The 94th Hollywood Christmas Parade travels through Hollywood on Sunday, November 29, 2026, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The U-shaped route starts at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, and watching from the curb is free along the route after Highland Avenue. The Metro B Line stops at Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine, both right on the route.
Key Takeaways
- The route runs about 3.2 miles from Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, east to Vine Street, south to Sunset Boulevard, and west back toward Orange Drive.
- No ticket is needed to watch from the curb after Highland Avenue, and grandstand seats are sold for the stretch between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue.
- The 2025 parade began at 6 p.m., with pre-parade entertainment at 5:30 p.m. and grandstand seating opening at 4 p.m.
- In 2025, Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue closed at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and reopened Monday at 6 a.m.
- The parade is presented by the City of Los Angeles and benefits the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
The 94th Hollywood Christmas Parade Follows a U-Shaped Route
The Hollywood Christmas Parade begins on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre, and heads east along the Walk of Fame to Vine Street. The parade then turns south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard and heads west on Sunset back toward Orange Drive. The full loop covers about 3.2 miles.
The shape of the route matters for planning. Because the parade loops back west on Sunset Boulevard, spectators on Sunset see the same floats, balloons, marching bands and equestrian units later in the evening than viewers near the start. Families who want an earlier finish can stay closer to Hollywood Boulevard, while those who arrive late may find more room along Vine Street or Sunset.
Free Curbside Viewing Starts After Highland Avenue
Watching the Hollywood Christmas Parade from the curb costs nothing. Organizers have long directed spectators without grandstand tickets to watch from anywhere along the route after Highland Avenue, which includes most of Hollywood Boulevard, all of Vine Street and the Sunset Boulevard stretch.
Free spots fill early. Holiday crowds and street closures make the area harder to reach as the afternoon goes on, so spectators who want a curbside view near the start of the route usually claim a spot hours before the parade begins. Warm layers help, since the parade runs after dark.
Grandstand Seats Sit at the Start of the Route
Reserved grandstand seats line Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue, the opening stretch in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt. In 2025, reserved grandstand seats sold for $120 and sold out before parade day. Ticket sales support Marine Toys for Tots.
Pricing and availability for 2026 should come from the parade’s official site. Third-party resale listings for grandstand seats often run well above face value.
Timing the Evening on Parade Day
The 2026 Hollywood Christmas Parade start time should be confirmed on the official parade website. For reference, the 2025 parade ran from 6 to 8 p.m., with pre-parade entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. and grandstand seating opening at 4 p.m. Grandstand listings for 2026 show an evening window beginning around 5 p.m., with ticket holders asked to be seated by 4:45 p.m.
The evening traditionally ends with the arrival of Santa Claus, so families with young children may want to stay until the final float passes.
Street Closures Begin Days Before the Parade
The 2026 Hollywood Christmas Parade closure schedule has not been finalized, and the Hollywood Partnership lists full road closure times as to be determined. The 2025 schedule offers a guide to what drivers can expect. That year, Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue closed at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and stayed closed through the weekend, reopening Monday at 6 a.m.
On parade day in 2025, Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Orange Drive closed at 6 a.m. Sunset Boulevard between La Brea and Highland closed from 1 to 10 p.m. Hollywood Boulevard from Highland to Gower and Sunset Boulevard from Highland to Gower closed starting at 4 p.m. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation also warned of tow-away zones around Hollywood Boulevard, Highland, Sunset and Vine starting early Sunday.
The Metro B Line Puts Spectators on the Route
The Metro B Line offers the simplest way to reach the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Both the Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine stations open directly onto the route, which avoids the closures and the search for parking. Organizers encourage spectators to use Metro as much as possible during the busy holiday weekend.
Drivers should plan for limited parking and watch for posted “No Parking” signs along nearby streets. Organizers have pointed spectators to the shopping complex at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue and to public lots in the area.
A 1928 Tradition That Benefits Marine Toys for Tots
The Hollywood Christmas Parade began in 1928 and has featured stars such as Gene Autry, Jimmy Stewart and Mary Pickford over its history. The 2026 edition is presented by the City of Los Angeles and benefits the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, which collects toys for children in need during the holidays. The parade is one of several long-running Hollywood community celebrations this fall, following Hollywood Forever’s 27th Día de los Muertos celebration in October.
FAQs
When Is the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2026?
The 94th Hollywood Christmas Parade takes place on Sunday, November 29, 2026, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The official start time will be posted on the parade’s website.
Is the Hollywood Christmas Parade Free?
Yes. Watching from the curb is free along the route after Highland Avenue. Reserved grandstand seats between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue require a ticket.
What Is the Hollywood Christmas Parade Route?
The parade starts at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, travels east to Vine Street, turns south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard, and heads west on Sunset back toward Orange Drive. The route is about 3.2 miles long.
What Is the Best Way to Get to the Hollywood Christmas Parade?
The Metro B Line is the simplest option. The Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine stations both open directly onto the parade route.
Which Streets Close for the Hollywood Christmas Parade?
The 2026 closure schedule has not been finalized. In 2025, closures began Saturday on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue and expanded to Hollywood Boulevard, Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard on parade day.
