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Vancouver's Santa Claus Parade won't return in 2022. Here's what's going on

For the third year in a row, the beloved tradition has been cancelled.
Lindsay William-Ross
Lindsay William-Ross
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The popular holiday season kick-off event, featuring Santa Claus, marching bands, and tons of family activities in downtown Vancouver, was last held in 2019. For the third year in a row, the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade has been cancelled - but not due to the pandemic in 2022.Vancouver Santa Claus Parade/Facebook

It's been a long time since people have lined the streets of downtown Vancouver hoping to get their first glimpse of Jolly Old St. Nick himself in person to kick-off the holiday season. Once a beloved Vancouver tradition, the city's annual Santa Claus Parade last took place in 2019 and has been cancelled for 2022, marking the third year in a row the festive gathering has been shelved.

"Over the years, the annual Vancouver Santa Claus Parade has become known as the city’s kickoff event of the Christmas season, so it’s with a great deal of regret that we announce that the parade has been put on hiatus for 2022," organizers shared recently on its website.

The pause is not due to the pandemic, which is what took the event offline in 2020 and again in 2021. 

Now, the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade - which had been presented by marquee sponsor and telcom giant Telus - is missing a sponsor.

"The event needs a title sponsor to defray the costs of putting on the parade each year, but no sponsor was able make a commitment in time for 2022. So now we’re looking ahead to coming back next year," explain the organizers. To that end, the event is urging companies willing to buck up to reach out to them via email - send your note to [email protected]. 

The celebration, often held at the start of December, features not only a parade jam-packed with floats, marching bands, and the grand finale appearance of the big man in red himself but also sideline programming like family-friendly activities set up in the vicinity and a "Breakfast With Santa" event. In 2019, the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade marked its 16th anniversary.

This year, organizers are urging fans to still get in the parade's vibe of giving back to the community. "We hope you’ll keep the holiday spirit alive by continuing to support the parade’s benefitting partners:  the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and the CKNW Kids' Fund," organizers suggest. 

Other major holiday season events in Vancouver announced for 2022: