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Christmas in Vancouver: Santa Claus Parade

Comments 11 by Rebecca Bollwitt

In honor of my friends who already have their houses decorated with trees in place, and my mother who also loves the season, I’m beginning a segment: Christmas in Vancouver.

As John and I are leaving the country this coming Saturday we’re going to be missing out on quite a bit, just within the week that we’re gone. The Sunday after we return the streets of downtown Vancouver will be filled with 300,000 children and parents sitting on curbs and shoulders to catch a glimpse of good ‘ol St. Nick in the Rogers Santa Claus Parade:

Date: November 25, 2007
Time: 1:00 p.m.

Best Places to Watch:

Here’s what the website recommends:

  • On both sides of Georgia Street on the slope between Bute and Broughton
  • At the Vancouver Art Gallery
  • At Robson Square on Howe Street

    • What to Bring:
    Once again, we will be collecting donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

    The parade will begin with a special train picking up donations along the route. There will also be drop-off spots on Howe Street at Robson Square and on Georgia Street at the Art Gallery.

    If you plan on being downtown that day know that roads will be closed and streets will be overflowing with families and festive-hearted folks. It may not be the best idea to drive through downtown that day.

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    11 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. MegTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 9:34am PST

      So awesome! Good info. We’ve had our tree up since Nov. 3, so we’re well in the spirit. 🙂

    2. Keira-AnneTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 10:20am PST

      Ain’t nothin’ wrong with being in the Christmas spirit. I want to go to the parade avec toi.

    3. JenniferTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 10:34am PST

      I love the Santa Claus Parade! I bought Christmas cards on the weekend, though my apartment is still much less festive than Keira’s and Duane’s…but I’m working on it!

    4. Rev Don DeeleyTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 12:15pm PST

      There’s always another Santa Claus parade, like Santarchy in Vancouver:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SantaCon
      http://santarchy.com/
      http://vancouver.santacon.ca/ (possibly NSFW, definitely HUH?, supposed to update eventually)
      Ah, Santas.

    5. maurarTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 2:58pm PST

      Love it. Thanks. Maybe you should do a piece on Christmas traditions. I love reading about the special things people do to celebrate the season.

      I am a Christmas nut (really, it’s true) but it felt like it came on so fast this year. Or is it just me? Do they usually put the lights up on the trees and start playing Christmas carols in the stores right after Halloween? My fiance says “yes… ” and that this year I have just been too busy to notice??? 🙂

    6. Miss604Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 3:09pm PST

      While I’m not as eager to put up my tree, we did used to get our decorations out the first of December – of course this included advent calendars and the CHOCOLATE ones we’d keep at my grandma’s house 😛

      John and I tend to put our tree up SUPER late but I think one tradition we have is to watch A Christmas Story…. about a dozen times over the holidays.

    7. Duane StoreyTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 3:25pm PST

      I watch Die Hard.

    8. mauraTuesday, November 13th, 2007 — 5:31pm PST

      We put our tree up on December 1, eat yummy cheese fondue and watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. 🙂

    9. GZ ExpatWednesday, November 14th, 2007 — 4:30am PST

      We generally start thinking about the tree after Thanksgiving. Once it is up, we usually have a big get together at the house a week or so prior to Christmas with any of the families that are left here in GZ. Frankly, we love Christmas in Guangzhou…the weather is fabulous (20C and clear skies) and work is very, very quiet during the time. A great time to get caught up on work, family and friends during the time.

      Christmas is usually proceeded by a quick trip to Hong Kong to see Santa for Expat son. He’s is creeping towards that age of no return…so, we have to enjoy these times while we can. The great thing about expat life is, the kids really get to enjoy these moments much longer than they do if they are growing up in the States, as they are not inundated with crap on TV and from their non-believing friends in school.

      And…it is a must to watch It’s a Wonderful Life and The Bishop’s Wife in our house. The Bishop’s Wife is fast becoming our favorite Christmas movie. Carey Grant is just…well…Carey Grant! The Tai-Tai loves him cuz she thinks he’s sexy…and I love him cuz he’s just cool. If Bond movies were made in the 40’s…he’d be the standard bearer for the role.

    10. MariaFriday, October 10th, 2008 — 4:10pm PDT

      I love IT! Merry Christmas!

    11. Rogers Santa Claus Parade 2008 » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 by Rebecca BollwittSaturday, December 6th, 2008 — 6:50pm PST

      […] My parade post from November 2007 with a few tips and suggestions] Tweet This Digg it Add to del.icio.us Stumble it Add to […]

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