Owen Sound’s River District is set to launch the holiday season with a full slate of events on Saturday, November 15, bringing festive activities, road closures, and transit detours to the downtown core.
The celebrations begin with Holiday Magic, running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering outdoor seating, fire tables, photos with Santa, contests, giveaways, and extended shopping hours at many River District businesses.
The 80th annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade steps off at 5 p.m., drawing crowds along 2nd Avenue East. Immediately following the parade, the “Sick Shot” Organized Ball Hockey Tournament will take over the street in memory of Josh Olynyk, sponsored by his family, and continue until 9 p.m.
At 7 p.m., the Festival of Northern Lights will officially switch on, illuminating the River District with its annual display following a brief ceremony.
To support the evening’s events, several major streets will close to traffic and parking beginning at 3 p.m. Road closures include 1st Avenue East between 8th and 9th Street East, 2nd Avenue East between 8th and 11th Street East, and sections of 8th and 9th Streets East between 1st and 3rd Avenue East. A portion of 2nd Avenue East between 7th and 8th Street will remain open to local traffic only, with no through access. All vehicles must be removed from the affected streets and from Parking Lots 1 and 6 by 2:30 p.m. to avoid towing.
Although 10th Street will remain open, intersections will temporarily close as the Santa Claus Parade moves through. Several municipal parking lots will remain accessible, including lots on 3rd Avenue East, 1st Avenue East, and 1st Avenue West. Any vehicles parked in municipal lots at or after 5 p.m. must remain in place until the parade has passed and roads have reopened.
Public transit will also be rerouted. The Brooke and Core transit routes will detour around the closures starting at 2 p.m., travelling via 9th Street to cross the Sydenham River instead of 8th Street. Detours will remain in effect for the rest of the day.
City officials encourage drivers to follow all posted detours and ask eventgoers to use caution and patience as they leave the area once the festivities wrap up.
Up-to-date road closure information can be found on Municipal511, and a full downtown parking map is available on the River District website.
