2014 CHCH Christmas Santa Parade

Held on the first Sunday of December every year by local Council and businesses, the 2014 Christchurch Santa Parade brought the New Year cheer to the locals. This year marks the 68th annual parade started on 7th December. Hundreds and thousands locals were drawn to the parade featuring over 130 spectacular floats with various ethnics and business owner.

The host appreciated people’s involvement and said that it was the 4th year held on Riccarton Road and his 33rd year as a parade host. He also stated that immigrants’ contribution to the economy and brought variety culture during the past twenty years. Crowd gathered on Riccarton Road, where Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple is located, looking forward to the wondrous floats.

The parade was launched with the Giant drummer and Band float, followed by cultural groups from China, Taiwan, Fiji, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Philippines, Sikh and so forth, which brought joy to people through fantasy costumes and performances. Among these the very highlight of the 120 Taiwanese group members had the colourful aboriginal inhabitants’ costumes and along with the Three Modern Heavenly Deity Prince dance which excite. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and deputy Mayor Vicky Bucks were also in the parade and expressed their gratitude to the public. For kids there were classic vivid cartoon characters such as Donald Duck, Superman, Cat Woman, Batman, Cinderella, Snow White and so on, which brought joyfulness to their faces. Apart from that, Husky, German Shepard and Beagle were favoured by dog lovers. Santa Claus also showed up at the end of the parade and wished everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

The host again expressed his appreciation to the public and coordination of the businesses on Riccarton Road, which enabled the successful parade. The crowd was left with beautiful summer memories.