Parking, Street Closures & Shuttle Information: Downtown Christmas Parade

Traffic Advisory – Downtown Christmas Parade

Date: Sunday, November 30
Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2025 Downtown Christmas Parade, organized by Downtown St. John’s, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 30 beginning at noon.

The parade will travel from Factory Lane to the Water Street/Springdale Street intersection. The full parade route is available on the Downtown St. John’s website.

Free Metrobus Shuttle

A free, wheelchair-accessible park and ride service will operate on a load-and-go basis starting at 10 a.m. from two locations:

Confederation Building:
- Buses will shuttle passengers to and from Bannerman Road.
- The last bus will depart at from the Confederation Building at 12 p.m.
Newfoundland & Labrador Housing Building (off Captain Whelan Drive):
- Buses will shuttle passengers to and from the Mary Brown’s Centre.
- The last bus will depart from the NL Housing Building at 12:30 p.m.

Return shuttles will be available at the drop-off locations (Bannerman Road & Mary Brown’s Centre) immediately following the parade.

Accessibility

GoBus drop off and pick up location is on George Street next to Jungle Jim’s. GoBus users must reserve their ride. GoBus users can book a ride by calling 368-8887, TTY 368-1620, email gobus@mvtcanada.com or text 765-5847.

Accessible parking permit holders can avail of parking located along George Street, accessed via Queen Street. There will also be accessible parking along New Gower Street.

An accessible viewing area for the Christmas Parade is located at 354 Water Street on a first come, first served basis.

Road Closures

The following roads will be closed effective the times noted below. These times are subject to change based on operational and safety requirements:

Duckworth Street (Temperance Street to Prescott Street) – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Duckworth Street (Church Hill to Prescott Street) – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Water Street (Prescott Street to Waldegrave Street/Harbour Drive) – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Water Street (Waldegrave Street/Harbour Drive to Hamilton Avenue) – 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Empire Avenue (Forest Road to Quidi Vidi Road) – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Factory Lane – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Road (King’s Bridge Road to Empire Avenue) – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cavendish Square/Ordnance Street – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prescott Street (Gower Street to Water Street) – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Queen Street – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
George Street – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Waldegrave Street – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Springdale Street (Water Street to New Gower Street) – 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

No Parking (Tow Away) Zones

Vehicles parked in the following areas will be towed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 1:

Factory Lane – both sides
Plymouth Road – both sides
Duckworth Street – both sides Plymouth Road to Prescott Street
Prescott Street – both sides Duckworth Street to Water Street
Water Street – both sides Prescott Street to Springdale Street

Contact

For inquiries regarding the Downtown Christmas Parade, please contact Downtown St. John’s.

For questions related to road closures and traffic interruptions, please contact Access St. John’s by calling 311 or (709) 754-CITY (2489), email access@stjohns.ca or submit an inquiry online.

Downtown St. John’s Tax Free Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Every November, Tax-Free Day is your chance to explore and support local downtown businesses — without paying any tax! With a wide range of shops, boutiques, and specialty stores, the district comes alive with holiday shoppers searching for one-of-a-kind gifts and goods.

Saturday, November 15th, 2025 is Tax Free Day Downtown. Here are the 70+ shops and services participating!

Duckworth Street, New Gower Street, and Other

Elaine’s Books/Doug Bird Gallery 208 Duckworth St.
Breakwater Books 263 Duckworth St.
Solitude 183B Duckworth St.
Ethereal Boutique 199 New Gower St. 10 am to 6 pm
Heritage Shop of NL 158 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm
Model Citizens 245 Duckworth St. 11 am to 5 pm
The Tickle Trunk 245 Duckworth St. 11 am to 5 pm
Downtown Comics 141 Duckworth St 11 am to 7 pm
Posie Row/ Posie Row & Co. 210-214 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Dear Dawcy & Ritual Botanicals – Posie Row & Co. building 3rd flr. 210-214 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Doghouse 204 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Red Ochre Gallery 96 Duckworth St. 10:30 am to 5 pm.
Fred’s Records 198 Duckworth St. 9:30 am to 9 pm.
Hempware 98 Duckworth St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Crafted Treasures 162 Duckworth St. 9 am to 6 pm.
Mandy Lee Dawe Clothing 267 Duckworth St. 12 pm to 6 pm
Hillhead House Prescott St. 10 am to 6 pm

