The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade is our city's longest running free community event — established in 1909. The lights, excitement, and entertainment of this magical event have made it a holiday tradition for many local families.
“Manitoba Hydro is committed to encouraging and supporting community-based events and activities,” says Scott Powell, Director Corporate Communications. “After a two-year absence, we - like tens of thousands of Manitobans – are excited to see the return of the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.”
“Although we haven’t been around as long as the Parade’s 100+ years, we do salute their efforts in organizing a free, grassroots type of event that brings Manitobans together. We’re honoured to demonstrate our support of this annual holiday tradition by way of title sponsorship, We’re particularly excited that the Parade and the Christmas Cheer Board are co-hosting Santa’s Workshop at Manitoba Hydro Place. This event provides an opportunity for neighbourhood children to have a “VIP experience” at the Parade.”
“As well, I encourage attendees to watch for Manitoba Hydro’s Employee Float as it makes its way along the parade route gathering non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys for the Christmas Cheer Board”
Eaton’s Department Store held its first Santa Claus Parade in 1905 in Toronto. It was so successful that in 1909 Eaton’s started parades in Montreal and Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade has been held successfully every year since.
Due to rising costs Eaton’s organized its last parade in 1965. Captain George Smith of the East Kildonan Fire Department, on behalf of the Winnipeg Firefighters Club, bought the parade from Eaton’s for $1.50 and started the community based format that has continued to this day.
From 1966 to 1975 the Winnipeg Firefighters worked very closely with volunteers from schools around Winnipeg to successfully carry on the parade tradition.
In 1975 the Winnipeg Jaycees, now JCI Winnipeg, were asked to continue the community tradition and the organization took over the stewardship of the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade exclusively until 2004.
In 1987 the JCI Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade began its relationship with the Christmas Cheer Board collecting donations and non-perishable food items along the parade route.
In November 1998, the City of Winnipeg hosted the Grey Cup. Manitoba Hydro worked with event organizers to bring a Grey Cup parade to downtown Winnipeg. Building on its success, Manitoba Hydro continued to sponsor an annual night-time parade in downtown Winnipeg. This event continued from 1999 to 2005 and was called the Power Smart Festival of Lights Parade.
When the Grey Cup returned in 2006, JCI Winnipeg, the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro joined forces, rolling their individual events into one large and very successful Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade.
The next year, in 2007, JCI Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro agreed to a joint-title sponsorship to hold the Power Smart / JCI Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade, a night-time, lit parade.
In 2012 a board-led, independent, community-based not-for-profit, the Winnipeg Parade Committee Inc. was created to guide and produce the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade and to ensure the sustainability of the event for many years to come.
The tradition continues every year with the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade