Santa’s Parade of Lights to take over downtown Edmonton

The spirit of Christmas will arrive in downtown Edmonton on Saturday night, with Santa’s Parade of Lights making its way through the core.

It’s expected to be a nice evening for the parade, with temperatures reaching a high of 1 C on Saturday. Last year it was -11 C for the parade and upwards of 17,000 people took in the event.

Even larger crowds are expected this year, with the cancellation of the Downtown Business Association’s Holiday Light Up event.

READ MORE: Holiday Light Up hiatus means no Christmas tree in Churchill Square for 2017

The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and will make its way down Jasper Avenue west from 100 Street to 108 Street. Spectators can line both sides of Jasper Avenue to watch the nearly 30 entries in this year’s parade.

WATCH BELOW: Santa himself will be in Edmonton on Saturday for the third annual Santa’s Parade of Lights. The parade will makes it way down Jasper Avenue. For tonight’s edition of Our YEG at Night, Nancy Carlson speaks with old Saint Nick.

1:53 Our YEG at Night: Santa heading to Edmonton for annual downtown parade

Santa will of course make an appearance. Global News spoke to jolly old Saint Nick via Skype from the North Pole on Friday afternoon. He’s really looking forward to making his way south for the parade.

“I’m coming to Edmonton to stay warm,” he laughed. “I think it’s supposed to be 1 C in the afternoon and here at the North Pole it’ll be -27 C.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I'm coming to Edmonton to stay warm," he laughed. "I think it's supposed to be 1 C in the afternoon and here at the North Pole it'll be -27 C."

The parade will result in a few road closures.

Jasper Avenue westbound from 97 Street to 100 Street will be closed from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jasper Avenue from 100 Street to 108 Street with be closed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers are asked to detour using 103 Avenue or 104 Avenue.

Street parking along the parade route will be closed at 5 a.m. Saturday.