Bring your talents and holiday cheer to the 46th annual Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade in downtown Cary. The parade is a joyful celebration which includes bands, mascots, local businesses, community groups, and churches.
Details
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: The parade starts on E. Chatham Street at Ward St, proceeds down E. Chatham to S. Academy Street, turns left onto S. Academy Street, and ends at Dry Ave in front of the Cary Arts Center. See the map below.
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-cary-jaycees-christmas-parade-tickets-1383229118529?aff=oddtdtcreator
There have been some changes to registration pricing to better reflect the amount of space a group takes up. We have also added late pricing. To get the best price please register by November 8, 2025. More details can be found in the FAQ section below
Facebook Event: 2024 Cary Christmas Parade | Facebook
Live stream: WRAL will be live-streaming the parade again!
Participant instructions
If you are participating in the parade, please read these instructions to find out when and where you should meet before the parade. Participants must arrive between 12:30pm and 1:00pm (floats should arrive by 12pm).
Grand Marshal
Mr. Jack Smith
Parade Lineup
Be on the lookout as we get closer!
REGISTER
Questions
Contact us at parade@caryjaycees.org
FAQs
How much are Tickets?
Pricing has changed and to answer the question of why, the change addition of different quantities of vehicles is an adjustment to better reflect the amount of space a group takes up in the parade.
Pricing will go up after November 8
Walkers only (1-75) - $100
Walkers Only (76+) - $150
Dance Company Walkers Only - $100 *This is for administrative purpose to help us when planning the line up
Cars/Trucks with Walkers (1-3 Vehicles, NO FLOATS) - $200
Cars/Trucks with Walkers (4-6 Vehicles, NO FLOATS) - $250
Cars/Trucks with Walkers (7+ Vehicles, NO FLOATS) - $300
Floats with Cars/Trucks/Walkers - $325
Professional Float - $800
Where can I park?
There is no designated parking for the parade. Spectators and participants can park in any of the Town of Cary public parking areas. Parking on E. Chatham St and S. Academy St along the parade route will not be permitted.
What Safety Precautions are in Place?
We are saddened by the tragic accident that occurred at the Raleigh Christmas Parade in November of 2022. Our hearts will always continue to go out to the little girl’s family, friends, dance studio and our community as a whole. We will continue to take the safety of all parade participants and spectators very seriously. We are following advice and safety protocols put in place by the Town of Cary and the Cary Police Department.
The following protocols are still in place:
Throwing candy will NOT be allowed. You can hand out candy to spectators but you must walk along the sidewalk to hand it out. This will keep spectators out of the road.
Floats are required to arrive at no later than 12pm.
All drivers should bring a copy of their latest inspection report.
Cary Police and Fire will initiate a safety briefing and the Jaycees will meet with all drivers the day of.
You may have no more than 16 people on any float (12 if it is a professional float).
Participants walking in the parade will not be placed directly in front of the floats. We will also ensure there are cars placed in between floats and walking participants.
What roads will be closed for the parade?
Cary Police will be directing traffic and managing road closures for the parade. Traffic on E. Chatham and S. Academy along the parade route will be restricted to parade participants between 12:30pm and 1:00pm. These roads will be closed at 1:00pm.
The following roads will be closed from 1pm - 4pm for the parade:
E. Chatham Street (From S. Academy to the traffic circle by Urban Park)
S. Academy Street (between E. Chatham Street and Dry Ave)
East and West Circle Drive
East Cedar Street (between N. Walker Street and Ward Street)
Ward Street
Hunter Street
Dry Ave (From S. Harrison Ave to S. Academy St.)
Where should participants be dropped off and picked up?
All participants should be dropped off on E. Chatham Street in front of Urban Park between 12:30pm and 1:00pm. The road will be closed at 1:00pm. Band members can be dropped off on E. Chatham Street at Hunter Street.
Anyone riding a float should then walk over to Martin Architectural Products at 511 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511.
Participants can be picked up at the parking lot by Cary Elementary behind the Cary Arts Center.
What time do line up for the parade?
Floats should arrive at 12pm. All other parade participants should arrive at their designated meeting area between 12:30pm and 1:00pm. The parade will start at 2pm.
Can food trucks or other vendors setup?
Our permit only covers the actual parade. We are not permitted to have vendors of any kind for this event. Food trucks can register as a participant and drive their truck in the parade for advertising but no sales are allowed.
Can we create a Facebook Event for our group for the parade?
Yes, you can create events on Facebook and other social media platforms for your group but it must be clear that the event is for your group only. There has been confusion in the past with multiple events that all look like the official parade event but have different times for the groups to meet.