger hunt. Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with coffee or hot chocolate at $1. No other prices are listed.

Parent tip: The breakfast is served while quantities last, so go early if pancakes are the plan. Grass Park activities start at 11am, so the morning market and breakfast fit before them.

Host
Town of Whitby (opens in a new tab)
Where
Grass Park, Brooklin United Church and Brooklin Masonic Hall, 41 Baldwin Street (Grass Park), Whitby (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 Whitby, Ontario every week

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 3 more Whitby, 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 Whitby, 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 Crafts
  • 1 Story time
  • 1 Lights

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Visit with Santa

Whitby Lights the Night

Details, tips and host

The festival night on November 27 runs 5 to 9pm 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 5:30pm, 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 10pm 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 Whitby, Ontario every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Whitby, Ontario 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

Santa Shuffle Whitby: Fun Run and Elf Walk

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The Santa Shuffle is a national Salvation Army fundraiser, and the Whitby edition is listed for Saturday, December 5, 2026, at the Abilities Centre, 1 Jim Flaherty Street. One registration covers either a 5K fun run or a 1K elf walk, so families can pick the distance that suits the youngest walker.

The listing shows individual registration at $61.59. Youth aged 18 and under and seniors aged 65 and over get $10 off automatically at checkout. Youth who raise $100 or more qualify for a limited-edition toque, and the page says the usual threshold is $150. The page does not list a start time, so check the host before you plan your day.

Parent tip: Registration is required and the start time was not posted when this was checked, so confirm it with the Salvation Army before the day.

Host
The Salvation Army (opens in a new tab)
Where
Abilities Centre, 1 Jim Flaherty Street, Whitby L1N 0J2 (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with The Salvation Army (opens in a new tab)

New events in Whitby, Ontario every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Whitby, 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 10am 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 Whitby, Ontario every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Whitby, 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

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

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

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.ca (opens in a new tab)

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

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

For 2026, we confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in Whitby, Ontario, each on its host’s own page: Brooklin's Christmas in the Village (Whitby), Santa Shuffle Whitby: Fun Run and Elf Walk (Whitby), Whitby Lights the Night (Whitby) and 1 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

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

Where to see Santa: Brooklin's Christmas in the Village (Whitby), Whitby Lights the Night (Whitby) and Whitby Santa Claus Parade (Whitby). Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Whitby, Ontario?

Christmas story times on this page: Brooklin's Christmas in the Village (Whitby). Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.

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 Whitby, Ontario

Whitby's Santa Claus Parade has been held on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years, and more than 50 groups walk the route, with a historic cutter sleigh among the sights. The season now also includes a lights festival at Civic Park.

The first Saturday of December on Brock Street

Whitby's Santa Claus Parade has been held on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years, according to the Lynde House Museum. Over 50 organizations walk the Brock Street route, and the museum tells watchers to look for the O'Donovan Cutter Sleigh and costumed volunteers.

The Town of Whitby also holds Whitby Lights the Night at Civic Park. In Brooklin, the Town's Christmas in the Village centres on Grass Park, with horse and wagon rides, Santa, crafts and a storytime hosted by the Brooklin library.

A November market, a lights night and a parade on December 6

The 2025 season began with Downtown Whitby's Christmas market at Celebration Square on November 14 and 15. Whitby Lights the Night followed on Friday, November 21, from 5 to 8pm at Whitby Civic Park, and Brooklin's Christmas in the Village ran the next morning from 9am to 2pm.

The Santa Claus Parade started at 10am on Saturday, December 6, along Brock Street from Manning Road to Trent Street.

From about 100,000 lights to more than 200,000

An earlier year of Whitby Lights the Night promised close to 100,000 lights across Celebration Square, Grass Park and Whitby Civic Park, and the Town, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services and JCI Durham sent Santa touring the town in something big and red. Today the Town describes over 200,000 lights.

