Asheville Holiday Parade: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11 AM
Kick off the holiday season with downtown Asheville’s biggest hometown tradition. The 80th annual Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, fills downtown streets with floats, marching bands, dancers, and plenty of local personality. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people come out each year, so arrive early to claim a good spot along the route. For more fun in November and December, see our Top Holiday Season Things to Do. (Lead image: the Cherokee Float. Above: the Veterans Float. Photos courtesy of the Asheville Downtown Association.)
“A Vintage Holiday” Parade Theme To mark 80 years, this year’s theme is “A Vintage Holiday.” Look for entries inspired by holidays past, like vintage cars, old-fashioned ornaments and tinsel, 1950s storefronts, and Victorian holiday scenes.
Holiday Window Displays The fun goes beyond the parade. Downtown shops decorate their windows in the same vintage theme for the Asheville Downtown Association’s Winter Window Display Contest. Windows will be ready by parade day, so plan to stroll and shop afterward.
Downtown Asheville Lights Up Through Valentine’s Day Downtown Asheville’s glow isn’t going anywhere this winter. Seasonal light installations return to Pritchard Park, Pack Square Park, and Triangle Park, starting the week of October 19 and staying up through Valentine’s Day 2027. Stroll through the parks after dark and see the city dressed for the season.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
Parade Route The route usually runs up Biltmore Avenue to Pack Square, then turns onto Patton Avenue and ends at French Broad Avenue. Pack Square is the main performance area, where you’ll find the WLOS TV cameras and judges. The parade goes on rain or shine, so dress for the weather.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
What You’ll See Expect marching bands, dance and cheer squads, festive floats, and, of course, Santa. Since it’s Asheville, you never know what else might roll by. Even a holiday parade needs a little weirdness.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
The 90-minute parade features entertainment for all ages.
Photos courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
Since it's Asheville, you'll never know what you'll see along the way! Even the Christmas parade needs some weirdness.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
Above, the Asheville Second Line (don't miss their Mardi Gras Parade).
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
LaZoom Tours is always a crowd favorite with its purple bus and variety of characters, led here by Sister Bad Habit.
Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association.
Plan Ahead Streets along and near the route close early that morning, and city buses detour around the parade. City parking garages usually stay open during the parade. Check the City of Asheville and Asheville Downtown Association websites closer to the date for closures and parking access.
After the parade, start your holiday shopping in downtown Asheville. All public parking garages will remain accessible throughout the parade.
Watch our 3-minute Asheville Holiday Parade Sampler from 2016!
