Annual Holiday Events in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to some of the most exciting events of the holidays. Aside from the magnificent lights displays and the pervasive ring of Christmas carols, the city hosts some happenings that have evolved to become yearly traditions. What better way to celebrate the holidays that chiming in and joining the merriment in these annual delights?

Certainly one of the most popular Christmas parades in the country is the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. What could be a better way to celebrate than combining festive Christmas cheer with the glamour and glitz of Hollywood? The parade has evolved to become a much-anticipated annual tradition, taking place along historic Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards. The backdrop includes some of the oldest and most iconic Hollywood landmarks dotting the boulevard, including the El Capitan Theater, Mann's Chinese Theater and its infamous courtyard of prints, the Egyptian Theater, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among others. Celebrities regularly grace the parade with its long procession of beautiful, sparkling floats, and the grand finale is of course, Santa Clause, in his majestic sleigh. It will definitely leave anyone-especially avid Hollywood buffs-star struck!

The Pasadena Rose Parade started out as a small, intimate event. Today, it's one of the most anticipated occasions in the country! It usually takes place on New Year's Day, as dozens upon dozens of some of the most beautifully decorated floats drive through the streets of Pasadena, flashing through the television sets of millions of eager viewers across the country. All the floats are entirely decorated with flowers, with each year seeing the participants pushing grandeur and creativity to the limit. These floats are usually planned and designed more than a year before the event, so that throngs of people literally flock to and encamp around the route as they await the parade. While the parade is the main attraction of the day, there are other festivities and activities taking place, too. Live music, football games at the Rose Bowl, luncheons, and a visit to the Tournament of Roses Museum wrap up an intense day of merriment.

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is one of the grandest of its kind. Every year, owners deck out their yachts, boats, canoes, and kayaks with some of the most imaginative lights displays. These lavishly decorated floating ornaments showcase grand displays of animated gingerbread houses, Nativity scenes and whatnot. Creativity is never in want, and the end result is a grand holiday lights display on water. The Newport Beach area is teeming with life during Christmas, but the main attraction is the boat parade, and once you've seen it, you'll never want to see any other boat parade for the rest of your life.

The Queen Mary is one of the most famous cruise ships in the world, and it's had its time as one of the grandest as well. It's had a long history and rumors abound if it being a haunted ship. Today, the Queen Mary is docked on Long Beach, California and it's become of the hottest dining and relaxation destinations in the area. The annual Christmas tree lighting event is a grand occasion, celebrated alongside good food and charming Christmas carols. It's a cozy occasion, and a wonderful way of celebrating Christmas with the family. The New Year's Eve celebration on board, is of course, also a much anticipated event. It's one big party you'd want to check out.

The Annual Venice Marina Christmas Run in scenic Venice Beach (Santa Monica) is the perfect place to burn up those calories before you start loading up on the Christmas feasts. It's a charity benefit occasion, and you can choose to participate in the 5 or 10 kilometer stint. Whether you're the athletic buff or not, it's a nice way to get together with friends and march to a different beat for the holidays.

The holidays is a spectacular time to be in Los Angeles. The area has a strong tradition for celebration and get-togethers, and it's the excellent time of year to show off the old world charm, the glitz and the pomp that make Los Angeles the unique city that it is.