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University of Niagara Falls Canada ready to celebrate the season at the Santa Claus Parade

12-11-2025UNF staff

Community invited to visit UNF’s Candy Cane Commons following the parade

The holiday spirit is coming to Queen Street this weekend and the University of Niagara Falls Canada will be right in the heart of it.

As part of the City of Niagara Falls 2025 Santa Claus Parade, taking place Saturday, Nov. 15, students, staff, and faculty will join the festivities to help spread cheer to the community. The university’s float, featuring President David Gray and UNF’s beloved mascot Spark, will make its way down the parade route, alongside a lively group of students walking in the parade.

But the celebration doesn’t stop there. Just steps from the parade route, UNF’s Student Commons will be transformed into the Candy Cane Commons, a warm, welcoming space open to everyone in the community. Parade-goers are invited to stop in for a free hot chocolate, snap a festive photo, and warm-up while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

In the spirit of giving, the university will also be supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara’s Holiday Toy Drive. Visitors can drop off new, unwrapped toys for children and youth ages six to 18 in the Candy Cane Commons, which will be distributed to families in need this season.

“The Santa Claus Parade brings our community together in such a joyful way,” said President Gray. “It’s a cherished community tradition and we’re proud to be part of it again this year.”

Located at 4321 Queen St,, the Candy Cane Commons will open to visitors at 5 p.m. Stop by to share in the warmth and wonder of the season.

“We’re thrilled to join in the festivities once again. We are looking forward to opening our doors to our neighbours and contributing to a great local cause,” said Felicia Werner, Executive Director of Community Engagement at UNF.

The Santa Claus Parade kicks off at 4 p.m., with the route starting on Victoria Avenue at Armoury Street, heading down Victoria to Valley Way before veering onto Queen Street and ending at Centennial Square, in front of City Hall and beside the UNF Campus.

Land acknowledgement

University of Niagara Falls Canada acknowledges that the land we gather on is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Hatiwendaronk and Anishinaabe peoples. We also acknowledge the many other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who call this region home.

We commit to building relationships based on respect, reciprocity, and reconciliation as we work, learn, and gather on this land. Furthermore, we acknowledge that the Niagara region is situated on treaty land, and we stand with all Indigenous peoples, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.

Designated Learning Institute Number: O287430643972.

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