Guide to Celebrating the Christmas Holidays in Los Angeles

Celebrating the Holidays in Los Angeles

What better way to start the holiday season off than by attending the Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade? This year is the 75th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade scheduled for Sunday November the 26th at 5:00 pm.

This year proves to be a spectacular year while celebrating the 7th anniversary. Expect to join as many as 100 celebrities in this star-studded event as well as the most famous person, Santa Clause as he travels the Hollywood Christmas Parade in his sleigh.

The first Hollywood Christmas Parade was held in 1928. The only two participants at that time were Santa Claus and Jeanette Loff, actress. Initially the Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of the parade to attract shoppers to the Hollywood Boulevard and its’ many businesses during the busy holiday season. This quickly became a tradition. Eventually live reindeer were added pulling Santa and Ms. Loff down Hollywood Boulevard. 

As the years went on the parade became more modern replacing the reindeer, with a truck pulled float, to an elaborate display including flying reindeer and a snow village. Eventually the participants in the parade grew including, Grand Marshals such as Comedian Joe E. Brown, Bette Davis, Mary Pickford, and Gene Autry and his horse Champion. The song “Here Comes Santa Claus,” was inspired by his participation in the parade. To this day every year a different celebrity flips the switch to light the Christmas tree officially dubbing it the beginning of the Holiday Season. Having changed since its’ initial inception, the parade currently travels 3.5 miles and includes Sunset Boulevard.

This is a free event for spectators. Those who prefer grandstand seating may acquire such by paying $40 per adult and $35 per child for children ages 12 years and under. This seating is located on Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orange. If interested in special seating call 714-670-0186.