Crowds brave freezing temperatures to enjoy ‘really creative’ Santa Claus parade

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John community braved the cold weather to welcome the holiday season in 2025 with a city celebration.

Despite snow covering the streets and temperatures reaching -18 °C, people gathered along 100th Street to watch the Santa Claus Parade and the Tree Light-up on December 6th. 

The night started with the Grinch being available for pictures at Festival Plaza, alongside free hot chocolate provided by R360. 

At 5 p.m., all the participants started their engines to make their way along 100th Street and kick off the parade. 

There were over 50 floats and decorated vehicles from several organizations and businesses to bring life to this event. 

That includes trucks completely covered with Christmas lights, floats with big gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, inflatables, enormous gift boxes, Christmas trees, the Polar Express, horses and a live choir singing. 

There was even a ‘Mad Max Christmas’ truck featuring flamethrowers and the Grinch playing the guitar, although it did suffer problems with its equipment for which the company responsible subsequently apologized. 

Nonetheless, the great finale of this year’s Christmas parade was Santa and Mrs Claus in their red sleigh. 

Then everyone gathered at Centennial Park to see the Christmas tree light up, when Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen shared: “Your efforts and generosity are what made this parade possible.”

The night continued with a live choir singing Christmas carols and complementary hot dogs served by the Sunrise Rotary Club. 

“We’ve been doing the hot dogs for the Fort St. John city Christmas parade for 15-plus years, it’s all volunteers and a lot of fun” said Nelson Stowe, Sunrise president.

Lucy Janrazach, Sunrise member, added: “Getting people outside on a cold Saturday night, it’s amazing.

“The city gave us 1,500 hot dogs – if we use them all, that will be a good indicator of how many people went out.” 

The night ended at Festival Plaza, where kids lined up for pictures with Santa and Mrs Claus. 

Kealy Krehbiel, who has been in Fort St. John for over 20 years, told Energeticcity.ca: “Other than being cold, it is usually really good. Some of the floats are really creative, and it’s nice to see the community.”

To know more about Fort St. John’s activities, visit the city’s website. 

To watch a recording of the parade, which was live streamed by Energeticcity.ca, click here.