Toronto Reference Library Blog

Psst! Christmas is just around the corner. Michael Stuparyk, 1987.

It's the time of year when the many versions of Santa Claus (or Père Noël, or St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas) show up in Toronto malls, streets, community centres and houses. His reach may be global, but here are some specifically Toronto views courtesy of the Toronto Star Photographic Archive, now available at the Toronto Reference Library.

Sinterklass at Nathan Philips Square, 1974

Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus. Dick Loek, 1974.

Toronto Santas have their Reindeer, but have always used alternate transport too--

The command On Dasher. Andrew Stawicki, 1986.

On Dasher, on Dancer, on...what. Colin McConnell, 1977.

Could Santa be looking for winter? Boris Spremo, 1984.

Four Santas head home. Peter Power, 1992.

Santa perches in front of Ajax Transit. Paul Irish, 1993.

Of course, Santa and kids are the main thing--serious, happy, unhappy or too cute for words:

Jamaican Canadian Association. Ron Bull, 1995.

Applicants few for Santa job. Harold Barkley, 1964.

Tom Crew; 82; who has played Santa Claus, Boris Spremo, 1991.

Claus has no effect. Colin McConnell, 1987

It's a tough job, but Santa can do it--

Santa's warming up. Colin McConnell, 1988.

Well; it's all over. Graham Bezant, 1974.

Anniversaries-Christmas-Santa Claus. Boris Spremo, 1996.

Merry Christmas to all!

Santa waves to cheering children. Barry Philp, 1962.

The Toronto Star Photograph Archive is a collection of over one million photos chronicling the twentieth century. It was donated to the Toronto Public Library in 2014, and is available to all in the Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.

You can see many Toronto Star images online through our Digital Archive.

Toronto Star License