The Best Thanksgiving Parades and Events in Canada 2025

Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 13, 2025. True, Canada has fewer classic Thanksgiving street parades than the U.S., but the country packs the weekend with one nationally televised procession plus fair parades and parade-like harvest festivals that deliver the same “floats, bands, crowd energy” experience. Plan around the No. 1 parade below, then add nearby fairs and street festivals for a full circuit. 

1) K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade (Kitchener-Waterloo, ON) — Mon Oct 13, 9:30 a.m.

Canada’s most famous Thanksgiving parade. Floats, marching bands, inflatables, and mascots roll up Weber Street; step-off is 9:30 a.m. Bleacher seats at Queen & Weber are $10 (limited); streetside is free—arrive early. Full route: Frederick & Weber → Weber & Bridgeport (noon finish). (Parade page) 

• Why go: Canada’s marquee Thanksgiving procession; televised, big-crowd atmosphere.
  
  
• Tip: Bring a donation for the Onkel Hans Food Drive collected along the route (see event notes on ToDoCanada).

2) K-W Oktoberfest (festival hub around the parade) — Oct long weekend

The parade caps a fuller Oktoberfest program: keg tapping, family zones, kid events, and concerts across Waterloo Region all weekend. It’s the easiest way to make the Monday parade part of a 3-day plan. (Events calendar)

• Why go: Turn a 2-hour parade into a full long-weekend itinerary.
  
  
• Tip: Stay in Uptown Waterloo or Downtown Kitchener to walk to venues and the parade route.
  

3) Norwood Fall Fair Parade (Norwood, ON) — Thanksgiving weekend (parade on Sat)

A classic small-town fair since 1868 with a Saturday parade through the village, plus horse shows, tractor pulls, midway and more running Oct 11–13. If you want a second parade experience within a short drive of the GTA, this is it. (Fair homepage) 

• Why go: True parade + fair combo on Thanksgiving weekend.
  
  
• Tip: The Saturday parade typically kicks off at noon—secure curb space along Alma/near the grounds.

4) Fort Langley Cranberry Festival (Langley, BC) — Sat Oct 11 (parade-style street festival)

The 30th annual festival fills historic Fort Langley with 150+ vendors, live music, and harvest programming; the village streets feel like a rolling procession all day. The National Historic Site offers special activities and free admission for the day. (Parks Canada post)

• Why go: Biggest Thanksgiving-weekend street festival in Metro Vancouver; constant “mini-parade” movement.
  
  
• Tip: Arrive for the 8–11 a.m. Lions pancake breakfast; festival runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  
  

5) Pumpkinfest Toronto (Downsview Park, ON) — Fri–Mon Oct 10–13

Toronto doesn’t stage a citywide Thanksgiving parade, but Pumpkinfest brings parade energy: roving characters, stage shows, midway, and pumpkin zones across the four days. It’s the easiest kid-friendly score if you’re staying in the GTA. (Pumpkin Fest page)

• Why go: Continuous entertainment with parade-style performers, transit-accessible.
  
  
• Tip: Pre-book morning entry to beat the midday lineups.

Image Credit: Pumpkinfest Toronto

6) Evergreen Brick Works “Ontario Artisan & Vintage Markets” (Toronto, ON) — Sundays in Oct

Every Sunday in October, the ravine campus fills with makers and vintage vendors; buskers and roaming acts give it a “parade drift” through the day. It pairs nicely with a Saturday at Pumpkinfest or a Monday K-W parade. (Evergreen’s fall guide)

• Why go: Relaxed, walkable alternative to big parades; great for photos.
  
  
• Tip: 10 a.m. opening = best picks, then hike the Don Valley trails.
  

7) Pumpkin Parades (Toronto, ON—citywide) — Sat Nov 1 (post-Thanksgiving)

A beloved Toronto tradition: on Nov 1, neighbourhoods line park paths with hundreds of lit jack-o’-lanterns, creating spontaneous “parades” you can stroll. If you’re still in town after the long weekend, it’s a can’t-miss. (City page)

• Why go: Free, hyper-local, and visually stunning.
  
  
• Tip: Bring a candle and a clean-up bag; check the city map for participating parks.
  

8) Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show (Simcoe, ON) — Tue–Mon Oct 7–13 (parade elements on grounds)

One of Ontario’s biggest fall fairs spans Oct 7–13, with grandstand shows, midway, livestock events—and daily programming that includes parade-style feature moments and processions on the grounds. If you’re road-tripping to K-W for Monday’s parade, this is a strong add-on. (Fair site/posts hub) 

• Why go: Big-scale fair energy all week, easy pairing with the K-W region.
  
  
• Tip: Check the daily schedule on arrival; headline concerts and feature showcases sell out.
  

9) Fort Langley Village + National Historic Site (BC) 

Beyond the Cranberry Festival itself, the village streets and Historic Site run additional demos and heritage activities—costumed interpreters, live music, and flowing crowds that feel like a rolling parade. Great if you want more than a single event stop. (Vancouver’s Best Places guide)  

• Why go: Make a full day of it with museum access and vendor streets.
  
  
• Tip: Parking fills; consider transit or arrive pre-10 a.m.

10) Bala Cranberry Festival (Bala, Muskoka, ON) — Fri–Sun Oct 17–19 (weekend after)

It’s the weekend after Thanksgiving, but many travelers stack Bala onto their trip: a three-day harvest festival with continuous performers, vendor rows, farm tours, and parade-style programming across town. If you’re building a fall road trip, this is your “second parade weekend.” (Official site) 

• Why go: One of Ontario’s biggest fall street festivals; non-stop live acts and vendors.
  
  
• Tip: Book accommodation early—Oct 17–19 is peak leaf season in Muskoka.
  

How to plan your parade weekend

• Lock K-W parade seats first. Bleachers are limited and sell out quickly; streetside viewing is free but arrive before 8:30 a.m.
  
  
• Pick one GTA day. Families: Pumpkinfest (Downsview). Urban stroll: Evergreen markets on Sunday.
  
  
• BC option: Do the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival on Saturday, then Vancouver or Fraser Valley hikes on Sunday. 

FAQ 

What is the most famous Thanksgiving parade in Canada?

The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade—step-off Mon Oct 13 at 9:30 a.m. on Weber Street. 

Are there other Thanksgiving parades in Canada?

Smaller communities run fair parades (e.g., Norwood Fall Fair on the weekend) and many cities stage parade-style harvest festivals you can stroll like a procession.

What’s a good West Coast option on Thanksgiving weekend?

The Fort Langley Cranberry Festival (Sat Oct 11)—a full-day street festival with constant performers and vendors. (Vancouver’s Best Places)

When is Canadian Thanksgiving this year?

Monday, October 13, 2025.