One of the best known Santa Claus Parades is the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, held annually near the middle of November in Toronto, Ontario. The Toronto Santa Claus Parade started in 1905 with just a single float. It now has over 24 floats, 24 bands, and 1700 participants. It is one of the biggest productions in North America, and is broadcast to many countries around the world.
In New York City the parade is Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, famous for its giant helium-filled balloons. The parade began in the 1920s, with Macy's employees in costume, and— a distinctively Roman touch— animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The giant balloons made an early appearance, with Felix the Cat in 1927. The 'Macy's Parade' was held in abeyance during World War II, in 1942 - 1945, but even the assassination of President Kennedy a few weeks previously didn't abort the parade in 1963. The inflation of the balloons in the streets flanking the American Museum of Natural History the night before has become a traditional gathering for New York's Upper West Side.
International parades
Santa Claus Parades are also popular in New Zealand. Major parades are held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.