Tomorrow, people will be crowding the streets of Toronto for the 120th Original Santa Claus Parade. Much of the city from Christie Pits Park to St. Lawrence Market will be filled with parade floats, marching bands and crowds of parade goers. Santa himself will bring up the rear end of the parade with waves and merriment.
But recently, the Santa Claus Parade announced 2024 could be its final year. Despite receiving funding from various levels of government, organizers are still short $75,000.
TorontoToday reporters Kathryn Mannie and Alex Flood spoke to the parade's CEO about one final lifeline of funding, and what it could mean for the future of the parade.
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After Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade announced 2024 may be its final year, various levels of government have promised financial support — but will it be enough?
Parade CEO Clay Charters isn’t quite sure.
Last month, the struggling non-profit announced it needed $250,000 to ensure it can continue operating next year. The organization’s GoFundMe, which launched three weeks ago on Oct. 28, has raised more than $75,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Having run for 120 years, the parade received another boost when Mayor Olivia Chow announced on Monday the city would be providing $100,000 in funding to support its longevity.
“Together, let’s bring joy and happiness to [the] many, many thousands of children and their families this weekend,” she said in a video announcing the funding.
“We’re very grateful for that,” Charters told TorontoToday. “Things are moving in the right direction. Every dollar that we make beyond [our goal] provides greater security for planning for next year and the years beyond.”
As the Toronto Star reported this month, the provincial government has already provided $125,000 in assistance. According to Charters, that funding is not going towards the $250,000 goal as it came in before the Santa Claus Parade vocalized a need for help in October.
“It’s a huge help,” he said. “We’re very grateful for what’s come in so far.”
With these numbers in mind, the parade is roughly $75,000 short for next year — but they have more assistance coming.
A few days before the city announced its pledge, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted the federal government would be making a contribution as well.
In a social media post last Thursday, Trudeau said he "heard that the #SantaClausParadeTO is having a few challenges. So, we’re going to help them out."
While that dollar figure is yet to be determined, Charters is pleased with the growing awareness around the situation and feels optimistic heading into next year.
“I didn’t speak to the [prime minister] personally, but I’ve spoken to members of his staff as well as some representatives of other ministries who are involved,” he explained. “They’re discussing and keeping us updated in terms of how that funding may become available and what that figure will look like.”
“But I wouldn’t speculate on what the figure is — they’re going to evaluate what’s possible and what’s appropriate,” he added. “We’ll be grateful for the funding and whatever the number that comes.”
As TorontoToday previously reported, the main driver of the parade’s financial troubles is shrinking corporate sponsorships. Sponsorship revenue declined by about 30 per cent or more from 2019 to 2024, Charters said.
The parade is also struggling to keep up with the inflationary costs of materials and labour needed to build floats and to create costumes. Warehouse space to store the floats adds to year-round expenses as well.
“We’ve been uninterrupted for 120 years,” he said. “Two World Wars, the Great Depression, recessions, COVID-19 — the parade has been incredibly resilient.”
“We’ll certainly be looking at our model in the future to see how we can become a very attractive property for corporate partners to be invested in.”
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 24, the Santa Claus Parade will travel east down Bloor Street and will briefly divert onto Hoskin Avenue, before heading south down University Avenue and eventually terminating at St. Lawrence Market.
There will be 26 floats in this year’s parade, which will be accompanied by 18 marching bands and more than 1,000 marchers. Emma Memma — a former member of the Wiggles — will also make a special appearance.
“We’re focused on putting on a great parade in five days,” Charters said. “From there, we’ll get right back to the discussions to make sure we can [return] in 2025. We’ll have a lot more information to share when things become more clear.”
