Ho Ho Ho: Here’s what you need know for the Rogers Santa Claus Parade

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Here comes Santa Claus right down Georgia Street!

This year’s Rogers Santa Claus Parade is expected to be the biggest yet, with more than 3,500 participants, 300 volunteers, and an estimated 300,000 people heading downtown to watch.

Parking restrictions and road closures will be in effect along the parade route, a dispersal area, and a set-up area:

Parade Route:
Parking restrictions in effect 8:00am to 4:00pm
Road Closure in effect 10:00am to 3:30pm
• West Georgia from Cardero to Seymour
• Howe from Dunsmuir to Drake

Dispersal Area:
Parking restrictions in effect 8:00am to 4:00pm
Road Closure in effect 10:00am to 4:00pm
• Both sides Howe between Smithe and Drake St.
• Smithe from Hornby to Granville
• Nelson from Burrard to Granville
• Helmcken between Hornby and Granville
• Davie between Hornby and Granville

Set-up and Marshalling area:
Parking restrictions in effect 7:00am to 4:00pm:
Road Closure in effect 9:00am to 3:00pm
• Exception – Broughton between Robson and Alberni will be
closed from 7:00am-3:00pm
• South side West Georgia between Cardero and Broughton
• Both sides Alberni between Cardero and Jervis
• Both sides Nicola between West Georgia and Robson
• Both sides Broughton between West Georgia and Robson
• North side of 1300 Robson Street
• West Georgia will remain open as long as possible prior to the parade but road closures will be in effect on above sections of Alberni, Nicola and Broughton.

Whether you’re scoping the perfect parking spot or if you’re trying to avoid the area altogether, NEWS 1130 Traffic will keep you up to date on traffic in the area.

If you’re leaving your sleigh and reindeer at home and taking transit instead, there are three SkyTrain stations along the parade route: Burrard, Granville and City Centre.

The parade itself gets underway at noon, but Lower Mainlanders can get in the holiday spirit leading up to the parade in the Christmas Square on Robson and Howe.

You can decorate gingerbread cookies or tree ornaments, get your face painted, and write a letter to the big man in red among other things. The Christmas Square will also have a spot for you to drop off your food bank donations.

Over the last 12 years, the parade has collected $151,200 and more than 76,400 pounds of food for hungry families in the Lower Mainland.

Environment Canada is forecasting a lovely day for the parade — a mix of sun and cloud, a chance of rain, and a high of six degrees — however, it’s never a bad idea to bring along some rain gear just in case. You might also want to pack mitts, a toque, and a travel mug for coffee or hot chocolate as well.