You can find Christmas parades in every corner of the Triangle, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and many more towns.
Read on to learn about a few of the highly anticipated holiday parades, but then scroll down for a big day-to-day list of Christmas and holiday parades in the Triangle in 2025. The list also includes Solstice lantern walks, and, if announced, will include a Hanukkah parade and a Three Kings Day parade as now.
The Christmas parades are generally your first chance to see Santa Claus this holiday season, and they’re also a great chance to see the talents of community members on display.
We’ve arranged the parades in order by date.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap’s daily email
- Free and cheap events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Saturday, November 22, 2025
9:30 a.m.
The parade travels 1.4 miles through Downtown Raleigh, NC
Sanford Christmas Parade
Monday, December 1, 2024
7 p.m.
Downtown Sanford, NC
Selma Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 2, 2024
7 p.m.
Town Hall, 114 N. Raiford Street, Selma, NC
The 7 p.m. parade follows the 6 p.m. tree lighting and celebration. After the parade, enjoy a fireworks show.
Siler City Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 4, 2025
7 p.m.
Downtown Siler City, NC
Franklinton Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 4, 2025
7 p.m.
Downtown Franklinton, NC
Mebane Christmas Parade
Friday, December 5, 2025
7 p.m.
Downtown Mebane, NC
Angier Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10 a.m.
Downtown Angier, NC
Youngville Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10 a.m.
Downtown Youngville, NC
Bahama Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10 a.m.
Bahama, NC
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10 a.m.
Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC
This year’s parade route will begin at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro and end at the 140 West Franklin Plaza in Chapel Hill.
More information about the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Parade.
Garner Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
4:30 p.m.
Main Street, Garner, NC
The day will also include the Holiday Block party, prior to the parade, and the tree lighting, after the parade.
Apex Rotary Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
5 p.m.
Apex, NC
The parade starts at the intersection of Ambergate Station and The Peakway, heading down Salem Street and ending at the Moore Street.
Rolesville Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 7, 2025
2 p.m.
Downtown Rolesville, NC
Starting at Thales Academy, ending at Rolesville Baptist Church.
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 7, 2025
4 p.m.
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade
Sunday, December 7, 2025
4 p.m.
Hillsborough, NC
The parade will travel south on Churton Street from Corbin Street to Margaret Lane, and end at the intersection of Margaret Lane and Cameron Street.
More information about the Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade.
Smithfield Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 11, 2025
7 p.m.
Downtown Smithfield
Happy Holly Days Parade in Holly Springs
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10 a.m.
Downtown Holly Springs, NC
Knightdale Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10 a.m.
Downtown Knightdale, NC
The parade starts on First Avenue at Knightdale Station Park and ends at Fayetteville Street.
Durham Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10 a.m.
Durham, NC
The Durham Holiday Parade features mascots, drill teams, and school and community groups. The parade will travel down Main Street. There will be several designated performance areas along the route.
Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
2 to 4 p.m.
The parade will feature bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups and churches. The parade starts on E. Chatham Street at Ward Street, proceeds down E. Chatham to S. Academy Street, turns left onto S. Academy Street and ends at Dry Avenue, in front of the Cary Arts Center.
Clayton Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
11 a.m.
Main Street, Clayton
Winter Lantern Walk
Saturday, December 13, 2025
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Participate in this walk in the Museum Park, with your homemade lantern.
Zebulon Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 14, 2025
3 p.m.
Downtown Zebulon, NC
Pittsboro Holiday Parade
December 14, 2025
3 p.m.
Pittsboro, NC
The parade goes along Business Highway 64 from east to west.
Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Starts from Eno River Farmers Market in Hillsborough, NC
5 to 8 p.m.
Suggested $5-10 donation
This participatory walk takes place along the River Walk. Participant bring handmade lanterns, lit with LEDs.
More information about the Solstice Celebration Lantern Walk.
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