Community
The Southland Santa Parade is back this Saturday, (November 25) with a new route and a new mystery float. The parade will start at 1pm on Gala Street and loop around Dee Street, using both sides of the street. The organisers ask the spectators to stay on one side and not cross the road, to ensure everyone can see the parade safely.
The parade will feature more than 40 floats, including cultural and community groups, schools, businesses, and sports clubs. The theme for this year is “Christmas Around the World”, celebrating the diversity of Southland. The parade will also have a special guest: Santa Claus himself.
After the parade, the floats will be parked at the Gala Street reserve, where people can get a closer look and take photos with their favourites. There will also be live entertainment, food stalls, and family activities at the reserve from 2:30pm. The event manager, Alice Pottinger, said the gala day was a great success last year and hoped to repeat it this year.
The Southland Santa Parade is a popular annual event that started in 1999 and attracts up to 20,000 people. It is organised by the Southland Christmas Parade Charitable Trust, with the support of local sponsors and volunteers.
One of the sponsors, whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford, said the parade was a great community event to be part of, its so awesome to see the turnout for this annual event in our great city.
Traffic Notice:
Gala Street from Doon closed 11am – 2:30pm
Dee Street from Victoria Ave to Tay Street will be closed to traffic from 12pm till 2:30pm due to the parade.
Access to Invercargill Central Shopping Centre will be limited from approximately 12.30pm until 2.30pm. If you park your car at Invercargill Central prior to 12.30pm, you will be able to leave, exiting onto Tay Street. Please plan your travel accordingly and enjoy the parade.