COVID-19 continues to change the way we live our lives but the pandemic can’t stop Santa Claus from coming to town.

While Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade is not immune, in the 116 years since its inception, the parade has never taken a year off, and this year is no different – albeit the way you watch the parade might change.

Instead of the parade taking place downtown with crowds of people clamouring in anticipation of Saint Nick’s arrival – the parade will be filmed at Canada’s Wonderland, on a secure and socially distanced set, to ensure the safety of all participants and the crew.

There is one piece of good news for fans of GO Transit – GO Bear will be making their first appearance in this year’s parade.

GO Transit has historically had the very important job of bringing people (and sometimes Santa) to the parade.

In the past GO Transit has even run special event trains to help people easily get to the parade sidelines,

While GO Transit won’t be bringing people downtown to the parade this year, GO is ready to answer the call in years to come, when we can safely gather together again.

If you want to catch the parade, it will be broadcasted on CTV and CTV 2 Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m. You can also watch the parade again on Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m. on CTV, Friday, December 18, at 8 p.m. on CTV 2 and on Saturday, December 19, at 1 p.m. on CTV 2.

So on Saturday December 5 at 7 p.m. grab your blanket and hot cocoa, flip on the TV and catch GO Bear in the 116th Santa Claus Parade.