In what appears to be COVID-19’s latest offense on sucking the joy out of life, the annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade has been canceled again this year, organizers announced.

The Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA) board, who organizes the annual event, voted last month to postpone the parade until 2022 amid “post-pandemic financial restrictions, coupled with a time crunch that occurred due to remaining COVID-19 concerns,” BSBA Executive Director Jessie Artigue said in a statement. “During a normal year, the Christmas Parade prep begins as early as February, which was simply not possible due to a variety of circumstances.”

But, before languishing into despair, know that Christmas is still very much on in Belmont Shore, with the advent of an alternative event the BSBA is calling The Belmont Shore Winter Village.

The four-hour celebration on Saturday, Dec. 4 will include holiday activities, concessions and live entertainment along the stretch of the Second Street business corridor. Some of the side streets along the corridor will be closed off, allowing the parade to still be present at the event but in a more honorary fashion with some of the most popular and reoccurring float entries to be stationed along the street that visitors can interact with.

A main stage will be set up in front of the Chase Bank building at 5200 Second Street that will feature local talent including high school bands, dance troupes and an 8-piece brass ensemble. Local indie-rock outfit Manuel the Band will close out the evening with a special holiday concert.

Santa will still have his debut and will be accepting letters at Winter Village over at the “Shorth Pole,” an area stationed on the north corner of Second Street and Nieto Avenue.

To help cover some of this year’s costs, on Oct. 31 the BSBA will begin selling raffle tickets where winners will receive gift cards and donated merchandise from various shops, services and restaurants on Second Street.

“The BSBA promises that the first Saturday in December will not lose its magic, and we are endlessly grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received so far,” Artigue said in a statement.

The Belmont Shore Winter Village will be held from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Click here for more information or to get involved.

IN PICTURES: Rain stayed away at the 37th Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade