Raleigh Christmas Parade: 82nd Annual Downtown Celebration

About this adventure

The 82nd Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade is the largest holiday parade between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., drawing over 60,000 parade-goers along a 1.4-mile course through the heart of Downtown Raleigh. Starting at Hillsborough Street near St. Mary's School, traveling past the State Capitol, and marching down Fayetteville Street to the Duke Energy Center, the procession features over 115 vibrant entries. Families will see towering helium parade balloons, award-winning high school and university marching bands, colorful holiday floats, dance and gymnastics troupes, vintage emergency vehicles, and the highly anticipated season kickoff arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in his sleigh. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Downtown sidewalks are wide, concrete, and curb-cut accessible throughout the entire parade route, making strollers and folding wagons very easy to navigate before the crowds thicken. • Nursing & Rest Spots: The City of Raleigh municipal building and public lobby facilities along Fayetteville Street offer accessible restrooms with changing tables; green lawn spaces at the State Capitol provide room to spread blankets. • Age Suitability: Perfect for infants through elementary-aged kids, tweens, and parents. Arrive by 8:30 AM to secure front-row curbside spots where little kids can easily see marching bands and waving characters. • Sensory Tips: Marching band drumlines, sirens from decorated fire engines, and cheering crowds produce loud bursts of sound. Bring noise-dampening earmuffs for babies and toddlers sensitive to sudden loud acoustics.