Markham Holiday Events 2026: Festival of Lights, Santa Claus Parade and Unionville's Candlelight Parade

Markham Living  |  Holiday Guide 2026

Markham Holiday Events 2026: Three Evenings That Make Main Street Feel Like Home

By Michael John Lau, REALTOR®  |  Kaizen Real Estate Team  |  Updated November 4, 2026

There is a moment every November when Markham changes. The air turns cold. The shop windows on Main Street glow a little warmer. Somewhere a band is warming up, and a child asks, for the fifth time, when Santa is coming.

That moment is why this guide exists. Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, leads the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the teams Markham families turn to when they want to understand their town, not just its listings. Each year the team puts the holiday dates in one place so you can plan less and enjoy more.

This is the 2026 edition. If you are looking for last season's dates, you can still find the 2025 Markham holiday events guide here.

Markham holiday events 2026 at a glance

Festival of Lights in Markham Village: Friday, November 27

The season begins in Markham's historic district. The Festival of Lights is a free evening celebration that has brought people together for more than four decades, according to the Markham Review.

Here is what is planned for 2026:

• The official Christmas tree lighting and Santa's arrival
• Fireworks over the village
• Live local entertainment, including the Wind Symphony from Markham District High School, roaming carollers from Unionville Theatre Company, and two fire shows by NorthFire Circus
• New this year: the Winter Village Market and Santa's Village
• A new Community Crochet Holiday Tree from the Markham Guild of Village Crafts

The published notice does not list start times yet. Check mainstreetmarkham.com closer to the date for the evening schedule.

Markham Santa Claus Parade: Saturday, November 28

The next morning, Main Street Markham turns into a parade route. The City of Markham lists this as the 52nd annual Markham Santa Claus Parade, presented by Tim Hortons. The 2026 theme is The Power of Love, with floats, community groups, marching bands and special holiday guests. The Grand Marshal is Canadian race car driver Demi Chalkias.

• Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Highway 7.
• Route: North along Main Street Markham, between Highway 7 and 16th Avenue.

Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade: Saturday, December 12

Two weeks later, the season moves to Main Street Unionville. The Unionville BIA lists the Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade for Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street Unionville. It is the first holiday season since the Main Street restoration was completed, and the restored street is a fitting setting for a night like this.

If you have little ones, the BIA also lists Breakfast with Santa:

• Saturday, December 5 at Jake's on Main, with 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. seatings
• Saturday, December 12 at Unionville Arms, with 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. seatings
• Tickets are $33 per person through the BIA's Eventbrite link.

Getting there: The Unionville BIA says parking is free in the lots behind Main Street businesses, reached from Carlton Road and Main Street Unionville. Unionville GO Station is about 2 km south of Main Street. No road closure details for the candlelight parade had been published as of November 4, so check unionville.ca before you head out.

A simple plan for the season

1. Friday, Nov 27: Festival of Lights in Markham Village. Dress warm and stay for the fireworks.
2. Saturday, Nov 28: Santa Claus Parade at 11 a.m. Arrive early, and plan around the 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. closures.
3. Saturday, Dec 5 or 12: Breakfast with Santa on Main Street Unionville.
4. Saturday, Dec 12: Candlelight Parade, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. A slow walk on Main Street to finish the night.

Looking for what came before the holidays? Here are the fall festivals and events in Markham.

What it feels like to live within walking distance

Most families experience these nights as visitors. They circle for parking. They check the closure map. They carry tired kids back to the car in the cold.

For the families who live a short walk from Main Street, the same night feels different. You hear the band before you see it. You leave when the fireworks end, not when the parking lot empties. The coffee shop you visit every Tuesday is the one handing out hot chocolate. The neighbours you wave to all year are standing beside you on the curb.

Near Main Street Markham, that means heritage streets, a village core that hosts events through the year, and a short stroll to the Festival of Lights. Learn more about buying a home in Old Markham Village.

Near Main Street Unionville, it means a restored main street, the bandstand, and a candlelight parade you can reach on foot. It feels like a small village inside a big city.

There is a trade off, and it is worth being honest about. On parade mornings, the residents on and near the closed streets plan their errands around the closure window. For many families, that is a small price for being part of the tradition every year.

Michael John Lau's view is simple: a home is not just a floor plan. It is the life that happens around it. If walking to these traditions matters to your family, it belongs on your list of what you want in your next home.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Markham Festival of Lights in 2026?

The Festival of Lights is on Friday, November 27, 2026, in Markham Village. It is a free evening celebration with the official tree lighting, Santa's arrival, fireworks, the new Winter Village Market and Santa's Village.

What time is the Markham Santa Claus Parade 2026?

The 52nd Markham Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, November 28, 2026. It begins at 11 a.m. at Highway 7 and runs north on Main Street Markham to 16th Avenue. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Which roads are closed for the Markham Santa Claus Parade?

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Highway 7 is closed from Markham Road to Wootten Way, and Markham Road (Main Street Markham) is closed from Highway 7 to Edward Jeffreys Avenue. From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 16th Avenue is closed at the intersection of Markham Road. The City will not issue parking permits or access passes for the area.

Will GO trains stop at Markham GO Station during the parade?

No. The City of Markham says GO trains will not stop at Markham GO Station between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on parade day.

When is the Unionville Candlelight Parade in 2026?

The Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street Unionville.

Where do I park for events on Main Street Unionville?

The Unionville BIA says parking is free in the lots behind Main Street businesses, reached from Carlton Road and Main Street Unionville. Check unionville.ca before the parade for any event day changes.

Keep reading

• Markham holiday events: the 2025 guide
• Main Street Unionville is back after its restoration
• Fall festivals and events in Markham
• Buying a home in Old Markham Village

Sources: Markham Review, October 5, 2026; City of Markham, Santa Claus Parade page; Main Street Unionville BIA. All checked November 4, 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with each organizer before you go.