

Santa Is (Already) Coming to Town!
Did you know that the Festival of Lights and Santa Claus Parade is already in the works for Saturday, November 18th? Where did our summer go?!
It seems like every year we sit down to start getting ready for the Santa Claus Parade, long before we feel ready. And here we are, just a few short weeks away from Saturday, November 18!
Yes, it’s time for the 2023 Festival of Lights and Santa Claus Parade! This year, we are celebrating the season in Downtown Goderich beginning at 6:30 pm on the Courthouse Performance Stage. John Powers & Family will take to the stage as a hot chocolate treat is provided by Tim Hortons of Goderich. If the weather holds, we might even have a few brave food trucks join us with some warm treats to make the night special! Funnel cakes from BYOB and Cookies & Treats from Sweets by Mardell will have your mouth watering.
Then at 7pm the Festival of Lights will kick off! Mayor Bazinet will help us count down to the official lighting of the lights. These beautiful displays will remain on in the evenings through the holiday season and will remain lit until mid-February. New to the display this year is our HUGE holiday tree. Positioned in the Town Hall courtyard, this 21-foot golden pre-lit Shinto Tree will become your new favourite holiday display.
Once we have the lights on, Santa will finally know how to find us, and this means we get to kick off the 2023 Santa Claus Parade! After we light the lights, we welcome the holiday season with our nighttime Santa Claus Parade.
Floats from businesses all over Huron County will be lit up and on display as our Santa Claus Parade makes it way up West Street to Courthouse Square, Courthouse Square clockwise to South Street, south on South Street where it will disperse at Elgin Avenue.
Be sure to bring your non-perishable food items as a couple of floats in the parade will be gathering donations for our local food banks.
If you are interested in entering a float in the parade, please visit EXPLOREGODERICH.CA to access the fillable parade form, as well as a complete list of all the events taking place this Festival Season.
We might love our summers in Goderich, but no other event in Goderich will bring out a crowd in all types of weather! Show us your true Goderich spirit and help us celebrate the Season in Downtown Goderich.
What to do in Goderich this Holiday Season
Friday, November 17
Saturday, November 18
Monday, November 20
Sunday, November 26
Friday, December 1
7 PM – 8 PM Angel Tree Ceremony
Lions Harbour Park
Goderich Angel Tree Ceremony, Friday, November 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Lions Harbour Park.
Trees will remain lit throughout the Festival of Lights with the names posted beside the trees. To have your Angel’s name added to the tree, please contact Goderich Tourism at (519)524-6600 or email specialevents@goderich.ca
10 AM – 4 PM Shoreline Christmas Craft Show
Memorial Arena (180 MacDonald St.)
Billed as the largest Christmas Craft show this season, the Memorial Arena will be singing with the sounds of Christmas!
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Saturday, November 18: Penguin Pebble Art
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
6:30 PM – 7 PM Festival of Lights
Courthouse Square Park
Join us in Downtown Goderich for the official Lighting of the Lights and kick-off to the Holiday season. Live entertainment will be playing on the performance stage (snow or shine) while folks can enjoy a warm beverage.
7:15 PM – 8 PM Santa Claus Parade
Courthouse Square Park & Parade Route
The jolliest elf comes to Goderich tonight in the evening Santa Claus Parade! Be sure to dress for the weather and bring your good cheer as we welcome Santa Claus to Goderich!
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Monday, November 20: Scrabble Tile Ornaments
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
3 PM Sound of Goderich 2023
Lakeshore United Church
Enjoy this seasonal celebration of music featuring the Goderich Laketown Band, MacKay Choristers, and featured guest Meghan DeJager, accompanied by Robert Blackwell.
Admission by Donation ($20 suggested)
8 PM Flyers Home Game
Maitland Recreation Centre
Cheer on the home team in the 2023/2024 Season. Tickets are available at the door and be sure to visit the Sky Harbour Lounge during the game!
Tickets available at the Door.
8 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Christmas in the Highlands is another ‘’Cosy Mystery” written by Warren Robinson. It features period carols, costumes, and kilts to offer a visual treat and a warm Christmas feeling.
It is set in Inverness in the 1890s. It includes a Highland Ball, comical high jinks and a mystery to be solved.
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Saturday, December 2
10 AM – 8PM BIA Open House
Downtown Goderich
Get moving on that holiday shopping list by visiting Downtown Goderich to find special deals and a lot of festive cheer!
11 AM Story Time With Santa
Goderich Library in cooperation with the Goderich Salvation Army
Our very own Santa will be reading your favourite Christmas books. All ages welcome to drop in.
8 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Sunday, December 3
2 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Wednesday, December 6
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Wednesday, December 6: Book Ornament
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
Thursday, December 7
12 PM – 8 PM BIA Fellow’s Night
Downtown Goderich, Various Locations
If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet, today’s a great day! Find some excellent deals and wonderful treats in Downtown Goderich.
Friday, December 8
8 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Saturday, December 9
8:30 PM Breakfast With Santa
Trinity Christian Reform Church
Come and enjoy some crafts, breakfast, and pictures with Santa!
$5 Kids, $10 adults, $30/Family
BIA Cozy Christmas Market
Downtown Goderich
Join us Downtown Goderich for a day of shopping and festival fun!
2 PM & 8 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Sunday, December 10
2 PM Christmas in the Highlands Written and Directed by Warren & Eleanor Robinson
The Livery Theatre
Tickets available at thelivery.ca
Wednesday, December 13
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Wednesday, December 13: Festive Wine Cork Tree
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
Wednesday, December 16
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Wednesday, December 16: Mason Jar Lid Ornaments
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
Monday, December 18
7:30 PM A Christmas Concert
Know Presbyterian Church
HuronSong Chorus and Friends Present: A Christmas Concert to benefit the Huron Women’s Shelter
Admission by dontation to Huron Women’s Shelter
Wednesday, December 20
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Homemade Holidays
Huron County Library – Goderich Branch
Wednesday, December 20:”knotty” Gnome Ornaments
Registration: Please contact the Goderich Branch by phone at 519-524-9261 or by emailing goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca
2023 Parade Entries - NOW CLOSED
But, don't worry! If you'd still like to enter a float, please arrive at the marshaling entrance (South & Elgin) where Marshals will find a spot for you!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - More Events Coming Soon
NO THROWING CANDY FROM FLOATS, HANDING OUT IS ACCEPTED
WHEN: November 18, 2023
MARSHALLING: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Elgin Avenue West)
PARADE: 7:15 PM Start
ROUTE START: Wellington Street and West Street
Traveling East up West Street to Courthouse Square
Moving clockwise around Courthouse Square to South Street
ROUTE END: South Street and Elgin Avenue West