November 4th, 2022
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By Woodrow Kolomvos
For the first time since 2019, the Brampton Santa Claus Parade will be live and in-person for Brampton families to attend and enjoy.
Determination and resilience are a common theme for post-pandemic accounts of communities coming together to safeguard long loved traditions and events in such uncertain times, and the return of the Parade is a testament to the assiduous dedication of the Brampton community to bring residents together again in celebration of hope and holiday cheer.
“The 28th annual Brampton Santa Claus Parade is organized and operated by a dedicated group of volunteers, and we are thrilled to be returning to a live in-person parade this year,” said Barbara Schembri, Chair of the Brampton Santa Claus Parade Operations Committee, in the release. “This year’s parade is only possible through the dedication and efforts of hundreds of volunteers, sponsors and partners all committed to ensuring a fun time is had by all. The Parade organizing committee can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of children of all ages as they enjoy the lights, floats, bands and especially Santa Claus himself!”
In 2020 during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic closures and quarantine, the Parade still managed to make a safe and magical visit to Brampton. A virtual presentation of the Parade was broadcasted on Facebook and YouTube for viewing and it allowed Brampton families to look back at the previous 26 years of spectacular Parade celebrations. As Santa made his way into Brampton during the presentation, he thanked all the essential workers that continued to tirelessly operate during quarantine.
The largest night-time Santa Claus parade in Canada, this year’s Parade will feature over 50 exciting entries, including floats, live bands, giant helium balloons, dance groups, marchers, dignitaries and more. Thanks to the hard work of the students at Cardinal Leger Secondary School, the Parade will also include over 100 costumed characters to spread joy along the Parade’s route.
This year the Parade is following an alternate route due to construction in downtown Brampton. The new route will start at Bramalea Road and Central Park Drive, heading northbound on Bramalea Road, turning right, and heading eastbound on North Park Drive and ending at Jordan Boulevard. Those interested in spectating the 2022 Parade should familiarize themselves with this new route.
On the day of the Parade, road closures on Central Park Drive will start at 10:30
a.m. Other major streets in the area will close at 3:30 p.m. and reopen after the parade around 8:00 p.m.
Spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Parade food drive, as there is a greater need than ever for those in need. Families can also bring letters for Santa that will be collected during the Parade. Also this year, a virtual broadcast of the Parade will be shown live on YouTube and Facebook, with award winning Host Michael A. Charbon, and Parade committee member Anita Anonthysene, for all families who cannot spectate in-person.
What started as a daytime parade in 1985 has expanded to the largest single day event in the Region of Peel and the largest nighttime parade in Canada. For years, more than 100,000 spectators from the communities of Brampton, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area have come out to join the celebration, and with the return of the Parade, families can once again gather in-person and feel the devotion that the Parade has for its Brampton community.
For more information, including details on the new Parade route, visit the event website. The Brampton Santa Claus Parade is happening on Saturday November 19th at 5:00 p.m.
