For registered entries
Parade rules
Every float, vehicle, walking group and animal entry agrees to these rules at registration. They're grouped so you can find the one you need, and each one has its own link to send to someone else.
General
Rules that apply to every entry.
Every entry needs appropriate Christmas decorations and lighting.
Floats are expected to be lit, decorated for the season, and playing or performing festive music. An entry that doesn't meet this standard gets a written notice with suggestions for the following year. An entry that falls short two years in a row will not be invited back.
Music played or performed from a float must not interfere with the music from other floats.
Entries must not include a Santa Claus. There is one Santa in the parade, and his participation is already arranged.
Candy and other handouts may not be thrown from floats or vehicles into the crowd.
Anyone walking who is not part of an organized marching group must be at least 12 years old and must carry their own illumination for safety.
All participants must follow the instructions of parade marshals, including any direction from security personnel.
Every entry must complete an entry form.
Outside the marshalling area, floats and vehicles must follow Ontario's Highway Traffic Act. Riders are only permitted on a float while it is in the marshalling area or on the parade route.
Not following these rules may result in exclusion from future parades.
Floats & vehicles
Requirements for the float or vehicle itself.
Every driver must hold a valid driver's licence and insurance.
Floats must not exceed 80 feet in length, 10 feet in width or 13 feet in height.
Horns, including air horns, may not be used.
Participants must stay on the float for the whole parade, and an adult must supervise any children riding on it.
Anyone walking alongside a float must carry their own illumination for visibility.
Animals
For any entry that includes an animal.
Any animal in the parade must be visibly illuminated for safety.
Anyone entering an animal must arrange for someone to walk behind it and clean up after it.
Marshalling
Where to go and what happens before the parade starts.
The marshalling and disbursement areas are shown on the route page.
Marshalling begins at 1:00 p.m.. You'll be told your arrival time and position about a week before the parade.
Only floats and support vehicles are allowed in the marshalling area.
Give parents in your group clear directions in advance. Children in the marshalling area must be supervised at all times.
All entries must be in place by 5:00 p.m..
Disbursement
What happens once the parade ends.
The parade finishes at St. Anne's Road and Notre Dame Avenue.
Entries re-enter the marshalling area for tear-down using the southbound lanes on Notre Dame Avenue.
If you're picking up children or participants after the parade, arrange to meet them outside the disbursement area.
Awards & judging
How judging works on the night.
Judges are stationed at the TD Bank parking lot, corner of Durham and Elm.
Keep your entry number clearly displayed, and plan your entertainment to be at its best as you pass the judges.
Awards are presented at an evening event, with categories for children's choice, floats, bands and marching groups. See the awards page for this year's judges and results.
Use each group's “Expand all,” then your browser's print function (Ctrl or Cmd + P), to print or save every rule as a PDF.