Thousands of Paris residents bundled up and lined the streets to watch the annual Paris Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Residents were all smiles as they eagerly awaited Santa’s return to the County of Brant. Many came prepared with lawn chairs, wagons and blankets to sit on along the roughly 1.7 kilometre route from the corner of Grand River Street South and Burwell Street, to Paris District High School.
When the parade officially got underway, the sound of fire trucks and police sirens filled the air as the procession made its way past the crowd. Hosted by the Paris Firefighters’ Club, representatives were carrying boots to collect small monetary donations in support of the Paris Community Christmas Hamper and Toy Drive.
This year, about 40 local businesses and community groups such as hockey clubs, soccer teams, and dance studios were all present, with many performing routines or handing out candy and other goodies to those lining the street.
David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant, as well as Dan Muys, MP for Flamborough–Glanbrook–Brant North, were both in attendance and could be seen waving from their vehicles.
Before long, the man of the hour, Santa Claus, arrived on scene as he followed shortly behind the Glass Slipper Company and their storybook characters.
Children clapped and cheered in excitement as Jolly Old St. Nicholas waved back to them from his large sleigh and wished them a merry Christmas.
Connor Webb, who was there with her ten-year-old daughter and other family members, was all smiles when she said she loved the parade.
“We’ve been in Paris for seven years now and we come every year so it’s become a little family tradition for us,” she said.
When asked what was so special about the event, Webb said it was something that everyone of all ages could enjoy.
“It brings people together!” she said, with a smile. “I just like how everybody can come down and celebrate this one thing as a big group… It’s just a really nice thing to do during such a special time of year.”
The mother, who was set up near the Arlington Hotel, added that the recently completed upgrades to the downtown also seemed to elevate the experience.
“I think it looked way better,” said Webb. “There was more room for the kids to actually stand and feel like they were at the parade instead of being so far back, so we liked it for sure.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
