It’s the 90th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots on Sunday, November 27th
A Press Conference to announce the latest information about The 90th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots, now celebrating its 75th Anniversary, presented by Associated Television International in association with The City of Los Angeles. Traffic, Road Closures, and Alternative Travel Routes were discussed. The Press was held at the Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028 in the Center Courtyard on the upper Plaza Level at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood, CA. Entertainment was provided by PAVA World Korean Traditional Band, Chinese Lion and Dragon Dancers, Musicians, Costumed Performers, and Kung Fu Performers, all featured in this year’s parade. Additionally, Jingle 5 Christmas Carolers brought in the Christmas Cheer
Be a part of history in the making!!! Don’t miss the historic 90th Anniversary of The Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots, now celebrating its legendary 75th Anniversary! It will all happen live on the streets of Hollywood, CA as the parade makes it a 3.2-mile trek starting at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard on a 50’ x 330’ Red Carpet on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., including live performances!
Led by Grand MarshalDanny Trejo, the prolific Actor, Author, and Restaurateur, the live parade will be presented by Associated Television International in association with The City of Los Angeles, hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain, and Montel Williams, with Special Co-Host Elizabeth Stanton, Host of Season Three of The CW’s hit television show, World’s Funniest Animals.
This year’s live parade will feature 90 Hollywood Celebrities and VIPS, 14 Pre-Parade and Parade Performers, 12 award-winning bands from around the country, including an international band from Cochabamba, Bolivia, 10 large-than-life four-story character balloons, 4 colorful floats including the new DINOSAURS IN THE VALLEY, 10 novelties, and 39 movie cars. The parade culminates with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season! To view a sizzle reel of highlights from past Hollywood Christmas Parades, please visit: https://vimeo.com/480561401/6401a3b270
Grandstand Seats for this year’s parade are completely SOLD OUT. Parade Goers are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early to secure spots along the parade route. FREE Curbside Seating will be available along the parade route, starting at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and continuing along the rest of the parade route on Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard.
For Parade inquiries, please call the 24/7 Hollywood Christmas Parade Hotline toll-free at 1-833-PARADE1 (1-833-727-2331).
For updates on this year’s parade, please visit the parade’s official website at www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org
Follow on https://www.facebook.com/xmasparade/, https://twitter.com/HlywdChristmas and #HCP2022
More About The Hollywood Christmas Parade:
2022 marks the historic 90th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, an American tradition. The live parade is produced by Associated Television International and presented in association with The City of Los Angeles on the streets of Hollywood, CA. This year’s celebration will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Since 1928 the live Hollywood Christmas Parade has been a loved and cherished annual holiday tradition enjoyed by Angelenos, as well as by millions watching the televised airings of the parade nationally on The CW Network and internationally on Armed Forces Network around the world. The only exceptions were during World War II from 1942 to 1944 when the parade wasn’t presented, and, of course, last year in 2020, when the parade wasn’t presented due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The parade was then presented live again in 2021, and returns this year to celebrate its historic 90th Anniversary live in the streets of Hollywood, CA!
Grand Marshals who have appeared in The Hollywood Christmas Parade during the last 90 years include Jeanette Loft, Joe E. Brown, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Joan Leslie, Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz, and Harry Sherman. Irene Rich, Bob Hope, Art Linklater, Lawrence Welk, Charlton Heston, Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, Danny Thomas, Mary Pickford, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Vaughn, Pat Boone, Fred McMurray, Buddy Ebsen, Walter Matthau, Ernest Borgnine, Johnny Mathis, General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., John Wayne, General Omar Bradley, James Stewart, Robert Wagner, and Natalie Wood, Ron Howard, George Peppard, Michael Landon, William Shatner, Mickey, and Minnie Mouse, Tony Danza, Sammy Davis, Jr., Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr, Bob and Delores Hope, Louis Gossett, Jr., David Hasselhoff, Robert Urich, Beau Bridges, Dennis Hopper, and Frankie Muñiz, Peter Fonda, Mickey Rooney, Johnny Grant, Magic Johnson, Antonio Villaraigosa, George López, Bob Barker, Joy, and Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci, Larry King, Marie Osmond, Joe Mantegna, Buzz Aldrin, Stevie Wonder, Penn & Teller, Olivia Newton-John, Dr. Mehmet C. Oz, Nancy O’Dell, Mario Lopez, and Sheryl Underwood.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade was originally called the Santa Claus Lane Parade. When the American performer Gene Autry, who was known as The Singing Cowboy, was riding on his horse down Hollywood Boulevard in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade, he heard young parade spectators in the crowd exclaim, “Here comes Santa Claus!” This incident became the inspiration for Autry to compose the traditional perennial Christmas holiday song, “Here Come’s Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane),” which he co-wrote with Oakley Haldeman in 1949. Autry first recorded the song in 1947. The song was released as a single by Columbia Records and became a #5 country and #9 pop hit at the time. Gene Autry is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in each of the five categories, Motion Pictures, Radio, Recording, Television, and Live Theater. Today the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard at Highland Avenue, part of the Hollywood Christmas Parade route, is named Gene Autry Square.
