Hollywood Christmas Parade
Los Angeles, CA
Floats, A-list celebrities, marching bands, and Santa take over Hollywood Boulevard the Sunday after Thanksgiving — a hometown holiday parade in the heart of the entertainment capital, free along the curbs.
Floats, A-list celebrities, marching bands, and Santa take over Hollywood Boulevard the Sunday after Thanksgiving — a hometown holiday parade in the heart of the entertainment capital, free along the curbs.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade has been Hollywood’s signature kickoff to the holiday season since 1928 — nearly a century of cinematic spectacle. The 3.5-mile U-shaped route takes over Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, beginning on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, heading east to Vine Street, south on Vine to Sunset, then west on Sunset back to Orange.
Marching bands, equestrian units, elaborate themed floats, celebrity grand marshals, vintage and modern cars, dance troupes, and Santa Claus himself bring the route to life.
Curbside viewing along the entire route is free. Vantages along Hollywood Boulevard west of Highland Avenue tend to draw lighter crowds. Only grandstand seating and a concert package require tickets. The parade is held every year on the Sunday evening after Thanksgiving. Confirm this season’s confirmed start time and grand-marshal lineup at thehollywoodchristmasparade.org.
Yes — curbside viewing along the entire 3.5-mile route is free. Grandstand seating and the indoor concert package require tickets, but standing or sitting along the curb costs nothing.
Every year on the Sunday evening after Thanksgiving. The exact start time is announced each fall — typically late afternoon into evening, lasting about three hours from start to finish.
A 3.5-mile U-shape: starts on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, travels east to Vine Street, south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard, then west on Sunset back to Orange Drive. Curbside spots along any section are free.
Metro is the most direct option — the Red Line stops at Hollywood/Vine and Hollywood/Highland, both directly on the parade route. Driving in is difficult because of route closures; plan to park well outside Hollywood and take Metro or rideshare in.
Yes — it’s a classic parade experience with marching bands, floats, characters, and Santa. The crowd is large, so bring strollers carefully and stick close. Curbside spots near the route start let kids see the floats in their fresh first reveal.
Hollywood Boulevard is the historic spine of the Hollywood district, lined for more than a mile by the bronze-and-terrazzo stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Walk debuted with eight pilot stars unveiled at Hollywood and Highland on August 15, 1958, and was formally dedicated on November 23, 1960, in conjunction with the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Stretching along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, the Walk threads past landmarks including the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the El Capitan.
Each December, the City of West Hollywood strings holiday lighting and décor along Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Brea Avenue — a walkable, free stretch of the city’s main commercial corridor in seasonal dress.
Brian J. Cook
The Grove’s towering 100-foot Mt. Shasta white fir crowns one of L.A.’s most-photographed holiday destinations — nightly snowfall, Santa visits, and an annual tree-lighting celebration, all free to enjoy. Confirm this season’s program at thegrovela.com.
Brian J. Cook
West Hollywood Park’s Great Lawn becomes an outdoor ice rink each December, with timed skating sessions, themed music nights, and a free family-festival day woven into the rink’s run.
Brian J. Cook
A late-December walk-through of the working Warner Bros. lot decked out for the holidays — Stars Hollow lit for Christmas, nightly light show, themed food and drink, and a Hollywood-only run of dates after the regular tour winds down.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.