Courtesy of Downtown Sanford Inc.
The streets of downtown Sanford will come alive again at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 with twinkling lights, festive floats, holiday performances and a very special visit from Santa Claus as the Sanford Christmas Parade, recognized as North Carolina’s longest-running nighttime Christmas parade.
Hosted by Downtown Sanford, Inc. (DSI), sponsored by Visit Sanford and CBS17, and supported by presenting sponsor Triple Pointe Dance Academy, this holiday tradition is getting a new look this year. For the first time, the Sanford Christmas Parade will be broadcast LIVE on CBS17, bringing the sights, sounds and holiday spirit of Downtown Sanford to television audiences across the region.
CBS17 will bring its full team of on-air talent to Sanford for live coverage beginning at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7. The parade will air two additional times on Christmas Day, giving families another opportunity to enjoy this special holiday tradition.
The partnership, made possible through the efforts of Visit Sanford, puts downtown Sanford in the spotlight, showcasing the community’s holiday spirit, beautiful historic downtown and the people and businesses that make Sanford such a special place to celebrate the season, according to Wendy Bryan, executive director of Visit Sanford.
“Bringing the Sanford Christmas Parade to CBS17 viewers is exactly the kind of partnership Visit Sanford loves to build,” said Bryan. “Our job is to inspire visits to Sanford, and there’s no better stage than a live broadcast reaching families across the region. We’re grateful to CBS17 for helping us share our story, and with two encore broadcasts on Christmas Day, even more viewers will get to see the community pride and holiday magic that make Sanford such a special place to visit.”
The 2026 parade will feature 80 entries, including beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, dancers, community organizations and plenty of holiday surprises. This year’s parade will follow a new route through the heart of downtown. Spectators can enjoy the parade from traditional viewing areas along the route, with an additional designated viewing area on Carthage Street.
A new addition this year is the creation of a special performance zone in front of the historic Temple Theatre, allowing parade participants to showcase their talents against the backdrop of one of downtown’s most treasured landmarks.
“We are beyond excited about the changes coming to this year’s Sanford Christmas Parade,” said Kelli Laudate, Executive Director of Downtown Sanford, Inc. “Our new route gives us the opportunity to create something really special, with our crown jewel, the historic Temple Theatre, serving as the backdrop for our performance zone. Just imagine the lights, the music, the dancers, and all that Christmas magic happening right in front of that beautiful theatre! We are taking a tradition that our community already loves and adding some exciting new elements that will make the experience even more memorable for families, whether they are watching from the sidewalks of downtown or from their living rooms on CBS17.”
Santa Claus will be the final entry in the parade, making a special stop in front of Temple Theatre to present the First Gift of Christmas to one very special child. It’s a heartwarming Sanford tradition that captures the true magic and wonder of the holiday season.
The popular Reindeer Hubs will return this year, offering families convenient places to enjoy food, holiday treats, and access to restrooms throughout the evening. These festive gathering spots have become a welcome part of the Sanford Christmas Parade experience, making it easy for families to grab a bite, take a break and enjoy all the holiday excitement downtown.
2026 Reindeer Hub Locations:
- Depot Park
- Habitat for Humanity
- Wana Navu Kava Bar
- Carthage Street Parking Lot
- S. Steele Street Block
The fun kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at Depot Park with the Sanford Golden Ticket Pre-Parade Party, hosted by Visit Sanford and the City of Sanford Parks Department. This special pre-parade celebration will help set the stage for a magical evening in Downtown Sanford. Families are invited to come early, join the festivities and get into the Christmas spirit before the first float rolls through downtown.