Winston-Salem's holiday parade and Corpening Plaza tree lighting were Saturday, Dec. 6, in 2025. 2026 dates are not out yet; Santa visits South Fork Dec. 5.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2026 parade date and route have not been announced, so the parade and tree lighting details below are from 2025, as the City of Winston-Salem listed them. City questions: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000.

Winston-Salem starts its holiday season downtown with two events on one evening: the Winston-Salem Ambassadors’ Holiday Parade and, right after it, the city’s annual tree lighting at Corpening Plaza. In 2025 both were on Saturday, Dec. 6. The tree lighting ran 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with hot drinks, hot food and entertainment, and Mayor Allen Joines and “a very special guest” counted down to the lights, according to the city’s event listing.

What this means for you

  • In 2025 the parade was on the first Saturday in December; we will post the 2026 date and route here as soon as the organizers do.
  • Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, already has two confirmed city events: Santa at South Fork and Four Christmases at Bethabara.
  • Downtown streets close for the parade; plan parking with our getting around guide.

The 2025 parade and tree lighting

Event When (2025) Where
Winston-Salem Ambassadors’ Holiday Parade Saturday, Dec. 6, before the tree lighting Downtown Winston-Salem
City of Winston-Salem annual tree lighting 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 Corpening Plaza, 231 W. First St.

The city lists road closures for permitted street events on its event calendar, as it did for the October 2026 events downtown.

Confirmed for December 2026

  • Santa’s Winter Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road. Local Cricket’s Nest artisans sell crafts and home goods, and Santa visits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the city calendar. Information: 336-659-4315.
  • Four Christmases at Bethabara, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road. A walk through Moravian Christmas traditions from 1753 to 1943, with music and hands-on activities. Admission is free, according to the city calendar.

Holiday trash schedule

City offices close Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Dec. 28, according to the city’s 2026 holiday schedule. Friday garbage and recycling that week are collected Saturday, Dec. 26. See the full schedule in our trash and recycling guide.

When we will update this page

We check the city calendar and the organizers each week and will add the 2026 parade, tree lighting time, route map and road closures here when they are posted.

More: things to do this month and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Winston-Salem Christmas parade in 2026?

The 2026 date has not been announced. In 2025, the Winston-Salem Ambassadors’ downtown Holiday Parade was Saturday, Dec. 6, followed by the city’s tree lighting at Corpening Plaza.

Where is the Winston-Salem tree lighting?

At Corpening Plaza, 231 W. First St., downtown. In 2025, the ceremony ran 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. after the parade, with hot drinks, food and entertainment, according to the city.

Where can kids see Santa in Winston-Salem in 2026?

Santa visits Santa’s Winter Festival at South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. The craft fair runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Is there a free Christmas event at Bethabara?

Yes. Four Christmases at Bethabara, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, traces Moravian Christmas traditions from 1753 to 1943. Admission is free.