The 72nd Trenton Santa Claus Parade returns Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Thousands are expected to come together in downtown Trenton for the 72nd Santa Claus Parade this weekend.
Hosted by the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, the cherished community tradition returns to light up the community on Sunday, Nov. 30 starting at 4:30 p.m.
This year’s parade will shine a light on giving back through toy and food donations and also long-time staffer and parade organizer Jennifer Snider, who is retiring and has been involved in co-ordinating the parade since 2006.
“This will be Jennifer’s 20th parade and with her retirement from the chamber in December we wanted to dedicate this parade to her in recognition of all her contributions over the years,” said Suzanne Andrews, CEO at the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to a proper send-off, attendees are encouraged to help spread holiday cheer in the community through unwrapped toy donations, which will be collected along the parade route and at designated drop-off locations. The donations will help local families in need this holiday season through the Trenton Kinsmen Club.
Non-perishable food items will also be collected for the Trenton Care and Share Food Bank, with volunteers collecting items during the parade.
Of course, letters to Santa will also be collected by Canada Post volunteers during the festivities.
The parade makes for a wonderful way to celebrate the season while also supporting important causes that help the community thrive, added chamber events co-ordinator Taetum Roseberry.
The parade kicks off at 4:30 p.m. in Centennial Park and will make it way west through the downtown area. In addition to an abundance of floats – last year’s parade featured more than 70 – there will be live music and the man in red and white will of course visit.
Adding to this weekend’s festivities, Trenton will also host the illuminated Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train during a stop Saturday, which will support the food bank with food and monetary donations collected.
The train will stop at RCAF Road and County Road 21 on the south side of the crossing at 10:45 a.m. In addition to food bank volunteers, members in uniform with 8 Wing/CFB Trenton will be helping collect donations.
As part of the festivities, country musicians Jade Eagleson and Teigen Gayse also perform live.
The train isn’t stopping in Brighton this year but is supposed to return next year and every other year afterwards.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
