Durham's Holiday Tree Lighting is 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at CCB Plaza, with Santa. The Durham Holiday Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.

Last checked Nov. 3, 2026. Updated each year. Facts come from Durham Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Durham events calendar.

Durham’s downtown Holiday Tree Lighting is 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at CCB Plaza, and the Durham Holiday Parade steps off on Main Street at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The tree lighting comes two weeks earlier than last year’s.

Updated Nov. 3: parade unit registration has closed; the tree lighting and parade details are unchanged.

Who to call

  • Durham Parks and Recreation (parade): 919-560-4355
  • Weather line for cancellations: 919-560-4636, then press 8
  • Downtown events: Downtown Durham calendar

Durham Holiday Parade

From Durham Parks and Recreation’s Holiday Parade page:

  • When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.
  • Where: Main Street, downtown Durham.
  • What: hometown bands, drill teams, schools and community groups, ending with a visit from Santa.
  • Seating: none is provided. Bring your own chairs and blankets.
  • Weather: rain or shine. Severe weather can cancel it; check the weather line at 919-560-4636 (press 8) or the department’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Want to march? Registration for parade units closed Monday, Nov. 2. Late entries go on a waiting list; call Durham Parks and Recreation at 919-560-4355.

Check our road construction and closures page in parade week, and getting around for downtown parking decks.

Downtown tree lighting

The Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting is 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St. The Downtown Durham calendar listing promises music, dancing, Santa, treats and a kid zone. The listing does not give a price or the time the tree is switched on; we will add the program when it is posted.

Last year’s lighting was 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, after a date change. The city’s downtown parking decks are listed on our getting around page.

More holiday events

From the Downtown Durham calendar and Durham Parks and Recreation:

  • Golden Belt Artists Winter Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Golden Belt, 800 Taylor St.
  • Durham Art Walk Holiday Market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, the same weekend as the tree lighting (Durham Arts Council).
  • Santa Paws, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Durham Armory, 212 Foster St. Durham Parks and Recreation’s evening for dogs: photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ugly sweater contest, a holiday pet market and a canine food and toy drive.
  • Durham German Market, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St. Details on our Durham German Market page.
  • At DPAC, 123 Vivian St.: the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet on Thursday, Nov. 19; A Christmas Carol, Wednesday, Dec. 16, to Sunday, Dec. 20; Straight No Chaser, Wednesday, Dec. 23; and The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Sunday, Dec. 27.

Times and dates are as the organizers list them; confirm before you go.

Holiday closures

City of Durham offices close Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25. The city’s collection calendar showed Thursday, Dec. 24, trash pickups running as normal when we checked; see trash and recycling for any change. Durham Public Schools’ winter break runs Monday, Dec. 21, to Friday, Jan. 1 (schools guide).

What this means for you

  • Parade morning is Saturday, Dec. 12. Bring a chair and arrive early for a spot on Main Street.
  • Parade entries closed Nov. 2; late groups can ask to join the waiting list.
  • The tree lighting is Saturday, Nov. 21, 4 to 8 p.m., at CCB Plaza.

More: things to do in Durham this month, getting around Durham and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Durham Christmas parade in 2026?

The Durham Holiday Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, on Main Street in downtown Durham. It is rain or shine.

Where is the Durham Christmas tree lighting?

The Downtown Durham Holiday Tree Lighting is 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St., with music, dancing, Santa, treats and a kid zone, according to the Downtown Durham events calendar.

Can my group march in the Durham Holiday Parade?

Registration opened Oct. 1 and closes Monday, Nov. 2, through Durham Parks and Recreation’s ActiveNet site. Later entries go on a waiting list, and each organization is limited to 10 vehicles.

Will the Durham Holiday Parade be canceled for rain?

It is a rain or shine event. Only severe weather cancels it; call the parks department’s weather line at 919-560-4636 and press 8.