Major Kingston road closures planned as nighttime Santa Claus parade set to take over downtown

Kingston warns drivers to prepare for closures and slowdowns as Santa parade and roadwork collide.

Kingston drivers are being warned to expect significant road closures and delays on Friday, Nov. 22, as the annual Nighttime Santa Claus Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony returns to the downtown core.

Market Street from Ontario to King will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., while King Street between Brock and Clarence will shut down from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Princess Street from Sir John A. Macdonald to Ontario will also close from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to allow the parade to move safely through the area.

Several other streets across the city will remain closed or partially blocked for construction, utility work and safety upgrades. These include Aberdeen Street, Albert Street, Barrie Street, Earl Street, Kingscourt Avenue, Raglan Road, Toronto Street and Victoria Street, with closures varying from full shutdowns to multi-day restrictions.

Drivers should also expect delays on Bayridge Drive, Cataraqui Woods Drive, Front Road, Montreal Street, Truedell Road, and in the Victoria and Earl Street area due to ongoing infrastructure projects. Some areas will see lane reductions, speed changes and construction crews working throughout the day.

The City is encouraging residents to plan ahead, use alternate routes and give themselves extra travel time during the busy holiday event.

Story by Alyssa Brush