The Asheville Holiday Parade will return to downtown Asheville on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The event, presented by Bojangles and organized by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Organizers describe the parade as an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate. “The Holiday Parade lets Asheville come together to celebrate the season, showcase our community’s creativity, and make this year’s event a cherished memory for all,” according to event organizers.
Pre-parade activities include the “Onesie One-Miler” Race at 10:30 a.m., where participants are encouraged to wear onesies. After the parade concludes, families can participate in an Elf Hunt in South Slope from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and take photos with Santa at Asheville Yards between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The parade route begins at Biltmore Avenue and Hilliard Avenue (outside The Orange Peel), moves north along Biltmore Avenue to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue before ending at French Broad Avenue. The official performance stop is located at Biltmore and Patton Avenues; however, viewing areas are available along both streets.
Street closures will start as early as 7:30 a.m. for some areas such as North and South Pack Square for the judges’ area (with towing enforced). Most road closures along the parade route will begin at 8 a.m., also with no parking allowed during this time. Streets affected include sections of Patton Ave., Otis St., College St., Haywood St., Broadway St., Biltmore Ave., Eagle St., Hilliard Ave., S. Market St., N & S French Broad Ave., Grove St., Asheland Ave., Coxe Ave., Church St (closed at Patton Ave.), N & S Lexington Ave, N Ann St, and Carter St.
All roads intersecting the parade route will be limited to local traffic only during the event. Roads are expected to reopen after street sweeping and cleanup following the end of festivities around 2 p.m.
City- and county-owned parking garages remain open throughout the day:
– Pack Square Garage via S. Market Street
– Wall Street Garage via Otis Street
– Aloft/Biltmore Garage via South Lexington Avenue
– Buncombe County Courthouse Garage via College Street
– Buncombe County Health & Human Services Parking Garage via Coxe Avenue off Sears Alley
– Rankin Avenue and Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville (HCCA) garages via Rankin Avenue
Special Event rates of $11 will apply from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. for parking in Rankin and HCCA garages.
