The Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, rolls through downtown starting at 11am on Saturday, November 22. The theme "Home for the Holidays" will feature different interpretations including a float sponsored by Goodwill Industries of NW North Carolina honoring veterans. There will be a giant inflatable turkey balloon in addition to two other helium balloons.
Caleb Johnson, winner of American Idol and Asheville native is our Grand Marshal and will ride through the parade on a Mission Health float filled with children from Mission Children's Hospital. As always, Santa finishes the parade, sponsored by Deerfield Retirement Community.
Following the parade is Ingles JingleFest in the U.S. Cellular Center from noon to 5pm. Caleb Johnson will stop by Ingles JingleFest for a meet and greet with area fans and sign autographs from 2-3pm.
Ingles JingleFest will feature nonstop entertainment with performances from many of the groups that participated in the parade, along with inflatables and bouncy houses.
To play on inflatables and to take aerial arts lessons, all children will need to have a wristband and tickets to ride. Wristbands are $2 and will give you 4 tickets to ride (one ticket per ride, 4 per 5 minute aerial arts lesson) Additional tickets can be purchased at 2 for $1.
Families will also be able to have their children’s photo taken with Santa, courtesy of Icon Media Asheville. Plus, Macaroni Kid and Asheville Flyer will set up a craft station for young children.