Water Street & Coves

First Western Boutique 140 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm. *Restrictions apply
Freeride Mountain Sports 153 Water St. 11 am to 5:30 pm
Freak Lunchbox 308 Water St. 10 am to 9 pm
Johnny Ruth 181 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
The Outfitters Adventure Gear & Apparel 220 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
Home on Water 156 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Maverick Sports Collectibles 250 Water St. 9 am to 8 pm
Unicornio Studio 176 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
The Bees Knees 199 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
The Travel Bug 197 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
Irene’s 324 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Wild Things 124 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Byron’s Clothing for Men 188 Water St 10 am to 5:30 pm
Soul Studio 351 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
O’Brien’s Music 278 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
Craft Council of NL – The Pantry 155 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
NONIA 286 Water St. 10 am to 5:30 pm
Benjamin’s Menswear 277 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Leyton Gallery of Fine Art Clift’s-Baird’s Cove 11 am to 5 pm
East Coast Quilt Co. 343 Water St 10 am to 6 pm
Le Boudoir 256 Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
Gail’s Clothing Store Bowring Building 277 Water St. 10 am to 5:30 pm
Rocky Mountain Chocolate 282 Water St. 9 am to 10 pm.
Sound Salon & Spa 301 Water St. 9 am to 5 pm
Island Design & Gifts 170 Water St. 10 am to 7 pm
*The Golden Tulip 295 Water St. 10 am to 4:30 pm
The Natural Vibe Wellness Market 272 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
*Newfoundland Canabis co. 270 Water St. 10 am to 10 pm
WM. L. Chafe Menswear 326 Water St. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Fogtown The Side Shop 134 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Downhome Shoppe & Gallery 303 Water St. 9 am to 7 pm.
Legend Tours & Gallery 284 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Twisted Sisters Boutik 177 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm.
Relic 181 Water St. 10 am to 8 pm.
Sooley Designs 179 Water St. 10 am to 8 pm.
Wooly Tops 309 Water St. 2^nd Floor
I Fix N Mark 216 Water St.
*Yellow Belly Brewery & Public House 288 Water St. *Gift Shop products only.
*One Eared Goat 318 Water St. *Gift Shop products only.
Natural Boutique 191 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
R.O.W. Rock on Water Gift Shop 202 Water St. 9 am to 6 pm
Sweet Rock Ice Cream & Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate Shop 174 Water St. 10 am to 9 pm
Dildo Brewing Company 332 Water St. 12 pm to 6 pm
*Pedego Electric Bikes St. John’s 172 Water St. 9 am to 5 pm
709 Exclusive 364 Water St. 11 am to 7 pm
The Artisan Loft 166 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
The Heritage Shop 309 Water St. 10 am to 6 pm
Doodle Palooza 155B Water St. 10 am to 5 pm
The Shop, SALT 151 Water St.
July’s Studio 152 Water St.

*Some restrictions may apply. Inquire at your favorite shop for details. Some information may change.

Check back often for an updated list of participating businesses.

This event is organized and financially supported by the Downtown St. John’s Business Commission.

#LOVEDOWNTOWNSTJOHNS

Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade Application To Participate Now Closed – Nov. 15/25

The Annual Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 12:00 pm. (Sunday, December 7, 2025 postponement date).

Would you like to participate in the parade this year? Building a parade float? Have a band, dance group, cheer group or walking group?

Click the Application Form button below to download the Annual Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade Application Form.

This event is brought to you by the Downtown St. John’s Business Commission. It is supported by the City of St. John’s, NL Power and OZ/FM & NTV.

When you come to visit Santa and his friends don’t forget to explore everything Downtown has to offer! Support Local. Shop Downtown.