Montreal Sparkles with Santa Claus Parade and Holiday Road Closures
This weekend, Montreal is getting ready to sparkle with holiday magic, as the 73rd edition of the Santa Claus Parade rolls through downtown. The festivities are set to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, moving along René-Lévesque Boulevard between Drummond and Saint-Urbain Streets. But if you’re planning to drive around the city, be prepared for some detours and road closures because the parade and ongoing construction will impact several major routes.
The city’s Transport Ministry has announced that the Honoré-Mercier Bridge will be affected first. From Friday at 11 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m., traffic will run contraflow on the Montreal-bound span, with only one lane open in each direction. Drivers usually accessing the bridge via Airlie Street will need to follow a detour through Lafleur Avenue and Clément Street, while those using the reserved lane will be rerouted via Avenue du Trésor-Caché, Lasalle Boulevard, des Oblats Street, and Airlie Street before rejoining the main detour.
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Highway 30 in Brossard will also see a full closure westbound between Exit 67 and both A-10 access points over the same weekend, with a service road acting as a detour. Motorists can expect some congestion, especially on Saturday and Sunday, as the area adjusts to the closures. Route 138 in Ch'steauguay, specifically Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard, will be partially closed eastbound, with two of three lanes blocked between Rodrigue Street and Industriel Boulevard. Additional lane restrictions continue around the Bonaventure sector, PJCCI near the Peel Basin and Victoria Bridge, and the Clément Bridge until December, along with lane narrowing at the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge exit toward downtown.
While the city handles traffic adjustments, the real excitement is happening in a Montreal workshop, where the Kleis Inc. team has been adding final touches to the parade’s new showpiece float, the Orchestrarium. Fred Authier Pigeon, Kleis Inc.’s founder, described the creation as a blend of antique steam engines and early mechanical gadgets, giving it a timeless, almost whimsical feel. All elements of the float—including lights, sound, and scenic details—have been carefully coordinated to create a magical moment for parade-goers. The float was designed over several months, with meticulous attention to durability so that it can shine for years to come.
Tourisme Montréal has played a key role in supporting these new floats, ensuring that the parade continues to captivate locals and visitors alike. The Orchestrarium, according to Pigeon, promises to be unlike anything the parade has seen before, with a unique aesthetic and an original soundtrack designed to enchant the audience.
As Montrealers prepare to enjoy the festive streets, both the parade and the temporary road closures are reminders that the city is entering a truly magical holiday weekend—full of lights, music, and a little detour along the way.
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