We found five Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Greensboro–Winston-Salem with 2026 dates: four parades and one tree lighting or lighting night, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Parade · 3pm4DecFriFestival of Lights and Merry Marketplace
Lighting festival · 5:30–9:30pm5DecSatDowntown Greensboro Holiday ParadeParade · Noon5DecSatWinston-Salem Ambassadors Holiday ParadeParade · 5pm6DecSunKernersville Christmas ParadeParade · 2:30–4:30pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Main Street, starting at Green Drive · Downtown High Point
Good to know: A Sunday afternoon parade heading north up Main Street. It runs about an hour and a half, so bring chairs.
Downtown Greensboro · Downtown Greensboro
Good to know: A noon parade the day after the Festival of Lights, which makes it an easy one for little kids who can't do a night parade.
Downtown Winston-Salem · Downtown Winston-Salem
Good to know: Winston-Salem's holiday parade, run by the Ambassadors since they took it over from the Jaycees.
Downtown Kernersville, 136 East Mountain Street · Kernersville
Good to know: A Sunday afternoon parade through downtown Kernersville, put on by the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce.
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
LeBauer Park, 208 North Davie Street · Downtown Greensboro
Good to know: Downtown Greensboro's big holiday night, with a makers market in LeBauer Park, food and family activities, and the community tree lighting in Center City Park.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Keep planning
November: things to do in TriadEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in TriadEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in TriadFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in TriadIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in TriadBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in TriadParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas trains in TriadPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in TriadBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
This week in TriadDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
High Point Holiday Festival Parade: Sun, Nov 22, 2026, 3pm; about 1.5 hours (Downtown High Point). Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Noon (Downtown Greensboro). Winston-Salem Ambassadors Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 5pm (Downtown Winston-Salem). Kernersville Christmas Parade: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, 2:30–4:30pm (Kernersville).
Festival of Lights and Merry Marketplace at LeBauer Park, 208 North Davie Street: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5:30–9:30pm.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: High Point Holiday Festival Parade, Festival of Lights and Merry Marketplace, Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade and Winston-Salem Ambassadors Holiday Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: High Point Holiday Festival Parade, Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade and Kernersville Christmas Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Triad that weekend, parades included.
