CITY TO HOST TOY LAND THEMED CHRISTMAS PARADE ON DEC. 7 AT 7 P.M.
(Charleston, W. Va.) The City of Charleston will host the Toy Land themed 2023 Charleston Christmas Parade on December 7 at 7 p.m. in downtown Charleston and looks forward to welcoming participants downtown for the annual event. Outlined below is information folks will want to “Know Before You Go” on Thursday.
SAFETY
The safety of all participants is the top priority.
Parade viewers are asked to help keep the parade route clear – and minimize walking across streets included on the route – so that the parade entries have a clear pathway through the route.
Parade entries (walking groups and drivers) are asked to enter at the correct locations and follow instructions provided by event staff and volunteers – during lineup and throughout the parade route. This includes maintaining forward movement throughout the parade to minimize gaps.
In anticipation of large crowds, parade viewers are asked to be mindful of proximity to parade entries – especially vehicles and trailers/floats. Additionally, drivers are asked to use caution as they drive through the parade route.
PARADE ROUTE
Kanawha Boulevard to Capitol Street to Washington Street to Summers Street and exiting onto Kanawha Boulevard toward Court Street.
STREET CLOSURES/DETOURS
Beginning at 2 p.m.
Kanawha Boulevard, from Greenbrier Street to Clendenin Street, will be closed. One lane, from Greenbrier Street to Elizabeth Street will be open for local traffic only.
Beginning at 6 p.m.
The Parade Route will be closed to traffic. This includes:
- Capitol Street, from Kanawha Boulevard to Washington Street
- Washington Street, from Capitol Street to Summers Street
- Summers Street, from Washington Street to Kanawha Boulevard
No entry or exit will be permitted at:
- Capitol Street & Virginia Street
- Capitol Street & Quarrier Street
- Capitol Street & Lee Street
- Capitol Street & Washington Street
- Summers Street & Washington Street
- Summers Street & Lee Street
- Summers Street & Quarrier Street
- Summers Street & Virginia Street
Detours will be in place at:
- Laidley Street & Virginia Street
- Laidley Street & Lee Street
- Laidley Street & Washington Street
- Donnally Street & Summers Street
- Donnally Street & Capitol Street
- Washington Street & Dickinson Street
- Hale Street & Quarrier Street
These unit blocks (Kanawha Boulevard to Virginia Street) will be open to local traffic only:
- Hale Street
- Dickinson Street
- McFarland Street
- Dunbar Street
- Leon Sullivan Way
- Brooks Street
- Morris Street
- Bradford Street
- Ruffner Avenue
- Elizabeth Street (except traffic routed off Kanawha Boulevard to Virginia Street)
The parade route and associated street closures / detours will be in place through the end of the parade. Streets will re-open following the conclusion of the parade.
PARKING
Beginning at 5 p.m. street parking will not be permitted along the parade route.
No exit or entry will be permitted at the Summers Street Parking Garage once the parade route has been shut down to traffic (6 p.m.).
Parking is available in the Cinema Parking Garage (612 Washington Street) and the City Service Center Parking Garage (915 Quarrier Street).
Questions from parkers can be directed to the Parking Operations Center at (304)-348-8158 or parkingquestions@cityofcharleston.org.
PARADE LINEUP
The parade lineup will begin at 5 p.m.
Driving entries – including motorcycle groups – are required to enter Kanawha Boulevard via Greenbrier Street to be directed to check in, then lineup.
Walking entries will enter Morris Street and be directed to check in, then lineup. Vehicles are not permitted on Morris Street.
Questions regarding parade lineup should be directed to Miranda Dillon at Miranda.Dillon@cityofcharelston.org.
RESTROOMS
The restrooms at City Center at Slack Plaza and the Roundhouse at Haddad Riverfront Park will both be open.
Porta potties will be located at Lee Triangle, Quarrier Street and Capitol Street, Kanawha Boulevard and Hale Street, and Morris Street and Kanawha Boulevard.
WHILE YOU’RE DOWNTOWN
The more than 150 Holly Jolly Brawley trees decorated by local businesses and organizations and the City Christmas tree remain on display till January 1. The trees are located in City Center at Slack Plaza, Brawley Walkway, and at Lee Triangle.
The City Center Capital City Sip-N-Stroll (PODA) will be active during normal hours, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. as the parade makes its way downtown. More information regarding the PODA can be viewed online at https://charlestonwv.gov/poda.
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