Winnipeg's Santa Claus Parade will close much of downtown to traffic Saturday

The annual Santa Claus Parade takes place in downtown Winnipeg Saturday afternoon. Portage Avenue and nearby streets will close from about 2 p.m. until 11 p.m., city officials say.

CBC Manitoba will host a football-themed block party for parade-goers starting at 3:30 p.m. Winnipeggers are invited to take part in football games and skills competitions to win CBC prizes, including travel mugs and mittens. It all takes place outside the CBC offices at 541 Portage Ave. Come by and meet CBC's Marcy Markusa and Marjorie Dowhos, who will get the festivities going.

The Santa Claus Parade officially starts at 4:30 p.m. at the corner of Young Street and Portage Avenue. It runs to William Stephenson Way and Main Street, just south of Portage and Main.

See a full map of the parade route below: