The 80th Raleigh Christmas Parade was held Saturday in downtown Raleigh in a festive showing of civic pride and holiday cheer.
Billed as a celebration and introduction of the holiday season, the parade featured floats with Triangle-area schools, bands, entertainers and of course, Santa Claus!
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Many businesses, organizations and schools participated in the parade, including Crossroads Ford Apex, NC State University Mounted Patrol, the Broughton High School band, Back The Blue NC, the Millbrook High School band, Wake Tech and more.
As the parade continued, the Oak City Onewheel made a grand entrance, followed by Miss North Carolina Teen pageant group, while the Chinese American Friendship Association of North Carolina and other groups kept the crowd entertained.
The parade wrapped up with a grand entrance from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who took a moment to wave to the cheering crowd.
Grammy-nominated musician and recording artist Marcus King served as the Grand Marshal.
Organizers called the parade one of the largest Christmas parades in the southeast. Thousands of visitors came downtown.
The parade is traditionally held the weekend before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday shopping season in support of local businesses. It's been on Saturday since 1971.
The parade route spanned much of downtown, passing by iconic landmarks such as the State Capitol, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, and ending at the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater. The route covered Hillsborough Street, St. Mary's Street, Salisbury Street, Morgan Street, Fayetteville Street, and concluded on Lenoir Street around 12:15 p.m.
The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association has been a parade organizer since 1944. The parade began in 1939.
WATCH: Memorable moments from past parades
Other Triangle-area Holiday events
This Saturday also marks the beginning of WRAL's annual Coats for the Children drive. Your donation – of new or gently used coats, gloves, hats, new long underwear, T-shirts and socks or money – helps to make the holidays brighter and the winter warmer for families in need.
WRAL is also a proud partner of other Triangle holiday events such as the annual North Hills Tree Lighting celebration and Light the Square in Cary.
Join WRAL on Dec. 14 for two parades: the Durham Holiday Parade starts in downtown Durham along Main Street at 10 a.m. The Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade begins in downtown Cary at 2 p.m. Both will be streamed live on WRAL.
For a complete list of holiday events in the area, check out our list.