The Brampton Santa Claus Parade rolls through Bramalea on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 5 pm, kicking off a month of holiday events across the city. Here are the dates, times, markets, skating trails and free things to do, updated as organisers confirm them.
Downtown lights up for the tree lighting, outdoor skating trails open at Gage Park and Chinguacousy Park, and church halls and malls fill with Christmas markets. Most of it is free.
2026 holiday calendar
| Date | Event | Where | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early November (Nov 8 in 2025) | St. Paul’s United Church Christmas Market | 30 Main St S | Free entry; bring cash | Expected, date TBA |
| Sat, Nov 21, 10:30 am–4 pm | Brampton Winter Artist Market | Springdale Library, 10705 Bramalea Rd | Free entry | Confirmed |
| Sat, Nov 21, 5 pm | Brampton Santa Claus Parade | Bramalea Rd & Central Park Dr, north to North Park Dr, east to Jordan Blvd | Free | Confirmed |
| Sat–Sun, Nov 21–22 | Annual Brampton Christmas Market | Shoppers World Brampton | Free entry | Listed; confirm before going |
| Sun, Nov 22, 12–4 pm | Holly Jolly Christmas Market | Bramalea Celtic Club, 30 Peel Centre Dr (lower level) | Free entry and parking | Listed; confirm before going |
| Late November (Nov 29 in 2025) | Tree Lighting and Miracle on Main Street (Winter Lights Festival) | Downtown Brampton; tree lighting at Ken Whillans Square | Free; photos with Santa | Expected, date TBA |
| Dec 1–15 (2025 dates) | Brampton Food and Toy Drive | Drop-offs at City Hall, community centres and libraries | Donations | Expected |
| Sat, Dec 5, 2–4 pm | The Light of Christmas Concert and market | Emmanuel United Church | $18–$34 | Listed; confirm before going |
| Dec 21–Jan 4 (2025 dates) | Free winter-break indoor skating | Select City arenas (brampton.ca/freeskates) | Free | Expected |
The Rose runs a holiday season of concerts every December. In 2025 it included Christmas at The Rose with the Brampton Concert Band and Ballet Jörgen’s The Nutcracker. Check the Brampton On Stage lineup for 2026 shows and tickets, or read our guide to The Rose.
Brampton Santa Claus Parade 2026
The parade starts at 5 pm at Bramalea Road and Central Park Drive. It heads north on Bramalea Road, turns east on North Park Drive and ends at Jordan Boulevard. It takes about an hour to pass, so spots near the end see it closer to 6 pm.
- Rain or shine: it goes ahead in any weather, so dress warm.
- Parking: street parking along the route is banned from 2 pm to about 8 pm and enforced. Park on side streets and walk in.
- Watch your exit: cars parked at Pineway Place or the Salvation Army lot can’t leave until the road reopens.
- Letters to Santa: bring them. Santa’s helpers collect them just before Santa arrives.
Holiday skating in Brampton
Brampton’s outdoor rinks are free. The covered rink at Gore Meadows opens first (November 15 in 2025), the Gage Park trail opens with the downtown tree lighting in late November, and the other rinks open once it’s cold enough.
| Rink | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gage Park Skating Trail | Main St S & Wellington St W | 10 am–10 pm |
| Chinguacousy Park Skating Trail | 9050 Bramalea Rd | 10 am–10 pm |
| Gore Meadows Covered Rink | 10150 The Gore Rd | 8 am–10 pm |
| Sandalwood Park (two NHL-size rinks) | 130 Conestoga Dr | 10 am–10 pm |
Hours are from the City’s 2025–26 season. Check the City’s outdoor skating page for which rinks are open that day, because they close for warm spells and maintenance.
Free Christmas things to do in Brampton
- Make a day of November 21: the Winter Artist Market at Springdale Library from 10:30 am, then the Santa Claus Parade at 5 pm.
- See the downtown lights and tree at Ken Whillans Square and Gage Park.
- Skate the Gage Park and Chinguacousy Park trails.
- Browse the Christmas markets; entry is free at all of them listed above.
- Join the free winter-break public skates at City arenas.
Tips for Christmas in Brampton
- Parking downtown: in 2025, City garages were free on weekends, holidays and weekday evenings after 7 pm, and free for the first two hours on weekdays.
- Go early to the parade: the best curbside spots along Bramalea Road fill up well before 5 pm.
- Bring cash to church markets: many vendors don’t take cards.
- Check the weather the day of: outdoor rinks close when it’s too warm.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Brampton Santa Claus Parade in 2026?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 5 pm at Bramalea Road and Central Park Drive. It runs rain or shine.
When is the Brampton Christmas tree lighting?
The City hasn’t announced the 2026 date yet. It’s usually the last Saturday of November; in 2025 it was November 29, with the tree lit at 6:45 pm at Ken Whillans Square.
When is the Brampton Winter Artist Market in 2026?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 10:30 am to 4 pm at the Brampton Library Springdale Branch, 10705 Bramalea Road. Entry is free.
Is skating at Gage Park free?
Yes. All of Brampton’s outdoor rinks and skating trails are free.
Looking for more? Browse more things to do in Brampton or explore parks and outdoor places.
Official information
Brampton Santa Claus Parade · Brampton Winter Artist Market · City of Brampton: winter events · City of Brampton: outdoor skating. Dates and hours can change, so confirm before you go.
Photo: Sikander Iqbal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Updated November 5, 2026