Downtown Monroe by the numbers – another successful year in 2025

As Monroe city officials prepare for 2026 and figure out how to keep downtown vibrant throughout the year, they share some of the successes of 2025. The events proved to be very well attended as evidenced by the number of people downtown during each event.

• Just over 22,100 atended the 20th Annual Making Memories in Monroe Car Show, with over 800 classic and custom automobiles throughout town, and over 500 for judging…and that was held on the rain date!
• The return of the Crepe Myrtle Festival from a long hiatus brought in over 13,400 people to downtown!
• The annual Fall Festival saw an attendance of well over 23,000 people with more than 400 vendors scattered throughout downtown Monroe!
• The 72nd annual Christmas Parade had over 80 entrants and brought in an estimated 25,100 people downtown.
• Childers Park, since the opening of the Twelve Days of Christmas walking tour of lights (November 20th) has seen over 13,000 visitors stroll through admiring the nostalgia of holiday tradition and lights at night in the park alone.
• In addition, weekly Monroe Market on Court Street which took place for almost three-quarters of the year saw an additional 250,000 visits during those market days and hours to the downtown area.
• The First Friday Night Concert series in 2025, featuring Billy and the Jets, Pandora’s Box, Risky Biscuit, Fly Betty, Brandon Whitley, Boys in the Band, Ben Smith and the Rented Mules, and the Swingin’ Medallions was visited by almost 20,000 people. The 2026 First Friday Concert series schedule will be released in the coming weeks, and includes more Friday nights!!!

Officials noted on social media that residents can expect an even bigger 2026 with more the First Friday Concert series soon to be released.