Annual parade returns as nighttime event at Canada’s Wonderland
TORONTO — Bell Media announced today this year’s Original Santa Claus Parade will once again be presented as a two-hour primetime event, filmed at night inside Canada’s Wonderland amusement park north of Toronto and aired exclusively on CTV, CTV2 and CP24 on Saturday, Dec. 4 starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Unlike last year’s event, which was closed to the public due to Covid-19 health concerns, this year a limited number of families will experience the magic of the parade in person at the festively decorated park, while adhering to all local health and safety protocols, a press release says.
Produced by Bell Media Studios, the parade broadcast will be hosted by (pictured above, left to right) Melissa Grelo (The Social), Kelsey McEwen (Your Morning) and Tyrone Edwards (Etalk).
Featured guest performers for the event include Ed Sheeran, Carrie Underwood, Tyler Shaw and The Tenors, Don Amero, Steven Lee Olsen and Pentatonix.
The broadcast will also include season’s greetings from celebrities around the world, including Alessia Cara, Iain Armitage, Russell Peters, Mickey Guyton, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.
The parade itself will feature “24 magnificent floats, spectacular marching bands, popular celebrity clowns, and plenty of festive decorations,” the press release says.
CTV’s float will feature a family familiar to Bell Media audiences — CTV and CHUM FM’s Marilyn Denis along with her son Adam Wylde from 99.9 Virgin Radio and his daughter Everly. The float, named “CTV’s Holiday Sleigh-in”, will highlight a new holiday film, one of many available on the CTV Holiday Hub, now streaming on CTV.ca and the CTV app.
“The Original Santa Claus Parade is one of Canada’s most-beloved family events and we’re so excited to kick off the holiday season with our exclusive broadcast,” says Pat DiVittorio, vice-president of programming, CTV and specialty for Bell Media, in the release.
“Our team has been working hard to produce a show that delivers a safe parade experience to all Canadians, while adding even more star power, exclusive performances, and holiday cheer than ever before.”
An encore presentation of the parade will air Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. on CTV.
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Image provided by Bell Media.
