Thousands gathered in downtown Kamloops on November 24, 2024, to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and the twinkling floats at the 44th Annual Santa Claus Parade. As Kamloops’ biggest outdoor celebration, the parade attracts over 25,000 visitors yearly who line the streets to watch the festive spectacle. Among the brightly-lit floats was a fire engine from the New Afton Mine, adorned from tailboard to cab in colorful Christmas lights.
“The Santa Claus Parade is a special time when our community comes together to share the joy of the holiday season,” said Elsa Poppleton, Community Relations Coordinator at the New Afton Mine. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses and spread festive cheer. This year, we were thrilled to hand out over 2,500 chocolate bars as a special treat from New Afton.”
The Santa Claus Parade, organized by the Downtown Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA), thrives on community sponsorship and volunteer efforts. As a not-for-profit entity, the KCBIA advocates for around 750 businesses and 350 commercial properties downtown. Through collaboration with its members and community partners, the KCBIA hosts events and campaigns that attract visitors to its members and highlight downtown as a vibrant community hub and an excellent business location.
