Santa Claus Parade- Dec. 1

Santa Claus Parade and Council's Starry Night

Gather your family and friends on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, to enjoy a night of lights and music that is sure to bring the holiday spirit to life.

Council's Starry Night begins at 5 p.m. at kiyām Community Park for the lighting of the community tree and tipi. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate as we come together to embrace the festive spirit!

Children are invited to bring their letters for Santa’s Mailbox, open until the parade begins at 6 p.m. 

The Santa Claus Parade will follow at 6 p.m. along Franklin Avenue, featuring festive floats, community spirit and of course Santa Claus himself. 

The parade will begin on Main Street, which is the designated sensory-friendly zone, lights and sounds will start at the intersection of Main Street and Franklin Avenue, then continue south on Franklin Avenue, ending at Riedel Street.

Map of Santa Claus Parade route

Get ready to vote for your favourite floats

After the parade, remember to vote for your favourite floats! Community organizations with the best decorated floats will receive $1,000, either for their non-profit organization, or, in the case of commercial participants, a non-profit of their choice.

Award Categories:

  • Best in Social Service
  • Best in Commercial
  • Best in Youth
  • Honorable Mention

Watch for a QR code during and after the parade to vote for your favourite floats! 

Voting will open Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. and close at 11:59 p.m.

Stay safe at the parade

Graphic showing safety information, including: Be aware of your surroundings, stay together with your group, Dress for the weather, Stay back from floats and moving vehicles, and Stay on the sidewalk.

Holiday events throughout the community

There are many ways to get into the festive spirit this year!

Friday, Dec. 5: Breakfast with Santa from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7: Sensory Santa from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Online booking)

Sunday, Dec. 14: Pet Night with Santa from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Online booking)

Find the full schedule and book at peterpondmall.com.

 

Christmas in the Village is on December 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday), from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

  • Free admission
  • See Heritage Park festively decorated
  • Get a photo with Santa
  • Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate

Sensory-friendly from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Find more information on the RMWB Facebook page.

Dec. 6: Santa Claus Parade warm food, drinks and face painting from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dec. 13: Christmas Jamboree from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Find more information on the Boys and Girls Club Facebook page.

Get all the details on upcoming events at maccalendar.ca

Road closures in downtown Fort McMurray on Dec. 6

Plan your route ahead with the following lane and road closures:

Clearwater Drive: From Main Street to Riedel Street, southbound lanes only 

  • Closed for float marshaling from 11:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. 

Clearwater Drive: From Main Street to Riedel Street, northbound lanes  

  • Temporary 2-way traffic from 11:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. 

Main Street: From Clearwater Drive to MacDonald Avenue.  

  • Closed from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. 

Franklin Avenue: From Morrison Street to Alberta Drive 

  • Closed from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. 

Riedel Street: From Franklin Avenue to Clearwater Drive 

  • Closed from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M 

Intersections will reopen as the parade passes. Drivers should expect delays if travelling downtown the evening of Dec. 6.

RMWB Transit detours

Temporary transit detours will be in place between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for Route 1 and 2.

RMWB Transit will service temporary stops along MacDonald Ave., with no service from Main St. to Riedel St. along Franklin Ave.

Transit On Demand is still available, except for stops along Franklin Ave. that are temporarily closed for the parade.

Plan ahead at rmwb.ca/transit.

Float registration

Float registration is closed. Thanks to all who registered a float!

If you've registered, please review the Rules and Regulations and Insurance Requirements.

Thank you to our partners: A-1 Portables, Aluma Safway, Culligan, Headwater International, Tridon, and United Rentals.

FAQs

The Santa Claus Parade will be on Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. 

The parade will start on Main St., head south on Franklin Ave., and end at the corner of Riedel St. and Clearwater Dr. Main St. is the location of the sensory-friendly block.

The Sensory-Friendly Block is a section of the parade route (Main St.) where floats and walking groups will turn off their music and sirens to allow those with varying sensory needs to enjoy the parade in a quieter and more relaxed environment.

All residents are invited to watch the parade on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

No, there is no cost to attend. 

No, tickets are not required, the parade is free. All residents are invited to enjoy the parade safely from the sidewalk. 

Council’s Starry Night is a festive celebration to kick off the holiday season! Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate as we countdown to the lighting of the community tree and tipi, followed by the Santa Claus Parade.

The event is taking place at kiyam Community Park, which is located on the corner of Franklin Ave and Main Street.

Absolutely, you can bring your kids! If your kid has written a letter to Santa, feel free to bring it along! Santa’s mailbox will be ready at Council’s Starry Night to send kids’ wish lists straight to the North Pole!

No, there is no cost to register a float in the Santa Claus Parade, but the deadline to register has already passed.

Yes, all vehicles registered in the parade are required to confirm insurance and organizations/businesses are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance. 

Contact Us

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Phone780-743-7000
Toll free1-800-973-9663

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