# Raleigh Christmas Parade: 82nd Annual Downtown Celebration > Event for families in the Raleigh–Cary area (NC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Sat, Nov 21 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM - Where: Downtown Raleigh, 400 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601 - Ages: All ages (free community parade along downtown sidewalks; early arrival recommended for curbside viewing) - Price: Free public admission; street curbside viewing is entirely free for all attendees. - Organizer: Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (GRMA) & Shop Local Raleigh - Official page: https://grma.org/christmas-parade/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 10, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/raleigh-christmas-parade-82nd-annual-downtown-celebration--listing-2aac57ae57c04f0dcd387562 ## About 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. ## Similar picks in Raleigh - [Raleigh Christmas Parade](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/raleigh-christmas-parade--listing-0691e8580d024003ed1b7b02) — Sat, Nov 21 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh parade route (Hillsborough St. to Fayetteville St.) · Free · checked Oct 24. 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