Here comes Santa Claus!
The Barrie Santa Claus parade takes place Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.
The arrival of Santa is part of the kick-off to the Christmas season in the city.
A festive weekend indeed, with the Noella Tree Lighting Celebration/Open Air festivities that will start at 10 a.m. on Nov. 18. There are family events at Meridian Place and along Dunlop Street, as well as horse-drawn wagon rides. It's brought to you by the Rotary Club of Barrie, the City of Barrie and the Downtown BIA.
The parade is organized by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce.
Keep in mind, there is a different route this year.
New parade route:
Starting at Tiffin and Lakeshore, the parade heads north on Lakeshore Drive, gliding past Centennial Park and up Toronto Street. From there, it's east onto Dunlop St., passing Mary St., Maple Ave. and Bayfield St. at 5 Points. The parade will continue on Dunlop St., past Meridian Place with the Noella Festival and ending at Poyntz St.
For everyone's safety, the public is reminded to stay behind the curbs along the parade route, and do not stand on the roads or medians. There will be volunteers in high visibility vests - and you are asked to listen to their requests.
Santa's helpers from Canada Post will be collecting letters to Santa near the front of the parade. They'll be walking with the "Barrie Pipe and Drums" band, following the fire truck. When you hear the band coming, get your letters out.
The parade will conclude around 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., then Santa will makes his way over to Meridian Place for the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Noella Tree Lighting Celebration. This will be followed by fireworks and musical entertainment. The public is also encouraged to check the Rotary Club of Barrie light displays in Heritage Park.
There will be numerous road closures in the downtown core leading up to the parade and the public is encouraged to plan accordingly.
Road closures:
- Lakeshore Drive from Minet’s Point to Tiffin (Westbound): Closed to all traffic except parade vehicles starting at 1:00 PM.
- Lakeshore Drive from Tiffin to Toronto/Simcoe: Closure in both directions beginning at 2:00 PM.
- Lakeshore Drive at 2 and 6 Toronto Street: Access limited to residents. Only the north driveway will be accessible to northbound Toronto Street, directing traffic to westbound Simcoe Street to exit the area. This closure starts at 2:00 PM and lasts until the parade's conclusion.
- Toronto Street from Simcoe to Dunlop W: Closure in both directions starting at 4:00 PM, lasting until the end of the parade.
- Dunlop from Bradford to Poytnz, Owen from Dunlop to Collier: Closed from 6:00 AM, Dunlop from Bradford to Five Points and Mulcaster to Poyntz will reopen following the parade, Dunlop from Five Points to Mulcaster and Owen from Dunlop to Collier will reopen following the Noella Tree Lighting Celebration
- Mulcaster from Collier to Dunlop: Closure from 5:00 PM, lasting until the end of the parade
- Simcoe Street from Bayfield to Dunlop: Closure from 5:00PM, lasting until the end of the Noella Tree Lighting Celebration
More information:
Barrie Santa Claus Parade Noella Tree Lighting Celebration and Open Air Dunlop
