Toronto Santa Claus Parade: Funding comes in for 2025 [Video]

The organizers of Toronto’s Original Santa Claus Parade are hopeful that the Jolly Old Elf will be coming to town for years to come.

After facing a $250,000 deficit for their 2025 event and putting out an urgent call for help, those behind the popular annual tradition say they’re optimistic that this year’s event won’t be the parade’s final one, after officials from both the federal and municipal governments recently offered to help. Everyday citizens have also stepped up in a big way to support the parade.

Toronto’s annual Santa Claus Parade, which was first held in 1905 and is marking its 120th anniversary in 2004, takes months of preparation and about $2 million each year to put on. It is one of the largest parade productions in North America, the oldest Santa Claus parade in the world, and one of the world’s oldest annual parades, say organizers.

Earlier this …