Heralding the arrival of the holiday season, annual holiday parades by the dozens provide festive cheer during November and December in the Southeast. Wherever you may be visiting, from the largest cities to the smallest country towns, there is likely to be a holiday parade taking place somewhere nearby to get you into the spirit of the season. These holiday parade highlights feature parades in some of the Southeast's most popular holiday tourist destinations. Also see:
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Raleigh, North Carolina - November 19, 2011Raleigh's annual Christmas Parade features fanciful floats, giant balloons, an array of bands, entertainers and more. The parade, which follows a 1.4 mile route and lasts about two and one-half hours, steps off at 9:40 a.m. (Rain Date is November 20)
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Asheville Holiday Parade
Asheville, North Carolina - November 19, 2011This community parade, a celebration of all of the holidays, has highlighted Asheville's holiday spirit since 1946. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and the theme for 2011 is Days Gone By.
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Grand Illumination Parade
Norfolk, Virginia - November 19, 2011Join 100,000 or so spectators in a synchronized countdown to the illumination of the Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines, which kicks off the beginning of this annual holiday parade. The parade features floats, bands, giant helium balloons, Ole Saint Nick and more. The parade, themed It's a Sweet Life this year, begins at 7 p.m. and follows a new route.
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Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade
Charlotte, North Carolina - November 24, 2011- A more than 60 year Thanksgiving Day Tradition, this annual parade draws spectators and participants from both of the Carolinas and has been recognized as the fourth largest Thanksgiving Parade in the United States.
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Winter Wonderland Parade Kicks of Light Up Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky - November 26, 2010Ushering in the Louisville holiday season, Light Up Louisville kicks off with a colorful holiday parade, followed by a day and evening of live entertainment, a festival holiday market, family activities, the arrival of Santa Claus, fireworks and more. The parade travels along Santa Claus Lane (Jefferson Street).
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Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Gatlinburg, Tennessee - December 2, 2011This annual parade for young and old features marching bands from all over the Southeast U.S., giant helium balloons and more. The parade begins at 7:30 at Traffic Light 1A on Hwy 321 and ends about an hour-and-a-half later at Traffic Light 10.
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Nashville Christmas Parade
Nashville, Tennessee - December 2, 2011The 59th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade showcases the city's rich history of music with floats proceeding down Broadway, holiday lights illuminating the night sky, and the magical sounds of the holiday season. Always held on the first Friday in December.
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Richmond Christmas Parade
Richmond, Virginia - December 3, 2011This annual holiday parade marks the official start of the Richmond holiday season with colorful floats, star-spangled bands, high flying balloons and Santa. The parade begins at the Science Museum of Virginia, continues along Broad Street and ends at 7th Street at the Coliseum. Start time is 10 a.m.
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Children's Christmas Parade
Atlanta, Georgia - December 3, 2011Featuring award-winning marching bands, giant helium balloons, holiday themed and animated Floats and a Santa grand finale, this premiere annual parade kicks off the holiday season with more than a little holiday magic. The parade stars at Peachtree Street near Baker Street and ends on Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Hours are 10:30 a.m. - Noon.
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Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Alexandria, Virginia - December 3, 2011A highlight of the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in Old Town Alexandria, this popular parade features more than 100 Scottish Clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, Scottie dog groups, re-enactment groups, Santa Claus and more. Other traditional annual events during the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend include a Christmas Marketplace and a Holiday Designer Tour of Homes. The parade steps off on Saturday at 11 a.m.
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Lighted Holiday Parade
Savannah, Georgia - December 3, 2011A relative newcomer to the collection of holiday parades in the Southeast, the Savannah Lighted Holiday Parade begins at the waterfront on River Street and proceeds throughout the Historic District. Before the parade, enjoy a multicultural holiday celebration of regional arts and crafts and live holiday entertainment during the day along River Street during Christmas on the River. The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m.
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Charleston Christmas Parade
Charleston, South Carolina - December 4, 2011A Charleston holiday tradition, this annual parade features bands, floats performers and marchers through the historic streets of downtown Charleston. It begins at the intersection of Calhoun and Meeting Streets at 2 p.m.
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