Everything you need to know for the 2024 ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A holly jolly time was had at the 80th annual Raleigh Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The holiday started Friday night, November 22, with the Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting.

Thanks to all who attended and those who watched on TV or one of the ABC11 many streaming apps.

There are many more holiday fun events now through January.

• Chinese Lantern Festival

• The Rink is open at Red Hat Amphitheater

• Full list: Christmas parades and holiday events across central NC

WHAT TIME DOES THE RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE START?

• ABC11's live coverage of the parade starts at 9:00 a.m.

• The parade begins at 9:30 a.m.

• You can watch it live on TV or where you stream ABC11

RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE ROUTE

• The parade starts on Hillsborough Street and ends at Lenoir Street

• 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

HOW LONG IS THE PARADE?

• The parade is about a mile and a half.

• The parade is usually about two hours long.
  

TRAFFIC ALERT

• Road closures will be Hillsborough Street from West Morgan Street to Saint Mary's Street and Saint Mary's from College Place to W. Morgan Street from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.

• Additional road closures and detours may be established at the discretion of the incident commander to control traffic near the route.

PARKING

• Parade-goers can arrive as early as 7 a.m. to secure the best seats along the parade route, but if you are tight on time, you can arrive right at the start of the parade.

• There will be parking all across downtown with parking decks, and street parking to choose from.

WHO'S THE GRAND MARSHAL?

• Renowned musician and Grammy-nominated artist Marcus King will be the Grand Marshal for the 80th Annual ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh.

• The parade's Grand Marshal is an annual honor bestowed upon an individual or group that has made a significant impact on the community.

WHO IS SINGING AT THE PARADE

• Country music artist George Birge will perform a new Christmas song in the 2024 ABC11 Crossroads Ford Raleigh Christmas Parade.

PARADE HISTORY

The first Raleigh Christmas Parade was on Saturday, November 25, 1939. It took a hiatus during WWII until 1945.

Click on Raleigh Christmas Parade for more history and facts.

HOW TO WATCH

If you can't make it to downtown Raleigh for the parade you can catch all the fun and festivities on ABC11, the ABC11 streaming apps, and the ABC News Hulu hybrid channel. Get more information.