Raleigh Christmas Parade 2026: Route, Times & Best Places to Watch

Last updated Oct 2026

The sleigh bells are ringing and it’s time to grab a warm morning drink and head to the streets of downtown Raleigh on Saturday November 21, 2026, for the 82nd annual ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association.

We first experienced the Raleigh Christmas Parade back in 2021 and have made it our mission to attend year after year ever since.

It took us nearly a decade of living in Raleigh before we actually went to the parade. I guess that’s telling you we didn’t think the Raleigh Christmas Parade would be worth it. Parades aren’t really an Australian thing, so it wasn’t front of mind for us.

But with the holiday festivities in full swing and everyone chatting about the upcoming parade, we felt it would only be fitting to join in the community comradery and check it out! In this guide, we share everything you need to know about the parade, including what to expect, the best place to stand, and more!

When is the Raleigh Christmas Parade in 2026?
The 82nd Raleigh Christmas Parade is on Saturday, November 21, 2026, stepping off at 9:30am from Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street. It runs for about two and a half hours along a 1.4-mile route through downtown Raleigh to Lenoir Street, it’s free to watch from the street, and ABC11 airs it live from 9:30am to noon.

Raleigh Christmas Parade 2026 at a glance

• Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving)
• Start time: 9:30am
• Starting point: Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street
• Finish: Lenoir Street, at the south end of Fayetteville Street
• Route length: about 1.4 miles
• How long it lasts: about two and a half hours
• Cost: free, all street-side viewing
• On TV: ABC11, live from 9:30am to noon
• Road closures: route streets close from 7am (the staging area near St. Mary’s Street from 6am) and reopen by 2pm
• Organizer: Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and Shop Local Raleigh

When is the Raleigh Christmas Parade?

The parade will begin at 9:30 am from Hillsborough Street, at the intersection of St. Mary’s Street, and will also be live streamed on ABC11, the ABC11 streaming apps. Here is the schedule for the parade:

• 9:30 AM – 12:30pm Live Parade Coverage on ABC11
• 9:30 AM: Parade Kicks Off Street-Side in Downtown Raleigh

Expect the Raleigh Christmas Parade to last for about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll need a few hours to see the entire parade as it winds its way for 1.4 miles around the streets of downtown Raleigh.

The parade is held each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving! This year it will be Saturday, November 21, 2026.  It’s a great way to kick off the Holiday Season, which runs from Thanksgiving to New Year and includes festivals such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

What is the Raleigh Christmas Parade Route?

The Raleigh Christmas Parade route is as follows:

1. Starting point: Hillsborough Street at the intersection with St. Mary’s Street
2. Proceeds east along Hillsborough Street until it reaches the State Capitol
3. Turns right onto Salisbury Street
4. Turns left onto Morgan Street
5. Turns right onto Fayetteville Street
6. Turns right onto Lenoir Street
7. Ends on Lenoir Street

See the Raleigh Christmas Parade route and parking map.

What can you see in the Christmas parade in Raleigh?

In previous years, the parade had about 115 entries made up of a variety of marching bands, specialty vehicles and car clubs, professional floats, horseback riders, dancers, pageantry, and helium balloon characters. Most of the entries are community groups and local businesses, who use it as an opportunity to be on display and recognized.

It took me a few minutes to realize that every group coming past was advertising something, many of them for a very good cause, like hospitals and the military! And it’s a way we can all show appreciation and enjoy the decorated floats, dances, and elaborate costumes. 

The parade has always been organized by local shops and merchants and provides exposure for local businesses right as the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear.

And at the end of the parade, you’ll find a beaming Santa Claus with Mrs. Claus, which will warm the hearts of the kiddies and get them excited for the Holiday Season.

Watch our Video: Raleigh Christmas Parade (2021)

And our Raleigh Christmas Parade Reel from 2024

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A post shared by Craig & Caz Makepeace | Raleigh Influencers (@thisisraleigh)

Where can I get a good view of the Raleigh Christmas Parade?

The best views are reserved for those who get there really early. Many people will start coming in and getting a spot around 7:30am. As it’s spread out over a mile, you should be able to find somewhere to settle in with good views. The start and end of the route usually have thinner crowds. 

On our first year at the parade, we arrived at around 8:30am and, while we were a couple of rows back on Fayetteville Street, our views were still pretty decent. Most people in front will have their own camp chairs or blankets, which opens up your viewing (if you are ok standing).

