Homebuilders across the greater Triangle area are celebrating a major milestone in 2025: 60 years of the Triangle Parade of Homes. What began in 1965 as a local showcase of new home construction has grown into one of North Carolina’s most anticipated open-house events, drawing design enthusiasts, prospective buyers, and longtime locals alike.

Lynn Koy-Stone, director of events for the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties, said the annual Parade of Homes is a reminder that despite market booms and busts, COVID-19 supply chain issues, and everything in-between, the 60th anniversary is a reminder of how far the Triangle real estate market has come.

“This industry — specifically this area of the country — is extremely resilient,” Koy-Stone said. “We are able to pivot and move and adjust to meet our consumers and our home builders exactly where they are.”

The first-ever Triangle Parade of Homes began in 1965 and was conceived as a way for builders to open their doors, showcase new techniques, and spark imagination among homebuyers. According to information pulled from former Triangle Parade guides, many of the programs from the 1960s featured just 14 Parade homes, many of which were available between $20,000 and $30,000 in the current North Hills area. The trends in the ‘60s included carpeted bathrooms and bold colors. There was even a Miss Parade of Homes in those days.

The 1970s saw a rise in trends like wood paneling, shag carpeting, and linoleum floors. And by the 1980s, the Parade book advertised 15.5% mortgages on an average $150,000 home. The ‘80s also saw the emergence of “Ladies Days,” which followed the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, allowing women to apply for loans and mortgages without requiring a male co-signer. In addition, the HBA of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties officially joined the Triangle Parade event.

Over the years, Parade has evolved along with architecture trends, construction technologies, and lifestyle expectations. It’s reflected how the region — and homebuilding itself — has changed.

This year’s anniversary is about more than marking time. It’s a celebration of how the Parade has helped shape neighborhoods throughout the region, lift standards in design and sustainability, and knit together the community of builders, designers, homeowners, and dreamers.

Koy-Stone said this year’s Parade of Homes is a great place to explore the elements that make the Parade so popular. “People want to see these homes, they want to touch, feel, and take part of these experiences in person again. We are wrapping our arms around that wholeheartedly,” she said.

She also said this year’s Parade provides a great opportunity to have conversations with builders about the region’s home needs. “Everybody is moving here,” she said. “A lot of builders are moving toward being able to provide affordable living and affordable housing to the tens of thousands of people moving to this area every year. They’re all trying to engage and capture an audience that clearly needs attention. I would love engagement around the opportunity for housing in this area.”

Those opportunities are already happening. As the Parade expands beyond the major cities of the Triangle, a total of 251 homes across 178 communities and nine counties — including Wake, Durham, Chatham, Orange, and Johnston Counties — are on display this year. In addition, the Franklin County HBA is holding its own Parade event during the same weekends. Across those communities, guests can see townhomes priced from the $300s all the way to luxury destinations priced over $6 million.

As always, the Parade event remains open to the public at no cost. No registration or appointments are required. Pick your route, grab a map, and explore at your own pace.

The Jim Allen Group is thrilled to celebrate 60 years of the Triangle Parade by remaining one of the largest participants in this year’s event. JAG is featuring nearly 60 homes across the Triangle, including the major cities and smaller surrounding communities.

Visit JAG’s Parade website to explore our retro Homecoming theme and to learn about all of the opportunities we’re offering. From fun giveaways to tons of prizes, there are chances to win at every JAG home you tour.

Don’t forget to download JAG’s Parade app, available for iOS and Android, to plan your tour and track your prizes.

Over the years, the Parade of Homes has become more than a showcase. It’s a mirror of evolving lifestyles, design tastes, and community values. Builders use the Parade as a display for innovation, quality, and craftsmanship. And for homeowners, design lovers, or anyone looking to renovate, it’s a place to find insights and photos that renderings can’t replicate.

Koy-Stone also added that the Parade event is a great place to meet like-minded people, and not just the builders who, she said, “Go above and beyond.” But it’s a place to connect with those who can have a major influence on the Triangle area for the long term. “We have such an engaged demographic of people who want to participate,” she said.

Celebrate 60 years of the Triangle Parade during the first three weekends in October. Both the Triangle and Franklin County Parade events are open from 12 to 5 p.m. on the following dates: