Enjoy Spectacular Los Angeles Holiday Parades

Everyone loves a parade! During the holidays in Los Angeles, you can welcome Santa Claus when his sled lands on Hollywood Boulevard, watch a procession of colorfully decorated boats, and experience the world-famous Rose Parade.

Every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus arrives in Tinseltown along with floats, celebrities, movie cars, marching bands and equestrians! The 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade is taking place at 6pm on Sunday, November 26. This year's Grand Marshal is Colonel Paris D. Davis, who received the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military award, on March 3 of this year. Col. Davis said, “I am honored and very grateful to be chosen as Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade. I am especially pleased that this wonderful annual tradition raises awareness of the important work that U.S. Marine Toys for Tots are doing to bring gifts and holiday cheer to those less fortunate."

The U-shaped parade route starts on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, travels east to Vine Street, south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard, and west on Sunset back to Orange. To get to the parade, Go Metro and take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Vine or Hollywood/Highland.

There are numerous spots along the route to watch the parade for free, or you can purchase VIP Grandstand Seats at Ticketmaster.

Taking place on Saturday, December 2, the 62nd annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade marks the beginning of the holiday season for harbor boaters, the surrounding communities of Wilmington, San Pedro, and the beach cities of the South Bay.

Sponsored by the Port of Los Angeles and the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, the Holiday Afloat Parade features vessels of all shapes and sizes, from powerboats to sailboats, tall ships and harbor working craft.

The Holiday Afloat Parade starts at 6pm in the East Basin Channel of the Port of LA. Thousands of spectators watch the mile-long procession from public viewing stations along the LA Waterfront, including the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the SS Lane Victory.

The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District present the 43rd Annual Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade on Sunday, December 3.

Led by "Timmy" the Duck, the parade takes place from 1-3pm in Historic Downtown San Pedro. Thousands line the parade route each year to cheer on the bands, drill teams, schools and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and celebrities as they make their way through Downtown San Pedro.

The parade will start at 13th Street and Pacific Avenue, turn on 6th Street, and end at 6th and Palos Verdes Streets.

Now in its 61st year, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade kicks off at 5:55pm sharp on Saturday, December 9 with a traditional fireworks display, followed by the parade from 6-8pm. This year's Grand Marshal is Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and the parade theme is "Holiday Spirit Around the World."

As the colorful parade boats circle the Marina’s main channel several times, spectators watch from popular viewing spots like Burton Chace Park, Fisherman's Village and other waterfront venues.

For more than a quarter-century, the annual King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade lights up the Redondo Beach harbor along Harbor Drive with festively decorated boats parading with sparkling, colored lights and seasonal decorations. The 2023 theme is "It's a Wonderful Life," honoring first responders during the 2022-23 storms.

Taking place at 5:30pm on Saturday, December 9, the Holiday Boat Parade is free and can be viewed from popular locations like the King Harbor Marina / Moonstone Park, Portofino Hotel and Seaside Lagoon Seawall.

The 135th Rose Parade is taking place on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at 8am (PST) featuring spectacular floral floats, marching bands from across the country, and high-stepping equestrian units.

The 2024 Rose Parade theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language.” Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian said, "From bossa nova to blues, classical to country, metal to mariachi and rock to rap, thousands of genres invite us to become one in celebrating a world of music. Whether near or far, young or old, we invite you to year-long festivities that culminate on New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade. Let the music begin!"

For detailed information on tickets, locations and schedules, visit the Tournament of Roses website.