We situated ourselves near the Sheraton Raleigh in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street so we could have easy access to use their restrooms (hot tip).

Fayetteville St is at the end of the parade, so many love that city kind of ambiance and view. Crowds are usually heaviest outside of the ABC11 studios where they have bleachers set up and their live coverage team. 

If you like a little more open-air viewing, Hillsborough Street may be more to your liking. You can also get a good view of the capital from there. And if you are not an early bird, Fayetteville Street may be better as the floats won’t get to your area until about 20-30 minutes after it starts. A lot of families tend to sit outside the State Capitol as the kids have a lot of green space to run around. I like the expansive view from here as well.

Since our first parade, we have been fortunate enough to sit in media viewing area right near the ABC11 film crew and hosts on the corner of Hillsborough St and Glenwood Avenue. We really love seeing the parade from here, and you can come to this area if you’re not media – there is plenty of general public seating.

I love that you’re in the heart of the action. Many performers stop here to perform on live TV, so you don’t miss anything. I love watching the behind the scenes of the filming.

I also like the wide-open viewing space here. And one of my favorite things is that the parade starts from here, so you’re not waiting even longer for the parade to start and finish if you are at the end of the route. I feel that adds on so much extra time.

NOTE: ABC11 has had their live telecast filming on Fayetteville St in past parades as well. WE will update once we know where they will be this year in 2026.

Where to eat breakfast before the Raleigh Christmas Parade

There are no food trucks or vendors along the Raleigh Christmas Parade route, so breakfast is up to you. A few downtown spots open early on parade morning, and several of them sit right on the route.

Vic’s Pizzeria on Glenwood Avenue

At last year’s parade (2025) we went to Vic’s Pizzeria at 1 Glenwood Avenue, on the corner of Hillsborough Street near the start of the parade, because ABC11 was hosting a morning breakfast there. Owner Mikey was so kind to make me a gluten-free breakfast pizza with bacon and egg, and it was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had! Vic’s usually opens at 11am on Saturdays, so the breakfast was a parade-day special. Keep an eye on ABC11 to see if it runs again this year.

Press Coffee & Crepes on Hillsborough Street

If Press Coffee & Crepes is open, it’s another star breakfast spot, at 400 Hillsborough Street right on the parade route. If you can get a table outside, you’ll have a good viewing spot too. Press doesn’t take reservations, so time it before the rush, or hit it up after the parade. It usually opens at 9am on weekends, and almost any crepe can be made gluten-free (just ask for buckwheat). Read our full review of Press Coffee & Crepes.

State of Beer on Hillsborough Street

The parade organizer lists State of Beer at 401 Hillsborough Street opening at 7am on parade morning, with hot chocolate, cider, mulled wine, pastries, fresh coffee and breakfast burritos. It’s a few steps from Press, so you can grab something hot and still be on the route.

Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen on Fayetteville Street

Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen at 150 Fayetteville Street is near the end of the route. The parade organizer lists Birdie’s Café opening at 7am on parade morning for coffee, with the Backyard Bar opening at 9am if you’d like a mimosa or a spiked coffee. On a regular Saturday the café opens at 9am, so check before you head in early.

Dram & Draught on Glenwood Avenue

Dram & Draught at 1 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101 is one of my favorite bars in Raleigh, and it’s in the same building as Vic’s at the start of the route. I remember them being open early for the parade last year. The organizer lists free coffee and hot chocolate from 7am, with whiskey add-ons if you want them, and the ABC11 broadcast on the big screen. It’s a bar, so expect it to be 21+.

For more early starts, see our guide to the best breakfast in Raleigh.

History of the Christmas Parade in Raleigh

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a joyous celebration and one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions, especially for families to experience together across generations.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade began in 1939 as the country was coming out of the Recession. Not long after, it was put on hold for several years during World War II before resuming in 1945. The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association has had the honor of organizing the Raleigh Christmas Parade since 1944! In 2026, it will be celebrating its 82nd year!

It soon became a beloved family tradition for those living in Wake County and even further across North Carolina. Parade costumes and themes evolved with each decade to showcase life in Raleigh. And Parade Marshalls have often been popular starts of each era.

WRAL_TV first broadcasted the parade in 1974 in black and white. ABC11 is now the official broadcast partner, and they air it to more than 250,000 people watching from home. In 2011, a record 80,000 people attended the parade because Scotty McCreery, an American Idol winner from Garner appeared. 

