Concord Christmas Parade Held Nov. 18; Tree Lighting Set For Nov. 24

CONCORD, NH — It is almost time for holiday celebrations, including the Christmas Parade and Downtown Concord tree lighting.

The 72nd Christmas parade will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 18.

The Grange and the Fraternal Order Of Eagles are sponsoring the event.

Outgoing Mayor Jim Bouley is this year’s grand marshal. He will walk with his fellow councilors.

Brian Blackden, the parade organization, said police and fire departments will lead the parade, then two divisions of local businesses, with walking, and float groups, and the Concord High School and Merrimack Valley High School bands.

A DJ at the review stand will be at the first driveway west of Granite State Glass, where the dance performances take place, followed by the military and public safety division, honor guards, and the Civil Air Patrol, the Merrimack County Department of Corrections, and the state Department of Corrections.

2023 Route

The route will start at Loudon Road and run from Hazen Drive to East Side Drive and then, turn right onto Canterbury Road, cross Pembroke Road, and into the large parking lot at 70 Pembroke Road.

Here is a video from the 2021 parade

2023 Tree Lighting

The 38th annual Downtown Concord tree lighting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 24.

The event is sponsored by the Grange.

Blackden said at 4 p.m., there will be a professional magician show for an hour, then a children’s holiday decorative costume event with prizes for first, second, and third places. There will also be horse and wagon rides, a clown making balloons for children, the Concord police will have a cruiser on the plaza with community service officers to engage with the public.

There will also be a burn barrel for the children to cook marshmallows and music by a DJ, as well as hot cider and hot chocolate and a food vendor.

There will be no fireworks this year, Blackden said, due to losing the sponsor “late in the season.” The funding shortage was about $4,000. Blackden hoped to raise enough money in 2024 for a “tremendous” fireworks show.

Santa is expected to be at both events.

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