The live parade features 5,000 participants and will be taped for multiple nationwide network television broadcasts to be aired during the holiday season. The parade will travel along a 3.2-mile U-shaped route starting at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard traveling east on Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street, turning south on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard, and then turning west on Sunset Boulevard traveling back to Orange Street.
How It All Began 75 Years Ago – The Origin and Evolution of the Marine Toys for Tots Program:
Toys for Tots began in 1947 as the brainchild of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Actually, it was his wife, Diane Hendricks, who was the real inspiration. She had a few handcrafted dolls and asked Bill to deliver them to an agency that supports children in need.
When Bill reported back to his wife that he could not find such an organization, she instructed him to “start one!” Major Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys in 1947.
Seeing such successful community engagement in 1947, the Commandant directed all Marine Reserve Sites to implement a Toys for Tots campaign, transforming it into a national community action program in 1948.
Bill Hendrick’s civilian job was Director of Public Relations at Warner Brothers Studios. He had many celebrity friends who he asked to help support the newly created Marine Toys for Tots Program. As a personal friend and as a favor to Bill Hendricks, Walt Disney designed the first Toys for Tots poster, which included a miniature three-car train that was subsequently adopted as the Toys for Tots logo.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, was established in 1991 at the behest of the Marine Corps to help run and support the Marine Toys for Tots Program.
The Foundation raises funds, purchases toys, provides promotional and support materials, manages all funds raised and donated, solicits corporate support, educates the public, and handles day-to-day operations. Presently, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children annually. To learn more, please visit: https://toyfortots.org
About The National and International Telecasts of the Parade:
This year’s 90th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots in the streets of Hollywood, CA on November 27th will be taped for a national telecast primetime telecast on the parade on The CW Network on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The parade will also be telecast internationally on the American Forces Network during the holiday season.
Musical Performers who will appear in The CW Network national telecast on Friday, December 16, 2022 will include Taylor Dane, Chris Isaak, Marie Osmond, Tichina Arnold, and Wyn Starks. Anna Azerli, Keaton Simons, Scotty Berg, Savannah Rae, and Jet Velocity All-Star Holiday Bandcomprised of Jason Ebs, Janea Chadwick Ebs, Eva Gardner, Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis andMitch Perry.
There will also be a Special Musical Montage Tribute for 90 years in The CW Network national telecast with highlights of some of the greatest performances of the parade, including The Beach Boys, The Village People, Donny, and Marie Osmond, Earth, Wind, and Fire and Olivia Newton-John.
The telecast will also include magician Ada Chow, and stars of The CW’s hit show, Masters of Illusion, Ed Alonzo, and Adam Wylie.
