2026 Woodstock Santa Claus Parade

Floats / Walking Group Application  

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. (rain or shine) 
Parade Theme: In 2026, The City of Woodstock is celebrating our 125th Anniversary! This year's Parade theme is Home for the Holidays: 125 Years of Woodstock. 

Application Deadline: Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after this date/time.
Mandatory Pre-Parade Meeting: Monday, November 9, 2026 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. located at the Reeves Community Complex (381 Finkle St., Woodstock), in the Mezzanine.
Parade Route: Exit the Woodstock Fairgrounds, located at 875 Nellis St., continue south to McKenzie St., west onto Dundas St, north onto Light St., disbanding at Victoria Park/Buller St.
NOTE: Must provide proof of liability insurance and (if applicable) automobile liability insurance (detailed below).

A mandatory pre-parade meeting will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. located at the Reeves Community Complex (381 Finkle St, Woodstock), in the Mezzanine.
Both new and returning entries must arrange for a representative to attend the meeting. Failure to attend could result in your entry being disqualified. Attendees will receive parade information which includes parade line-up, safety review, new initiatives, details regarding assemble/disband areas, etc.

Please play only Christmas music. If after submitting this application, you decide to incorporate live music, please contact us to ensure live music does not interfere with marching bands and animals in the parade.

Rogers Cable TV Parade Broadcast

Please provide a brief description (approximately 15 seconds). Description can include parade entry and theme, group/organization/business, additional information you would like to be shared. 
Description Example:
Wow, look at the *** company float, which is looking very festive! They even included a full-size Christmas tree! *** company has been participating in the Santa Claus Parade for 4 years. Founded in 1992, *** company provides ____ to many of its loyal customers in the Woodstock area and beyond. Happy Holidays from the staff at ** company!  

Judging of Entries

Parade winners in each category will be announced to the City of Woodstock socials, added to www.cityofwoodstock.ca/santa and receive a gift card purchased from Downtown Woodstock businesses. The judging station is located in front of City Hall, 500 Dundas St. 

         Judging will occur to determine a winner in each award category:

• Best Community Float, float created by a non-profit organization/business
• Best Commercial/Industrial Float, float created by a for-profit organization/business
• Best School Float, created by publicly-funded or not-for-profit school
• Best Walking Group, group that walks the parade route without a vehicle
• Grand Prize Winner with the Best Overall Float, this award will be determined by the best score overall
  
  Entries will be judged according to the criteria for each category:
  
  
• Effort, adherence to rules, theme, organization and planning
• Theme, adherence to chosen theme, effective presentation of theme
• Appearance & originality, style, presentation, overall appearance, audience response originality
• Participation, engagement of children on float, audience, community spirit, enthusiasm from members of the group

Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum of $2 million liability insurance is required. Policies can be purchased from: PAL Insurance, DUUO, through your insurance provider or the City of Woodstock.

Any vehicles being driven on the parade route as part of our entry must be driven by a fully licensed (full G class license) and insured driver. Please provide proof of automobile liability insurance.

Participant Regulations, Terms and Conditions
In signing this application form, all parties understand and agree to the following participant regulations, terms and conditions.

• There is no cost to enter a float in this parade.
• A designate representing your parade entry must attend the mandatory pre-parade meeting on November 9 at 6:00 p.m. Failure to attend this meeting will result in your entry being disqualified. 
• All floats MUST be extravagantly decorated to reflect the holiday season and be 80% lit, so it is able to be seen in the dark.
• All entries (floats, walkers, etc.) must incorporate the parade theme into their music, float, design and/or costumes.
• All entries must be family-friendly and entertaining to a family audience.
• Any entry may be refused entrance into the parade at any time, should the entry not meet parade guidelines or differ from its approved entry form.
• No Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus replica may be a part of any entry other than the official Santa Claus parade float.
• Vehicle drivers must turn off cellular devices and remain focused for the duration of the parade. 
• No participants in the parade shall consume, nor give the impression of consuming, alcoholic beverages.
• This is a smoke-free environment.
• We hereby grant the City of Woodstock the right and permission to use any and all pictures and film footage of our group/entry/float for the purpose of promoting the Woodstock Santa Claus Parade.
• No premature exiting of the parade route.
• Automobiles (car/trucks/etc.) are NOT acceptable as a float entry, unless approved by the parade committee. Antique automobiles may be considered.
• Floats with generators or other possible fire hazards must provide suitable fire extinguishing equipment on the float.
• No float entry shall exceed 14FT in height.
• All floats carrying passengers are required to be constructed with safety railings around the perimeter of the float OR all float passengers must be always seated and supervised. No one is to sit on the edge of the float trailers with their feet dangling over the side.
• No items, including candy, may be thrown from or by any float or entry. For safety reasons, candy can be distributed from street level only. No entry will distribute coupons, literature, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, flyers, or any other written or printed advertising to spectators.
• I/we understand that I/we are not permitted to collect donations of any kind (cash, toys, food, etc.) along the parade route.

Walkers

• Minimum age for walkers is 10 years, unless accompanied by an adult.
• Walkers must always remain a minimum of 10FT away from a float.
• Ensure walkers keep up with their group. Small children should be encouraged to ride on a float instead of walking.
• Walking groups shall not have a vehicle following its walkers, including animal groups.

Mailing Address: City of Woodstock 500 Dundas St., P.O. Box 1539, Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Email: events@cityofwoodstock.ca 
Telephone: (519) 539-2382 ext. 4104

If you do not receive a thank you for submitting this application notification, your application did not submit. You will also receive an email from events@cityofwoodstock.ca within 1-5 business days. If you are unsure your application was received, please email events@cityofwoodstock.ca.