events

City of Hickory Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday November 17, 2023 5:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Union Square222 Union Square NWHickory NC 28601
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Description

Join Hickory for its annual holiday season kick-off event, the Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting. The Parade will be preceded by a special procession of the Fallen Heroes ministry to honor fallen soldiers from North Carolina. Grand Marshal Chief Thurman Whisnant (Retired Hickory Police) will lead floats, vehicles, and participants through downtown. Parade entries will be announced as they pass by the parking deck on First Avenue NW. A committee of community leaders and volunteers will serve as judges of the parade and give awards for Most Creative, Most Christmas Spirit, Best Well-Crafted Theme, and Best Overall.

At the conclusion of the parade, Santa’s float will stop at Union Square so he can light the Christmas tree in downtown Hickory. Holiday music will be performed by Hickory Music Factory until 8:30 p.m.

Although Santa will be departing for the North Pole after the tree lighting, a winter wonderland snow globe will be on Union Square for attendees to enter and take photographs.

The Newton Depot Christmas Layout, sponsored by the Newton Depot Authority, will display two beautiful 8-foot by 6-foot trains and a moving trolley on The Sails on the Square Stage for all to see.

Visitors can also stop by the Hickory Downtown Development Association’s table to write a letter to Santa and mail it to the North Pole.

Many downtown businesses will remain open throughout the event and offer specials, making the evening a great time for patrons to begin their holiday shopping.



Who

All Ages 

Cost

Free

How

Show Up 

More Info

The parade will follow the following route:
• Parade starts at the intersection of Fourth Street NW and First Avenue NW
• Continues on First Avenue NW towards City Hall
• Turns right on North Center Street
• Turns right on Main Avenue NW
• Continues through Union Square and exits on Main Avenue NW (Santa will be dropped off at Union Square before exiting downtown)

For more information about the City of Hickory’s Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, please visit www.hickorync.gov/christmasparade

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