ROAD CLOSURES, HIGHWAY CLOSURES & PARKING RESTRICTIONS:
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will collaboratively enforce road closures and parking restrictions around Tinseltown to assist with The 90th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots. Please observe parking restriction warning signs. Impounded vehicles will be towed to the Official Police Garage (OPG) at Hollywood Tow located at 1015 N. Mansfield Avenue. Motorists are advised to check the OPG website at www.opglaviic.com to find their vehicle. To retrieve impounded vehicles call either 311 or Hollywood Tow at (323) 466-8583. The following locations and restrictions will be enforced to support the Hollywood Christmas Parade activities:
Tow-Away No Stopping, Midnight Sat., Nov. 26 to 6 a.m. Mon., Nov. 28:
- Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive
- Orange Drive between Hollywood Boulevard and Hawthorn Avenue
- Sycamore Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue
Tow-Away No Stopping, 1 p.m. to Midnight, Sun., Nov. 27:
- Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Vine Street
- Vine Street between Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard
- Sunset Boulevard between Vine Street and Highland Avenue
- Franklin Avenue between La Brea Avenue and Highland Avenue (not closed, but restricted for parking)
- Santa Monica Boulevard between West Hollywood city limit and Gower Street
- Highland Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
- Cahuenga Boulevard between Yucca Street and Hollywood Boulevard (west side of the street only)
- Yucca Street between Gower Street and Argyle Street (north side of the street only)
Tow-Away No Stopping, 11 a.m. to Midnight, Sun., Nov. 27:
- Cherokee Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and Selma Avenue
- Hawthorn Avenue between La Brea Avenue and Highland Avenue
- Sunset Boulevard between Highland Avenue and La Brea Avenue
- De Longpre Avenue between Highland Avenue and La Brea Avenue
- Fountain Avenue between Highland Avenue and La Brea Avenue
- Lanewood Avenue between La Brea Avenue and Orange Drive
- El Cerrito Place between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Sycamore Avenue between Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue
- Sycamore Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Hawthorn Avenue
- Orange Drive between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Orange Drive between Hawthorn Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard
- Mansfield Avenue between De Longpre Avenue and Fountain Avenue
Street Closures:
Midnight Saturday, November 26:
- Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive
- Orange Drive between Hollywood Boulevard and Hawthorn Avenue
- Sycamore Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and Franklin Avenue
6 AM Sunday, November 27:
- Hollywood Boulevard between LaBrea Avenue and Orange Drive
1 PM Sunday, November 27:
- DeLongpre Avenue between Highland Avenue and LaBrea Avenue
- Fountain Avenue between Highland Avenue and LaBrea Avenue
- Lanewood Avenue between Orange Drive and LaBrea Avenue
- Hawthorn Avenue between Highland Avenue and LaBrea Avenue
- Sunset Boulevard between LaBrea Avenue and Highland Avenue
- Orange Drive between Hawthorn Av and Santa Monica Boulevard
- Sunset Boulevard between LaBrea Avenue and Highland Avenue
- El Cerrito Place between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Orange Drive between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Mansfield Avenue between DeLongpre Avenue and Fountain Avenue
4 PM Sunday, November 27:
- Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Vine Street
- Sunset Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Vine Street
5 PM Sunday, November 27:
Partial Street/ Crossing Point Closures:
- Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Cahuenga Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Selma Avenue and Vine Street
- Cahuenga Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
- Highland Avenue and Sunset Boulevard (Only Northbound)
Freeway Closures:
U.S. 101 Hollywood Freeway on Sun., Nov. 27:
- Northbound and Southbound off-ramps of Cahuenga Boulevard and Highland Avenue will close at 3:00 p.m. and reopen at 10:00 p.m.
No Parking Sign Postings:
- On Tuesday, November 22, posting will begin on streets designated as No Parking for Sat., Nov. 26, Sun., Nov. 27, and Mon., Nov. 28.
PARKING AND METRO:
Parking is always a premium in Hollywood. Parking is available at the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Complex. Most lots are paid parking – please contact the individual lot for pricing. Parade-watchers are urged to use public transit. For more information please use Trip Planner at www.metro.net or call (323) GO-METRO (323-466-3876).
GO METRO
One of the easiest ways to get to the parade via Metro B Line (Red) to Hollywood/Vine or Hollywood/Highland. Both stations get you directly onto the parade route.
From Downtown, be sure to take the B Line (Red) towards NoHo (North Hollywood), NOT the D Line (Purple) to Wilshire/Western.
Free and paid station parking is available at North Hollywood, Universal City / Studio City, Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, East LA, West LA, Westwood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Norwalk, Lakewood, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach. Some stations require a parking fee. For additional information about available parking at Metro Stations, please visit https://www.metro.net/riding/parking/
The one-Way Fare is $1.75. Riders are encouraged to pre-load TAP cards with round-trip fare ($3.50) in stored value or purchase. A One-Day Pass for $3.50. As a reminder, one TAP Card per rider ($2.00) is required. Fare payment with TAP cards includes two hours of free transfers to METRO rail and bus in one direction (no roundtrips). Remember to tap your own card before each boarding.
METRO has discounted their pass fares until the end of the year. Please see Fares, Passes, and Discounts | Metro
Plan your trip on Apple Maps, Google Transit, or Metro Trip Planner, or call (323) GO-METRO (323-466-3876). METRO staff and law enforcement personnel will be present to assist customers.
