Hollywood Christmas Parade 2024 in Los Angeles

The Hollywood Christmas Parade is an annual event held along Hollywood Boulevard. Santa together with numerous colorful festive floats and marching bands lead the parade. This bright and sparkling event takes place on Sunday after Thanksgiving Day, drawing in thousands of spectators, as well as some celebrities. It was estimated that in 2023, more than 5,000 participants took part in the parade.

Parade Route

The parade follows a U-shaped course, taking place in the heart of Los Angeles, at the famous Hollywood Boulevard. The starting point is on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, near the Chinese Theater, then it proceeds to the east to Vine Street, south to Sunset Boulevard, and west back to Orange. Grandstands are located near the starting point at Hollywood Boulevard.

Parade Events

Besides the vibrant parade with numerous festive floats, Christmas decorations, high school bands, and dancing ensembles, you can enjoy a thrilling concert. Showcasing the music of the local artists and spreading the Christmas cheer, the concert features several exciting performances. Last year's lineup included Anna Azerli, Laura Bryna, Tara Macri, Village People, and Olivia Soli.

Schedule & Parking

The parade begins at 6 pm, but it's recommended to arrive a bit earlier to find a spot to watch the parade and find a parking spot. Some streets might be closed because of the parade. Parking is fairly limited near Hollywood Boulevard, but some parking lots are available, including the Hollywood/Highland shopping complex, the Cherokee and Hollywood Parking Garage, Las Palmas Avenue Parking, and many other options. All of these parking lots require certain fees.

Grandstand Tickets

To enjoy one of the best views of the parade and the festive Christmas concert, consider purchasing tickets to the grandstand located near the start of the parade. Tickets cost $120 for adults and $70 for children under 14 years old.

History of the Parade

The parade is one of the oldest such events in California, dating back to 1928. At that time, a one-mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard was transformed into Santa Claus Lane to promote local businesses. A daily parade featuring Santa Claus and a movie celebrity was initially called the Santa Claus Lane Parade. Actress Jeanette Loff was the first movie star to participate in the event. During World War II, the parade was suspended but returned to the streets of Los Angeles in 1945.

Many Hollywood stars and famous athletes were celebrity marshals of the Hollywood Christmas Parade including Joe E. Brown, Gene Autry, Michael Landon, Sammy Davis Jr., Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasselhoff, Tom Arnold, Beau Bridges, Peter Fonda, Mickey Rooney, Johnny Grant, Magic Johnson, Antonio Villaraigosa, George López, Bob Barker, Susan Lucci, Larry King, Joe Mantegna, Buzz Aldrin, Stevie Wonder, and Nancy O'Dell.