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LUZ ZUNIGA / Things
Santa’s main visit to Nelson has been canceled this year for a Covid-proof holiday season, but people can still visit him at his grotto in December.
Santa and his reindeer will not be making their regular appearance in Nelson, as organizers put together a “level-proof alert” plan for Christmas.
The Nelson City Council has announced that in lieu of the annual Santa Parade, it will host a series of smaller Christmas events.
Community Services Committee Chair Matt Lawrey said in a statement that “it would be our luck to plan a parade and then have to cancel it.”
“It’s obviously disappointing, but Santa and Christmas will continue to come to town with smaller, more frequent events that will be more resistant to changes in alert levels and won’t draw large crowds at once.”
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Instead, people will be able to visit Santa in his grotto and attend various smaller events during December.
They will include contests, games, and carol singing. For older Christmas fans, there will be “Nibbles and Notes” sessions in the cathedral and performances by the Nutcracker Ballet.
Some retailers will enter a purchase-based prize drawing, with a chance of a buyer winning $ 5000.
Lawrey said the council wanted to bring Christmas to Nelson “in a way that is as safe as possible, while still providing people with opportunities to celebrate in the center of our city.”
“We hope that the variety of festive and fun events will also attract more people to the city over a longer period of time, giving them more opportunities to support our local businesses and enjoy our central city.”
