London

Drive-by Santa Claus parade at the London International Airport Saturday

The London Santa Claus Parade will be happening this weekend, but with COVID-19 measures in place. Rather than watching the parade pass by, Londoners will be driving past the floats on the runway.

Old Saint Nick will be landing on the runway at 1:15 p.m.

London's Santa Claus Parade shown here in 2015. This year, the parade is taking place on the runway at the London International Airport. (Harold Merton/Flickr)

London's annual Santa Claus parade will be happening this weekend, but with a twist.

The City of London is not issuing parade permits because of the pandemic, so the organizers got creative and came up with a reverse parade.

The jolly old man in red will be landing at the London International Airport at around 1:15 p.m. Saturday, and because of mandatory quarantine orders, he won't be leaving the runway. Once he touches down, he'll be joined by a number of socially-distanced floats that Londoners will be able to drive by.

The parade is open to vehicles only, but there will be a live stream available to watch from home.

How to get to the parade

The gates will open at 2 p.m. off Crumlin Sideroad, north of Oxford Street, not at the airport entrance. Organizers will be directing traffic as there is only one way in to see the floats.

The entrance to the parade is off Crumlin Sideroad, north of Oxford Street. The parade is open to vehicles only. (London Santa Clause Parade)

The last vehicle will be allowed in at 4:30 p.m. as per airport regulations.

Financial donations are being accepted to support the parade and Londoners are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the London and District Food Bank.

There will not be a teddy bear or toy collection this year.