Vancouver Santa Claus Parade 2024

Every December, over 300,000 people attend the massive Christmas parade in Vancouver. This free, family-oriented event is a great way to raise one's holiday spirit and enjoy some traditional entertainment. The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade features dozens of marching bands, performers, dance troupes, colourful floats, and various community groups.

The event is not only festive but also charitable, having raised over $214,000 and collected more than 76,500 pounds of food for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the CKNW Kids' Fund over the years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christmas parade in Vancouver was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. The parade didn’t have a title sponsor, so the event was also canceled in in 2022 and 2023. Organizers have not yet announced the return of the parade in 2024.

Parade Highlights

The parade features a lively procession of floats, marching bands, choirs, and community groups. Key highlights include the Breakfast with Santa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and family-friendly activities at Christmas Square, located near the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade Route

The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade starts at noon at West Georgia Street and Broughton. It then marches eastward along West Georgia, turns south on Howe St, and finishes at Davie St & Howe St. Expect lots of live music entertainment and delicious snacks. The parade route is approximately 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long from start to finish.

Admission

The parade is a free community event open to all, with a meaningful tradition of giving back. Spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations to benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Over the years, this event has successfully collected significant contributions—both financial and food supplies—to support the charity.

Pre- and Post-parade Events

There are also some pre- and post-parade events in various locations like breakfast with Santa, entertainment stage, letters to Santa station, face painting, and a photo session with Santa at TELUS Garden.

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade History

The Vancouver Santa Claus Parade has been a beloved tradition since 2004, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season in the city. The parade route runs along Georgia Street and Howe Street, attracting large crowds of up to 300,000 spectators annually​.