KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 2025 CHARLESTON CHRISTMAS PARADE

(Charleston, W. Va.) - The City of Charleston will host the 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade: Tinsel Town on Thursday, December 11 at 7 p.m. in downtown Charleston. In preparation for the annual celebration, the City has compiled a detailed "Know Before You Go" guide for attendees, participants, and visitors and an interactive map.

SAFETY

The safety of all participants is our top priority.

• For parade viewers:
• Please help keep the parade route clear.
• Limit crossing streets along the route so entries can move through safely.
• Be mindful of your proximity to vehicles, trailers, and floats-especially in crowded areas.

For parade entries:

• Enter the lineup area at the correct location.
• Follow all instructions from event staff and volunteers during lineup and along the route.
• Maintain steady forward movement to reduce gaps in the parade.
• Drivers should use extra caution throughout the route.

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING ZONE - NEW (VIEW MAP)

New this year is an accessible viewing zone located on the Summers Street sidewalk behind the library. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., CPD will be stationed on Quarrier Street to help guide anyone who needs assistance.

To reach the viewing area, guests may park in the Summers Street Garage and take the elevator down at the Quarrier/Summers entrance. Additional handicapped parking will be available in the Summers Street Garage.

Please note: Anyone parking in the Summers Street Garage will need to enter before 6:30 p.m. and will not be able to exit until the parade has concluded and roads have reopened.

PARADE ROUTE (VIEW MAP)

Kanawha Boulevard > Capitol Street > Washington Street > Summers Street > Kanawha Boulevard (exiting westbound toward Patrick Street).

STREET CLOSURES & DETOURS (VIEW MAP)

Street closures and detours will be in place through the end of the parade. Streets will re-open once the parade has ended, parade entries have cleared Kanawha Boulevard, and the parade route has been swept and cleaned.

Beginning at 2 p.m.

Kanawha Boulevard, from Greenbrier Street to Clendenin Street, will be closed.

• One lane, from Greenbrier Street to Elizabeth Street, will be open for local traffic only-including people who need to access residences and businesses located on Kanawha Boulevard between Elizabeth Street and Brooks Street.
• A message board will be placed at Greenbrier Street and Kanawha Boulevard to direct parade entries for lineup.
• All non-parade traffic will be routed off Kanawha Boulevard at Elizabeth Street.

The following unit blocks (Kanawha Boulevard to Virginia Street) will shift to local traffic only:

• Hale Street
• Dickinson Street
• McFarland Street
  • Local traffic will exit onto Virginia Street (in the opposite direction of normal flow). Please use caution when exiting.
• Dunbar Street
• Leon Sullivan Way
  • Local traffic will exit onto Virginia Street (in the opposite direction of normal flow). Please use caution when exiting.
• Brooks Street
• Morris Street
• Bradford Street
• Ruffner Avenue
• Elizabeth Street
  • Non-parade traffic will be routed off Kanawha Boulevard via Elizabeth Street.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Parade Route will be closed to traffic-this includes:

• Capitol Street, Kanawha Boulevard to Washington Street
• Washington Street, Capitol Street to Summers Street
• Summers Street, Washington Street to Kanawha Boulevard

Beginning at 6:30 p.m.

• No entry or exit will be permitted at:
• Capitol Street & Virginia Street
• Capitol Street & Quarrier Street
• Capitol Street & Lee Street
• Capitol Street & Washington Street
• Summers Street & Washington Street
• Summers Street & Lee Street
• Summers Street & Quarrier Street
• Summers Street & Virginia Street
• McFarland Street (at Virginia Street)

Beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Detours will be in place at:

• Laidley Street & Virginia Street
• Laidley Street & Lee Street
• Laidley Street & Washington Street
• Donnally Street & Summers Street
• Donnally Street & Capitol Street
• Washington Street & Dickinson Street
• Hale Street & Quarrier Street

PARKING

Beginning at 5 p.m. street parking will not be permitted along the parade route.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., when the parade route has been closed to traffic, no exit or entry will be permitted at the Summers Street Parking Garage.

Parking is available in the Cinema Parking Garage (612 Washington Street) and the City Service Center Parking Garage (915 Quarrier Street).

Questions from parkers can be directed to the Parking Operations Center at (304)-348-8158 or [email protected].

PARADE LINEUP

Parade entries confirmed for the 2025 Christmas Parade received an email notification.

All entries must follow the official check-in, lineup, and exit procedures (sent via email) to help ensure an organized event.

Parade Check-In is at Kanawha Boulevard and Morris St.

• Vehicle entries will enter Kanawha Boulevard at Greenbrier Street.
• Walking Entries will enter Kanawha Boulevard at Morris Street.

Lineup is first-come, first-served.

Participants are responsible for coordinating their own meet-up locations before and after the parade.

Questions regarding parade lineup should be directed to [email protected].

OTHER VIEWING/LISTENING OPTIONS

Those who cannot attend the Charleston Christmas Parade in person can still be part of the celebration via the following outlets:

• 580-WCHS / 580AM, 96.5FM, 104.5FM
• HD Media
• V100
• WCHS-TV

WHILE YOU'RE DOWNTOWN

The City of Charleston Christmas Tree and 160+ trees, decorated by local businesses and organizations, are on display throughout City Center at Slack Plaza, Brawley Walkway, and Lee Triangle. You can vote for your favorite by scanning the QR Code on the sign attached to the tree or visiting https://charlestonwv.com/cwv-holiday-season/.

The Charleston Area Alliance Holiday Window Display Contest is underway throughout Charleston. You can vote for your favorite by scanning the QR Code on the sign in the window.

The City Center Capital City Sip-N-Stroll (PODA) will be active during normal hours, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. as the parade makes its way downtown. More information regarding the PODA can be viewed online at https://charlestonwv.gov/poda.

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