Wake Forest unity remains our greatest strength even in times of division. For generations, the Wake Forest Christmas Parade was the heart of the holiday season. As a child, I remember standing with my family and neighbors along Main Street, feeling the shared excitement that filled the chilly winter air. Those memories — the music, the laughter, the sparkle of the season — still bring a smile to my face today.
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A festive scene from a small-town Christmas parade—Santa waves from a decorated float as families and children gather along Main Street, surrounded by snow, music, and warm holiday lights.
Now there’s good news to share: a local community group is working to bring the parade back in 2026.
In a video posted to her campaign Facebook page, Pam James—a long-time Wake Forest resident and 2025 candidate for the Town Board who champions community heritage, inclusive civic events, and neighborhood revitalization—announced plans for the 2026 Wake Forest Christmas Parade (James).
This timeline allows time for thoughtful planning, fundraising, and ensuring that everything is in place for a safe and spirited celebration. It’s a hopeful sign of renewal — a reminder that even beloved traditions can be restored with care, cooperation, and love for our town.
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
May this spirit of unity guide our efforts and rekindle the bonds that make Wake Forest not just a town, but a true community.
The Town’s Policy Supports It
Wake Forest has not banned parades. The Town ensures that any organization hosting a motorized parade follows clear, modern safety standards. Those guidelines are spelled out in the Motorized Parade Policy, available online here:
Objective statement outlining safety measures for motorized vehicle parades in the Town of Wake Forest.
Key requirements include:
$5 million liability insurance naming the Town of Wake Forest;
Drivers 25 years or older who attend a safety briefing;
Vehicle safety inspections and certified spotters;
Coordination with police, fire, and public works departments.
These steps are designed to protect participants, spectators, and the Town itself—ensuring the event’s success for years to come.
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The Commons Belongs to Everyone
Our public commons—streets, parks, and plazas—belong to all of us. The Town’s event policies make sure everyone has an equal chance to celebrate, so long as organizers meet the same safety and logistical requirements.
That’s the spirit of Wake Forest: community space shared with care and respect.
How You Can Help
Read the Town’s Motorized Parade Policy.
Volunteer or donate to the organizing group as plans develop.
Encourage participation from schools, churches, civic groups, and local businesses so the parade reflects the diversity and pride of Wake Forest.
Keep supporting other beloved traditions like the Lighting of Wake Forest, ’Tis the Season, and the Downtown Holiday Open House, which already bring thousands of visitors downtown each year.
A Shared Future
The Commons is for everyone. Our job as neighbors is to make sure it stays that way—safe, inclusive, and full of joy.
With thoughtful planning and broad community support, the Christmas Parade can once again light up Main Street—not just as a memory of what was, but as a renewed tradition for what Wake Forest is today.
And if you want to stay in the know, keep your eyes peeled to Wake Forest Matters. We’ll be keeping everyone updated as permits are pulled, plans take shape, and discussions unfold at Town meetings throughout the year. Using public records, open sources, and local reporting, we aim to keep you informed—with a perspective born and raised right here in Wake Forest.
It’s a wonderful development, and we can’t wait to watch it grow—together.
Wake Forest Matters is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom covering Wake Forest, NC. We report on local government, schools, business, and community life — free to read and reader-supported. Fearless. Local. Loud.
