The High Point Holiday Festival Parade is 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, on Main Street from Green Drive to Qubein Street, rain or shine. Winter WonderPark opens Dec. 5.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year. Facts come from the High Point Holiday Festival Parade and the city’s Winter WonderPark page. City questions: 336-883-3111.
High Point’s holiday season starts with the High Point Holiday Festival Parade at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, on Main Street downtown. The parade has run since 1925, and since 2010 it has been held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, rain or shine. The Guilford Merchants Association produces it.
What this means for you
- Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m., Main Street, rain or shine; there is no rain date.
- Driving downtown? Southbound Main Street traffic is rerouted from 2 p.m.
- Bring the kids to see Santa at Winter WonderPark on Dec. 5, 6 or 12.
The parade
From the parade’s website:
- When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026. It lasts about an hour and a half.
- Route: starts at Green Drive and travels north on Main Street to Qubein Street.
- Road closures: southbound traffic is rerouted beginning at 2 p.m.
- Where to watch: anywhere along the route; the organizers say Main Street’s wide sidewalks give good views throughout.
- Parking: at businesses along the route and in the downtown parking decks.
- Accessible viewing: a reserved area in front of Sheraton Towers, 400 N. Main St.
- Size: more than 100 entries each year, including marching bands, floats, beauty queens, clowns and Santa Claus.
The parade was once held on Thanksgiving Day, took its current name in 1976 and for years ran at night. The High Point Merchants Association produced it until it merged with the Greensboro Merchants Association in 2008 to form the Guilford Merchants Association, which runs it now.
Groups that want to march apply through the parade’s application page and must follow its rules and regulations.
Winter WonderPark and Santa
High Point Parks and Recreation decorates High Point City Lake Park, 602 W. Main St., Jamestown, with holiday lights for Winter WonderPark, according to the city. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. each night.
| Date | Theme |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | Kickoff, with Santa |
| Sunday, Dec. 6 | Gingerbread and Candyland, with Santa |
| Friday, Dec. 11 | Sounds of the Season, with a local school band or chorus |
| Saturday, Dec. 12 | Help Santa’s Workshop, with Santa and elves |
| Friday, Dec. 18 | Polar Express Night (pajama night) |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | How the Grinch Stole Winter WonderPark |
Walking through the park is free and needs no registration. A $5 pass covers unlimited rides on the decorated “Polar Express” train and the carousel plus mini golf; passes are sold on site only, the day of the event. S’mores kits and hot chocolate are sold at the concession stand, with an outdoor fire for roasting marshmallows.
Christmas lights at High Point University
High Point University has opened its campus for a free drive-through Christmas lights event in recent years, with more than 100,000 lights, a life-size Nativity scene, 236 nutcrackers and Christmas trees 70 and 58 feet tall, according to its Christmas lights page. Cars enter at the North University Parkway entrance and exit onto Lexington Avenue by the Qubein Arena. The page still shows the last season’s dates, Dec. 20-27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; 2026 dates have not been posted.
Tree lighting
No downtown High Point tree lighting for 2026 had been announced as of Oct. 11. This page will be updated when the city or a downtown group announces one.
More holiday plans
The city’s annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is Saturday, Nov. 14, at Oakview Recreation Center, according to a Parks and Recreation notice. Artists and craftspeople who want a vendor space can call the center at 336-883-3508. For trash pickup changes over Thanksgiving and Christmas, see our trash and recycling guide.
Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
When is the High Point Christmas parade in 2026?
The High Point Holiday Festival Parade starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, on Main Street downtown. It is held rain or shine and lasts about an hour and a half.
What is the High Point parade route?
The parade starts at Green Drive and travels north on Main Street to Qubein Street. Southbound traffic is rerouted from 2 p.m.
Where do I park for the High Point Holiday Festival Parade?
At businesses along the route and in the downtown parking decks. A reserved viewing area for people with disabilities is in front of Sheraton Towers, 400 N. Main St.
Where can I see Santa in High Point?
Santa is scheduled at Winter WonderPark at High Point City Lake Park on Dec. 5, 6 and 12, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. Walking through the park is free.
Is there a tree lighting in High Point in 2026?
No downtown tree lighting for 2026 had been announced as of Oct. 11. This page will be updated when one is.
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