Programs
The Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting are sponsored by Lowes Foods.
Registration starts on October 1st each year for organizations that are in Hickory City Limits. After that time, if space is still available, registration will open up to non resident organizations. Registration is open until we have reached maximum capacity. All entries after that point will be on a wait list and only admitted if road space is available. Priority for wait list entries will be given to businesses in Hickory City limits.
Parade entries must be a business, organization, civic group etc and have a "Christmas" theme to participate. Vehicles should be decorated with lights and Christmas decor. Vehicles that are not decorated will not be granted entry the following year.
A committee will give awards based on creativity, appearance and holiday spirit. Parade entries cannot be more than 50 feet long or 12 feet high (traffic signal clearance). No float other than the one provided by the City, will be allowed to have a Santa Claus on their float.
Due to safety concerns the following conditions apply to all entries:
-Candy can not be thrown at any time. Please have someone walk beside your float to distribute candy.
-The maximum length of your parade entry is 50 feet. This includes the vehicle and trailer.
-Floats cannot stop or back up at any time during the parade.
-Floats and walkers must keep pace with lead police car at all times during the parade.
-Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a valid drivers license.
-Any vehicles in the parade must have passed NC inspection requirements within the last year.
Failure to adhere to these safety procedures will result in termination of future parade participation.
Entry fees are as follows:
Resident Organizations
Band- $25
Non Profit- $50
For Profit- $100
Non Resident Organizations (Registration opens October 8th)
Band-$50
Non-Profit-$75
For Profit- $125
Proceeds benefit the Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund.
The parade is rain or shine. No refunds will be given.
Floats are available for rent from Clines Floats and can be seen here: https://www.clinesfloats.com/ Please contact Clines Floats at (828) 241-3133 or clinesfloatsinc@yahoo.com The Parade registration fee still applies even if you rent a float from Clines.
For more information, please contact Recreation Manager Kyle Mishler at (828) 322-7046 ext 7259 or kmishler@hickorync.gov
Registration starts on October 1st each year for organizations that are in Hickory City Limits. After that time, if space is still available, registration will open up to non resident organizations. Registration is open until we have reached maximum capacity. All entries after that point will be on a wait list and only admitted if road space is available. Priority for wait list entries will be given to businesses in Hickory City limits.
Parade entries must be a business, organization, civic group etc and have a "Christmas" theme to participate. Vehicles should be decorated with lights and Christmas decor. Vehicles that are not decorated will not be granted entry the following year.
A committee will give awards based on creativity, appearance and holiday spirit. Parade entries cannot be more than 50 feet long or 12 feet high (traffic signal clearance). No float other than the one provided by the City, will be allowed to have a Santa Claus on their float.
Due to safety concerns the following conditions apply to all entries:
-Candy can not be thrown at any time. Please have someone walk beside your float to distribute candy.
-The maximum length of your parade entry is 50 feet. This includes the vehicle and trailer.
-Floats cannot stop or back up at any time during the parade.
-Floats and walkers must keep pace with lead police car at all times during the parade.
-Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a valid drivers license.
-Any vehicles in the parade must have passed NC inspection requirements within the last year.
Failure to adhere to these safety procedures will result in termination of future parade participation.
Entry fees are as follows:
Resident Organizations
Band- $25
Non Profit- $50
For Profit- $100
Non Resident Organizations (Registration opens October 8th)
Band-$50
Non-Profit-$75
For Profit- $125
Proceeds benefit the Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund.
The parade is rain or shine. No refunds will be given.
Floats are available for rent from Clines Floats and can be seen here: https://www.clinesfloats.com/ Please contact Clines Floats at (828) 241-3133 or clinesfloatsinc@yahoo.com The Parade registration fee still applies even if you rent a float from Clines.
For more information, please contact Recreation Manager Kyle Mishler at (828) 322-7046 ext 7259 or kmishler@hickorync.gov
Note:
**Information on line up time and location will be sent via email about 1 week prior to the parade. **
| Program Type | General |
| Program Subcategory | Holiday |
| Program Code | - |
| Online Registration | Yes |
| Enrollment Begin Date | 10/1/2025 |
| Enrollment End Date | 10/31/2025 |
| Instructor(s) | - |
| Gender | Any Gender |
| Enrollment Minimum | - |
| Maximum | 75 |
| Grade Minimum | |
| Maximum | |
| Age Minimum | - |
| Maximum | - |
| Standard Fee | Residency Restriction |
Membership Restrictions |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Profit
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
Resident Only | $50.00 | |
|
Non-Profit
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | Resident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $50.00 | ||
| For Profit
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
Resident Only | $100.00 | |
|
For Profit
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | Resident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $100.00 | ||
| Band or Public School
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
Resident Only | $25.00 | |
|
Band or Public School
Available from 10/1/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | Resident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $25.00 | ||
| Non-Profit
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
NonResident Only | $75.00 | |
|
Non-Profit
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | NonResident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $75.00 | ||
| For Profit
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
NonResident Only | $125.00 | |
|
For Profit
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | NonResident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $125.00 | ||
| Band or Public School
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
NonResident Only | $50.00 | |
|
Band or Public School
Available from 10/8/2025 until 10/31/2025
|
|||
| Residency Restriction | NonResident Only | ||
| Membership Restrictions | - | ||
| Amount | $50.00 | ||
| Date | Day | Start Time | End Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/21/2025 | Friday | 5:45 PM | 7:45 PM | |
| Friday - 11/21/2025 | ||||
| Start Time | 5:45 PM | |||
| End Time | 7:45 PM | |||
| Location | - | |||
