Toronto's New Santa Parade Route Will Cause Widespread Closures On Sunday

The holidays are soon approaching and you can get a jump start by going to the 115th annual Toronto Santa Claus parade. If you've had the chance to go before, you should know that things will be slightly different this year. A new route is coming and bringing with it numerous downtown closures.

Make sure to bundle up and face the cold winter air this coming Sunday, November 17, so you can catch all the Christmas spirit.

For 2019, the parade will start at the east end of the city from Bloor and Parliament streets. It will then head west on Bloor Street before turning south on University Avenue. From there, it heads east on Wellington Street, south down Yonge, and east on Front.

The parade comes to its end at St. Lawrence Market.

In past years, the parade has actually started at Christie and Bloor streets and then travelled east. However, due to construction, they had to shake things up a bit for 2019.

"That area is under construction now and just wouldn't work for us to host all the thousands of families who line up on the side of the street," said parade CEO Peter Beresford at a press conference, per CTV News.

"So, we're going the other way from University."

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According to CP24, Toronto Police are going to be towing any vehicles that are parked along the route as of 6 a.m. on the day of the parade.

The parade, which is set to last around two-and-a-half hours, will take place regardless of weather conditions. So, be sure to bundle up nice and warm, given the recent weather.

For drivers in the city, there's a full list of road closures that you can look at here.

If you plan to take the TTC, the official Santa Claus parade website suggests you get off at either Castle Frank, Sherbourne, Bloor-Yonge, Bay, St. George, Museum, Queen's Park, St. Patrick, Osgoode, Queen, or King Stations.

So, not to worry, wherever you come from, you'll be able to catch all the Christmas glory.

This year's Santa Claus will huddle up his reindeer and kick off the parade at 12:30 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to get a great spot and enjoy the immense holiday spirit.

Just be aware if you're coming into the city that weekend!

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