It might be his busiest time of the year, but a crazy workload is not stopping Santa Claus from popping down to the Coromandel this month.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas and his helpers will leave the chilly North Pole and embark on a tiki tour across the region with Santa Parades being held in the Coromandel starting this weekend.

A number of Santa parades will be held throughout the Coromandel starting from this weekend. Photo: Totally Thames

THAMES SANTA PARADE

Saint Nick's Coromandel tour de force starts off in Thames with Totally Thames' annual Santa Parade taking place on Pollen Street this Saturday, from 11am.

The parade has also been timed to coincide with the Thames South School Gala and all the floats will make their way to the school afterwards.

Enjoyed by the young and the young at heart, the parade will feature colourful floats, decorated bicycles, dancers and marchers, clowns, music, thrills and frivolity.

There'll also be prizes for the best float overall, as well as in each category which includes ‘Community, Service, Sports, Recreation', ‘School, Pre-School, Youth, Church', and ‘Business, Retail'.

The Thames Santa Parade takes place on Pollen Street this Saturday, December 5, from 11am. For more information visit the Totally Thames website.

Photo: All About Whititanga

WHITIANGA SANTA PARADE

Next up, Saint Nick heads to Mercury Bay for the annual Whitianga Santa Parade – which has run for the last 30 years – and takes place Saturday, at 12.30pm.

Starting from Lyon Park Rugby Grounds on Albert Street, the parade will head to Buffalo Beach, then along The Esplanade before finishing up at Taylor's Mistake.

At the conclusion of the parade the winning float will be announced and awarded its prize, and there'll also be entertainment for the whole family, a barbeque and fun face painting for children.

Santa says if you want a good viewing spot then you better get in early.

The Whitianga Santa Parade starts at Lyon Park Rugby Grounds on Albert Street, this Saturday, December 5, at 12.30pm. For more information visit the All About Whitianga website.

Photo: Coromandel Town Information Centre

COROMANDEL TOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE

Then he's off to Coromandel Town for the annual Coromandel Christmas Parade starting at Top Pub (Coromandel Hotel) on Kapanga Road this Saturday, at 2pm.

The parade finishes up at Patukirikiri Reserve on Wharf road for an afternoon of live music, zorb soccer, bouncy castle, fun games, raffles, sausage sizzle and much more.

Santa reckons if you're in and about Coromandel Town this Saturday then make sure you get head along, and why not take a blanket and a picnic?

The Coromandel Town Christmas Parade starts at Top Pub on Kapanga Road on Saturday, December 5, at 2pm. For more information visit the Coromandel Town Information Centre website.

Photo: TCDC

WHANGAMATA SANTA PARADE

Saint Nick's last stop on Saturday will be in Whangamata for the annual Lion's Santa Parade down Port Road starting at 3pm.

The parade will feature up to two dozen ornate floats, which will also include a specially designed and built sleigh for the man of the hour, Santa Claus!

It will also coincide with the Whangamata Santa Parade Market, being hosted by the Whangamata Summer Festival team at the Lincoln and Aickin roads carpark from 10am to 6pm.

Featuring stalls offering arts, craft, jewellery, clothing and more, proceeds from the stall fees will go towards funding the free concerts in Williamson Park taking place from December 28 to January 2.

The Whangamata Santa Parade takes place on Port Road on Saturday, December 5, at 3pm. For more information visit the Whangamata Summer Festival Facebook page.

Photo: File

TAIRUA SANTA PARADE

After a well-deserved week off, Saint Nick gets back into the swing of things and heads to Tairua for Santa on the Pepe on Saturday, December 19, leaving on the ferry for Pauanui at 10am, and then arriving at the Pepe Reserve at about 10:30am.

Children and families will be kept entertained with heaps games, activities, a clown, sausage sizzle, art competition, skittles, Christmas music and much more.

Santa on the Pepe takes place at Pepe Reserve in Tairua on Saturday, December 19, at from 10am. For more information email the Tairua Information Centre: [email protected]

Photo: File

MATARANGI SANTA PARADE

Saint Nick's final appearance will be at the Matarangi Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 19, from 11am.

Santa says you can come see him and all his helpers as they parade down Matarangi Drive before the procession finishes at the Matarangi Fire Station.