Tinsel Town Begins the Season With The Hollywood Christmas Parade

Amanda Nolan

The holiday season is a time of traditions, and one of the biggest for Los Angeles is The Hollywood Christmas Parade, which attracts thousands to its 3-mile route. Hollywood Boulevard does its best to transform into a seasonal wonderland with marching bands, holiday music, grand balloons, and of course the stars. This year, Santa and his celebrity buddies will come to Tinseltown on Nov. 27, with the parade starting at 5 p.m. The parade is free, but tickets are required for a spot in the grandstand seats.

The Grand Marshall for the 85th annual parade is music icon Olivia Newton-John, known for her country and pop hit singles, starring role in movie musical “Grease,” and advocacy for cancer research. More music artists will perform at the event, including Cyndi Lauper, Scotty McCreery, Kenny G, Eric Benét, War, Band of Merrymakers, and super group The Empty Hearts, with members from Blondie, The Cars, Chesterfield Kings, and The Romantics. Performers from the CW show “Masters of Illusion” will also make an appearance for a magical presentation.

The celeb-filled cars gliding down parade route, from Hollywood & Highland to Vine Street, then west on Sunset Boulevard, will carry soap stars Camryn Grimes, Kate Linder, Deidre Hall, and Jack Scalia, as well as singer-songwriter Cassidy Diana, KOST 103.5 DJ Mark Wallengren, and Ol’ Saint Nick himself! Marching bands come from all over the nation, and this year’s paraders include Eastside High School, Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Monache Marauder Band and Color Guard, Marine Band San Diego, and more. Balloon floats will dazzle the sky with colorful characters including The Grinch, Penguins of Madagascar and Santa Garfield.

If you miss the parade live, the festivities will air on the CW network on Dec. 16 for a two-hour special, and will replay on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Travel expert Laura McKenzie and TV star Erik Estrada will host the telecast, with help from co-hosts Dean Cain, Garrett Clayton, Elizabeth Stanton, and Montel Williams.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade is presented and produced by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International, and benefits Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps charity that brings Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade takes place on Nov. 27 on Hollywood Boulevard, Vince Street and Sunset Boulevard. Tickets for seating are available here.