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Christmas with kids in Burlington, NC
In Burlington, North Carolina, the Christmas parade is in its 79th year, and the city tells everyone to stay until the end because the Big Guy and his flying reindeer come last. A tree lighting, a park display and a colonial German Christmas round out the season.
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79th Annual Burlington Christmas Parade
When: Sat, Nov 21, 10 am to noon
Where: Historic Depot and Downtown Burlington (Main Street), Burlington
Cost: Admission not listed
The story of Christmas in Burlington, NC
How Burlington celebrates
The Burlington Christmas Parade is the city's signature holiday tradition. Hosted by Burlington Recreation and Parks, the 2026 parade is the 79th annual. It starts near the Historic Depot and follows Main Street down to Kitchin Street, with dance groups, school bands, antique cars, horses, local businesses and Santa. Downtown Burlington also hosts a Christmas tree lighting, and the city holds Christmas in the Park at Burlington City Park. The city advises spectators to stay till the end, because Santa and his flying reindeer arrive last.
Christmas last year in Burlington
The 78th annual Burlington Christmas Parade took place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, near the Historic Depot. The most detailed tree lighting information we could open is from 2024, when the Burlington Downtown Corporation held it on Saturday, November 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Parking Lot 1 at Front and Spring streets. The tree lit at 5:30 p.m., with the Alamance Jazz Band, Alamance Fine Arts Academy, free face painting and children's Christmas crafts. Guests were asked to bring new, unwrapped gifts for Christmas Cheer of Alamance County, and Santa was there.
Fun facts about Christmas in Burlington
The 2026 parade route is long: it begins on Front Street at Lexington Avenue and winds through Spring, Davis, Worth and Maple before heading down Main Street to the YMCA on Kitchin Street. The city runs shuttle buses for participants and tells spectators the Main Street view toward City Park is the longest. At the 2024 tree lighting, a window decorating contest winner was announced. Nearby, Alamance Battleground has offered German Christmas in Carolina, about the traditions of colonial German settlers.
Trains and Christmas in Burlington
We did not find a Burlington train museum for the holidays, but the parade connects to the city's railroad past. The Burlington Christmas Parade is organized at the Historic Depot on West Front Street, the old rail depot that anchors the downtown route, and the event follows Main Street from there. Families who love trains can look at the depot area while they wait for the parade to begin and watch for Santa at the end.
Traditions today
- Burlington Christmas Parade: A Saturday morning downtown parade with bands, dancers, antique cars, horses and Santa, now in its 79th year.
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting: A late-day ceremony with live music, Santa, face painting and kids' crafts in downtown Burlington.
- Christmas in the Park: An evening holiday display at Burlington City Park, listed for the days before Christmas.
- Stay till the end: A parade custom: the city asks everyone to wait for the Big Guy and his flying reindeer at the very end.
- Christmas Cheer gift drive: Families bring new, unwrapped gifts to the tree lighting for Christmas Cheer of Alamance County.
- German Christmas in Carolina: Alamance Battleground shares German Christmas traditions and foodways from colonial Carolina.
A fact for kids
At the end of the Burlington Christmas Parade, Santa arrives with his flying reindeer. That is why the city says to stay till the end.
Questions about Christmas in Burlington, NC
How old is the Burlington Christmas Parade?
The Burlington Christmas Parade is in its 79th year in 2026, which is how the city counts it. The 78th parade took place on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Burlington Recreation and Parks hosts it, and it is the city's signature holiday tradition.
When is the Burlington Christmas Parade in 2026?
The 79th annual parade is on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon, according to the City of Burlington. It starts near the Historic Depot on West Front Street. Our Burlington Christmas events guide on this page lists the confirmed details for this season.
What is the parade route in Burlington?
In 2026 the route begins on Front Street at Lexington Avenue, turns onto Spring, Davis, Worth and Maple, and then heads down Main Street. It ends on Kitchin Street at the YMCA. Downtown construction affects some streets the parade normally uses, so check the city's route page.
What does the Burlington parade have for kids?
Kids can see dance performances, school bands, antique cars, horses, local businesses and city departments, and Santa at the end. The city encourages families to stay till the end because the Big Guy and his flying reindeer come last. Bring a blanket or chairs for the wait.
Who hosts the Burlington Christmas Parade?
