Every year when the holiday season arrives, Stittsville marks the occasion the way communities have for generations: with a parade.
The Stittsville Parade of Lights is an annual tradition organized by the Stittsville Village Association, drawing residents and families from across Ottawa's west end to watch floats, community groups, and festive displays wind through the village's main streets after dark.
What Makes It Special
Ottawa's larger municipal celebrations can feel overwhelming for families with young children. The Stittsville Parade of Lights is something different: genuinely community-scale, built by and for the people who actually live there.
Local businesses, schools, sports teams, and community organizations participate in the parade—many decorating their own floats with lights, holiday themes, and increasingly creative designs. The result is a warm, neighbourhood feel that larger parades often lose.
The Stittsville Village Association
The parade is organized by the Stittsville Village Association (SVA), a community group dedicated to celebrating and promoting Stittsville's identity as a distinct community within Ottawa. The SVA runs multiple events throughout the year, with the Parade of Lights standing as one of its signature occasions.
Planning for the 2026 Parade
The annual Parade of Lights typically takes place in late November or early December. For 2026 dates and details, follow the Stittsville Village Association through local community boards and social media.
If you're in the west end and haven't attended yet, it's exactly the kind of community event Ottawa needs more of—low-key, genuine, and full of the kind of neighbourhood pride that makes a city feel like home.
