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 2022, from before Thanksgiving to Three Kings Day, including Solstice lantern walks and a Hanukkah parade, when announced.
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.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
- Free 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 19th, 2022
9:30 a.m.
The Raleigh Christmas Parade Presented by Shop Local Raleigh is the earliest Christmas parade in the Triangle, and is the parade that ushers in the holiday season. It’s also the largest Christmas parade between Washington, DC and Atlanta, and is especially loved for the giant balloons. The parade is about 1.4 miles and lasts about 2.5 hours. It features 115 entries, including bands, themed floats, huge balloons, marchers and more.
Mebane Christmas Parade
Friday, December 2nd, 2022
7 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Mebane
Garner Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
4:30 p.m.
Main Street, Garner, NC
The Garner Christmas Parade will follow the Holiday Block Party, which is taking place at the Garner Recreation Center from 2 to 4 p.m. The start time of the parade is approximate. After the parade, stick around for the tree lighting around 6 p.m.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Parade is a festive, inclusive parade that celebrate the holiday season. It travels down Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street and Carrboro’s Main Street.
More information about the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Parade.
Apex Rotary Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
5 p.m.
The parade starts at the intersection of Ambergate Station and The Peakway in Apex, heading down Salem Street and ending at the Apex Public Works Building on Upchurch Street. Also, Gingerbread Lane will be taking place at The Depot from 1 to 8 p.m., providing lots of crafts and activities for kids.
Angier Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
10 a.m.
Downtown Angier
There will also be a vendor fair going on from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Youngville Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
10 a.m.
Downtown Youngville
Zebulon Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
2 p.m.
Downtown Zebulon
Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade
Sunday, December 4th, 2022
4 p.m.
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. Directly after the parade, join the community for the annual tree lighting ceremony and community sing.
More information about the Light Up the Night Hillsborough Holiday Parade.
Rolesville Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 4th, 2022
2 p.m.
Starts at Thales Academy, ending at Rolesville Baptist Church.
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 4th, 2022
3 p.m.
Historic Fuquay Historic District
Selma Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
6 p.m.
Town Hall, 114 N. Raiford Street, Selma
Selma’s big day includes the entertainment at 6 p.m., the tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m., the Christmas parade at 7 p.m., and fireworks at 7:45 p.m.
Siler City Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 8th, 2022
7 p.m.
Downtown Siler City
Santa will visit with children in the courtyard after the parade.
Smithfield Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 8th, 2022
7 p.m.
Downtown Smithfield
43rd Annual Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
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.
Efland Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
10 a.m.
The parade ends at the Ruritan Club building, 3009 Forrest Avenue, Efland, where Santa will be waiting. There will be cookies and hot chocolate for all to enjoy.
Knightdale Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
11 a.m.
Downtown Knightdale
The parade starts on First Avenue at Knightdale Station Park and ends at Fayetteville Street.
Happy Holly Days Parade in Holly Springs
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
10 a.m.
Downtown Holly Springs
The parade goes down Main Street, starting at Holly Springs road and ending at Rogers Street.
Clayton Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10th, 2022
3 p.m.
Main Street, Clayton
Pittsboro Holiday Parade
Sunday, December 11th, 2022
3 to 4 p.m.
The parade goes along Business Highway 64 from east to west.
Durham Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 17th, 2022
10 a.m.
The Durham Holiday Parade features floats, mascots, drill teams, and school and community groups. The parade will start at the Health Department (Main and Dillard Streets) and end near Duke University East Campus (Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard.) There will be several designated performance areas along the route.
Day By Day List of Christmas and Holiday Parades in the Triangle
Please keep checking back. More events will be added to this list when they’re announced.
Terry Horne says
WHY are you leaving out Christmas in your parades? I only see a few towns that honor this old tradition! Disappointed in North Carolina!
Jody Mace says
What does this even mean?
Elaine Willis says
Where are there lists of Christian events — creche displays, Christmas story of Jesus’ birth being told from the Bible, Christian Christmas music, etc.?
Jody Mace says
I list them on the website as I get them. I add them to this large, inclusive list of holiday events:https://triangleonthecheap.com/christmas-holiday-events-triangle/
Jackie says
Someone has to be mad about something this time of year. Chime on in, Elaine.
Cynthia Raxter says
Thanks Jody for the great list! Especially arranging it day-by-day! I know how hard you must work on this stuff! It’s amazing how much there is to do for free! And folks organizing -like me! – forget info or have dates/times wrong! You always catch my mistakes and I really appreciate it! Cynthia of
Bynum Front Porch Music and Storytelling zhows.