An annual Victoria tradition, the Santa Claus Parade features decorated trucks, illuminated floats and Santa Claus a month before Christmas.

Visit gvfs.ca for the event’s official website.

Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade in Victoria

Organized by the Greater Victoria Festival Society and sponsored by Peninsula Co-op, the Santa Claus Parade takes place in late November each year. The 43rd anniversary of this event happened on Saturday, November 29th, 2025. It’s a fabulous event and attracts thousands of people, even in years when it rains.

The parade begins in the late afternoon and includes plenty of brightly lit displays. Businesses wanting to take part in the procession this past holiday season could do so for $180. The cost for non-profits was $100. Registration in advance to take part was required.

The event is free for anyone who just wants to watch and enjoy the fun from the side of the road. You can head downtown to take in the sights from the sidewalk and support local organizations with donations as well.

Location and Route

The Santa Light Parade used to go down Government Street and continue as far as Pembroke Street. The route changed in 2022 and most of it was on Douglas Street instead. The same route was followed in 2023.

In 2025 the parade route changed again. It started at the intersection of Government and Belleville Street, went north on Government Street, made a left onto Wharf Street and then turned right onto Johnson Street. After thatt, it turned left onto Government Street and finished at Fisgard Street.

This past year’s parade began at 5:30 pm. The event as a whole usually runs from around 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm. The parade itself runs for about an hour from start to finish.

In addition to the parade, there’s the Hudson Holiday Plaza which features a few vendors and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It takes place after the parade by the Public Market in the old Hudson’s Bay building which is located at 1701 Douglas Street.

In previous years, the Hudson Holiday Plaza set up behind the Public Market, so not on Douglas Street itself, but instead at the back of the building. There was a tented shelter outside where Santa and Mrs. Claus sat in a sleigh and posed for photos. Indoors, nearby, there was a small market featuring around 12 artisan vendors. This may or may not have been the case again in 2025.

Visit gvfs.ca for the event’s official website.

What to Expect

The parade typically features over 60 entries. This may have been the case again in 2025.

The parade happens rain or shine, so don’t expect any sort of cancellations due to the weather. In fact, the 2021 parade happened on a night of pouring rain, an atmospheric river in fact. It rained again in 2022, but not nearly as much, and not enough to stop thousands of people from attending. Even in the rain, it’s a fun, family-friendly event.

In the lead-up to the start of parade, there are usually food trucks stationed near the corner of Government and Belleville Street a couple hours before the parade starts. In years past there has also been a designated Christmas Square where people can gather ahead of the parade. This may or may not have been the case in 2025.

The starting area is also usually a place for a donation drive, with different local organizations accepting donations of various kinds. Charitable organizations at the event include the Mustard Seed church and food bank and the Helmet Head Toy Run. Cash, non-perishable food and donations of new toys are all greatly appreciated.

At the parade itself expect to see decorated vehicles, marching bands and different types of floats. There are also usually people on foot who are part of the parade, performing in some way whether that’s through music, dance or another type of decorated procession, The parade is very pretty to watch with everything lit up and looking Christmas-like.

For those who can’t make it to the event in person you can usually watch the parade live on the Chek TV YouTube channel.

Elf Shopper at Vendor Market — At the Indoor Market after the Parade

Light Up the City

The Santa Claus Parade in 2023 coincided with the beginning of Light Up the City which was also run by the Greater Victoria Festival Society. Light Up the City had its final run on November 1st, 2023, and is no longer happening.

When it did happen, Light Up the City ran from early November until mid-December. It included a decoration competition for both private residences and businesses throughout the Greater Victoria area. There was also a donation drive component. The event was founded as a way to bring some holiday cheer back to the island during the pandemic. Sadly, it is no longer happening.

In 2023 Light Up the City ran from November 1st until December 15th. See our article about Light Up the City to learn more about this event.