With his trusty team of reindeer pulling his sleigh, Santa Claus rode through downtown Winnipeg yesterday during a colourful extravaganza.

Thousands of Winnipeggers came out to catch a glimpse of the Santa Claus Parade as it made its way east along Portage Avenue.

"I've never seen that many people on the streets of Winnipeg," said Abby Mann, co-chair of the parade.

Floats glowed with bright lights, characters danced in costume and music echoed throughout the downtown.

Mann said attendance easily surpassed 100,000 people and she estimated it may have reached as high as 125,000.

Candace Bone came out to see the parade for the first time with her four-year-old daughter Rosalyn.

"She just loved it," said Bone. "We were definitely excited to see Santa."

Jake Wiens and his four-year-old son Cody also ventured out for the big event.

"He's getting to sit on dad's shoulders to get to see what's going on," said Wiens.

Before the parade started, Cody was already having a good time, playing in the snow with other children.

Music also sounded down the streets with the parade featuring live bands for the first time in a couple of years. Everything from traditional Christmas carols to rock 'n' roll blasted down Portage.

"I come to it every year," said Becky Halwachs. "The show they put on is spectacular."

Many people, including Halwachs, were also pleased with the weather.

"It's gorgeous out there ---- it could be -30 C and blowing snow," she said.

As the man of the Christmas hour made his appearance, Mr. Claus waved to children and called out their names before heading back to his workshop at the North Pole.

The large crowds had organizers stretching out the parade route by an extra two or three blocks to go past more people, said Mann. About 75 floats were featured in the parade.

Next year marks the 100th Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg, but the 99th edition this year offered many special moments for those seeing it.

"It was absolutely breathtaking," said Mann.