Raleigh Christmas Parade: Enormous floats, horse-drawn carriages take center stage

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

Posted 11:00 p.m. Nov 13, 2022 — Updated 3:54 p.m. Nov 20

RALEIGH, N.C. — Saturday morning ushered in the Triangle area's traditional kick-off to the holiday season: The 79th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade!

Thousands of families flooded downtown Raleigh to watch the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade. The parade began at 9 a.m. with bells, horns, marching bands and giant floats lighting up the air with holiday spirit.

In years past, parade-goers huddled together in cozy coats, warm blankets and hot chocolate – but in 2023 the fall air was warm and pleasant. WRAL anchor Renee Chou said this is the first year she can remember not wearing a coat to host the parade.

This year, which marked WRAL's 50th year of broadcasting from the parade, featured friends and familiar faces like Charlie Gaddy, Bill Leslie, Renee McCoy, Lynda Loveland and many others.

The parade was hosted by the WRAL Morning team, with Renee Chou, Jeff Hogan, Elizabeth Gardner, Brain Shrader, Ken Smith and Michelle Mackonochie all there for the fun.

Raleigh Christmas Parade: Horse-drawn carriages and giant floats take center stage

Each year, tens of thousands gather along the streets of downtown Raleigh to kick off the holidays with this beloved tradition.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade, the largest parade between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., features marching bands, twirlers, dancers, costumes, Santa and more!

This year the parade did not allow motorized floats or vehicles; however, the enormous balloons, horse-drawn carriages, live animals, stilt-walkers and live performances took center stage.

Excited kids waited to see Santa, who is expected to arrive around noon, riding through the streets in a horse-drawn sleigh.

As per tradition, the Raleigh Police Department's Honor Guard headed up the parade, as they have for so many years in the past. They were followed by colorful, costumed marchers from the Safety Patrol – a group of singing 5th graders from schools around the community, belting Christmas carols at the top of their lungs. Following then, the Raleigh Police Mounted Patrol thrilled parade-goers on their majestic horses.

Finally, 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.

Carousel Paints & Their Cowgirls delighted the crowds with their tinsel and garland decorated horses.

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. Beneath the enormous float was an army of superheroes, donned in red capes as they carried the float through downtown.

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. One group rode by on skateboards. In the absence of motorized floats, a business called Forever Clean even rolled decked out porti-potties and dumpsters through the 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.

Live animals wearing sparkly holiday costumes were a major part of this year's parade. Miss North Carolina graced the Raleigh Christmas Parade in a horse-drawn carriage, and a parade of puppies decked out in Christmas costumes marched with Saving Grace Animal Rescue. A stampede of miniature horses waltzed down the parade path as part of Stampede of Love.

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.

Finally, a chorus of cheers sounded as Santa closed out the 2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade on a magical horse-drawn carriage.

What is the history of the Raleigh Christmas Parade?

The parade's sponsor, ShopLocal Raleigh is a long-time supporter of local businesses and is proud to host this parade. The Raleigh Christmas Parade has generally been held before Thanksgiving dating back 60 years or so. Since 1939, the parade has always been organized by local shops and merchants to provide exposure for local businesses right as holiday shopping season kicks into high gear.

What to do after the Raleigh Christmas Parade

Looking for more holiday fun in the Triangle?

WRAL News has compiled a list of top holiday events to keep your November and December filled with dazzling lights, holiday spirit and cherished family memories.

Wool E. Bull's Winter Wonderland: Holiday lights, Santa, food, fun coming to Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Starting November 22, you can also explore Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. There will be snow, sledding hills, walk-through neon light installations and igloos full of magic and snacks.

Click here for more information about how to wander in this magical winter wonderland.

The biggest and best holiday events to check out in North Carolina

WRAL coverage of the Raleigh Christmas Parade

Cozy up with cocoa and watch the Raleigh Christmas Parade from home on WRAL+ or watch our live stream on WRAL.com and in the WRAL News app starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Raleigh Christmas Parade memories

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