The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s almost time to sing Christmas carols, cut down a fresh tree, exchange gifts, and welcome one of Los Angeles’ biggest holiday traditions: the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Every year, the spectacle brings thousands of people to the streets of Hollywood for an evening of festive floats, celebrity appearances, and Christmas cheer. But the celebrations also come with plenty of road closures, so drivers will want to plan ahead.
The 2026 Hollywood Christmas Parade
The 94th Hollywood Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, November 29, 2026, running from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The parade follows a 3.2-mile, U-shaped route, starting at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, near the TCL Chinese Theatre. It travels east along Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street, heads south to Sunset Boulevard, and then turns west along Sunset before returning to Orange Drive.
The parade will feature the usual festive attractions, including elaborate Christmas floats, marching bands, dance and cheer groups, giant character balloons, equestrian units, and celebrity appearances. Santa Claus traditionally makes an appearance, too. The event also supports charitable organizations, with the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program serving as its official main charity.
Hollywood Christmas Parade 2026 street closures
The festivities will affect several Hollywood streets throughout Thanksgiving weekend. According to the official 2026 road closure schedule, restrictions will begin as early as Saturday, November 28.
Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue will close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and remain closed until Monday, November 30, at 6 a.m. Orange Drive, between Hollywood Boulevard and the alley north of Hawthorne Avenue, will also close during that period.
On Sunday, additional restrictions include:
- 6 a.m.: Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Orange Drive, reopening at 10 p.m.
- 1 p.m.: Hawthorne, DeLongpre and Fountain avenues between La Brea and Highland, plus Sunset Boulevard between La Brea and Highland.
- 3 p.m.: Northbound and southbound Cahuenga Boulevard off-ramps on the 101 Freeway, and the southbound Vine Street off-ramp.
- 4 p.m.: Sections of Highland Avenue, Vine Street, Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard.
Most Sunday closures are scheduled to end between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. No-parking signs will begin appearing Thursday, November 26, with enforcement starting Saturday.
Drivers are encouraged to use public transportation, particularly the Metro B Line, with Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine stations providing convenient access to the parade route.
About the Hollywood Christmas Parade
The tradition dates back to 1928, when Hollywood merchants organized a Christmas procession to encourage holiday shopping along the boulevard. The original Santa Claus Lane Parade featured actress Jeanette Loff and a sleigh pulled by real reindeer carrying Santa Claus.
The event grew over the decades, attracting major Hollywood stars and expanding its floats, performances and marching bands. It was renamed the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 1974. The tradition was interrupted during World War II, when it was suspended from 1942 to 1944, and again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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