The 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade is almost here. Here’s what to know before you go

It’s almost time for the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

The event, which is the largest Christmas parade between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., will march through downtown Saturday, Nov. 19. Yes, it’s before Thanksgiving and well before Christmas, but that’s just how it always is (Raleigh merchants want to be on your mind before Black Friday).

Officially called the “2022 ABC11/LeithCars.com Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh,” this year marks 78 years of the festive holiday event. The parade will feature more than 100 entries, including marching bands, giant balloons, parade floats and more.

Whether you want to hit the streets of downtown and watch the parade in person, or stay at home and watch it on TV, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event.

When is the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade?

▪ The parade is set for Saturday, Nov. 19.

▪ The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. It will end around noon.

▪ TV and streaming broadcasts of the parade will begin at 9 a.m. on WRAL and at 9:30 a.m. on ABC11.

Where is the 2022 Raleigh Christmas parade route?

The parade route is approximately 1.4 miles and runs through downtown Raleigh.

▪ The route starts at the intersection of Hillsborough Street and St. Mary’s Street.

▪ It goes east down Hillsborough Street for several blocks, then runs into the State Capitol.

▪ The route then turns right onto Salisbury Street.

▪ It then turns left onto Morgan Street.

▪ The route then turns right onto Fayetteville Street.

▪ It goes for five blocks before turning right and disbanding onto Lenoir Street.

You can find more information about the parade route, and find a map of the route, at grma.org/parade-day-map-route-of-parade.

Attending the Raleigh Christmas Parade in person

If you want to attend the parade in person, you should plan to arrive early — and don’t forget to pack your chairs.

▪ While the parade doesn’t officially kick off until 9:30 a.m., it’s recommended to arrive at least an hour early, around 8:30 a.m.

All in-person viewing for the parade is street-side, meaning that the front row seating — with the best, unimpeded views — is first-come, first-served.

▪ Crowds are likely heaviest just outside of the ABC11 studios on Fayetteville Street. Some bleacher seating is typically available there.

▪ Crowds are likely thinnest near the start and end of the route.

▪ If you want to watch the parade from higher ground, the Alexander Square Parking Deck (120 S. Wilmington St.) offers elevated views as the parade swings by the State Capitol — but it will likely fill up very early in the morning, so make sure to plan ahead.

It’s also a good idea to check the weather before you head out to the parade and pack jackets, coats and blankets if needed.

Where to park for the Raleigh Christmas Parade

Free parking will be available in city-owned parking decks on the morning of the parade.

▪ The parade map shows decks along the parade route, highlighted in yellow. Find the parade map at grma.org/christmas-parade/parade-day-map-route-of-parade.

▪ You can find also city-owned parking decks at raleighnc.gov/services/apps-maps-and-open-data/find-parking.

Downtown road closures for Raleigh Christmas Parade

The following roads are generally closed at some point before, during and after the parade:

▪ Hillsborough Street from West Morgan Street to St. Mary’s Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

▪ St. Mary’s Street from College Place to West Morgan Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m..

▪ Hillsborough Street from St. Mary’s Street to Salisbury Street, and all cross-streets one block in each direction, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

▪ West Hargett Street from McDowell to Wilmington Street, and Fayetteville Street from Hargett Street to Lenoir Street and all cross-streets one block between will be closed no earlier than 7 a.m. until no later than 2 p.m.

How to watch the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade on TV

If you’re not attending the parade in person, you’ll have a couple of options to watch it on TV or through streaming apps.

▪ ABC11, the official parade sponsor, will begin their coverage of the parade at 9:30 a.m. on the ABC11 TV channel, the ABC11 streaming apps and on the ABC News Hulu channel.

ABC11’s coverage will be hosted by morning anchors Barbara Gibbs, John Clark and meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy. Evening anchor Amber Rupinta and morning traffic reporter Kim Deaner will report from alongside the parade.

ABC11’s live broadcast will feature “exclusive live performances and special guests.”

▪ WRAL, which held the air rights contract to the parade for 43 years before losing it to ABC11 in 2017, will also broadcast this year’s parade, as they’ve done for the past several years.

WRAL’s coverage will begin at 9 a.m. on the day of the parade.

Who is the grand marshal of the Raleigh Christmas Parade?

This year’s parade grand marshal is Sylvia Wiggins, director of Helping Hand Mission.

Helping Hand Mission assists families throughout Raleigh and Wake County who are in need of food, clothing, furniture and shelter. The mission’s free programming helps “children, teens, elderly, homeless, handicapped, disabled, low income and victims of fire become self sufficient.”

“Sylvia Wiggins has been selected as this year’s Grand Marshal for all of her selfless service to our community,” Shop Local Raleigh executive director Jennifer Martin said in a news release.

“Sylvia works tirelessly to find heaters in the winter and fans in the summer for so many in our area. She works to help feed many and she mentors our future young leaders.”

More information about the Raleigh Christmas Parade

More information about the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade can be found at grma.org/christmas-parade.