Thousands of people lined the streets Saturday morning for the 2025 KW Santa Claus Parade. The annual event is organized by the Lions Club of Kitchener with the help of dozens of volunteers. Band chair Mary D’Alton said roughly 80 cars and floats — along with hundreds of walkers — took part this year. “This is 100 per cent a community-driven event,” D’Alton said. She said meeting people along the route is what makes the effort worthwhile. “You realize how wonderful Waterloo Region is and the fact that we do have this parade and that everybody can participate in it, I think really says a lot about how we celebrate,” D’Alton said. Attendees were encouraged to donate to three community causes. Volunteers from the Food Bank of Waterloo Region collected canned goods along the route. Kevin, a young volunteer, said he knows why the work matters. “It’s nice to give it away to people who are less fortunate enough to not have the money to buy groceries,” he said. Local firefighters were also on hand collecting toys for the Knights of Columbus Toy Drive, while Region of Waterloo paramedics accepted donations of warm winter clothing on behalf of Sanguen Health Centre. “Unfortunately, there are quite a few community members that are in need at this time of year,” said Jason Dippel, a communications specialist for the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services. “This is one way that we’re trying to help give back to the community. So we’re collecting the winter clothing so we can help people stay warm during the winter.” Dozens of floats and marching bands entertained the crowd, but many were waiting for one special guest — Santa Claus. “Ho ho ho! Hi, boys and girls,” he called out as his float passed by. He also had a request for the young paradegoers: “Now I need you guys to do me a favour on Christmas Eve, before you go to bed, put out some cookies because…ho ho ho!" For the children watching from the curb, the holiday excitement was unmistakable. “I’m most excited to be in the Santa Claus parade and have all the fun,” said one young onlooker. Another young KW resident said she simply wanted to “have fun and say Merry Christmas to people.”
