Raleigh Christmas parade Coverage

Raleigh lifts pause on parade permits, plans St. Patrick's Day parade without vehicles

The city of Raleigh is planning its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade without motorized vehicles, following the death of an 11-year-old girl while dancing in the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade.

WRAL Staff

Durham, Cary and Fayetteville make safety preparations for Saturday Christmas parades

The holiday season is in full swing, and this weekend will be a busy one for Christmas parades. Durham, Cary, and Fayetteville are all hosting their Christmas parades on Saturday - and each town is approaching safety preparations differently.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Adorable! WRAL anchor Dan Haggerty's son has surprising reaction to the Raleigh Christmas Parade

Was WRAL Anchor Dan Haggerty's son excited for the Raleigh Christmas Parade? Well... you may be surprised to hear his answer.

2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade draws big crowds

Thousands of families flooded downtown Raleigh to watch the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade.

You better watch out: Santa arrives at Raleigh Christmas Parade 🎅

Santa Clause is here at the Raleigh Christmas Parade with Mrs. Clause on a horse-drawn carriage.

'We Love You, Hailey:' Helping Hand Mission honors dancer who died in Raleigh Christmas Parade 2022

The always-popular Helping Hand Mission band marched and danced through the parade carrying a 'We Love You Hailey' sign in honor of the dancer who passed away at last year's parade. Pops of the color teal were placed throughout the parade this year - it was Hailey's favorite color.

Bedazzled stilt-walkers, hula-hoopers bring Imagine Circus to Raleigh Christmas Parade

Without the use of motorized floats, live performances played a prominent role in keeping the parade lively and fun. Imagine Circus brought bedazzled stilt-walkers and hula-hoopers in sparkly costumes.

The Saving Grace Animal Rescue makes their Christmas parade debut!

Dogs looking for homes and have the opportunity to woo the crowd at the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

The Chinese Lantern Festival walks in the parade with a dragon float

Get ready to illuminate the night as the most enchanting holiday tradition in the region returns! The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is set to grace Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre for its 8th annual winter spectacle.

Miss North Carolina graces the Raleigh Christmas Parade on a fancy horse carriage

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill senior, Taylor Lloyd, rides in a fancy carriage as she represents Miss North Carolina.

Broughton High School Marching Band at the Raleigh Christmas Parade 2023

The rattling drums of the Broughton High School Marching Band echoed through the streets, followed by the blaring horns, carrying a Christmas rhythm listeners could feel in their toes. They are the only group that has performed in all of the Raleigh Christmas Parades.

Building-sized superhero float flies through Raleigh Christmas Parade

WakeMed Health and Hospital carried a gigantic, eye-catching balloon that absolutely filled the street. The building-sized balloon features Twinkle, the WakeMed Children's mascot, flying through the parade like a superhero.

Life-sized dragon floats through Raleigh Christmas Parade

The NC Chinese Lantern Festival carried a life-sized dragon through downtown, as eye-catching and surprising as one might expect from the highly-visual festival that has become a holiday tradition in the Triangle over the past 8 years.

Watch the 79th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade

This year marks WRAL's 50th year of broadcasting from the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Join familiar faces like Charlie Gaddy, Bill Leslie, Renee McKoy, Lynda Loveland and many others.

Raleigh Christmas Parade kicks off Saturday morning

Grab your coat, a cozy hot cocoa and your holiday cheer: Saturday is the 79th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade!

Honoring Hailey Brooks at Raleigh Christmas Parade

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is always a special time for tens of thousands of people to come together. Some people who are participating in it this year, will be walking with purpose. A year ago, Hailey Brooks was killed by an out-of-control truck on the parade route. She was 11 years old.

Lynda Loveland: Key to the Raleigh Christmas parade is dressing in layers

Lynda Loveland reported from streetside and hosted several of WRAL's Raleigh Christmas Parade broadcasts.

That time WRAL's Mark Roberts danced in the Raleigh Christmas Parade

The Helping Hand Mission Band is known for a groove. Mark Roberts tried to get his during a WRAL Christmas Parade broadcast.

Valonda Calloway's Christmas parade fave is the music

Former WRAL anchor remembers the bands as the best part of the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

Final preparations underway for Raleigh Christmas Parade

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Raleigh. The 79th annual Raleigh Christmas Parade is Saturday, and WRAL News is bringing it to you live.

Former WRAL anchor Kelcey Carlson: Christmas parade captures personality of Raleigh community

Kelcey Carlson, who hosted the Raleigh Christmas parade for years, shares her memories about what makes it special.

Raleigh Christmas Parade: Traffic and weather forecast

WRAL meteorologists are tracking the forecast for the Raleigh Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Join WRAL for the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade

This year marks WRAL's 50th year of broadcasting from the parade, and will feature friends and familiar faces like Charlie Gaddy, Bill Leslie, Renee McKoy, Lynda Loveland and many others.

One year later: Parents of Hailey Brooks open up about struggles of losing a child, keeping her legacy alive

Trey and April Brooks talked about what made 11-year-old Hailey Brooks so special, how they're still fighting for her and the moment they learned she was gone.

Debra Morgan, WRAL anchor

'She always made you feel good': Parents of Hailey Brooks talk about her memory

Trey and April Brooks talk about the day Hailey died in the Raleigh Christmas Parade and how they're fighting to preserve her memory.