Santa's Spectacle of Lights: Ajax Santa Claus Parade 2026
Ajax saves its parade for Saturday night and calls it Santa's Spectacle of Lights. It leaves Bayly Street and Mackenzie Avenue at 6 p.m. on November 28, 2026, and finishes at Town Hall. The tree lighting at Town Hall comes straight after the last float.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 by the Durham Happening editorial team.
2026 details
- Date
- Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Time
- 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Location
- Downtown Ajax
- Address
- Bayly Street East and Harwood Avenue South, Ajax
- Organizer
- Town of Ajax
- Route
- From Bayly Street and Mackenzie Avenue, east on Bayly Street, north on Harwood Avenue South, to Ajax Town Hall at Achilles Road.
- Parking
- Limited at Town Hall. Use the Ajax Plaza Harwood Shopping Centre or Baywood Centre.
- Road closures
- Mackenzie Avenue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bayly Street West from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Harwood Avenue South and Achilles Road from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Organizer details (checked November 1, 2026)
Closure times by street
Mackenzie Avenue closes first, at 4 p.m., from Bayly to Clements Road West, and it reopens at 8 p.m. Bayly Street West closes from Finley Avenue to Salem Road from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Harwood Avenue South (Birch Crescent to Emperor Street) and Achilles Road (Harwood to Salem Road) stay closed longest, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Town says that these times can change without notice.
Parking near Town Hall
Town Hall has limited spaces. The Town points drivers to the Ajax Plaza Harwood Shopping Centre or Baywood Centre, and normal parking rules stay in effect.
After the parade
The tree lighting and after party take place at Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, and the Ajax Main Library. Durham Tourism asks visitors to bring a donation for the toy and food drive.
Upcoming events
From the Durham Happening events calendar, updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Ajax parade start in 2026?
It starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2026, and the Town lists an end time of 7:30 p.m.
Which roads close for the Ajax Santa Claus Parade?
Mackenzie Avenue, Bayly Street West, Harwood Avenue South and Achilles Road close for parts of the evening. Mackenzie Avenue closes first, at 4 p.m.
Where do I park for Santa's Spectacle of Lights?
The Town encourages the Ajax Plaza Harwood Shopping Centre or Baywood Centre, because Town Hall parking is limited.
Sources
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