Avoid these streets this weekend for the 2025 Raleigh Christmas Parade
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Parade returns Saturday, Nov. 22, 1.4-mile route from Hillsborough to Lenoir.
- Expect street closures 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the downtown parade corridor.
- Free city parking decks and 25% off lots available with promo code MERRY25.
The 81st Raleigh Christmas Parade returns this Saturday, Nov. 22 for a morning of festive floats, bright balloons and holiday cheer in the heart of the city.
You can cozy up and watch the holiday event from home on ABC11, the ABC11 streaming apps, and the ABC News Hulu channel with live coverage beginning at 9 a.m. before the parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m.
If you want to join in person, here’s everything you to know if you want to go.
Roads closed for Raleigh Christmas Parade
The big event, which boasts itself as the largest Christmas parade between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, stretches 1.4 miles between Hillsborough and Lenoir Streets downtown, according to the organizers’ website.
Here’s the route:
- Begins on Hillsborough Street at the intersection of St. Mary’s Street
- Proceeds East on Hillsborough Street to the State Capitol
- Turns right onto Salisbury Street
- Turns left onto Morgan Street
- Turns right onto Fayetteville Street
- Turns right at Lenoir Street where it disbands
Outside the parade route, the following streets will also be closed for the event:
- Hillsborough Street from W Morgan Street to St. Mary’s Street (6 a.m.-2 p.m.)
- St. Mary Street from College Place to W. Morgan Street (6 a.m. -2 p.m.)
Additionally, these streets (and all cross-streets one block between) will also be closed 7 a.m.-2 p.m.:
- Hillsborough Street from St. Mary Street to Salisbury Street
- W. Hargett Street from McDowell to Wilmington Street
- Fayetteville Street from Hargett Street to Lenoir Street
Parade parking options
Several city-owned parking decks will be free to park in the morning of the parade, but there are also discounted lots nearby as well. According to the Christmas parade site, you can use the promo code “MERRY25” for 25% off at the following lots:
- Edenton Lot (301 W Edenton St.)
- Harrington Lot (323 West Morgan St.)
- Davie Lot (314 E. Davie St.)
- HBS Lot (501 Hillsborough St.)
- Citrix Garage (120 S. West St.)
Organizers also announced that you can receive updates from the City of Raleigh about the parade, which could include delays, cancellations or inclement weather alerts, by texting “RALPARADE” to 888-777. You can find more information about this year’s Raleigh Christmas parade online at grma.org.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM.