Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
The City of Hickory traditionally hosts its annual holiday season kick-off event, the Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, the Friday before Thanksgiving. This year’s holiday kickoff event is scheduled for Friday, November 20, 2026, at 5:45 p.m. Lowes Foods has been the sponsor of this festive event since the first year. Immediately following the parade through downtown, Santa will light the tree on Union Square. Enjoy holiday music, shopping specials, and more!
At the conclusion of the parade, Santa’s float will stop at Union Square so he can light the Christmas tree in downtown Hickory. Santa will depart for the North Pole after the tree lighting and will not be available for photos at the Tree Lighting. A winter wonderland snow globe will be on Union Square throughout the Parade & Tree Lighting for attendees to enter and take photographs. Santa will be available for photos the following day, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, during the City’s Holidaypalooza event on Union Square.
Many downtown businesses will remain open throughout the event and offer specials, making the evening a great time for patrons to begin their holiday shopping.
The parade will follow the following route:
Parade starts at the intersection of Fourth Street NW and First Avenue NW
Continues on First Avenue NW towards City Hall
Turns right on North Center Street
Turns right on Main Avenue NW
Continues through Union Square and exits on Main Avenue NW (Santa will be dropped off at Union Square before exiting downtown)
Please note that certain downtown roads and parking areas will be closed for the event. To better accommodate the parade route and ensure spectator safety this year, on-street parking will not be permitted on First Avenue NW from Third Street NW to Second Street NW.
Visit www.hickorync.gov/christmasparade for more detailed information about the City of Hickory’s Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, including an interactive map showing the various closure times for roads and parking areas.
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