Dover Holiday Parade is Sunday, Dec. 1; Traffic restrictions will be in place

posted on: 11/8/2024; updated: 11/29/2024

The Dover Holiday Parade steps off this Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce and Sixth Street. The parade will follow its usual route, starting at the intersection of Sixth Street and Central Avenue and weaving through downtown Dover, concluding at Cleary Cleaners.

The parade has been a hallmark of the holiday season for decades. Parade organizers say this year's parade is expected to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a lineup of vibrant floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and, of course, a special appearance by Santa Claus himself. This year's theme, "Tales from the Nutcracker," will celebrate the classic story and its iconic characters bringing the Nutcracker to life.

Don Briand is this year's Grand Marshal. Accompanying him will be Cliff Blake, the 2024 Community Arts Champion.

Dover Honda is the 2024 presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include Martel Plumbing and Heating, Hopkins Enterprises, Jewelry Creations, Burns Bryant Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin P.A., Pinnacle Mortgage, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, P.A., Noggin Factory, Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Shaheen & Gordon Lawyers, Raiche & Company, and The Vitko Family.

The parade is organized by Cochecho Friends committee members Mayor Robert Carrier, Angela Carter, Aaron Cronkrite, Lori Nollet, Michelle Routhouska and Dennis Shanahan.

For more information on the parade, visit www.Cochechofriends.com.

Road closures, traffic restrictions in place for Holiday Parade

Dover Police Chief William M. Breault announces the following road closures and parking restrictions for the Dover Holiday Parade.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 1, and will follow its traditional route along Central Avenue (NH Route 108), beginning at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, 550 Central Ave., and finishing at Cleary Cleaners, 120 Central Ave.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, Central Avenue will be closed to all traffic from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. from the intersection of Chestnut Street to the intersection of Stark Avenue and East Watson Street. This includes much of the downtown area. Temporary traffic detours will be in effect, but motorists not coming to watch, participate, or visit the downtown are encouraged to avoid the downtown area entirely.

Additional street closures will be in effect from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate parade staging and setup. These include:

• Sixth Street, between Horne Street and Central Avenue;
• Maple Street, between Sixth and Hough streets;
• Grove Street, between Fifth and Hough streets;
• Mount Vernon Street, between Sixth and Milk streets.

Parking restrictions will be posted on Sixth Street between Horne Street and Central Avenue, beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, and in other locations where necessary along the parade route. Parking is allowed on most of the parade route, but motorists cannot move their vehicles during the Central Avenue closure.

Dover Police is coordinating with CSX Transportation railways for the temporary suspension of freight trains at the downtown crossings to accommodate the event. Amtrak Downeaster passenger train service will not be interrupted.

Questions about traffic implications may be directed to the Police Department's Traffic Bureau at 603-742-4646.