History of the Raleigh Christmas Parade, a City of Oaks staple for 80 years

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The 2024 Raleigh Christmas Parade ushers in 80 years of bringing smiles and fun to people of all ages and generations. This year's will bring some nostalgic feels as watchers remember the parade's long legacy.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is one of the oldest in the Southeast and was created to kick off the holiday shopping season and has become a beloved tradition for people in the area and visitors, sponsor Shop Local Raleigh says.

Here are some facts about the Raleigh Christmas Parade on its 80th anniversary

• The Raleigh Christmas Parade is one of the oldest holiday parades in the Southeast

• The first Raleigh Christmas Parade was held on Sat., Nov. 25, 1939, and drew an estimated 30,000 people and is said to have caused the worst traffic jam Raleigh had ever seen.

• Nighttime Parade: The parade was a night parade until World War II.

• On Nov. 29, 1941, Raleigh's third parade brought some competition for Santa Claus. King Tarz-the lion that appeared in Tarzan movies-was paraded through the one-mile route and later performed in front of the courthouse on Fayetteville St.

• Santa Claus arrived by helicopter during the fourth parade in 1947. That parade drew a crowd of 50,000.

• During the 1960s, the parade was always held on a Monday and crowds grew as big as 150,000.

• It was held once on a Tuesday in 1963 after being postponed one day due to the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.

• A permanent shift to the Saturday before Thanksgiving took place in 1971.

• Floats, bands and more: The parade typically features over 100 entries, including giant balloons, marching bands, dance troupes, local dignitaries, holiday-themed floats, and Santa Claus, who traditionally makes his appearance at the end.

• Longest parade in North Carolina: Spanning about 1.4 miles through downtown Raleigh, it's the longest parade route in North Carolina, lasting around 2.5 hours.

• Live Broadcast: It's one of the few local parades that's televised live, allowing people across North Carolina to join in on the festivities from home.

• Community Engagement: The event often highlights community groups and local talent, showcasing everything from youth organizations to cultural dance troupes, giving it a distinct local flavor.

• Christmas Season Kickoff: The parade takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, making it one of the earliest Christmas parades in the season and a beloved way to start the holiday festivities.

Santa's Arrival: Every year, Santa and Mrs. Claus on their sleigh-driven float conclude the parade which signals the start of Christmas celebrations in the Triangle.

• After being converted in the 1970s to a pedestrian mall, Fayetteville St. was restored in 2006 to a drivable main street and the Raleigh Christmas Parade returned to Fayetteville Street.

• In 2014, Helium balloons returned after a 3-year hiatus due to a worldwide helium shortage

• Hudson Belk- Crabtree Mall used to put Santa on a helicopter and fly him to Belk right after the parade for pictures with Santa

SEE ALSO | Archive photos: Look back at the Raleigh Christmas Parade

• In 2023, no motorized vehicles were allowed in the Raleigh Christmas Parade due to the death of a parade dancer in 2022. Motorized vehicles will make their return for the 2024 parade.

SEE ALSO | Raleigh Christmas Parade turns 75