ASHEVILLE HOLIDAY PARADE 2022
ASHEVILLE HOLIDAY PARADE 2022
The 76th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles of WNC, rolls, dances and marches through downtown Asheville on Saturday, November 19th beginning at 11am. The parade features nearly 100 entries including businesses, nonprofits, school and youth groups, marching bands, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
THIS YEAR’S GRAND MARSHALS ARE LOCAL CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS, KATIE BUTTON AND MEHERWAN IRANI
Button’s Curate and Irani’s Chai Pani were the recipients of prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards earlier this year. Curate was the recipient of the Outstanding Hospitality Award and Chai Pani was named Outstanding Restaurant.
The mission of the James Beard Awards is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive.
.
THIS YEAR’S PARADE THEME IS “WINTER WONDERLAND”
Parade entries include a little something for everyone with the Grand Marshal entry sponsored by Apple Tree Honda, decorated floats, adoptable pets from area rescue organizations, our Honored Veterans float sponsored by Deerfield, marching bands, performances, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, brought to you by the NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights.
.
THE PERFORMANCE STOP IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF BILTMORE AND PATTON AVENUES
The parade will begin on Biltmore Avenue at Charlotte Street, proceeding north to Patton Avenue, and then west on Patton Avenue, terminating at South French Broad Avenue.
The parade’s official performance stop is located at the corner of Biltmore and Patton Avenues (represent and smile for the cameras!), but attendees will find great viewing areas all along Biltmore and Patton Avenues.
The parade is expected to last about an hour and a half. Parade route pictured below …
.
ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO GET DOWNTOWN!
Not only will Biltmore and Patton Avenues be closed prior to and during the parade, some side streets will also need to be closed off. ART bus routes have to be detoured around the parade as well. For these reasons, the City encourages everyone to plan ahead, allow plenty of time to get downtown, whether by bus, bike, car or on foot. With several streets closed or impacted by the parade, attendees are encouraged to ride ART public transit, bike or walk to the parade to ease congestion. The following routes will be affected by detours:
- Charlotte Street between College Street and McCormick Place will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. to accommodate the parade line-up. Detour via McCormick Place and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Charlotte Street will reopen to traffic shortly after the parade has cleared the area.
- North and South Pack Square will close at 7:30 a.m. for the TV crew and judges area (no parking – towing enforced).
- The parade route will begin road closures at 9 a.m. (no parking – towing enforced).
- All roads intersecting the parade route will be limited to local traffic only.
- Roads are expected to reopen around 2 p.m. once street sweeping and cleanup is complete.
After you have planned your trip, use the City’s Transit App to track when your bus will arrive. To better understand the detours the buses will take, visit …
www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/transit/servicealerts
Or call ART at 828-253-5691
Transit Maps and Schedules HERE
.
NEED A PARKING SPOT? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
There will be several streets blocked prior to the parade, starting from 7:00am-3:00pm, which will funnel even more traffic into the parking garages. Parking is available in City of Asheville and Buncombe County parking decks, as well as private decks and surface lots throughout downtown. The Asheville City Government maintains a page with real time information about available parking spots in the city parking garages. Parking Garages downtown include:
- Wall Street Garage, accessible via Otis Street;
- Aloft/Biltmore Garage, accessible via South Lexington Avenue;
- Buncombe County Courthouse Garage, accessible via College Street;
- Buncombe County Health & Human Services Parking Garage, accessible via Coxe Avenue off Sears Alley;
- Rankin Avenue and Civic Center garages, accessible via Rankin Avenue.
Streets Impacted by the Parade HERE
Find a Parking Spot HERE
.
IT DOESN’T END THERE!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will sit for FREE photos with kids and families after the Asheville Holiday Parade at The Grove Arcade from 2-4pm! Be sure to also go for a walk while you’re downtown! Many downtown businesses decorate their windows for the holiday!
.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION
- RESTROOMS: Available at the Pack Square Park Pavilion, 121 College St. Find portable restrooms on South Pack Square near Biltmore Ave., in the LaZoom Room parking lot on Biltmore, and at First Bank at Patton Ave. and Church St.
- ADA ACCESSIBILITY: For anyone requiring accessible parking or other ADA accommodations, please contact Jon Fillman at 828-259-5738 or email at jonfillman@ashevillenc.gov by noon, November 18th.
..
HAVE FUN! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
(Photo Sources: Asheville Downtown Association and Asheville City Government)
The Asheville Holiday Parade is produced by the Asheville Downtown Association, in partnership with the City of Asheville.
2022 sponsors include: Bojangles of WNC, Explore Asheville, Ingles Markets, Apple Tree Honda, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights, Deerfield Retirement Community, Sun Soo Martial Arts, Kudzu Brands, A Look at Asheville, Kimpton Hotel Arras, WLOS ABC 13, My40, Star 104.3, 99.9 Kiss Country, Asheville Color & Imaging and IMA Photo & Images