Santa is coming to town Dec. 7!

Santa Claus Parade and Council’s Starry Night holiday party return to Franklin Ave.

Get into the holiday spirit with festive events throughout the region!

Santa Claus Parade begins at Franklin Ave. and Main St. at 6 p.m.

The Santa Claus Parade starts at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main St. and Franklin Ave. After heading south on Franklin Ave., the parade will end at the corner of Riedel St. and Clearwater Dr. 

Check out the parade route map at rmwb.ca/Santa.

When viewing the parade, remember to stay on the sidewalk and behind any barricades.

Please follow instructions from officials and volunteers and refrain from crossing the road once it’s been closed. After the parade, please be patient and wait for the road to reopen.

Enjoy a quieter parade experience on the Sensory Friendly Block

Main Street is designated as a Sensory Friendly Block from 5:45 to 6 p.m. for those in need of a quieter, calmer parade experience. During this time, floats and walking groups will turn off their music and sirens.

Vote for your favourite floats

After the parade, be sure to vote for your favourite floats. Community organizations with the best decorated float in each category will be awarded $1,000 and commercial group winners will donate their prize winnings to a social profit organization of their choice!

Voting will open Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Council’s Starry Night holiday party begins at 5 p.m. at kiyām Community Park

Celebrate the holidays with Mayor and Councillors with free entertainment for all ages, hot chocolate and bannock, and tree and tipi lighting ceremony just before the parade starts.

Check out the Starry Night, tthen dach'lyi lą̨̨̨̨̨̨̨̨t'e (Dene), ahcâkosak mîyo nakosôwak (Cree), schedule below:

Holiday events throughout the community

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

Peter Pond Mall will host Storytime with Santa, Breakfast with Santa and Sensory-friendly Santa throughout December.

Find the full schedule at peterpondmall.com.

BGC Fort McMurray is hosting the BGC Gingerbread Jamboree on Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club (20 Riedel St.).

Learn more at fmbgc.ca.

Enjoy Christmas in the Village at the Fort McMurray Heritage Village throughout December.

Find the full schedule at fmheritage.com.

MacDonald Island Park will ring in the new year with The Craze on Dec. 31 from 12 to 5 p.m. followed by fireworks at 5:30 p.m.

Learn more at macdonaldisland.ca.

Get all the details on upcoming events at maccalendar.ca.

Road closures in downtown Fort McMurray on Dec. 7

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

• Clearwater Dr. from Main St. to Riedel St. (southbound lanes only) will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Clearwater Dr. from Main St. to Riedel St. (northbound lanes only) will be a temporary two-way traffic lane from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Main St. from Clearwater Dr. to MacDonald Ave. will be closed from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Franklin Ave. from Morrison St. to Alberta Dr. will be closed from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Riedel St. from Franklin Ave. to Clearwater Dr. will be closed from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Intersections will reopen as the parade passes. Drivers should expect delays if travelling downtown the evening of Dec. 7.

RMWB Transit detours

Temporary transit detours will be in place between 12:30 and 9 p.m. for Route 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 91, 92 and 99.

Main Street Terminal will also be closed. RMWB Transit will stage along MacDonald Ave. between Hardin St. and Morrison St. during this time.

Plan ahead at rmwb.ca/transit.

For full event details, visit rmwb.ca/Santa.