Members-

Many of you have been asking why commercials for the Raleigh Christmas Parade are being broadcast on both WTVD-ABC11 and WRAL-NBC 5 this year, even though WTVD was the awarded exclusive broadcast rights for this year’s parade by the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (GRMA). Questions are also being asked about the continuing newspaper articles that are trying to portray some type of “feud” between the GRMA and WRAL. Because of this situation, the board of GRMA wanted to let all of our members know the facts involved in this situation, so that the membership understands the actual events involved.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is a Raleigh tradition, and has existed for 73 years. The parade has always been organized by the GRMA, and the GRMA owns the rights to the parade.

For a number of years, the parade has secured a title sponsor to help underwrite the costs of organizing and presenting the parade. Selling the parade title sponsorship helps our non-profit association do the work we do promoting businesses like yours and working to keep more of your hard-earned money in Raleigh. For the past decade, WRAL has been awarded the contract for the title sponsorship. As part of that contract, WRAL was awarded exclusive broadcast rights for the parade. WRAL was also permitted to sell the Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships packages to other businesses in our community, and WRAL was allowed to retain 100% of those sponsorship dollars. The contract with WRAL ended with the 2016 parade.

As a gift to local residents, Shop Local Raleigh plans to continue the 73 year tradition on Saturday, November 18^th, 2017, LIVE on ABC11.

Since 1944, thousands of local families have joined their neighbors and friends for the Raleigh Christmas Parade. In one of the largest events of the year, more than 65,000 people watch the parade through Downtown Raleigh in person, and another 250,000 watch from home as a kick off to the holiday season.  

From the beginning, the parade has been produced by local Raleigh merchants as a way to give back to neighbors, and this year, Shop Local Raleigh has chosen a NEW broadcast partner to bring new energy to the 73rd annual parade. The only station with a newsroom in downtown Raleigh will be broadcasting the most watched parade in the state of North Carolina. ABC11 will broadcast all the floats, balloons, marching bands, and even a visit by the big man himself, Santa Claus.

Don’t miss the pageantry and excitement of the Raleigh Christmas Parade, presented by Shop Local Raleigh.  Live television coverage begins Saturday, November 18th at 10am from downtown Raleigh.

Over 65,000 people will line the street for this spectacular show, in addition to thousands more watching at home.  This event annually ranks as one of the largest parades on the East Coast.

This year’s parade will feature 115 entries, including marching bands, festive floats, giant balloons, animals, entertainers, specialty vehicles, plus special holiday surprises.