Then and now: Scenes of Raleigh at Christmas since the 1930s

Many locals still fondly recall watching the Raleigh Christmas Parade when it was held at night or walking past the wreaths and bows on their way to watch "A Christmas Carol" at the Memorial Auditorium. Others remember the taste of warm peanuts from the Peanut Man, while peering wishfully into glowing windows of Christmas presents at Taylor's.

Modern Raleigh residents probably have fond memories of browsing booths of local art, while the buildings glowed red and green around them.

Digging through the State Archives of North Carolina for a little old-fashioned holiday nostalgia, memories of Christmas past come pouring back.

Window shopping is a common holiday pastime – and the glowing windows at Taylor's would give any 1940s Raleigh resident something to add to their wishlist for Santa.

Having stood on Fayetteville Street since 1911, the Boylan Pearce is a familiar holiday sight. It looks almost the same today as it did when this Christmas photo was snapped in 1948.

"It's time to march!" Every kid in Raleigh knew what that meant, and every kid would have been excited to see Uncle Paul on this float in the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

Vintage photos of the Raleigh Christmas Parade, which started in 1939, show how much has changed in downtown Raleigh – as well as how much of the city's spirit has remained the same. Crowds gather, just like always, in this classic photo of the parade.

Many locals recall having their first job as a teenager working at the Eckerd's Drug Store on Fayetteville Street. Some Raleigh residents may remember this exact holiday display, put up in 1941.

Nearby stores on the streets intersecting Fayetteville Street also decorated their windows for the holidays. Some of the window scenes may still ring a bell for locals who have lived in Raleigh for many years.

Here's a cheerfully decorated window at Pollock's in 1939.

Some things, fortunately, never change, like the spirit of kindness and generosity at Christmas. In 1944, the Lion's Club collected an impressive pile of toys for children from families in need. Look at the bicycles and classic toys!

Here is Fayetteville Street, decorated for the holidays in 1938.

Here's a glimpse of how it looked during 2019.

The huge Merry Christmas banner is gone, but Raleigh Memorial Auditorium has a giant, twinkling Christmas tree out front.

City Plaza is decorated with red and green lights.

Do you remember the 'Secret Shop?' What about when South Hills Mall had live reindeer? Did you get your Christmas tree at Booger Mountain -- or Devereux Meadow?

Sit back and recall those old Raleigh Christmastimes from the 1930s until today with Amanda Lamb and fifth-generation Raleighite and storyteller Heather Leah.