Popular Christmas Parades in the Los Angeles, California Vicinities

Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is the most popular and heavily attended event in Los Angeles. The event usually takes place on the weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday, and for the 2010 it will take place on Sunday, November 28, at 6 PM. The parade route takes place in the center of Hollywood, beginning on the corner of Hollywood Blvd at Orange and then traveling east to Vine, south on Vine towards Sunset Boulevard and then west on Sunset, back to Orange. "Grandstand Seating" is the only way to go to view this spectacular parade and costs $35 per ticket. Seat assignments are assigned per purchase order. Curbside seating is also available, but the view is not as enjoyable. Group discounts are also available upon request. Every year there is a special designated "Grand Marshall" of the event, and for 2010, the special person happens to be Larry King. Live band performances for local and nationwide school bands, dance performances, celebrity appearances, and of course a visit from Santa as the parade finale are just a few of the special showings that happen during this parade. The Hollywood Christmas parade has become a tradition to many local residents and out of state visitors, and can become yours too.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
This is probably the most nationwide famous Christmas parade. Boasting over 100 boats, canoes, and kayaks fully decked out with lights, this is an event to place on anyone's bucket list as a must see. Running for 5 exclusive days during mid-December (usually Wednesday through Sunday) the parade begins at Collins Island at 6:30 p.m. each evening and finishes at the same location. The parade route can last about two and a half hours to make their rounds on weekdays and about three hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Newport Beach bay front is the best place to watch the parade route which travels along the inner portions of the bay and circles Balboa Island. Here are a few suggestions of places to view the parade route: the bay side of Balboa Peninsula along 18th Street to the end of Bay Avenue, anywhere around Balboa Island, along the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) between the Balboa Bay Club and Riverside Drive, and along the water on Lido Isle. It gets pretty crowded so make sure to arrive very early to secure a good viewing spot and parking.

Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade
The Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade is a must see for children and adults who are young at heart. Taking place at the world famous Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, people who come to see the parade will experience nostalgic memories of their favorite Disney characters dressed in holiday garb and decked out holiday-inspired floats that suit the merry occasion. Of course, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus cannot be missed during this event. The parade event usually occurs from November through December and twice a day (2:30 and 5:30 PM). Afterwards the spectacular "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Show featuring holiday themed fireworks display occurs around 8:40 PM, weather permitting.

Other popular venues in the Los Angeles vicinity include "The Glory of Christmas" at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California (a live-action pageant of the birth of Christ), and "It's Grinchmas" at Universal Studios theme park in Universal City, California (where during the month of December, the entire park is decked out in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" theme).