We were surprised and impressed by the scale of the parade and have since learned that Raleigh has the largest Christmas Parade between Washington DC and Atlanta. It is attended by over 60,000 visitors each year and the largest single-day event in Raleigh. 

In 2022, 11-year-old dancer Hailey Brooks was tragically killed during the parade when she was hit by the truck pulling her dance group’s float. The driver said he lost control of the truck. Motorized vehicles were banned from the 2023 parade. In June 2024, Raleigh City Council voted to allow them back, with new safety requirements including mechanic inspections, driver license checks and a vehicle checklist before every entry leaves the staging area.

Is The Raleigh Christmas Parade worth it?

Yes, the Raleigh Christmas Parade is worth it attending because it’s a unique cultural experience for Raleigh and a way for the community to gather and spread good cheer.

The Raleigh Christmas parade is a simple way to experience joy and community, and it works for all ages. For the last several years, we have gone with the kids, without the kids, and with just one kid and their friend!! Now that our youngest is 15, she can wander off with her friend if she gets bored by the parade, and we don’t have to worry! Last year she stayed for almost the entire time!

We love that it kick-starts the Holiday Season, which in America lasts for a long time! The only thing left to do once the parade is over, is to go home and put up those trees! Actually, keep reading, as down below we share a few ideas on what to do after the parade in Raleigh. No need to rush home as it’s one of the busiest days of the season!

Common Questions about The Raleigh Christmas Parade

What can I do after the Raleigh Christmas Parade?

Since the parade is in Downtown Raleigh, this is the perfect opportunity to extend the day with your family and friends and have more holiday fun together. 

• One year we walked to Morgan St Food Hall in the Warehouse District for lunch with friends, and then we all went to The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater which opens Parade Day. The rink is quite small, and crowds weren’t too big when we visited. Red Hat Amphitheater’s final season at 500 S McDowell St ends in late October 2026, and the site is being cleared for the Raleigh Convention Center expansion, so THE RINK hasn’t announced where it will be this winter. We’ll update this once we hear. Our guide to ice skating in Raleigh at THE RINK covers how it has worked in past seasons.
• Those with young kids may want to venture to Pullen Park or Marbles Kids Museum.
• Downtown Raleigh has fantastic free museums. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is one of our favorites. Here is a list featuring more museums in Raleigh. (Note: NC Museum of History is currently closed for renovations)
• You may want to get a head start on your shopping at some of the fantastic downtown local stores. . Check out our list of local stores in Downtown Raleigh.
• Check out our guides on Downtown Raleigh and the Warehouse District with many more tips.
• And read about more Christmas events in Raleigh and here are more events happening in Raleigh in November.

You may also want to see this list of Christmas tree lighting events in the Triangle and places to have your photo with Santa. We know the North Hills tree lighting is happening after the parade, as well as holiday shopping and other fun things. Here’s a guide to North Hills Christmas experiences.

More holiday events on Raleigh Christmas Parade weekend

• Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market: Friday, November 20, 2026, 5:30pm to 8pm at Moore Square, the night before the parade.
• Christmas at North Hills tree lighting: expected Saturday, November 21, 2026, 4pm to 7pm at North Hills Commons in Midtown Raleigh.
• North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival: opens Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary and runs through January 10, 2027. Read our guide to the Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary.
• Christmas markets: the holiday market season starts the same week. See our Christmas markets in Raleigh guide.

Hotels near the Raleigh Christmas Parade

If you visit Raleigh from out of town for the parade, accommodation could book up quickly for this popular event, especially in Downtown Raleigh. It will be the best place to stay with easy walking distance to the event and nearby Raleigh restaurants and other things to do.

Here are a couple of our favorite hotels in downtown Raleigh:

• Residence inn Downtown Raleigh – fantastic location and big suites
• StateView Hotel – hidden away in a forest on NC State’s Campus
• Sheraton Hotel Downtown Raleigh – perfect Fayetteville St Location
• Casso Hotel – a Raleigh unique boutique hotel on the end of Glenwood South and the Warehouse District and the parade route.
• Check out our top short-term rental favorites

If you are visiting from out of town and have a few extra days, here are some guides to help you plan out your days exploring Raleigh:

• 24 hour itinerary guide for Raleigh
• 48 hour itinerary guide for Raleigh NC
• Our favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants
• The best rooftop bars in Raleigh

Do you plan on attending the Christmas parade in Raleigh? Share in the comments below which parade float or act you are most looking forward to seeing? And ask any questions you have?