Charleston Emancipation Day Parade 2027: Jan. 1 times

Charleston’s Emancipation Day Parade is Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The Emancipation Proclamation Association’s registration form says the lineup is at 9 a.m. at Burke High School and the parade begins at 11 a.m., ending at Liberty Square. The form calls it the association’s 162nd parade. The 2027 route and road closures are not published yet; the details below are from the Charleston Police Department’s notice for the 2026 parade.

Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Emancipation Proclamation Association’s 2027 registration form and the city’s 2026 parade notice. We will add the 2027 route and closures when police post them, usually in the last days of December.

Who to call

• Parade day traffic: police non-emergency, 843-743-7200
• City questions: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311
• Float questions: Parade Floats by Allen, Ravenel, 843-889-3166, as listed by the association

Is it on in 2027?

Yes. The association has opened registration for its “2027 annual New Year’s Day parade and celebration” on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027:

The form does not give a time or place for the celebration after the parade. We will add it when the association publishes it.

The route in 2026

The Charleston Police Department’s notice for Jan. 1, 2026 set the parade from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on this route:

1. Starts on Fishburne Street near Burke High School.
2. Left onto Ashley Avenue.
3. Right onto Sumter Street.
4. Right onto King Street.
5. Left onto Calhoun Street.
6. Right onto Concord Street, ending near Laurens Street.

The 2027 parade ends at Liberty Square on Concord Street, the association says, so the route is likely to be similar. Police have not confirmed it.

Road closures

In 2026, police said:

• From 9 a.m., Fishburne Street closed between Hagood Avenue and President Street for setup.
• From 11 a.m., the route closed in segments as the parade moved, not all at once.
• About 12:30 p.m., the parade ended and disbanded on Laurens Street.

Vehicle access to some businesses and homes along the route was limited, and officers were posted to help with traffic and neighborhood access. Current closures are on our road construction and closures page.

Parking

Neither the association nor the police list parking for the parade. Downtown street parking near King and Calhoun streets fills on a holiday morning, so plan on a city garage; locations and rates are on the city’s Where to Park page and our getting around guide. City offices are closed on New Year’s Day; holiday closings and trash changes are on our New Year’s Eve page.

Taking part

Groups, businesses, churches and vehicles register on the association’s form. It lists:

• Personal vehicle: $25
• Small organization or business (up to 40 people): $50
• Large organization or business (41 or more), or a religious institution: $100
• Five or more cars or floats: $10 extra a car

Payment is by PayPal or check to P.O. Box 40095, North Charleston, SC 29423. The association says a float is dropped from the parade if payment is not made. The form lists no deadline.

What this means for you

• The parade steps off at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.
• Expect Fishburne Street to close from 9 a.m. and rolling closures on the route from 11 a.m.
• Watch for the police notice in late December for the confirmed 2027 route.

Related: New Year’s Eve in Charleston, history and landmarks and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Emancipation Day Parade in Charleston?

Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The Emancipation Proclamation Association’s parade form puts the lineup at 9 a.m. at Burke High School and the step-off at 11 a.m.

What is the Emancipation Day Parade route?

The 2027 route is not published yet. In 2026, police said it ran from Fishburne Street near Burke High School along Ashley Avenue, Sumter Street, King Street, Calhoun Street and Concord Street, ending near Laurens Street. The association says the 2027 parade ends at Liberty Square.

Which roads close for the Emancipation Day Parade?

In 2026, Fishburne Street closed between Hagood Avenue and President Street from 9 a.m., and the route closed in segments from 11 a.m. until the parade ended about 12:30 p.m., the Charleston Police Department said. The 2027 notice usually comes in late December.

How do I enter a float or group in the parade?

Through the Emancipation Proclamation Association’s registration form. It lists $25 for a personal vehicle, $50 for a group or business of up to 40 people and $100 for larger groups, businesses and religious institutions.