Things to do  |  26 Jul 2022

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The Santa parade is back with a new name, look and venue – and will be free for all.

After a three year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Christchurch Christmas Show Parade is ready to make its big comeback at 2pm on Sunday 18 December at the Canterbury Showgrounds.

The parade will take on a fresh new approach to the old Santa parade, with all the historic and beautiful floats being brought to life with singers, actors and dancers as they make their way round the roading system at the Canterbury Showgrounds. The floats will be laced together with bands, marching teams, community and cultural groups. 

The day will a fun family event with entertainment, a Christmas market, food vendors, bouncy castles, amusements and two large picnic areas that families can enjoy, says Parade Director Jason Reekers.

“We will have parking on site as well as public transport options. The Canterbury Showgrounds is a perfect venue for the parade. The roading system is safe and it means we don’t have to close any of the city’s roads and inconvenience any businesses or emergency traffic routes,” says Mr Reekers.

The Christchurch Children’s Christmas Parade Trust is a not-for-profit volunteer charitable trust that is still looking for Christchurch businesses to get behind and support this new free family event by sponsorship.

The trust has been given a $45,000 grant from Christchurch City Council. It has also secured grants from some charitable foundations, but it still needs to raise more funds.

“The event is partially self-funded with money raised from parade naming rights and float sponsorship. This is a huge task and we really need local businesses to come out and support us so the Trust can put on a great event for the community,’’ Mr Reekers says.

“We are seeking a naming rights sponsor, as well as individual sponsors for our 22 spectacular floats.

"In return for their sponsorship, sponsors will get a bit more this time than the traditional ’sign on a float’,” he says.

“This is the first of what we hope will be many more years to come at the Showgrounds, the parade’s new permanent home.”

This is just one of the variety of events that will make up the Christchurch City Council’s calendar of Christmas activities happening around the city.

To keep up to date with all parade information you can follow The Christchurch Christmas Show Parade Facebook page. If you would like to support the Christchurch Christmas Show Parade, check out their Givealittle.