Published October 27, 2026 | Written by the Mission Realty Team.
The 2026 Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 5, at 10 a.m., starting at 10th and Marshall streets at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, according to WTVR. The station reported the new route in a July 29 article. This post is our own summary, with local context added. More local events are on our Richmond events page.
The route
The parade passes the hospital’s Children’s Tower and Pavilion, turns right onto Broad Street and heads west through downtown to Allen Avenue, per WTVR. Parade Director Tara Daudani said the route builds on 2025, when the parade passed the hospital for the first time, and that “the response was so meaningful” organizers wanted the hospital more central. CBS 6 will air the parade live, and a free ColonialWebb Fan Zone with activities and food vendors will be near 8th and Broad streets.
Street closures and getting downtown
WTVR’s July article does not list street closures. The City of Richmond published closures for last year’s parade in its 2025 notice, which shows the kind of announcement to watch for, and the City of Richmond site is where the 2026 notice should appear. GRTC publishes bus service information if you would rather not drive downtown on a Saturday morning.
A practical plan is to read the 2026 closure notice a few days ahead, choose your parking or bus stop before you leave, and allow extra time, because the start is 10 a.m. and the route runs along Broad Street, a main downtown corridor. If you need to cross downtown by car that morning, expect to detour around the route.
The same day downtown
The Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker opens its 2026 run the same day, with a 2 p.m. show, so Saturday will be busy around the Carpenter Theatre. Our Nutcracker dates post has the schedule, and our winter events post and WinterWorld hours post cover the festival at CarMax Park, which is open that weekend.
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If you live or are looking along Broad Street
A parade route is a one-morning event, but it tells you something useful about a block: whether you can get in and out of your street, where guests would park and how loud a crowd day is. If you are touring a condo or townhome in Monroe Ward, Jackson Ward or The Fan, ask the seller how event days affect parking and access. We have no data on how a parade affects home prices, and we are not claiming any effect. Our City of Richmond hub collects our neighborhood guides.
Our buy with us page explains how we work with buyers, and our preferred lenders page lists lenders who can answer financing questions.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Dominion Energy Christmas Parade?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 10 a.m., per WTVR.
Where does it start?
At the intersection of 10th and Marshall streets, at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, per WTVR.
What is the route?
Past the Children’s Tower and Pavilion, right onto Broad Street, then west through downtown to Allen Avenue, per WTVR.
Can I watch on TV?
Yes. CBS 6 will air it live, per WTVR.
Is there a Fan Zone?
Yes, a free ColonialWebb Fan Zone with activities and food vendors near 8th and Broad streets, per WTVR.
Where are the street closures?
WTVR’s July report lists none. The City of Richmond posted closures for the 2025 parade, and the 2026 notice should appear on rva.gov.
Is anything else on downtown that day?
Yes. The Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker opens its 2026 run on December 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Carpenter Theatre, per the Dominion Energy Center.
