This year's holiday parades will start in Chatham and Santa will make his way around the municipality before the big day.
Friday, November 15
The Annual Chatham Santa Claus Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. It will start on Sandy Street and make its way down King Street to the Wish Centre.
There will be treats including hot chocolate, cotton candy, and candy apples along the parade route in the TD Bank parking lot. At the Wish Centre, there will be more hot chocolate and pizza and kids will have the chance to take pictures with Santa.
Country superstar and Merlin native Michelle Wright will be the Grand Marshall of this year's parade.
"I've got my red colours and all my everything ready, and I'm ready to come and wave at everyone. I'm so excited," said Wright. "I love Christmas, and I love coming home, and I'm just trying to think of the last time I even saw a parade. Life is always so busy, so the fact that I'm going to get to have this experience, and just be there, I just can't wait."
Wright added that opportunity came up because she was coming back to Chatham-Kent to help unveil a portrait at the Civic Centre by local artist Lucy Thrift
"She's done this beautiful portrait and I'm just not even sure how much I can talk about all of this," she said. "But they're going to present it to me, and I'm pretty excited and honoured. What an artist she is, my gosh, I can't draw anything!"
Thrift also drew a portrait of Fergie Jenkins, which was unveiled at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham last spring.
If attendees are in a giving mood, Southern Cruisers Riding Club Chatham-Kent 312 will be collecting toys and non-perishable goods on behalf of Chatham GoodFellows. FreeHelpCK will be collecting monetary donations for their playhouse.
Saturday, November 16
In Wallaceburg, the Knights of Pythias will host the 55th annual Christmas Parade.
This year's theme is 'What Christmas Means to You.'
The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with floats, bands, and volunteers set to follow the same route as in previous years.
The parade will start at Arnold and Dufferin Avenue and proceed down James Street and Nelson Street before ending on Elgin Street.
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If you can't make it to Wallaceburg for the parade, the Glasshouse Nursery in Chatham is also holding an event on Saturday.
Starting at 4:30 p.m., the nursery will host hours of holiday fun that includes festive music and food, free hot chocolate for kids, and a campfire for roasting marshmallows.
The evening will end with a fireworks display.
Friday, November 29
Tilbury's Santa Claus Parade has a theme this year. It's "Frozen in Time."
The parade will kick off at 7 p.m. at the Fire Hall and head south on Queen Street to Memorial Park.
Following the parade, kids can visit with Santa, meet other holiday mascots, and view the opening of the Tilbury Lions Christmas Light Festival.
Crystal Gage will also make an appearance, performing on the Tilbury Auto Mall stage.
Friday, December 6 -
Blenheim's annual Santa Claus Parade is hosted by the Blenheim Kinsmen and will start at 7 p.m.
Immediately after the parade will be the Lighting of Talbot Trail Park. The park will continue to be lit up throughout the holiday season.
It will feature amazing light shows, accompanied by seasonal music, with voiceover skits performed by Blenheim's own Youth Centre kids.
The shows will occur at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 7
Wheatley's holiday parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14
It's a special celebration in Ridgetown this year.
It will be the 75th Anniversary Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade.
The festivities will start at 1 p.m.
This year's theme is 'Christmas Traditions.'
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Dresden's Santa Claus Parade will begin at 6 p.m.
It will be hosted by the Dresden Kinsmen Club.
This year's theme is "Shiny Cartoon Christmas."
The parade will travel from North Street to Hughes Street then down Cross Street, Brown Street, and St. George Street before ending on John Street.
Friday, December 20
Thamesville's parade will start at 7 p.m.
Monday, November 25
If you can't make it to any of the local parades, or even if you can, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train will be rolling into Chatham and is a great way to celebrate the season with others.
The train will stop near the Holiday Inn on Richmond Street from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. where the American Authors and KT Tunstall will put on a show and money and food will be collected for area food banks.