The Raleigh Christmas Parade will be back in 2021. It’s the largest Christmas parade between Washington, DC and Atlanta. It’s presented by Shop Local Raleigh.
We’re keeping track of the parades! Check out our big list of Christmas and holiday parades in the Triangle!
It will take place Saturday, November 20th, 2021, from 9:30 am. to 12 p.m.
The parade route is approximately 1.4 miles and it lasts about 2.5 miles. It will feature 115 entries, including bands, themed floats, huge balloons, marchers, and more.
The parade will be hosted by ABC11 Eyewitness News anchors, traffic reporters and the meteorologist.
What’s the route of the Raleigh Christmas Parade?
- Begins on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street
- Proceeds to the State Capitol
- Turns right onto Salisbury Street
- Turns left onto Morgan St.
- Turns right onto Fayetteville St
- Continues to Lenoir Street, where it disbands
Where to watch the Raleigh Christmas Parade
More than 65,000 people will watch the parade in person, with 250,000 more watching at home on TV. If you want to watch in person and you want front-row seats you’ll need to get there early. Even 8:30 a.m. might be pushing it!
Crowds are heaviest on Fayetteville Street, near the ABC11 studios, and are thinnest near the beginning and end of the parade route.
Want to watch on TV? The parade telecast airs lives on ABC11 from 9:30 am. to 12 p.m.
Where to park for the Raleigh Christmas Parade
The parade map shows where there are parking decks near the parade route. The map shows 10 public parking lots within a block or two of the parade route. Street parking will also be available for free in downtown Raleigh, but make sure to check on the streets closures, below.
What roads will be closed?
- Hillsborough St from W Morgan St to St. Mary’s St from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- St. Mary St from College Place to W. Morgan St from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m..
- Hillsborough St from St. Mary St to Salisbury St and all cross-streets one block in each direction from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- W Hargett St from McDowell to Wilmington St, Fayetteville St from Hargett St to Lenoir St and all cross-streets one block between, no earlier than 7 a.m. until no later than 2 p.m.
- Additional road closures and detours may be established at the discretion of the incident commander to control traffic near route.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
- Discounts on concerts, restaurants, kids' activities, much more
- 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
More Holiday Events in the Triangle
Check out our big day by day list of holiday events in the Triangle, or look at a few of them here:
Downtown Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Gwen Tillery says
Lots and lots of wonderful activities for the whole family.