Downtown Asheville's free holiday parade kicks off the season each November. The route, where to watch, which streets close, where to park and what else is happening that day.
The Asheville Holiday Parade is downtown's big kickoff to the holiday season: a late-morning parade of decorated floats, vehicles, costumed groups and performers from schools, nonprofits and community groups, rolling up Biltmore Avenue and along Patton Avenue. It's free, it's family-friendly, and it's one of the city's most cherished seasonal traditions.
Who Runs It
The parade is produced by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville. The 2026 parade is the 80th annual edition, presented by Bojangles, with the theme "A Vintage Holiday." The Downtown Association calls it an annual tradition that brings together community groups, schools, nonprofits, local organizations and spectators of all ages, and volunteers play a big role in pulling it off each year.
When It Happens
The parade is held on a Saturday in late November, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 2026 parade is Saturday, November 21 (the 2025 parade was November 22). The dates box at the top of this page shows the current or next parade.
The Route
In 2025 the parade started on Biltmore Avenue at Hilliard Avenue, outside The Orange Peel, headed north on Biltmore Avenue to Patton Avenue, then turned west on Patton Avenue and finished at French Broad Avenue. The official performance stop, where the judges sit, was at the corner of Biltmore and Patton Avenues, but there are good viewing spots all along both streets. The Downtown Association says the 2026 route and schedule will be announced closer to the parade, so check its event page before you go.
Admission
Free. Just find a spot along the route.
Around the Parade
The 2025 parade came with extras worth planning for. The 2026 schedule hasn't been announced yet, so watch for whether they return:
- The Onesie One-Miler: a fun run along the parade route at 10:30 a.m., before the parade, with runners in their coziest onesies.
- An Elf Hunt in the South Slope from 1 to 4 p.m., with local businesses taking part.
- Santa photos at Asheville Yards from 2 to 4 p.m.
Getting There, Street Closures and Parking
Expect street closures. In 2025, North and South Pack Square closed at 7:30 a.m. for the judges' area, and the rest of the route closed from 8 a.m., with towing enforced. Streets reopened after 2 p.m. once cleanup was done. Charlotte Street stayed open throughout.
The City of Asheville runs four downtown parking garages that are open 24/7, with the first hour free and $2 an hour after that, up to $15 a day. Learn which access streets reach your garage before you go, since some streets near the route will be closed.
Tips
- Arrive early if you want a curbside spot, especially near Biltmore and Patton Avenues where the performances happen.
- Dress for late November. You'll be standing outside for a couple of hours.
- Make a morning of it. In 2025 that meant the Onesie One-Miler before the parade and the Elf Hunt in the South Slope after it.
- Want to be in it? The Downtown Association takes parade entry applications and volunteer sign-ups each fall. Applications for 2026 closed October 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Asheville Holiday Parade?
On a Saturday in late November, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check the dates box at the top of this page for the next one.
Where does the parade go?
In 2025 it ran from Biltmore Avenue at Hilliard Avenue north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton to French Broad Avenue.
Is it free?
Yes. Watching the parade is free.
Which streets close?
Streets along the route close in the early morning, around 8 a.m. in 2025, and reopen after cleanup in the afternoon. Pack Square closes even earlier for the judges' area.
How can my group join the parade?
Apply through the Asheville Downtown Association, which invites floats, vehicles, costumed groups and performers. The 2026 application deadline was October 9, so watch for next year's call in the fall.
For more holiday plans, see our winter in Asheville guide.
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