Santa Claus parade, mall tree lighting in Hamilton this weekend

The festive spirit in Hamilton will be on display this weekend, with the Santas Claus parade returning for the first time in three years.

Health protections that were in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic prevented having a parade the past two falls. But it will return on Saturday (Nov. 19) with a traditional route, but a new 6 p.m. start time, in response to organizers receiving feedback that a late-afternoon start created a dilemma about mealtimes for families with younger children.

The route, though, remains the same. The volunteer-run parade will embark from Bay and Barton streets, head south along Bay to York Blvd., and then go north on James St. N. to Barton. Attendees are asking to bring a non-perishable food item.

As a lead-in, one of the shopping malls in the city is also having a tree lighting on Friday evening (Nov. 18). The event at the CF Lime Ridge Mall (999 Upper Wentworth St.) takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. inside entrance 1 of the shopping centre, near its Eddie Bauer and Old Navy anchor stores.

The event at Lime Ridge will be accentuated with musical performances by Suzuki School of Music, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Harlequin Singers.