The Burlington Recreation and Parks Department hosts the parade. Registration for groups that want to take part opens in early October through the city's Special Events page. Participants use shuttle buses to get to the float staging area, and participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Where is the best place to watch the Burlington parade?
The city says Front, Worth and Maple streets offer a downtown feel with tall buildings and wider sidewalks, while Main Street gives a long view of the parade heading toward City Park. Major downtown lots are used for staging, so you may need to walk a few blocks.
Where can I park for the Burlington Christmas Parade?
Parking is on downtown streets and lots, but major lots are used for staging, so expect a walk of a few blocks. Some businesses let the public park in their closed lots; respect coned-off spaces and do not block driveways. Check the City of Burlington parade page for current construction notes.
Is there a tree lighting in Burlington?
Yes, Downtown Burlington holds a Christmas tree lighting. In 2024 it was on Saturday, November 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Parking Lot 1 on Front and Spring streets, with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. The city's 2026 page lists a Downtown Tree Lighting on November 28.
What happens at the Burlington tree lighting?
In 2024 families heard the Alamance Jazz Band and Alamance Fine Arts Academy, visited Santa, got free face painting and made children's Christmas crafts. Hot chocolate, coffee and sweets were for sale, and a window decorating contest winner was announced. It was organized by the Burlington Downtown Corporation.
How does the Burlington tree lighting help others?
Guests are invited to bring new, unwrapped gifts for Christmas Cheer of Alamance County. This lets children take part in giving while they enjoy the tree lighting, music and crafts. It is a simple way to explain to kids that Christmas is also about helping neighbors.
Is Christmas in the Park in Burlington?
Yes, the city's 2026 parade page lists Christmas in the Park on December 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Burlington City Park. It is an evening outing after the parade season has finished. Our Burlington Christmas events guide on this page has current details and any updates.
Does Santa come to the Burlington parade?
Yes, Santa comes at the very end of the parade with his flying reindeer. The city tells everyone to stay till the end for the Big Guy. Toddlers who want to see Santa should be ready to wait for the end of the route.
How long does the Burlington parade last?
The 2026 parade is scheduled for two hours, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 21. Santa comes last, so the wait can be long. Chairs, snacks and warm layers help, and a stroller gives little ones a place to rest.
How can I explain a Christmas parade to a toddler?
Tell them that bands, dancers, antique cars and horses march down the street, and Santa comes last with his reindeer. Count the floats and look for the biggest drum. Tell them the end is when Santa arrives, which is why the city says stay till the end.
What is German Christmas in Carolina?
It is a program at Alamance Battleground State Historic Site near Burlington that explores German Christmas traditions, foodways and culture in colonial Carolina. A state listing showed children's admission at $2 and adults at $5, though the listing did not give the year. Check with the site for this year's date.
Is Burlington's Christmas tradition old?
Burlington's parade is in its 79th year, which makes it a long-running city tradition. The city also holds a downtown tree lighting and Christmas in the Park at Burlington City Park, so the season has more than one way to celebrate. The parade itself is hosted by Burlington Recreation and Parks.
Where does the Burlington parade start?
The 2026 parade page lists the Historic Depot at 100 West Front Street, and the route begins on Front Street at Lexington Avenue. From there it goes through downtown and down Main Street. Staging lots are used, so arrive early and expect to walk a few blocks.
Is there a Christmas market in Burlington?
We did not find an old-style Christmas market in Burlington. The downtown tree lighting had vendors selling hot chocolate, coffee and sweets in 2024, and Christmas in the Park happens at Burlington City Park. Our Burlington Christmas events guide on this page lists current markets and shows.
Where can kids see trains near Burlington at Christmas?
We did not find a Burlington train museum or Christmas train to recommend. The parade starts at the Historic Depot on West Front Street, which is a good place to talk about trains with kids. Our Burlington Christmas events guide on this page may list train-themed events nearby.
Why does Burlington tell people to stay till the end?
The city's parade page uses the words Stay till the end because the Big Guy and his flying reindeer arrive after everything else. Leaving early would mean missing him, so it helps to tell young children that the wait is part of the story.
Sources
- 79th Annual Burlington Christmas Parade, City of Burlington
- Burlington Christmas Parade, City of Burlington
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting, Downtown Burlington
- 78th Annual Burlington Christmas Parade, 22 November 2025, AllEvents
- Holiday Events and Programs in the Piedmont, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources