The Holiday Parade of Lights began in 1995 as a joint initiative of Downtown Halifax Business Commission and Spring Garden Area Business Association. The goal was simple: to bring a holiday parade to Downtown Halifax that would give families and visitors a festive way to kick off the holiday season.

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The first parade attracted approximately 10,000 spectators. Since then, it has grown into one of the region's largest holiday events, drawing crowds of up to 100,000 people each year, and an additional audience of thousands who watch and rewatch the parade throughout the holiday season on Eastlink. 

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The parade has been supported by many dedicated sponsors throughout its history. In the early 2000s, The Chronicle Herald became the parade's title sponsor, a role it held for many years before the naming rights were transferred to its parent company, SaltWire Network.

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In 2024, Nova Scotia Power became the parade's title sponsor, helping ensure the long-standing holiday tradition could continue for future generations.

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In its history, the parade has only been cancelled only once, in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Eastlink rebroadcast the 2019 parade for viewers at home to keep the tradition alive.

 

In addition to celebrating the holiday season, the parade supports the local community. 

Spectators have long been encouraged to give back by supporting various initiatives, which now include MOVE 100's Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with Canadian Tire and Virgin Radio's food drive in support of FEED Nova Scotia.

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Today, the Nova Scotia Power Holiday Parade of Lights continues to be an annual community tradition, bringing together volunteers, sponsors, performers, and spectators to kick-off the holiday season in Downtown Halifax.