Holiday traditions return to Downtown Concord with the 27th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by Eli Lilly on Friday, November 22 from 6-8:30 p.m., and the 96th Concord Christmas Parade presented by True Care Pharmacy on Saturday, November 23 beginning at 2:30 p.m.
These family-friendly events are free to the public and feature children’s activities, live music, and fireworks.
27th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,
Friday, November 22, 6-8:30 p.m.
Presented by Eli Lilly
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Tree Lighting and Parade Photos Courtesy of Michael A. Anderson Photography
The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place in Downtown Concord, with the City's large tree returning to the Couthouse Plaza. There will be food trucks, a kids’ zone sponsored by Uwharrie Bank, Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Courthouse Plaza sponsored by Kinetic by Windstream, and fireworks to end the celebration.
Back by popular demand! Visitors will enjoy an illuminated vehicle display as they make their way from Rotary Square to Bicentennial Lot on Church Street to watch the fireworks. Again this year, visitors will be able to vote on which City department they feel had the most outstanding light display.
Event Layout
Schedule of Events
Stage & Illuminated Vehicle Competition
Church Street, 6-8 p.m.
Entertainment & Photos with Santa
Courthouse Plaza & Union St, 6-8 p.m.
Childrens' Activities & Food Trucks
Barbrick Ave & Market St, 6-8 p.m.
Tree Lighting
Courthouse Plaza (formerly known as Means Plaza)
8 p.m.
Fireworks
Best viewed from Bicentennial Parking Lot on Church Street
8:20 p.m.
Road Closures:
12:00 P.M.
- No parking on Union Street and Market Street
1:00 P.M.
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Church Street at Cabararrus Ave.
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Means Avenue (up hill of the County parking deck)
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Church Street at Corban Avenue
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Union Street at Corban Avenue
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Barbrick Avenue at Spring Street
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City Hall Alley at Market Street
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Market Street at Cabarrus Avenue
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Union Street at Cabarrus Avenue
2:00 P.M.
- Bicentinnial Parking lot closes
7:45 P.M.
96th concord christmas parade
saturday, November 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Presented by TrueCare Pharmacy
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Tree Lighting and Parade Photos Courtesy of Michael A. Anderson Photography
The annual Concord Christmas Parade, sponsored by TrueCare Pharmacy, is one of the oldest and continuously running Christmas parades in North Carolina!
Parade Entries, Guidelines, and Awards
Parade Entries are now closed. Thank you to all of the community organizations, churches, schools, businesses, and all other groups who expressed interest in joining us for our 96th annual parade.
2024 Parade Guidelines can be found here.
2024 Parade line-up can be found here.
Awards:
| Categories |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
| School Bands |
$1,000 |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
| School |
$250.00 |
$150.00 |
$100.00 |
| Church |
$250.00 |
$150.00 |
$100.00 |
| Civic Organization |
$250.00 |
$150.00 |
$100.00 |
Parade Award Winners
Congratulations to the following organizations for winning awards for their performances at the 96th Annual Concord Christmas Parade!
School Band
1st Place: Cox Mill High School
2nd Place: Hickory Ridge High School
3rd Place: West Cabarrus High School
School
1st Place: Faith Academy Charter School
2nd Place: Concord Academy Marching Eagles
3rd Place: Odell Eagles
Civic Organization
1st Place: Oasis Buccaneers
2nd Place: Humane Society of Concord & Greater Cabarrus County
3rd Place: Cabarrus Vocational Rehabilitation
Church
1st Place: Bethpage Presbyterian Church
2nd Place: Calvary Lutheran Church
3rd Place: SOJO Church
2024 Parade Route
Enjoying the parade from the picturesque sidewalks of North Union Street in historic downtown is a beloved community tradition. Following adjustments to the parade route last year due to streetscape construction, the 96th Concord Christmas Parade will officially return to Union Street!
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 on Church Street directly in front of the Sherwin Williams store and across from Troutman’s BBQ.
Road Closures:
Roadways following the parade route will begin closing at 12:30 p.m. beginning with Lake Concord Rd. and travelling south. Floats will begin lining up at 12:30 PM on Palaside Dr, Arbor St, Circle Dr, Martin St, Le Cline Dr, Lake Concord Rd, Shady St, Floyd St, and Church St. See the map below for details.
