Christmas Festivals and Parades: Where Are The Best Santa Claus Parades?

Anyone who has ever seen the movie "Miracle on 34th Street " will have seen at least part of one of the great North American traditions - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Santa Claus Parade. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the great granddaddy of Christmas parades.

The grand finale of the parade is always the entrance of St. Nicholas - in his North American guise of Santa Claus. The little fat man in the bright red suit, popularized by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from St, Nicholas " is part and parcel of the Christmas celebrations on this side of the pond.

Every year, cities and towns across the continent host Santa Claus parades - colorful feasts for the heart and imagination, with fanciful floats, mythical figures, cartoon characters, and all manner of marching bands. I love a parade. There's something so exciting about the music, the crowds, and most especially, the shining eyes of little children as they gaze in wonder at the floats, the flags, and the costumes.

North America is not the only continent to celebrate Christmas season with Santa Claus parades, though. Everyone like to think their parades is the best, the longest, has the most marching bands, is the most creative - you be the judge.

In a salute to kids everywhere, and to the kid in all of us, here are some of the best of Santa Claus Parades...

There may not usually be snow in Vancouver, but there is certainly holiday cheer. Here is an excerpt from the 2008 Christmas Parade. The marching band in this clip does a great job of some old favorite Christmas songs.

This very long video shows some highlights of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. Toronto claims bragging rights for the biggest event of this kind in the world. That may or may not be the case, but they certainly do a bang up job.

...but then, this fabulous spectacle from Disneyland Paris is pretty nifty, too. These highlights are from the 2006 annual event that draws thousands into the streets to marvel at the floats and costumes. The parade kicks off a time of celebration and spectacles at Disneyland, Paris, that last through the Christmas season..

Santas on motorbikes - who would have ever have thought... Filmed outside La Gallarie LaFayette, in Paris, this motorcycle parade celebrates the Christmas season with dozens of riders in Santa Claus costumes. No marching bands in this parade, mind you, but still good fun, and most creative.

Tradition tell us that 12 days after the Christ child was born, three wise men came from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the infant king.

In the Spanish and Mexican culture, the 6th of January, or, the Day of the Kings, is a most important occasion, and is celebrated with parades and festivals. The first Dia de Reys Parade in Cuidad, Mexico, features trick-riding motorcyclists, along with a bevy of beautiful roller-bladers.

The second "Three King Day Parade" video, comes from Madrid, Spain, and features high-flying acrobats, gorgeous costumes, and some beautifully decorated inflatables.

This Christmas parade in the Netherlands lured over a million people out into the winter weather and onto the streets of Valkenburg to marvel at floats and costumed revelers.

Valkenburg also boasts a Medieval Market place that plays host to thousands of visitors every year. Costumed entertainers stroll the marketplace where local delicacies and amazing hand-crafted articles are offered for sale.

Here's a crazy, funny time-lapse video of the North Los Angeles 2009 Christmas Parade. My goodness, doesn't everyone march fast out in Los Angeles? (Just kidding!) We may have missed the glorious sounds of the marching bands, but we did get to see the whole hour and a half parade in just under a minute. That must be the World Land Speed Record for a parade march-past.

...and here's a star-studded parade from Hollywood, California. Co-hosted by (Canadian) Alex Trebeck, host of one of America's favorite quiz shows, Jeopardy , this extravagant parade features marching bands from top L.A. high schools, as well as magical floats and cartoon favorites.

Of all the parades I have watched, both in person and televised, and anyone with children knows what I mean, I still love Christmas Parades the best of all.

I have watched parades in the rain, in the snow, and on beautiful, sunny days. I can vouch for sunny days as by far the most pleasant.

Though perhaps not the biggest, most star-studded, nor even the most spectacularly lighted, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Santa Claus Parade is arguably one of the most well-known. It is certainly a favorite.

© 2010 Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved