A holiday tradition is coming to an end at the Staten Island Mall.  NY1 has learned there will be no tree lighting or Santa parade this year. NY1's Aaron Dickens filed the following report.

It's the Staten Island Mall's signature event to help ring in the holiday season. Every year around this time, the mall hosts a parade starring the man in red, followed by a tree lighting ceremony. 

But this year, the tree is already lit, and a post on the mall's Facebook page confirms there will be no parade.

"I think it's a disgrace," said shopper Maryann Cannata.

Cannata says she has fond memories of bringing her daughter to the event. She planned to take her 3-month-old grandson.

"The children look forward to it every year. They have done it for years. Now, they are not doing it. It's just sad," she said.

Mall officials refused to comment to NY1. It's unclear why the event won't be held. Some who spoke with NY1 said Santa has had less of a presence at the mall in the recent years.

"They took Santa. They put him in the back. They got rid of him front. They don't want to insult people. Christmas should be for everyone," said one shopper.

The mall announced a major expansion plan earlier this year it says will create more than 1,000 jobs. Construction has already begun here and is expected to be complete in 2017.

The expansion comes as the mall prepares to face stiff retail competition from the anticipated Empire Outlets in St. George and Riverside Galleria on the South Shore.

Some say doing away with the holiday parade is just bad business.

"People stand in the streets, go into all them stores buying stuff. How can that go wrong?" said one shopper.

You can still take pictures with Jolly Old Saint Nick. The mall's website says he'll be around through December 24.