Thousands gathered in downtown Raleigh at 9:30 a.m. to watch as floats and performers marched through the streets. Some families came downtown to get a good seat as early as 5 a.m.
The Christmas parade — notably the largest parade from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. — featured 115 different themed floats, bands, marchers and twirlers.
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It was chilly on Saturday morning, temperatures were in the mid-30s at around 9 a.m., but the sun is shining. Saturday will feature below-normal temperatures, so if you're heading outside, make sure to bundle up.
Sky5 shows that traffic is not too bad in the area, so if you're thinking about heading downtown, you won't have to worry about a traffic jam.
The 82nd Airborne Division and the Christmas Parade Grand Marshal remembered those who lost their lives in Afghanistan at the start of the parade. Thirteen service members lost their lives this year during the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan.
Two Apache helicopters and one Black Hawk Med Evac helicopter zoomed over the city to honor the 19,000 82nd Airborne troopers at Fort Bragg.
- Sky5: Aerial view of Raleigh Christmas Parade
- Downtown Raleigh south Fayetteville Street cam from the City of Raleigh Museum
- Downtown Raleigh north Fayetteville Street cam from the City of Raleigh Museum
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's parade was entirely virtual. The parade's sponsor, ShopLocal Raleigh is a long-time supporter of local businesses and is proud to host this parade.
Saturday morning's broadcast is the 48th annual on WRAL-TV and will be hosted by WRAL News anchors Renee Chou and Jeff Hogan.
Raleigh has a Christmas parade before Thanksgiving because "that's the way it's always been," Chou said. The city wanted to kick off the holiday season early before the Thanksgiving weekend.
The parade will begin on Hillsborough Street at the intersection of St. Mary's Street. It will proceed down Hillsborough Street and stop at the North Carolina State Capitol.
"The city itself, we're coming back," said Mayor of Raleigh Mary-Ann Baldwin. While the city is not entirely back to normal post-pandemic, the parade is a representation of progress made in fighting coronavirus, she said.
After hitting the Capitol, the parade will turn onto Salisbury Street, then turn left onto Morgan Street. After turning on Fayetteville Street it will continue for several blocks and end at the intersection of Fayetteville and Lenoir streets.
All city-owned parking decks will offer free parking on the morning of the parade.
After the parade
There are plenty of holiday-themed happenings in Raleigh after the parade.
- WRAL's Nights of Lights 5K will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and runners will be able to race through Dorothea Dix Park lit up with holiday lights.
- North Hills is hosting a Holiday Shop and Stroll from 12 to 4 p.m. where members can shop around while listening to holiday music. After that, North Hills whill hold its annual tree lighting.
- Pop-Up Raleigh will be hosting a holiday market at Trophy Brewing & Taproom on Maywood Avenue. You can shop local art and vintage wares while sampling Trophy craft beer.