Black Mountain parade heralds season’s tidings on State Street

Annual Christmas tradtion rolls through Downtown

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 6, 2025

Music, candy and cheer spread across State Street, Dec. 6, as the Black Mountain Christmas Parade passed through downtown.

The annual tradition, hosted by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, featured approximately 85 participants, representing businesses, community and service groups, nonprofit and youth sports organizations and community first responders.

Led by grand marshal and longtime supporter of the event, John Buckner, the nearly 1-mile procession traveled west, from Flat Creek Road to Cragmont Road, on State Street. Thousands of onlookers lined the sidewalks, in front of downtown businesses, as cars, trucks, small hobby trains, dogs and heavy equipment decorated to match the theme: Christmas in Music and Song.

Coordinated by chamber volunteers, participants arrived hours in advance to prepare. Some floats contained live music, while others passed out candy to excited young onlookers. As per the tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus made the final pass through town.

The parade came less than 24 hours after Holly Jolly, which marked the beginning of the holiday season in the Swannanoa Valley.

Photos of the 2025 Black Mountain Christmas Parade can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.