After last year's event was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the London Santa Claus Parade is returning to the city's streets where it belongs.
The 2021 parade will be held on November 13 and will run on its traditional route on Dundas Street, starting at the Western Fair District.
Parade Executive Director Shaun Merton said it's a relief to be returning to London's streets after last year's parade was converted into a drive-by event at the London International Airport due to the pandemic.
"The biggest disadvantage of the airport was that we couldn't get enough cars in because we couldn't get them through fast enough to keep it safe," he said. "There were still lots of people who didn't get through and we were kind of disappointed but there was only so much we could do."
Now with a return to form for the parade, Merton said the event will be accessible for everyone and no one will be disappointed.
"We need a little bit of positive [feeling] in this time right now, and this is one of the things that's going to [make] it that way," Merton added.
The parade will also pay tribute to Bill Paul, London's town crier, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 66. Paul had been a staple of the parade for a number of years.
"Trust me, his presence will be there," Merton said.
Following multiple requests from local residents, "a cartoon Christmas" will be the theme for this year's parade for the first time in almost a decade.
Merton said float applications are still coming in and organizers are continuing to schedule musical entertainment. The London Food Bank will also be collecting food donations during the event.
For more information about the parade and sponsorship opportunities, click here.