Thanksgiving is behind us—and the countdown to Christmas begins! There are little markers in L.A. that let us know that one of the most exciting times of the year is soon approaching: Christmas lights being lit, holiday music on the radio…and the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Every year, thousands of Angelenos don their most festive apparel (still too tight from Thanksgiving dinner) and head to the Hollywood Walk of Fame as it’s transformed into a winter sort-of-wonderland. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hollywood Christmas Parade, one of the first major Christmas events of the season.
When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade 2025?
The Hollywood Christmas Parade always takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. That means this year’s 93rd annual parade is taking place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 6–8pm. Pre-parade entertainment starts at 5:30pm, and grandstand bleacher seating opens at 4pm.
How can I watch the parade?
Reserved grandstand seating in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Roosevelt was going for $120, but all those tickets are actually already sold out. Luckily, curbside viewing along the parade route after Highland Avenue is free if you stake out a spot early enough.
If you just want to watch on TV, all of the action usually airs closer to Christmas on the CW and KTLA (this year’s air date is still to come).
Where does the parade start?
The 3.2-mile U-shaped parade route begins at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, in front of the Chinese Theatre, and heads east. It then turns south onto Vine Street and west onto Sunset Boulevard, where it continues until reaching Orange Drive again. A route map can be found here.
Who will be appearing?
Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie and Elizabeth Stanton will host. This year’s grand marshal is actor Luke Wilson (a pretty big celebrity get, by the parade’s standards), and Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson will receive the Humanitarian Award. The rest of the lineup includes Brian Austin Green, Sharna Burgess, Vivica A. Fox, Tori Spelling, Ian Ziering and soap stars from Days of our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful.
The parade also typically features plenty of character balloons, marching bands, dance groups and equestrians, too, plus live entertainment from performers including the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. The night will culminate with the arrival of Santa and his reindeer.
What street and freeway closures will be in effect?
Saturday, November 29, at 12:01am
- Hollywood Blvd between Orange Dr and Highland Ave (through Mon 6am)
- Orange Dr from Hollywood Blvd south to the alley north of Hawthorn Ave (through Mon 6am)
- Sycamore Ave from Franklin Ave to Hollywood Blvd (through Sun 10pm; also no parking on Saturday or Sunday)
Sunday, November 30
- Hollywood Blvd between La Brea Ave and Orange Dr (closed 6am–10pm)
- Hawthorne, DeLongpre and Fountain Aves from La Brea to Highland Aves (1–9pm)
- El Cerrito Pl from Franklin Ave to Hollywood Blvd (1–8pm)
- Sycamore Ave and Orange Dr from Franklin Ave to Santa Monica Blvd (1–9pm)
- Sunset Blvd between La Brea and Highland Aves (1–10pm)
- Fountain Ave between La Brea and Highland Aves (2–10pm)
- Hollywood FWY/101 HWY, both northbound and southbound off-ramps for Cahuenga Blvd, and southbound 101 Vine off-ramp (3–10pm)
- Northbound La Brea Ave between Hollywood and Sunset Blvds (4–9pm)
- Highland Ave from Franklin Ave to Santa Monica Blvd (4–10pm)
- Hollywood Blvd from Highland Ave to Gower St (4–9pm)
- Vine St from Franklin Ave to Santa Monica Blvd (4–9pm)
- Sunset Blvd from Highland Ave to Gower St (4–10pm)
Where Can I Park?
Parking is always at a premium in Hollywood—especially when street closures are in effect—but you usually can’t go wrong with the Ovation Hollywood underground parking complex. If you want to avoid the issue altogether, luckily the area is well-served by public transit. You can take the Metro Red Line to either the Hollywood/Vine or Hollywood/Highland stop—both are along the parade route.