Yellowknife and Hay River each welcomed Santa Claus over the past weekend in parades that were hailed as some of the most successful in years.
In Yellowknife, that success came despite the presence of bad actors (in multiple senses). The Grinch, joining the Cabin Radio on-air parade crew for the second year, initially sought to disrupt the city’s festivities.
Co-host Michelle MacDonald tried to follow him as he burst out onto 50 Avenue and made an abortive attempt to halt the entire event. The Grinch was, however, foiled by an uninterested municipal enforcement officer.
Yellowknifers with keen eyes may also have spotted Krampus lurking in the shadows of the event.
Krampus is best known to some European children as a figure who accompanies St Nick to houses and doles out punishment where necessary.
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In this case, the Grinch was surprised to discover – on returning to the Cabin Radio studio – that Krampus had quietly handed him a lump of coal.
This was the second successive year in which Yellowknife’s parade boasted a bumper number of floats, building on a well-attended 2024 event.
In Hay River, officials were quick to note the town’s parade delivered a much larger number of floats per capita.
“What a parade,” the town wrote online, celebrating an event that met with universal acclaim.
“Thanks to all the businesses, organizations, and individuals who invested their time to make the 2025 Santa Claus Parade one of the best on record – a count of over 45 floats and entrants.”
