The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Committee is excited to be holding the 111th Santa Parade and is hoping the community is ready as well for a fun-filled day.

Since 1909 the Santa Parade has been a favourite annual event to celebrate the holidays, and after being put on hold during the pandemic, the parade is ready to make its comeback—with a few adjustments as well.

The route of the parade has changed slightly, beginning at Portage Avenue and Main Street, floats will travel westward this year and end at Memorial Boulevard and York Avenue. This change is an attempt to keep northbound traffic on Main Street flowing.

Santa parade 2022 route

Another change this year is the start time. While previous years have begun at 5:00 p.m., to accommodate the Jets game at 6:00 p.m. against the Pittsburg Penguins, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers competing in the Grey Cup, and Disney on Ice performing this week, the parade committee did not want anyone to miss out on any of the events.

This year, the Santa Claus Parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. on November 19.

Block parties will begin at 2:00 p.m. and they will be hosted by three different organizations and businesses.

  • Garry Street to York Avenue: Sports Manitoba's Fit Kids Healthy Kids program.
  • Carlton Street to Hargrave Street: Manitoba Advocate.
  • Edmonton Street to Carlton Street: Manitoba Hydro.

"We also have the Canadian Dairy Farmers of Canada showing up," says Monica Derksen, the parade director. "They're going to give out hot chocolate samples, and they will be closer to Kennedy."

The Santa Parade will contain 40 floats, a lower number than in previous years. Derksen says she believes that as the years go on, the parade will become ramped up again and more floats will join in again. She also notes that fan favourites will still be seen, such as the Public Works big traffic light, RE/MAX with their hot air balloon, and more.

Every year there is a Grand Marshal in the parade, this is another parade detail that is different from previous years.

"The Grand Marshal is more of a concept this year, it's Sport Manitoba and Team Manitoba. We wanted to celebrate excellence in sport in our province. Team Manitoba did so well at the Canada Games and we want to celebrate that. So, we have that represented with two athletes who are coming out. They'll represent the concept, you'll see their gold medals as they walk past. We wanted to celebrate the programming in Manitoba as well, so that's where the Sport Manitoba piece comes in."

The parade will be available to watch digitally on CTV starting at 3:00 p.m. There will also be a shortened replay of the event at a date closer to Christmas.

More information about the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade can be found on its website.