Toronto's annual Santa Claus Parade went ahead under sunny skies on Sunday, as hundreds of thousands of people crowded downtown streets to enjoy the show.

More than two dozen floats and 20 marching bands gradually made their way along a six-kilometre route from Christie Pits to the St. Lawrence Market throughout the afternoon.

While some families lined up hours before the start in order to ensure a secure a good spot and an opportunity to see Santa, there was something for everyone to watch out for.

Giant Lego men, a donut house, a dinosaur and a group of shiny swans were among the many sights to see on the floats moving past the crowds.

For Tanya Borgues, the Swarovski crystal float was the one she was most looking forward to.

"It doesn’t matter what age you are, you are going to enjoy something out of it," Borgues told CBC News on Sunday afternoon.

Gabriella Clotildes said she and her family came to the parade ready for anything, but it turned out to be a much warmer day than they expected.

"We had to prepare by bringing hot chocolate, chips, snacks, water, our Santa letters and our kids bundled up, but it’s way too warm," she said Sunday when speaking with CBC News.

According to Environment Canada, the temperature in Toronto hovered around the 9 – 10 C mark for much of Sunday afternoon.

While roads were starting to reopen in the late afternoon, police were advising the public to stick to public transit until streets clear out in the downtown.

With a report from the CBC's Ivy Cuervo