The Surrey Santa Claus Parade is an annual charity event that takes place in Cloverdale to support the local Food Bank and Christmas Bureau.
The 2019 edition of the parade took place on Sunday, December 1st – which was the same day as the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 event was going to happen in a drive-thru, ticketed format on December 5th. Because of the worsening situation with respect to the pandemic, however, the event eventually got completely cancelled.
The parade didn’t happen in 2021 because of the pandemic. The organizers plan to run it again, however, in 2022.
Surrey’s Santa Claus Parade of Lights
The Surrey Santa Claus Parade usually happens on a weekend at the beginning of December each year. In 2019 it was on Sunday, December 1st. When the event is a regular parade, it is usually free and runs from 5:00 until around 7:00 pm.
Celebrating its 15th year, the 2020 event was originally going to be different from normal due to COVID-19. Until it got completely cancelled, it was scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 5th in a drive-thru format. The Parade of Lights was going to run from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm, and tickets were not going to be free (which is usually the case).
Until it got cancelled, there was going to be a charge of $10 per carload, with all proceeds going to local food banks and other good causes.
Unfortunately, the parade was once again cancelled in 2021. Hopefully it can return in 2022.
The normal parade that happens in years without a pandemic was inspired by a commercial from the 1990s. In 1997, Coca Cola ran their lighted truck advertisement for the holidays and it was a huge hit. Parts of the commercial were actually filmed in Cloverdale!
Although the event is free most years, vendors are usually present along the route selling food and items by donation. All proceeds go to the Surrey Food Bank and the Surrey Christmas Bureau. During the parade they accept donations of cash, non-perishable food and gift items.
What To Expect
In normal years, the parade typically begins at the corner of 176A Street and 60th Avenue in Surrey and winds through the streets of Cloverdale. The route starts by the Elements Casino and ends on 58th Avenue by the Fraser Health Authority building.
You can usually expect to see lots of trucks, vintage cars, boats and other forms of transportation all decked out in Christmas lights and holiday decorations.
Big Rigs for Kids
The Big Rigs for Kids event starts at the Surrey Santa Claus Parade. After the parade, the trucks with holiday illuminations continue to make their way around Surrey and finish at the Civic Plaza by City Hall at 13450 104th Avenue.
Upon reaching Surrey City Hall the convoy of trucks usually parks at the Civic Plaza until 8:00 pm for folk to enjoy the lights.
Other Information
Click Surrey Santa Claus Parade or Big Rigs For Kids to learn more about the events in Cloverdale.
To learn more about the area see our article about Surrey.
Other articles of interest include the following:
