The Hollywood Christmas Parade: A Star-Studded Celebration of Joy and Hope

As the stars arrived, the atmosphere was filled with an infectious energy. From athletes to actors, musicians to television personalities, everyone had something positive to say about the season. The message was clear: 2024 is a year of hope, happiness, and new beginnings. Amid the flashing lights and cheers, you could feel the excitement building for what’s to come. The parade wasn’t just about celebrating the past year but also looking forward to the future with optimism and joy.

The fashion was another highlight of the night, with attendees donning everything from chic winter coats to sparkling gowns. Everyone looked picture-perfect, embodying the festive spirit of the season. Whether it was a classic tuxedo or a playful holiday-themed outfit, the stars knew how to bring their A-game. Their smiles were just as radiant as the shimmering lights that lined the parade route, adding to the atmosphere of holiday magic.

As we marveled at the fashion and star power, it became clear that this was more than just a parade. It was a celebration of community, of sharing joy, and of looking ahead to the future. The stars were eager to share their hopes for the upcoming year, expressing gratitude for the support of their fans and expressing excitement about the projects on the horizon. It was a reminder that, despite the challenges we may face, we are all united by a sense of hope and possibility.

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And, of course, the most anticipated moment of the evening was the arrival of Santa Claus himself. With his big night approaching, Santa couldn’t have been more excited—and neither could we! His appearance brought the entire parade to a joyful crescendo, and for a moment, we all felt like children again, caught up in the magic of the season. The cheers, the lights, and the music all came together in a moment of pure holiday spirit.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade was a beautiful way to celebrate the end of 2024 and the beginning of a brand-new year. With hope in the air, laughter in our hearts, and joy on the tip of everyone’s tongue, it was a reminder that no matter where we come from or what we do, we can always come together to celebrate the good in the world. As Santa prepares for his big night, we all look forward to the future with excitement, ready to embrace the new year with open arms and open hearts.

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WHO AND WHAT’S IN THE PARADE:
5 Pre-Parade Performers/Featured Acts Will Include:

• Allison Bailey and Lauren Samuels, Cast Members from the hit musical, “Wicked,” singing the song, “For Good.”  The musical will be playing the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, CA, December 4, 2024 through February 2, 2025
• Anna Azerli (New Zealand-born Italian Pop-Opera Singer) singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”
• My Uyên (Star Magician on The CW’s upcoming Season 11 of “Masters of Illusion”)
• Clay Aiken (“American Idol” 2nd Place Winner in 2003) singing “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
  

