Downtown Salisbury Inc. 

Traditions bring us together. They’re what we celebrate during the holiday season and what will warm our hearts and minds during the cold and blustery days of winter. This year in downtown Salisbury there is no shortage of holiday festivities to add to your family’s celebrations.

The holiday season begins with the annual Holiday Caravan Parade on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Spencer and 3 p.m. in Salisbury.

After you’ve had your fill on Thanksgiving, come downtown on Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Holiday Night Out. This will be the first appearance of Santa Claus and his friend the Grinch while Victorian Voices fill the streets with holiday carols.

Hop on the trolley to tour downtown while enjoying the festive décor or catch a carriage ride from the square. Our wonderful downtown shops will be open late to satisfy your family’s wish list.

Santa and the Grinch will make their second appearance on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Bell Tower Park at the corner of South Jackson and West Innes streets to take free photos. While your family waits to greet Mr. Claus and Mr. Grinch you’re invited to enjoy ornament making, hot cocoa and homemade cookies provided by Chick-N-Ale. All photographs will be available for download at www.DowntownSalisburyNC.com the following week.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, and continuing through the weekend, the Arc Festival of Trees will once again be hosted in the F&M Trolley Barn at 125 E. Liberty Street. These beautifully decorated trees are a wonderful, colorful addition to downtown holiday festivities. For more information, or to find out how your organization or business can sponsor a Christmas tree, please visit www.thearcofrowan.org.

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 is “Salisbury Sings in the Season,” a Christmas caroling jubilee throughout downtown while shops and restaurants are open late. Downtown churches will also be offering open houses for viewing of holiday decorations. Walking maps of caroler locations and open churches will be provided inside downtown merchants.

On Dec. 13, antique fire truck rides will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Santa Claus and the Grinch in front of Okey Dokey at 126 E. Innes St.

Finally, New Year’s Eve just wouldn’t be the same without literally ringing in the new year at the Bell Tower Park. On Wednesday, Dec. 31, join the City of Salisbury from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. to listen to live music and ring the bells at the stroke of midnight. Fibrant will live-stream the ball drop from New York City at midnight.