2023 Concord, NH Christmas Parade

11/21/2023

Mandatory decisions were made two days in advance on the best available information at the time for the benefit and public safety of all. Don’t forget that…

11/16/2023

It is with great regret and personal sadness that I have made the choice to cancel the 2023 Concord NH Christmas parade. The reasons are due to all of the radar and map readings and projections for inclement weather. This will be the second time in 72 years, the parade has been canceled. We cannot have a rain date as so many people have asked because the police departments are so low staffed. They cannot reschedule officers for the next day or even up to weeks away, which would prohibit the event. I have to take public safety into concern as the first thought. While I would love to have it, anyone who participates in the rain would be dealing with floats that would be falling apart, if made out of cardboard, scholarship program contestants, who would be dealing with open convertibles on expensive cars, people walking, getting soaking wet, a DJ and Concord Community Television with thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment that may get wet, I also don’t think we would see the 5 to 6000 people on the sides of the road like we typically do to watch, and with all of the Weather intelligence that I have garnered, I have to make this decision for basically public safety concerns. I was told that I have an anvil over my head and it is a lose lose situation for me. If it rains and I have the parade scheduled, many people will be angry at me and “I will have to change my name” of course this was said in jest, and if I canceled the parade and it turns out to be nice, I will have people angry at me for canceling it, again needing to change my name. I cannot in good conscience, risk people getting sick or possibly injured if we have the proposed inclement weather according to the following maps. I apologize from the bottom of my heart as I have put in hundreds of hours of work and money already to prepare for what would’ve been our 72nd parade and it is a difficult decision but necessary. I look forward to Parade number 73. Thank you all and please have a Merry Christmas. Brian.

I urge everybody that would have come to the parade to come to the tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving from 4 until 7 PM we have a Magic show, a children’s costume competition, horse and buggy rides, a clown making balloons for children, a DJ, a marshmallow burning pit, hot chocolate, and cider from local charities, and more. Thank you.

Santa just sent me this photo. I sincerely hope it is for mother nature and not me…

11/15/2023

2023 Concord, NH Christmas Parade ALERT: "RAIN" ??

Looking ahead at Saturday’s weather, Santa has been in contact with Kevin Skarupa from WMUR and we should know something hopefully tomorrow afternoon or evening. Fingers crossed 🤞

-Brian Blackden/Parade Coordinator (603-848-0221)

11/08/2023

Just a reminder for registration cut off for the parade. The cut off for applications is November 10, that allows me enough time to get the lineup done. Thank you very much.

11/06/2023

If you have volunteered at the parade for the lineup or blocking the streets, or carried banners, and are interested in doing it again this year, please contact me so I may place you on my planning map. Thank you very much. Brian.

11/02/2023

https://www.nhmagazine.com/christmas-parades-tree-lightings-and-holiday-strolls/

Dates for 2023 Christmas parades, tree lightings and holiday stroll events in New Hampshire

10/21/2023

If you wish to have your financial donation of $100 or more listed on the financial aid banner for supporters in the parade, the donation must be received by October 30, 2023, otherwise it will be placed on line on this site. And a reminder, please get your registration forms in, and if anybody wants to still register who has not, the cut off is November 10, 2023. 

10/20/2023

Our Grand Marshal has been chosen and refused the ceremonial vehicle ride and will walk the parade route. Once you see the Grand Marshal choice, his reasoning will be apparent.

10/20/2023

Here comes Santa Claus 🎅🏼
Get your parade registrations in and join him!

10/19/2023

Santa checking in by secret phone line, and secret radio contact if needed seeing if people are signing up and registering for the parade.

10/15/2023

If you want to have your financial donation to be listed on the parade financial banner it must be received by October 30, 2023, in order to allow time for ordering and printing. If not, it will only be online.

10/07/2023

November 18, 2023, parade starts at 9:30, participants start lining up at 7:30 at seven Hazen Drive. The parade route is Hazen Drive to Loudon Road to Canterbury Road ending at 70 Pembroke Rd. in the big parking lot.