Kinston Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Downtown Kinston, North Carolina
Registration is free. Register by November 22 at midnight.
Register for the ParadeHosted by Downtown Kinston Revitalization with the City of Kinston, Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation and Neuse News.
Parade at a glance
Schedule & lineup
400 E. Grainger Avenue
Kinston, NC 28501
Parade route
1.3 miles
Starts at Grainger Stadium and ends near East Caswell Street and McLewean Street.
Your lineup number
Numbers may arrive the day before the parade. If yours has not arrived, call Scott Alston at 252-939-3332. Parks & Recreation manages lineup; its decisions are final. DKR does not have lineup numbers.
Most performers are near the front and should arrive early. Bring your own food and drinks. Restrooms are available at the stadium. Please be patient and courteous during lineup.
Rules & agreement
The Team Captain must review these requirements and share them with everyone in the entry.
Parade rules and safety
People and performances
- No firearms or horses. Dogs must be leashed and controlled by an adult age 18 or older; follow leash and cleanup laws.
- Children under 12 must remain on a float unless in a lighted bicycle group accompanied by adults for the entire parade.
- Keep moving and avoid performance stops that create gaps. Do not call spectators toward your entry.
- Keep costumes, music, dances and displays appropriate for children and families. No adult, offensive, disrespectful or potentially dangerous content, profanity or offensive lyrics.
Vehicles and floats
- Police may check active registration, valid inspection and insurance at lineup. Keep at least one car length behind the entry ahead.
- Car, motorcycle and bicycle clubs may have up to 10 vehicles or bicycles per registration. Use extreme caution with motorized activities or stunts.
- The left turn onto East Caswell Street may be tight for long vehicles. Plan ahead.
- Finish floats before arriving. Incomplete floats may be disqualified. Floats must stay intact along the entire route; use extra caution near spectators.
- Install generators safely and limit noise; quiet generators are preferred. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available.
Spectators and the railroad
- Do not toss, throw or hand candy or other items to spectators. Violators may be removed.
- Spectators must stay on sidewalks and should not cross while the parade is moving. Police will help keep the route clear. Volunteers walking beside entries are encouraged to keep spectators away from vehicles and floats.
- The train does not stop for the parade, though it may slow. Watch the crossing at Queen and Blount Streets and never block the tracks.
Hold Harmless Agreement
The undersigned participant and any affiliated persons or entities hereby agree to protect, defend, indemnify and hold Downtown Kinston Revitalization, City of Kinston, their officials, employees and agents, free and harmless from and against any and all losses, penalties, damages, settlements, costs, charges, professional fees or other expenses or liabilities of every kind and arising out of or relating to any and all claims, liens, demands, obligations, actions, proceedings, or causes of action of every kind, whether for property damage, personal injury or death, in connection with or arising out of participation in the below-referenced event and any and all associated activities in accordance therewith and the use of the public property allowed thereby.
As stated and agreed to in the registration form, Downtown Kinston Revitalization's parade insurance does not cover parade participants or spectators.
Event: 2026 Kinston Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Location: Kinston, North Carolina
DKR's parade insurance does not cover participants or spectators. Acceptance of the rules and Hold Harmless Agreement is required in the registration form.
Register for free
Complete the form by November 22 at midnight. The person submitting it is the Team Captain and primary contact for the entry.
Vendors must register separately with Downtown Kinston Revitalization. Unregistered vendors are not permitted.
Registration questions? Call 252-525-6144 or email revitalizekinston@gmail.com.
