Raleigh Tree Lighting ceremony kicks off 2024 Christmas holiday season
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The 2024 holiday season in Raleigh is officially underway!
The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting will happen Friday, November 22 in the Lichtin Plaza, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts on E South Street.
What time does tree lighting start?
The festivities start at 5:30 pm -8 pm. The tree lighting is scheduled to happen after 6:00 p.m.
It's a free event and there will be plenty of vendors and children or entire families can take free pictures with Santa.
How to watch
If you can't make it downtown to participate in the fun, you can watch it during our 6:00 p.m. newscast or wherever you stream ABC11.
Once again, there's a large vendor market and you can start your Christmas shopping and support local businesses. The tree lighting is the prequel to the Raleigh Christmas Parade.
What time is the Raleigh Christmas Parade?
When is the parade? We're glad you asked. ABC11's live coverage starts at 9:00 a.m. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. The Raleigh Christmas Parade is celebrating 80 years, this year.
If you can't get downtown to watch it in person, ABC11 will livestream the entire parade.
Here's everything you need to know about it. ABC11 live stream the entire 2024 Raleigh Christmas Parade.
Parade 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
After the parade, you can head over to The Rink and enjoy some fun on the ice.
LIST | 2024 Christmas parades and events happening in central North Carolina
SEE ALSO | Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin lights the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Tree
