Despite the relatively warm temperatures Orillia has been enjoying during the past week, things will be
looking a lot like Christmas in the downtown this weekend.
Starting on Friday, November 17, a Christmas Market featuring a festive shopping experience and
entertainment will be happening at Creative Nomad Studios. The market runs Friday evening from 5:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be additional
artisans and vendors across the street at the Orillia Farmers Market on Friday evening and Saturday
morning.
The Friday evening market includes a gingerbread house building competition, tree lighting, selfies with
Santa, and a tree lighting ceremony. Mississaga Street will be closed between Andrew and West, and
there will be both indoor and outdoor vendors. On Saturday, visitors to the market can enjoy kids
colouring activities, craft workshops, and letters to Santa. For more information and a full schedule of
events, visit https://creativenomad.ca/our-markets/christmas-market/.
On Saturday evening, the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) will hold its annual Santa Claus
Parade. A tradition for over 100 years in Orillia, the parade is known as the largest north of Toronto and
will feature over 80 floats and walking groups. This year’s parade is presented by Eagle Landscaping and
Norscape Landscape and Pond Depot, and is supported by local business sponsors and the membership
of the ODCC.
The parade takes place between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and will run along Colborne and Mississaga
Streets in Downtown Orillia. A map showing the detailed parade route is available at
https://www.orillia.com/santa-claus-parade.
Parade attendees can look forward to seeing a variety of illuminated floats followed by the guest of
honour, Santa! Toromont Cat will be collecting food donations for the Sharing Place along the route in
their loader, and Kiwanis Club volunteers will be collecting cash donations to help support next year’s
parade. Children can bring their letters to Santa which Canada Post volunteers will be collecting during
the parade.
The ODCC is still looking for a few volunteers to help with carrying banners in the parade. Youth are
welcome, as long as they are over 12 years old or accompanied by an adult. Carrying a banner in the
parade is a great way for high school students to earn community service hours. Those interested can
contact info@orillia.com for more information or to sign up.
The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) is a non-profit organization made up of over 500
member businesses serving the City of Orillia, Severn Township, Ramara Township, Oro-Medonte
Township and Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The ODCC is committed to providing an integrated voice
for a prosperous business community that fosters local economic development and sustainable growth.
