Greensboro's Festival of Lights and tree lighting is 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026; the downtown Holiday Parade steps off at noon Saturday, Dec. 5.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year. Dates are from Downtown Greensboro Inc.’s Downtown in December page; route and program details for 2026 are not out yet, so the timings below marked 2024 are from the most recent published program. City Contact Center: 336-373-2489.

Greensboro’s Christmas season downtown is Downtown in December, run by Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI). The three big dates for 2026:

When Event
5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 Festival of Lights with the community tree lighting
Noon Saturday, Dec. 5 Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 Jingle Jog 5K and Fun Run

What this means for you

  • Tree lighting Friday night, parade Saturday at noon, 5K Sunday afternoon: one weekend.
  • The festival has food and shopping vendors; bring cash or cards.
  • Expect downtown street closures both days.

Festival of Lights and the tree lighting

DGI calls the Festival of Lights downtown’s favorite holiday tradition: the community tree lighting, live music, Santa Claus, holiday shopping and the Winterfest ice-skating rink.

The 2026 program is not published yet. In 2024 the evening ran like this, according to DGI’s Festival of Lights map release:

  • 5 p.m.: ice skating at Piedmont Winterfest and a vendor market in LeBauer Park.
  • 5:30 p.m.: the Festival of Lights program began in Center City Park with carolers.
  • 6:30 p.m.: a community sing-along.
  • 6:56 p.m.: the lighting of the community tree.
  • After the lighting: live performers along Elm Street from Friendly Avenue to Lewis Street, including school choirs, local bands and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, plus a DJ dance party in Hamburger Square and a Toys for Tots donation truck.

The Holiday Parade

The Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade steps off at noon Saturday, Dec. 5. DGI describes a parade of floats, marching bands and special performances that ends with Santa Claus, a downtown tradition of more than 40 years.

Route: DGI has not announced the 2026 route. In 2024 construction moved the parade from Greene Street to a new route along Elm Street, according to DGI’s route announcement. We will add the 2026 route and street closures here when DGI publishes them.

Taking part: community groups, businesses and organizations can apply with DGI’s parade interest form. DGI also recruits volunteers for the parade and festival.

Jingle Jog 5K

The Jingle Jog 5K and Fun Run starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, run with Junction 311 Endurance Sports, some of the organizers behind the Fun Fourth Freedom Run. Register on RunSignup.

Santa visits

In 2024 Santa posed for photos at the historic Biltmore Hotel downtown on set dates in December, according to DGI. Look for the 2026 dates on the Downtown in December page.

Getting there

Center City Park is at 200 N. Elm St. and LeBauer Park at 208 N. Davie St. Downtown parking decks and the city’s parking rules are on our getting around Greensboro page; check road closures the week of the parade.

What this means for you

  • Save Dec. 4-6 for downtown.
  • Want to be in the parade? Send the interest form early.
  • Check back in November for the 2026 route and the tree-lighting time.

Related: things to do this month and trick-or-treat hours.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Greensboro Christmas parade in 2026?

The Downtown Greensboro Holiday Parade is at noon Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, according to Downtown Greensboro Inc.

When is the Greensboro tree lighting?

The community tree is lit during the Festival of Lights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. In 2024 the tree was lit at 6:56 p.m. in Center City Park.

What is the Greensboro holiday parade route?

Downtown Greensboro Inc. has not published the 2026 route yet. In 2024 the parade moved from Greene Street to Elm Street because of construction.

How do I enter the Greensboro holiday parade?

Fill out Downtown Greensboro Inc.’s parade interest form, linked from its Downtown in December page. Floats, marching bands and performance groups are welcome.