For 2026 the festival is on November 27, with the tree lighting at 5:30pm, and the lights run until January 4, 2027, from dusk until 10pm. Downtown Whitby's market reached its fifth year in 2023.

Traditions today

  • Whitby Lights the Night: The Town of Whitby festival is set for November 27, 2026, from 5 to 9pm at Civic Park, with the tree lighting at 5:30pm and a visit from Santa.
  • Santa Claus Parade on Brock Street: The parade has run on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years, with over 50 organizations on the route.
  • Brooklin's Christmas in the Village: The Town lists Saturday, November 21, 2026, with a farmers' market, Optimist Club pancake breakfast and Grass Park activities.
  • Library Christmas storytimes: Whitby Public Library's December 2024 guide had Santa visit family storytimes at the Rossland, Brooklin and Central branches.
  • Downtown Whitby Christmas Market: The downtown market at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas Street West, was in its fifth year in 2023 and ran again on November 14 and 15, 2025.
  • Santa Shuffle: The Salvation Army's 5K fun run and 1K elf walk at the Abilities Centre is listed for Saturday, December 5, 2026.

A fact for kids

Whitby's Santa Claus Parade has been held on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years, and a cutter sleigh rides in it.

Questions about Christmas in Whitby, Ontario

When is Whitby Lights the Night in 2026?

Whitby Lights the Night is on November 27, 2026, from 5 to 9pm at Civic Park, 555-575 Rossland Road East, according to the Town of Whitby. The tree lighting is at 5:30pm. The light displays then run from November 27 to January 4, 2027, from dusk until 10pm each evening.

What time is the tree lighting at Whitby Lights the Night?

The Town of Whitby schedules the official tree-lighting ceremony for 5:30pm on November 27, 2026, with a visit from Santa. The festival itself runs from 5 to 9pm at Civic Park, 555-575 Rossland Road East, and the lights stay on nightly after the main event ends.

How many lights are at Whitby Lights the Night?

The Town of Whitby describes over 200,000 lights, plus ground displays, for the 2026 festival. An earlier edition promised close to 100,000 lights across Celebration Square, Grass Park and Whitby Civic Park, so the display has grown since then. The lights run for about five weeks, until January 4, 2027.

Is there a quiet space for kids at Whitby Lights the Night?

Yes. The Town of Whitby says the 2026 festival has an inclusive sensory room for a quiet break away from the crowd and noise. The festival also has cookie decorating, seasonal crafts and family activities, so a child who needs a rest can step out and return.

Is there free transport to Whitby Lights the Night?

The Town of Whitby lists free trolley and shuttle rides for the evening, and its festival page mentions the Town Trolley and a parking shuttle. That helps families who park away from Civic Park. Check the Town's page closer to November 27, 2026 for pick-up points and times.

When is Brooklin's Christmas in the Village in 2026?

The Town of Whitby shows Saturday, November 21, 2026 for Brooklin's Christmas in the Village. The market and pancake breakfast run from 9am to 2pm, and the Grass Park activities run from 11am to 3pm. Rally Takes the Train's Whitby Christmas events guide has the full schedule.

What can kids do at Grass Park during Christmas in the Village?

At Grass Park, 41 Baldwin Street, the Town of Whitby lists a sleigh photo spot, a visit with Santa Claus, carols, strolling performers, horse and wagon rides and holiday crafts. A storytime hosted by the Brooklin library is followed by a scavenger hunt. The Grass Park hours are 11am to 3pm.

How much is the pancake breakfast at Brooklin's Christmas in the Village?

The Optimist Club pancake breakfast costs $10 for adults and $5 for children, and coffee or hot chocolate is $1, according to the Town of Whitby. It is served at Brooklin Masonic Hall, 14 Cassels Road East, from 9am to 2pm while quantities last, so arriving early is safer.

Where is the Whitby Farmers' Christmas Market in Brooklin?

The Whitby Farmers' Christmas Market is at Brooklin United Church, 19 Cassels Road East, from 9am to 2pm on November 21, 2026, as part of Brooklin's Christmas in the Village. It has local produce, baked goods, handmade holiday gifts and festive music. The Masonic Hall breakfast is next door on the same road.