110 Celebrities and VIPS in the Parade:

• Jeremy Renner (Award-Winning Actor, Musician, Philanthropist and Founder of RennerVation Foundation, “The Hurt Locker,” “Avengers” series, “Mayor of Kingstown”) accompanied by his daughtee Ava Berlin Renner
• Mario Lopez (Two-time Emmy Award Winner, Host of “Access Hollywood” and the iHeart Radio Programs, “On With Mario & Courtney” and “iHeartRadio Countdown with Mario Lopez,” Producer and    Star of the holiday movie, “Once Upon a Christmas Wish” alongside his wife Courtney and some Dominic premiering on December 7th on The Great American Family Channel, Founder of the Mario Lopez Family Foundation and Recipient of the 2024 Hollywood Christmas Parade’s Humanitarian of the Year.  Accompanied by his wife Courtney Lopez and their children, Gia, Dominic and Santino Lopez
• Raven-Symoné (“That’s So Raven,” “The View,” “Raven’s Home,” “The Cosby Show”) accompanied by her wife, Miranda Maday and Pooch)
• Marine Humvee with United State Marine Corps Mascot, English Bulldog, Sergeant Caesar
• Allison Bailey and Lauren Samuels, Cast Members the hit musical, “Wicked.” The musical will be playing the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, CA, December 4, 2024 through February 2, 2025
• Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Landon Knack
• Laura Bryna (American Country Music Singer who will perform “Wish List”)
• Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Legends (AC Green and Michael Cooper)
• Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”)
• “The West Coast Hustle and Ridiculousness” from Chanel West Coast and Dom Fenison
• Collin Egglesfield (The CW’s reboot of the drama series, “Melrose Place,” “All My Children”)
• James Tupper (“Big Little Lies,” “Men in Trees,” “Marcy”)
• Melinda Lindler (Top Artist on “Billboard” Pop/AC Chart and Holiday Chart, “La La Land,” Disney Vocalist who will sing “Come On a Sleigh Ride With Me”)
• Clay Aiken (“American Idol” 2nd Place Winner in 2003)
• Jeannie Mai (Television Personality and Fashion Expert, “How Do I Look?,” “The Real”) accompanied by her daughter, Monaco Jenkins and guests, Syd Stewart, Chrissie Morris and Emily Phillips)
• John Schneider (“The Dukes of Hazzard”) and his wife Dee Dee Sorvino Schneider (Emmy Award winning Television and Radio Host, Stand-Up Comedienne and Author)
• Cast Members of “Vargas Dynasty” the boxing show (Fernando Vargas, Sr., Fernando Vargas, Jr., Amanda Vargas and Emiliano Vargas )
• Los Angeles City Council President Emeritus Paul Krekorian (Council District 2)
• Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (District 7)
• Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt (District 10)
• Cast Members of “Military Makeover” (Art Edmunds, Jennifer Bertrand)
• Cast Members of “The Bold and The Beautiful” (Lawrence Saint-Victor, Annika Noelle)
• Robert G. Luna, 34th Sheriff, Los Angeles County)
• Cast Members of “All American” (Chelsea Tavares, Samantha Logan) with Tony Fields II, American Professional Football Linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams
• Salvation Army Kettle Bug (Billy Baldwin from “No Address;” Ryan Griffin, Singer/Songwriter, Performer of “Skin Deep,” Theme Song for “No Address;” and Jennifer Stolo, CEO and Producer of Robert Craig Films)
• Cast Members from “The Bay” (Kym Whitney, Kristos Andrews, James Preston, Gregori Martin)
• Jim Hill (CBS2 Sports Anchor)
• Viva Panama Organization (Victor Grimaldo, Founder and President and Atheyna Bylon Oly, a Panamanian Box who won a Silver Medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris)
• Nicole Eggert (“Charles in Charge,” “Baywatch”)
• “General Hospital” (Tanisha Harper)
• Denise Richards (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “Starship Troopers,” “The World Is Not Enough”)
• Cast Members of “Days of our Lives” (Deidre Hall, Susan Seaforth Hayes)
• Harry Goodwins (“The Gentleman”)
• Music Artist Naz Tokio
• Beauty Queens (Car 1:  Elite Global Icon Andrea Roberts, U.S. Global Icon Caitlin Caraballo, Elite U.S. Global Icon Julie Delgadillo; Car 2:  Junior Teen Global Icon Isabel Fulmer, Ms. Global Icon Aliya Frederick, Teen Regency International Nilaya)
• “The Young and The Restless” (Kate Linder)
• KTLA5 (Lauren Lyster and Megan Telles)
• Nancy Davis (President and Founder of Race To Erase MS and Cure Addiction Now, Philanthropist, Designer and Author)
• Frances Fisher (“Titanic, “Laws of Attraction,” “Resurrection”)
• Mrs. European Universe (Oksana Perepadia and Nina Svet)
• Starline Bus (Jet Velocity Holiday All-Star Band 2024: Scott Page (Pink Floyd), Anne King (Billie Eilish), Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction), Janea Ebs and Jason Ebs (Joe Cocker, Peter Criss, Swaggermouth), Adam Kury (Candlebox), Roberta Freeman (Guns & Roses), Teddy Zig-Zag (Slash’s Blues Ball)
• Cast Members of “The Sandlot” (Marty York, Chauncey Leopardi and Shane Obedzinski)
• TLK Fusion, an elite Hollywood licensing and IP Agency with Ken Collis, Mary Collis, Kenny Collis and Candi Collis.  The Collis family also operated kendi lux, a luxury candle company.
• “Masters of Illusion” Season 11 coming up on The CW (Magician Murray SawChuck and Naathan Phan)
• Marine Toys For Tots Color Guard:  (l to r) Corporal Kenney Torres (Rifle), Sergeant Justin Calderon (American Flag), Sergeant Colby M. Holstein (Marine Flag) and Corporal Juan C. Perez (Rifle)
• Gunnery Sergeant Wesley O. Hayes, (Drum Major of United States Marine Corps Band, San Diego)
• Lieutenant General Len Anderson IV (Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces)
• Lieutenant General James B. Laster, USMC (Retired) (President and CEO of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation)
• Santa Claus (Santa Cortney Lofton) and his Marine Escorts, Gunnery Seth F. Kornely (of Manitowoc, WI who is currently assigned to 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in Bell, CA) and Sergeant Jazmin Camacho (of Turloc, CA who is currently assigned to Recruiting Station Orange County at RSS Fullerton, CA)
  

