Toronto hosts a variety of events for the Christian Holy Week 2013. One is a sombre religious event, the Passion Procession, on Good Friday 2013. A few days later, the annual Beaches Easter Parade is a light-hearted celebration.

(Updated 2015-04-01): Some of these Easter parades, and the Passion Procession, are annual events in Toronto. I’ve verified one Good Friday event, and one Easter event, for April 2015:

• On Good Friday, the St. Francis of Assisi Passion Procession will take place on April 3rd at 3pm. See below for general information.
• The Beaches Lions Club holds their annual Easter Parade on Sunday, April 5th from 2-4pm. Hie thyself to Queen St. East well before the start of the parade, anywhere between Neville Park and Woodbine Ave.

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On the other hand, the Bees Knees Dance studio may still accept dance enthusiasts, but they say nothing about a “vintage Easter parade in Toronto” this year.

(Updated 2013-03-29): Another annual fun event is the annual Toronto Vintage Easter Parade…see below.

The Christian Holy Week includes Good Friday

The Christian religion states that Jesus celebrated the Jewish Passover meal with his disciples; prayed overnight; and was arrested, tried and executed by crucifixion on what is now called Good Friday. After being condemned, Jesus carried the cross for his execution from the trial to the hill named Calvary.

The suffering that Jesus experienced is called “The Passion”. Some Christian churches re-enact these events with a “Passion Procession”.

Simon of Cyrene was a bystander who was forced to help Jesus carry the cross.

The St. Francis of Assisi Passion Procession on Good Friday will be held on March 29, 2013 at 3pm.

The procession will leave the church at 72 Mansfield Ave. at Grace Street. This is centrally located among College St., Dundas St., Ossington Ave. and Bathurst St.

I’m sure you would be welcome at the 11am service that morning. Their bulletin from Palm Sunday (PDF) outlines their commemoration of Holy Week.

(Added 2013-03-29): I’m not comfortable calling this a “Toronto Passion Parade”, since “parade” implies a fun event. The subject matter is serious, and this is presented by a church as an important reminder of a solemn moment in the Christian religion. Each Toronto Easter Parade noted below is lighthearted; a Good Friday procession reminds us of human suffering and, in the Christian faith, sacrificial redemption.

(Added 2013-03-30): The Good Friday Procession is a tradition in a number of cities. Pope Benedict participated yesterday in Rome at the Colosseum, for example.

Celebrating the Beaches Easter Parade in Toronto

Another annual spring event in Toronto that returns this year is the Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade 2013. Head to Queen Street East at Munro Park for the 2pm start on Sunday March 31, 2013.

The parade heads west to Woodbine Avenue.

Take the Bloor-Danforth subway to Woodbine, then the 92 Woodbine South bus to Queen Street. Alternatively, you might try the 501 Queen Streetcar, which will probably short-turn at the Woodbine Loop where Kingston Road meets Eastern Avenue and Queen Street. It’s a short walk from there to Woodbine Avenue.

The Beaches Lions Club would appreciate a donation of loonies to support their charitable work.

The Annual Toronto Vintage Easter Parade

(Added 2013-03-29): March 31, 2013 marks the second annual Toronto Vintage Easter Parade from Yonge and Bloor to Queen and Bay, weather permitting.

If weather does not permit, they plan to use the TTC and ride the subway to saunter about the Yorkdale Shopping Centre and return to promenade in the Eaton Centre downtown.

The catch is: dress in vintage clothing, as seen in their Bees’ Knees website (linked above). Meet by 1:30pm at 750 Yonge Street, their dance studio.

Good Friday and Easter are Lunar Calendar Events

Like the Jewish Passover, both Good Friday and Easter Sunday are linked to the lunar calendar. These annual events are tied to a specific full moon in the spring.

Since we use the solar Gregorian calendar to track most dates, people regularly ask “When is Good Friday” or “When is Easter” every year. Since Canada recognizes an Easter Holiday, it’s important to check your calendar annually.

Colour Easter Eggs as a Childrens Activity

One traditional Easter activity for children is colouring Easter eggs. Remember to use hard-boiled eggs, and let them cool before decorating them.

“Jane Decorates an Easter Egg: A Picture Easter Book for Children” is a delightful story about a child who discovers wonderful surprises while doing this craft project. This story, in the Kindle format, is for quite young children. Parents will find teachable moments such as counting eggs or identifying colours.

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

My blog notes many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, and provides ideas for fascinating, free or frugal things to do in Toronto. We’d like to cover all Toronto summer attractions, and indeed all special events in Toronto; especially for Canadian holidays.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write content or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science and several other web sites.

Thanks for reading about the Toronto Easter parade and the Passion Procession in Toronto.