Downtown Concord Tree Lighting & 98th Annual Concord Christmas Parade

About this adventure

Historic Downtown Concord rings in the holiday season with a weekend of cherished Cabarrus County traditions. On Friday evening, families gather at the historic Courthouse Square for the 28th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring live children's choir performances, an interactive kids' craft village, bounce houses, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits and free photos with Santa, and a fireworks finale over the courthouse roof. The celebration continues Saturday afternoon with the 98th Annual Concord Christmas Parade—one of North Carolina's longest-running holiday parades—showcasing over 100 parade units, high school marching bands, festive community floats, youth dance troupes, and Santa riding high atop a vintage fire truck. Downtown streets are closed to vehicular traffic during both events, creating expansive, pedestrian-friendly viewing areas with ample space for strollers and folding lawn chairs. Free parking is available in the Cabarrus County Parking Deck and downtown surface lots. Restrooms with baby changing stations are accessible inside the historic courthouse building and the Concord City Hall.