12 Marching Bands:

• United States Marine Corps Band and Color Guard (San Diego, CA) playing “Sleigh Ride. “Semper Fidelis” and “Marine Hymn”
• Burton Bulldog Marching Band from Burton Middle School (Porterville, CA)
• Pasadena Unified School District All-Star Band (Pasadena, CA)
• Gasden Elementary School District #32 Marching Band (San Luis, AZ)
• Northview High School Marching Band and Guard (Covina, CA)
• Korean American Youth Performing Artists (KAYPA) (Chino, CA)
• Panamerican Institute from Panama City, Panama, let by Viva Panama Organization from Los Angeles, CA
• Caporales Universitarios de San Simón, a cultural association promoting Bolivian folklore through the Caporales Dance (Los Angeles, CA)
• Gruppo Italy representing the Italian Renaissance Era (Flag-Wavers and Musicians Group of Faenza-Ravenna, Italy)
• PAVA World Traditional Korean Band (Los Angeles, California)
• The Pride of the Dutchman Marching Band representing MOC-Floyd Valley High School (Orange City, IA)
• Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band (Torrance, CA) playing “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane.”
  

13 Character Balloons:

• Santa Grinch (35’) sponsored by Brandstar wrangled by American Legion Auxilary
• Cat In The Hat (50’) sponsored by TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd. wrangled by Civil Air Patrol
• Two China Pandas (25’) sponsored and wrangled by the Southern California Roundtable of Chinese American Organizations
• Santa Garfield (30’) sponsored by Marine Toys for Tots wrangled by Association of Zookeepers
• Santa Elves (30’) sponsored by Genesis Gold Group wrangled by California Cadet Corp.
• Pirate and Chest sponsored by Galaxy Press wrangled by Boy Scouts of America
• Christmas Stocking (28”) wrangled by Stunt Kids Association of Hollywood
• Three Ornaments (16’) wrangled by Army Rangers/Special Forces Association/Military Order of Purple Heart/American Legion/1/19th Special Forces Group
  

75 Characters, Novelties, Equestrians and Groups:

• Antique Fire Bandwagon (with Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and Los Angeles Fire Department Command Staff, Truck 27/Engine, 27/Engine 227/USAR, 27/Rescue, 27/Electric, 82/Engine, 82/Los Angeles Fire Department Toys for Tots
• United States Marine Corps Color Guard
• Marine Toys for Tots Mascot, Sergeant Caesar
• Nate Truman’s Star Car Central (50 vehicles), including:  Mach 5 Speed Racer, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mad Max Interceptor, Mad Max Wasteland Group, 66 Batmoblie, Green Hornet, Black Beauty, Gotham Swat, Gotham Police Car, Joker Car, Jurrasic Park Jeep, Jurrasic Park Explorer, Jurrasic Park Jeep, Jurrasic World Truck, Need For Speed, BMW Bluesmobile, General Lee, Roscoe Police, James Bond Thunderball, Highway Patrol, Kitt/Karr, Kitt, Miami Vice Daytona Ferrari, Herbie/Herbie, Herbie NASCAR, Starsky & Hutch Torino, Dusk Till Dawn, Bandit 2, Lightning McQueen, Lighting McQueen, Towmater, Superbird “Cars,” Dinoco, Pizza Planet, TMNT Van, #1/BTTF (2), 2/BTTF Truck, Ecto, Bumblebee Transformers, Bumblebee VW, Fast and Furious, 2018 Dodge Demon Charger, Pontiac Fiero (original car), 1970 SS Nova, 2016 Ford Mustang
• Young Marines (Los Angeles, CA)
• 501st Legion Storm Troopers and Madalorean Mercs including 103 Troopers, 57 Rebels, 24 Mercs and R2-D2 (Orange County, CA)
• Road Squadron Sci-Fi Car Tribute Group including Starspeeder, H-Wing, Jedi Ukon, Tia Vette, G-Wing and The Ghost
• Roundtable of Southern California Chinese Organizations (Los Angeles, CA) with Dragon Dancer, Lion Dancers, Two Panda Bears, Mulan, Martial Artists, Costumed Walkers, Fancy Dress and Fans, Drum Team, Fan Dance Team, Face Change and Panda Balloon
• Blue Eagles Color Guard
• Mini Jets Air Force (Four F-16’s with Olivia, Jacob, Nia and Fomi from City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center and One F-35)
• 3 Wheel Family consisting of T-Rex, Vanderhall, Spyder and Ryker Slingshots led by Mozzuz Smith (Los Angeles, CA)
• Assyrians of Los Angeles (Horse Carriage with King and Queen in traditional costumes)
• Los Angeles Ghostbusters; Lit Riderz (Bicycle Club from Southern California
• Polaris Slingshots led by Porsche Taylor (Los Angeles, CA)
• Army Rangers and Military Vehicles
• Pennywise Clown, Mr. Floats
  

5 Floats:

• Inding X LLC Native American (Kids, Elders, Veterans, Teepee and Drum Group, Pow Pow Dancers)
• Victory Third Wave Hollywood Church Group
• Panama Float with Miss Viva Panama-Queen of Two Oceans Alison Duarte-Busby, Princess Atlantic Ocean Andra Cover, Princess Pacific Ocean Valeria De La Cruz, Miss California San Fran 2024 Sonia James and Miss California San Fran 2022 Beatriz Samaniego, National Queen of Pollera 2024 Nicolle Fuentes with Spencer Williams performing the song, “Panama Canal”
• The Way To Happiness Float with Marisol Nichols (The CW’s “Riverdale”)
• Santa Claus Float (Santa Cortney Lofton) and his Marine Escorts, Gunnery Seth F. Kornely (of Manitowoc, WI who is currently assigned to 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in Bell, CA) and Sergeant Jazmin Camacho (of Turloc, CA who is currently assigned to Recruiting Station Orange County at RSS Fullerton, CA)
  

11 Other Live Parade Performers:

• Laura Bryna singing “Wish List”
• Melinda Lindler singing “Come On a Sleigh Ride With Me”
• Magician Murray SawChuck from Masters of Illusion Season 11 coming up on The CW
• Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles performing “Candy Cane Lane”
• Gevorkian Dance Academy (Burbank, CA) performing to “Yerevan,” a new piece of music written by renowned Armenian Composer, Ara Gevorgyan
• The Origin Hip Hop Performing Arts Academy (Carlsbad, CA)
• Van Nuys Senior High School Cheer bonding current and alumni members and their fans (Van Nuys, CA)
• Rollettes Wheelchair Dance Team founded by Chelsie Hill (Sherman Oaks, CA)
• Divas and Drummers of Compton (Compton, CA)
• Pink Polish Dance Studio directed by Alexis McAfee (San Diego, CA)
• Cubcakes Dance Hip-Hop and Morphing Crew created by Thalia Ramos (Burbank, CA)
  

6 Parade Sponsors:

• Marine Toys for Tots
• TCL Industries Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Genesis Gold Group
• Military Makeover by Montel
• The CW
• Popstar!

About The Hollywood Christmas Parade:
2024 marks the 92nd 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, December 1, 2024 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 in 2020, when a highlights telecast of parades over the last 10 years was presented, due to the COVID 19 global pandemic.  The parade was then presented live again in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and returns this year to celebrate its 92nd Anniversary live in the streets of Hollywood, CA!

Grand Marshals who have appeared in The Hollywood Christmas Parade during the last 91 years include:  Jeanette Loft, Joe E. Brown, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bob Hope, Art Linklater, Lawrence Welk, Charlton Heston, Dale Evans and 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 Dolores 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, Sheryl Underwood, Danny Trejo and Colonel Paris D. Davis.

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 Comes 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.

The Origin and Evolution of the Marine Toys for Tots Program 77 Years Ago:
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 Hendricks 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://toysfortots.org