Kick off the holidays and celebrate the season with us at the 29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 20 from 6-9 p.m., and the 98th Concord Christmas Parade, presented by Eli Lilly, on Saturday, November 21 beginning at 2:30 p.m.
These family-friendly events are free to the public and feature children’s activities, live music, and fireworks.
29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 20, 6-9 p.m.
The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place in Downtown Concord. There will be food trucks, a kids’ zone, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks to end the celebration.
Santa Land, Presented by Propst Brothers Commercial Fuel and Kinetic
Join us in the snow-filled Courthouse Plaza to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. This will be the perfect backdrop for a photo of your child with Santa!
Stage Entertainment
This year, we will have two stage options. On the main stage, located at the intersection of Union Street and Barbrick Avenue, we'll be joined by musical guest, Saddletramp, who is a premier Asheville-based classic and outlaw country show band who will cover the best '70's, ’80s, and ’90s country hits. Combining over 100 years of professional experience among its five members, Saddletramp electrifies every stage bringing all of your favorite country radio and dance hits back to life for you to sing and dance along to. Fronted by Grammy member and American Idol Golden Ticket winner Blake Anthony Ellege, Saddletramp brings the ULTIMATE show band experience to any setting.
Additionally, our youth entertainment stage will be located at the intersection of Church Street and Means Avenue. If your school or youth-based community organization is interested in performing on this year's youth entertainment stage, please send us an email to request an application.
98th concord christmas parade, Presented by Eli Lilly
saturday, November 21 at 2:30 p.m.
The annual Concord Christmas Parade is one of the oldest and continuously running Christmas parades in North Carolina!
Parade Entries, Guidelines, and Awards:
Parade registration is now open and will be open through October 23, or until full. By clicking the button below, participants can reserve a professional float rental or register their comunity organization, civic group, church, school, sports team, and more!
Click Here To Register for the Concord Christmas Parade
Click here to see the 2026 parade rules and guidelines.
Parade Judging and Awards:
Catagories that will be judged include School Bands, Schools, Churches, and Civic Organizations.
Awards for this year's Concord Christmas Parade are sponsored by TrueCare Pharmacy.
This year's judges table will be sponsored by Harris Teeter.
Parade Route:
The parade begins at the intersection of Church Street N and Lake Concord Road, and continues over two miles along Church Street, Buffalo Avenue, and Union Street, ending at the intersection of Union Street and Corban Avenue. The judges’ stage will be near the intersection of Barbrick Avenue and Union Street.
