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The holiday season is almost here, and one of Montreal's most beloved holiday traditions is getting ready to return.
The 2026 Santa Claus Parade (Le Défilé du père Noël) will take over Downtown Montreal in November, bringing colourful floats, cheerful elves, larger-than-life characters and plenty of holiday magic to the streets.
Read: Why this Downtown Montreal hotspot is the answer to “Where Should We Meet?”
Montreal’s beloved Santa Claus Parade returns for its 74th edition, featuring dazzling floats, festive entertainment and a special guest as the Star Fairy.
Presented by Montréal centre-ville, the 74th edition of the annual celebration will welcome families and holiday enthusiasts for one of the city's biggest seasonal events. Whether you're bringing the kids, meeting friends Downtown or simply looking for a little holiday magic, here's everything to know about Montreal's 2026 Santa Claus Parade.
When is Montreal's Santa Claus Parade 2026?
The 74th edition of Montreal's Santa Claus Parade takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 11 a.m.
The procession will travel along René-Lévesque Boulevard through Downtown Montreal, with festive floats, holiday characters, elves and, of course, Santa Claus himself.
Time Out Tip: Arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to find a good viewing spot along the parade route. Popular sections can get crowded, so arriving early is your best bet for enjoying the festivities without having to peer over a sea of winter tuques.
What is the 2026 Santa Claus Parade route?
The 2026 parade will begin at the intersection of René-Lévesque Boulevard and Drummond Street, heading towards Saint-Urbain Street.
Spectators can expect the Downtown streets to fill with elaborate floats, enchanting characters, playful elves and beloved holiday figures as the procession makes its way through the city. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators, making it one of Montreal's major holiday-season gatherings.
What’s the best way to get to Montreal’s 2026 Santa Claus Parade?
If you’re planning to watch the Santa Claus Parade Downtown, public transit is your best bet. With large crowds expected and street closures likely along the parade route, taking the metro can help you avoid traffic and the hassle of finding parking.
McGill and Peel metro stations are convenient options for reaching the Downtown area on foot. Give yourself extra time to walk to your viewing spot, as nearby streets will be busy.
The event organizers recommend the following metro stations:
Green Line: Peel, McGill and Place-des-Arts.
Orange Line: Lucien-L’Allier, Bonaventure, Square-Victoria–OACI and Place-d’Armes.
McGill, Place-des-Arts, Bonaventure and Place-d’Armes are universally accessible.
Coming from the South Shore? Take the REM from Brossard to Gare Centrale, which puts you right inside the Montreal Eaton Centre—home to one of the best shopping centres in Montreal—in the heart of Downtown.
Feeling chilly before or after the parade? Time Out Market Montréal, home to some of the best chefs and restaurants in the city, is the perfect spot to warm up—with something for everyone.
Read more: The best malls in Montreal for shopping
If you’re driving: There are more than 50,000 underground parking spaces Downtown, including at the Montreal Eaton Centre, Place Ville Marie, Complexe Desjardins and Place Bonaventure. However, expect heavy traffic and street closures, so public transit is the easier option.
A few extra tips:
Buy your metro fare in advance to avoid lineups; OPUS cardholders can also purchase fares through the Chrono app.
Some bus routes will be diverted and stops temporarily cancelled. Check the STM service updates before heading out.
Aim to arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to find a good viewing spot.
Who is the Star Fairy at Montreal's 2026 Santa Claus Parade?
This year's Star Fairy is Marie-Yasmine Alidou, also known as Mimi, an attacking midfielder for the Montréal Roses.
Alidou joins Santa Claus in leading the festivities for the 74th edition, bringing some local soccer star power to the holiday celebration.
Her appearance comes after a landmark season for the Montréal Roses, who finished first in the Northern Super League's regular season and captured the Supporters' Shield.
The announcement is particularly fitting for a celebration centred on bringing the community together, with Alidou sharing her excitement about being part of a tradition that creates lasting memories for families.
How to watch Montreal's Santa Claus Parade on TV
Can't make it Downtown? You can still enjoy the holiday festivities from home.
TVA, the parade's official broadcaster, will air a special television program celebrating the 74th edition on Saturday, November 28, from 5 to 6 p.m.
The broadcast will also be repeated on December 12 at 11 a.m. and will be available to stream for free on TVA+ throughout the holiday season.
Hosted by Anaïs Guertin-Lacroix, Pascale DeBlois and Patrick Emmanuel Abellard, the special program will revisit the parade's highlights, feature exclusive interviews and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the celebration.
What's new at Montreal's 2026 Santa Claus Parade?
One of this year's highlights is a brand-new parade float inspired by a Christmas ornament, showcasing some of Montréal's most recognizable landmarks.
The creation is part of a multi-year investment by Tourisme Montréal in renewing the parade's floats and enhancing the experience for spectators.
Who supports Montreal's Santa Claus Parade?
The 2026 edition is made possible with the support of several local and national partners, including Complexe Desjardins, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Tim Hortons, Tourisme Montréal, Maxi, 96.9 CKOI, Rythme FM, The Beat 92.5 and Canada Post. Together, these partners help keep one of Montreal's best-loved holiday traditions going for another year.
Montreal's Santa Claus Parade 2026: Everything you need to know
What: The 74th annual Défilé du père Noël (Santa Claus Parade).
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Start time: 11 a.m.
Where: René-Lévesque Boulevard, Downtown Montreal.
Starting point: Intersection of René-Lévesque Boulevard and Drummond Street.
Route: Towards Saint-Urbain Street.
Star Fairy: Marie-Yasmine (Mimi) Alidou of the Montréal Roses.
Television broadcast: TVA, Saturday, November 28, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Repeat broadcast: December 12 at 11 a.m.
Streaming: Free on TVA+ throughout the holiday season.
For more information about the Santa Claus Parade, click here.
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