Downtown Roads to Close for Veterans Day Parade
Police will restrict traffic Saturday morning as the parade and two college football games draw crowds to Winston-Salem.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Civic
Winston-Salem police announced traffic delays Saturday, November 7, 2026, when the Winston-Salem Triad Veterans Day Parade moves through downtown starting at 10 a.m. Nearby roads will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon as Winston-Salem State and Wake Forest host home football games.
Why it matters
Downtown Winston-Salem will see heavier traffic and foot traffic than usual on Saturday morning. Drivers planning to travel through the central city should anticipate congestion and consider alternate routes.
Police announced a three-hour road closure window from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 7, 2026, tied to the parade start at 10 a.m. The advisory does not specify expected attendance figures for the parade or the football games.
The players
Winston-Salem Police Department
The municipal police agency serving Winston-Salem, which announced the traffic advisory and road closures for Saturday's events.
Winston-Salem State University
A public historically Black university in Winston-Salem, whose Rams are hosting a homecoming football game on Saturday.
Wake Forest University
A private university located in Winston-Salem that is hosting a home football game on Saturday.
The details
Traffic will be affected on Fourth, Liberty, First, Cherry and Marshall streets. Motorists should not park in street-side areas temporarily posted as "No Parking," and parking remains available at downtown parking decks.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9 a.m. to noon: nearby roads closed for downtown events.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Parade begins moving through downtown.
Civic Calendar
The Winston-Salem Triad Veterans Day Parade has long been a fixture of downtown civic life, and this year's Saturday timing overlaps with home football games at two local universities. Traffic management of this kind follows the same pattern used for recurring downtown parades in Winston-Salem.
Drivers heading downtown Saturday morning should plan extra travel time and avoid street-side parking marked "No Parking." Parking is available at the downtown parking decks for those attending the parade or games.
The takeaway
Saturday's downtown events will concentrate traffic and foot traffic into a short window, so checking routes before leaving home can save time. Using the downtown parking decks and allowing extra time helps avoid delays for parade and game-day visitors.
What happens next
Road closures are scheduled to lift at noon on Saturday, November 7, 2026, when the parade and related traffic restrictions end.
Further reading
For more on local government and public services, see Civic coverage in Winston-Salem.