How long has Whitby's Santa Claus Parade been running?

The Lynde House Museum says the Whitby Santa Claus Parade has been held on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years. It describes the event as suitable for all ages, with over 50 organizations walking the route and the O'Donovan Cutter Sleigh among the sights.

What route does the Whitby Santa Claus Parade take?

In 2025 the parade ran along Brock Street from Manning Road to Trent Street, according to the Town of Whitby, and started at 10am on Saturday, December 6. See the event listing on this page for the 2026 route, and check the Town's holiday guide before choosing a spot.

Which day is the Whitby Santa parade in 2026?

The parade has been held on the first Saturday of December for more than 50 years, which was December 6 in 2025. See the event listing on this page for the 2026 date, and check the Town of Whitby before you go.

Does Whitby Public Library have Santa storytimes?

In December 2024 the library held Christmas Special family storytimes with a Santa visit at the Rossland and Brooklin branches on Friday, December 13, and at the Central Library on Saturday, December 14. A 2026 schedule was not found, so check the library's program guide in the fall.

Where is the Downtown Whitby Christmas Market held?

The downtown market has been held at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas Street West, in front of the Whitby Public Library. The 2023 edition on November 18 was free, open to all ages and marked the market's fifth year. In 2025 Durham Region Tourism listed it for November 14 and 15.

What is the Santa Shuffle in Whitby?

The Santa Shuffle is a Salvation Army fundraiser with a 5K fun run or a 1K elf walk. The Whitby edition is listed for Saturday, December 5, 2026 at the Abilities Centre, 1 Jim Flaherty Street. Registration is $61.59 and youth aged 18 and under get $10 off at checkout.

Can young kids take part in the Whitby Santa Shuffle?

The event offers a 1K Elf Walk as an option for those who prefer walking, under the same registration as the 5K fun run. Youth aged 18 and under get $10 off automatically. The start time was not posted in the source used, so confirm it with the Salvation Army.

Where is Whitby Civic Park?

Whitby Civic Park is at 555-575 Rossland Road East, according to the Town of Whitby, and it is the venue for Whitby Lights the Night. The Town lists the 2026 festival for November 27, with a Town Trolley and parking shuttle for visitors.

What is A Royal Ashburn Christmas?

Durham Region's tourism office listed A Royal Ashburn Christmas for December 7, 2025 at Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Whitby. The post gave no further details, so check with the club for current dates and ticket prices before planning around it.

Where can Whitby families skate or swim over the holidays?

The Town of Whitby points families to public skating at Iroquois Park Sports Centre or the McKinney Centre, and public swimming at the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex or the Anne Ottenbrite Pool at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. Schedules change, so check the Town's skating and swimming pages before heading out.

Besides the parade and the lights, what can kids do at Christmas in Whitby?

Families can visit Brooklin's Christmas in the Village on November 21, 2026, join the Santa Shuffle fun run or elf walk on December 5, or skate at a town arena. Rally Takes the Train's Whitby Christmas events guide collects the confirmed 2026 dates in one place.

Sources

  1. Brooklin's Christmas in the Village, Town of Whitby
  2. Whitby Lights the Night, Town of Whitby
  3. Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival, Town of Whitby
  4. The Top Things To Do In Whitby This Holiday Season, Town of Whitby
  5. Whitby Santa Claus Parade, Lynde House Museum
  6. Santa Claus is coming to Whitby, Town of Whitby
  7. 30+ Christmas Markets and Holiday Events In Durham Region This Season, Durham Region Tourism
  8. Downtown Whitby Christmas Market, Downtown Whitby BIA
  9. Whitby Public Library program guide, December 2024 to February 2025, Whitby Public Library
  10. 2026 Santa Shuffle Whitby: Fun Run and Elf Walk, Find a Race
Kelsey Cecil
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