The countdown is officially on to a favorite family holiday in Waterloo Region.

THE Kitchener Lions Club will hold its annual Santa Claus Parade on November 16 starting at 10 a.m. It will travel along Weber Street from Frederick to Erb Street.

The club took over the reins of parade production in 2004 from the Twin City Jaycees, who could no longer continue the project.

This year, the club says it still needs volunteers for the big day.

“What we need most is at least 100 volunteers to make this magic happen,” said Mary D’Alton, a member of the Kitchener Lions Club. “So if anyone likes to go for a good 45 minute to an hour walk in the morning, this is a perfect way to help out and go for a walk as well.”

D’Alton says spectators can expect something new this year. After 45 years of parading the streets of Kitchener, Santa will now have a new ride.

“Trades students at Conestoga College are using materials donated by the Bank of Montreal to build a brand new float for Santa,” she said.

Where else can you watch parades in the area

THE Santa Claus Parade in Cambridge will also take place on November 16. The floats and entertainment will move onto Hespeler Road from Dunbar Road at 6:00 p.m. They will leave Hespeler Road at Langs Drive.

THE Puslinch Optimist Club will hold their parade on November 24 at 2 p.m. The parade will begin at the township office on County Road No. 34 and end at the Optimist Recreation Center.

In Elmirathe big man in red arrives on November 30 at 10 a.m.

Then Santa Claus will visit the Township of North Dumfries November 30 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

“The parade will start at Northumberland and Inglis Streets in Ayr,” reads the township’s website. “It runs through Northumberland, turns left onto Stanley Street and ends outside Ayr Library. Santa will then visit the children in the Centennial Park gazebo.

“We make it bigger and better every year,” said Marilyn Bursey, of the Ayr North Dumfries Lions. “So far we have 35 participants and two or three marching bands.”

But Bursey says they’re always looking for more floats, participants and volunteers.

New Hamburg will host their Santa Claus Parade on December 1st at 6 p.m. It will start at Peel Street and Bleams Road and turn left onto Huron Street.

THE Santa Claus parade in Hespeler will take place on December 7 at noon. The parade route will extend from Groh Avenue to the corner of Guelph Avenue and Sheffield Street.

In Fergus, jolly old Saint Nick will anchor the Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Santa Parade beginning at 1:30 p.m. on December 7. Most of the route will take place along St. Andrew Street West.

Then Santa will head south Guelph Community Santa Parade at 5:30 p.m. the same day. Santa will go down Norfolk Street, turn left along Quebec Street and right on Wyndham Street North.

For an even longer list of parades held across the province, visit: DestinationOntario.com

The majority of parades often accept donations of cash, food or warm clothing. Many also accept letters to Santa.