CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — The City of Cambridge has unveiled its full programme for Winterfest 2025, a six-week celebration running from 15 November to 31 December, featuring a packed schedule of family-friendly festivities, community events, and seasonal attractions — including the return of Candyland and the addition of the Santa Claus Parade.
The popular festival, which draws thousands of visitors each year, aims to bring residents together for what the city describes as “the magic of the season.” This year’s expanded programme includes light displays, live performances, artisan markets, and a family New Year’s Eve celebration.
“Winterfest offers residents many opportunities to experience the magic of the season,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “I encourage everyone to gather together with friends and family and enjoy the Cambridge experience at the Santa Claus Parade, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, Candyland, or one of the other activities during November and December.”
Santa Parade leads the celebrations
Winterfest will officially begin on 15 November with the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade, presented by Kieswetter Mazda. Starting at 6 p.m., the illuminated evening procession will travel along Hespeler Road, between Dunbar Road and Langs Drive, featuring light-decorated floats, marching bands, and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus himself.
This marks the first year the parade is being organised directly by the City of Cambridge, following more than 50 years of coordination by the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee, which ran the event from 1972 to 2024.
“On behalf of the City, I would like to extend our thanks for the exceptional work of the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee who previously led this event. Your dedication to creating a merry and joyful experience for residents is deeply appreciated,” said Mayor Liggett. “I’d also like to thank Kieswetter Mazda for their generous support of this event. Major sponsors like Kieswetter Mazda and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada help us make Winterfest events bigger and better than ever for Cambridge residents.”
Community highlights and charitable support
Beyond the parade, Winterfest will include several long-standing community favourites. The CPKC Holiday Train will arrive at the Malcolm Street Train Station on 21 November, with musical entertainment by Matthew Campbell starting at 3 p.m. The Cambridge Food Bank will be on site collecting donations of non-perishable food and money for local families in need.
On 28 November, the Music and Lights in the Village event will illuminate downtown Hespeler from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring choir performances, crafts, and a tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m.
A separate Tree Lighting event in Preston will take place on 1 December from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., complete with live entertainment and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.
Unsilent Night and Holiday Market return
Among Winterfest’s most distinctive features is Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, which returns to downtown Galt on 5 December. The international event combines sound art and community performance, as participants carry mobile devices playing Kline’s compositions while walking through the city streets illuminated by festive displays. Cambridge is recognised as the largest Unsilent Night walk in the world, according to the organisers.
That same evening, the Cambridge Holiday Market will open inside City Hall and the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, hosting more than 100 vendors offering handmade gifts, crafts, and local food. The market will run across the weekend, continuing 6 December (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and 7 December (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
Candyland and family festivities return
After a six-year absence, Candyland will return to Central Park in Preston on 13 December, promising a day of family entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature a fun fair, games, live performances, and a hot chocolate station — all designed to capture the playful spirit of the holiday season.
The city will close Winterfest with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party at Preston Memorial Arena on 31 December. The celebration will include ice skating, live music, games, and other activities from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Community partnership and sponsorship
The city credited its major sponsors for enabling the festival’s growth and accessibility. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., Kieswetter Mazda, BWXT, and Volvo Cars Waterloo are among the headline sponsors supporting this year’s expanded programming.
Winterfest continues to be one of Cambridge’s flagship community events, combining public engagement, arts, and economic activity during the festive season. The city expects strong turnout following last year’s record participation across its downtown hubs.
Residents can find full event details and schedules at cambridge.ca/Winterfest.
