The holiday spirit has quietly been gathering in downtown Kamloops—twinkling lights glowing a little brighter each evening, storefronts dressing up for the season, and volunteers bustling behind the scenes. For the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, this time of year is the culmination of weeks and months of preparation, planning, and community collaboration. And at the center of it all stands one of the city’s most cherished traditions: the annual Santa Claus Parade.

Executive Director Howie Reimer can feel the energy building. “The lights—we’re really pleased with those,” he says. But the lights are only the beginning.

This Sunday, the 45th annual Santa Claus Parade will roll through the heart of Kamloops, bringing with it an afternoon of sparkle, celebration, and community warmth. Reimer shares the details with the practiced ease of someone who’s been living and breathing parade logistics for weeks.

Free weekend on-street and city parkade parking begins this weekend and continues through December 27—an early holiday gift for downtown visitors. Still, Reimer cautions drivers to keep clear of the parade route and staging areas. “Watch for all those yellow reserve signs,” he says. “Otherwise, our good sponsors from Don’s Towing are going to help you out.” Not a fine—just a friendly, if surprising, relocation.

And the parade itself? “It’s going to be awesome,” Reimer promises. Sixty entries—completely full—will glow their way through a dusk procession, made even more magical by what he calls “more festive lighting than ever before.”

For kids wanting a head start on holiday excitement, the “Wake Up Santa” moment happens at 3:40 p.m. at St. Paul Street and 4th Avenue. Then, at 4:00 p.m. sharp, the parade officially begins, traveling from 2nd & St. Paul, moving toward Victoria Street, and continuing down Victoria from 2nd to 6th Avenue.

Spectators have options this year. Bundle up and stand curbside, join the crowd at the Paramount Theatre to watch the live stream on the big screen, or tune in from home via Downtown Kamloops’ Facebook page, YouTube channel, Kastanet Kamloops, and other partners. The Paramount is also offering a free 2:00 p.m. showing of Elf—a cozy kickoff to a festive afternoon. Tickets, however, are nearly gone.

The parade will run between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, and Reimer gently reminds everyone to stay on sidewalks for safety.

Behind every sparkling float and marching group is a small army of volunteers—an increasingly rare resource. “There is fatigue out there,” Reimer admits. “Yes, it’s not as easy as it was.” Still, he notes that familiar faces keep showing up—Rotary groups, sports teams, community members who return year after year because they genuinely love it. “We’re pretty good for volunteers this weekend,” he says, but there’s always room for more next season.

The parade is only one piece of the broader holiday momentum downtown. With people feeling the tightening grip of rising costs, Reimer hopes that the season shifts attention back to local connection and mindful spending.

“I hope we’re thinking about community,” he says. “I hope we’re talking about shopping local, supporting our businesses, and, of course, our beautiful downtown.” This is the time of year when small businesses depend heavily on local support. Whether visitors come for the lights, a hot drink, holiday markets, or last-minute gifts, every bit of foot traffic helps.

And this month, downtown Kamloops promises more to come: decorated windows, evening shopping events, family-friendly activities, and the cozy vibrancy that only a community-centered downtown can offer in December.

As the lights continue to brighten and the weekend nears, the anticipation for Sunday’s parade is unmistakable. For many, it’s the moment the season truly begins. For the BIA, it’s the payoff of months of work and the spark that will carry the community through the rest of the holiday celebrations.

After all, as Reimer suggests, December isn’t a month for political noise or national turmoil. It’s a month for neighbors, for shared traditions, and for showing up—together—downtown.