Happy December, It’s Time For The Christmas Parade [Road Closures]

Morgan Levy

So, there’s a Christmas parade downtown tonight! Did this fact escape you too? The 59th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade will get started tonight at 7pm by crossing the totally-structurally-sound-despite-being-hit-by-a-barge Woodland Street Bridge, then make its way down 2nd Avenue and Broadway before ending around Broadway & 7th (map). This year’s parade is supposed to be the largest ever, with grand marshal Vince Gill leading the way for over 80 parade participants. There will be floats, marching bands, giant inflatable things, gift-wrapped U-hauls, dance troupes, people in creepy costumes, the works! There’s also the annual Rudolph’s Red Nose Run 5k beforehand, if you’re into that physical-activity-on-a-Friday-night sort of thing. You won’t find us running, but you will find us bundled up, cheering, enjoying some uh, specialty hot chocolate from home and soaking in some holiday cheer.

5k & Parade Schedule

  • 6:00pm: Rudolph’s Red Nose Run starts at LP Field (registration starts at 4:30pm)
  • 6:30pm: Lighting of the Nashville Christmas tree in Public Square Park with Mayor Karl Dean, Piedmont Natural Gas execs and Vince Gill
  • 7:00pm: Parade starts crossing Woodland Street Bridge

Road Closures for Friday, December 2

Closing at 4:30pm:

  • Woodland Street westbound from 3rd Avenue to Interstate Drive
  • North 1st Street from Jefferson Street to Woodland Street
  • North 1st Street from Russell Street to Jefferson Street
  • Titans Way
  • Victory Avenue
  • South 1st Street at Davidson Street
  • 2nd Avenue North between Church and Union Streets
  • Russell Street from South 2nd Street to South 1st Street

Closing at 5:20pm:

  • Eastbound and Westbound lanes of Union Street (at 3rd Avenue North) to Woodland Street at Interstate Drive

Closing at 5:30pm:

  • Broadway from 1st Avenue to 13th Avenue (including traffic crossing Broadway from 1st to 8th)
  • Church Street from 3rd Avenue to 1st Avenue
  • 1st Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Union Street
  • 2nd Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Union Street

Closing at 6:30pm:

  • 9th Avenue South from Broadway to Demonbreun Street
  • 9th Avenue North from Broadway to Church Street
  • 10th Avenue North from Broadway to Charlotte Pike
  • Commerce Street from 9th and 10th Avenues North
  • Broadway from 1st to 13th Avenues (including traffic crossing Broadway from 1st to 13th)

Photo by Stephen Yeargin, who is evidently the only person who takes pictures of the Nashville Christmas parade and puts them on Flickr.