Catherine Wreford 2023 Grand Marshal
Winnipeg, MB – November 18 is going to be a busy day in downtown Winnipeg, and it’s the perfect time to get together with family and friends and celebrate local!
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, November 18, 2023, starting at 5:00 PM. The 2023 parade is following the same route that debuted in 2022: starting at Portage Avenue and Main Street, heading west down Portage Avenue until it turns south onto Memorial Boulevard. The parade ends at York Avenue.
This year’s parade returns to an evening start, lighting up downtown with music, Christmas cheer, magic, and twinkling lights.
“There’s something extraordinary about a nighttime parade,” says Monica Derksen, Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Director. “We encourage Manitobans to come early for the Block Parties at 4:00 PM, enjoy the Parade at 5:00 PM, and grab tickets to the Winnipeg Jets game, starting at 6:00 PM, to embrace all things downtown and all things local.”
In addition to the Winnipeg Jets game at 6:00 PM at Canada Life Centre, there is also a student conference, a gala, and several additional events at downtown venues. The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade encourages attendees to walk, cycle, take Winnipeg Transit, or carpool downtown and give themselves extra time to arrive.
One parade attendee is excited for her first time at the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, and she has one of the best views of the parade. Catherine Wreford, Amazing Race Canada Winner, Cancer Survivor, Actor, Dancer, and Advocate, is kicking off the 2023 Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade as the Grand Marshal, leading the almost 50 entries throughout downtown Winnipeg.
“I love everything to do with Christmas, and I’m looking forward to adding a new tradition for myself and my family,” says Catherine Wreford. “I never had the opportunity to attend the parade as a kid as I was always dancing and then I moved away. Now I’m home and I’m honoured to be a part of the parade.”
Parade spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and new unwrapped gifts for The Christmas Cheer Board. The associated charity will be collecting items in the Manitoba Hydro building atrium at 360 Portage Avenue and with volunteers along the parade route. Attendees are also reminded to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Manitobans can catch live coverage of the parade on CTV as the station will be streaming it at 5:00 PM on November 18, 2023.
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade is Winnipeg’s longest-running free community event. Established in 1909, the annual event is a holiday tradition for many local families. The updated route map can be found here: https://www.mbhydrosantaparade.com/
