Mark your Calendars: Raleigh Christmas Parade is Nov. 17

Thousands line up to watch this one, so I know this is a holiday tradition for many of you (as it is for my own family).

If you go, this is definitely something you'll want to get to early. The parade runs down Hillsborough Street to the State Capitol and then down Fayetteville Street. Parking and curb space can fill up pretty quickly.

We usually get there no later than 9 a.m. to find an on-street parking spot and grab a piece of curb somewhere along Hillsborough Street. By then, there are plenty of larger groups that have already staked out their space with blankets and chairs, but there's still some space.

If it's cold, we usually bring a thermos of hot chocolate and curl up under some blankets before it all begins.