Hollywood Christmas Parade: A Century of Holiday Tradition
For nearly a hundred years, the streets of Los Angeles have played host to one of the most iconic holiday celebrations in the United States. What began as a local effort by merchants to drive seasonal shopping has evolved into a televised spectacle, blending the glitz of the entertainment industry with the timeless magic of Christmas.
The Origins of Santa Claus Lane
The tradition began in 1928 when local merchants transformed a one-mile section of Hollywood Boulevard into Santa Claus Lane. This promotional initiative was designed to boost shopping during the holiday season and featured a daily parade. The very first event was a modest affair, featuring only Santa Claus and actress Jeanette Loff.
As the years passed, the event grew in scale through the support of the community and local businesses. By 1931, the production value increased; Santa transitioned from a reindeer-pulled carriage to a truck-pulled float, and the American Legion Post 43 added a formal presence with a bugle corps, drum line, and color guard.
While the parade faced a brief hiatus from 1942 to 1944 due to the constraints of World War II, it returned in 1945 to record-breaking attendance, cementing its place as a staple of the Los Angeles holiday season.
The Influence of Gene Autry and the Golden Era
The parade's cultural impact expanded significantly in 1947. Gene Autry, appearing as Grand Marshal for the first time, requested a custom Christmas song for the occasion. His business partner, songwriter Oakley Haldeman, was tasked with the project, though it was Dixie Haldeman who penned the famous title verse, "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)," on June 21, 1947. Autry would remain a perennial Grand Marshal for years to come.
Throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the event continued to expand, incorporating more animals, bands, celebrities, and elaborate floats. In 1978, the event was officially renamed the Hollywood Christmas Parade to better attract high-profile celebrities. This era also saw a shift in scheduling from Thanksgiving Eve to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The parade's visibility grew through its broadcast on KTLA, a station purchased by Autry's Golden West Broadcasters in 1964. With the help of Autry and Johnny Grant, the parade became a decades-long tradition on Los Angeles's channel 5, surviving several changes in station ownership, including sales to KKR in 1982 and Tribune Broadcasting in 1985.
Modern Challenges and Evolution
The 21st century brought significant volatility to the parade's format and funding. In 2002, NBC and Blockbuster attempted to turn the event into a primetime special called the Blockbuster Hollywood Christmas Spectacular. Produced by Bob Bain, this version shifted away from the traditional parade in favor of pre-recorded musical performances by artists like Destiny's Child and LeAnn Rimes. The special was poorly rated and concluded with an unrelated promotional stunt involving a 170-foot fall by stuntperson Mikal Kartvedt to promote the film XXX.
Financial pressures eventually took a toll. In 2003, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stopped airing the parade on KTLA due to rising costs. By March 2007, the Chamber decided to end the run entirely, citing a lack of celebrity participation and a $100,000 loss on a production that cost approximately $1 million to mount.
However, the spirit of the event persisted. Later in 2007, the City of Los Angeles launched the Hollywood Santa Parade, an invitation-only event held the weekend after Thanksgiving, with Bob Barker serving as the first Grand Marshal of this new iteration.
The Parade Today
The original name was restored in 2009 when MyNetworkTV began telecasting the event in prime-time slots. Since then, Associated Television International (ATI) has produced the parade annually, coordinating broadcasts on the Hallmark Channel and through various syndication networks.
Since 2015, the parade has been recorded, edited, and aired as part of The CW's annual holiday programming, continuing its local presence on KTLA. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the live event in 2020, the tradition was maintained through a televised special titled The Hollywood Christmas Parade Greatest Moments.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1928 as the Santa Claus Lane Parade.
- Original Purpose: To boost shopping for Hollywood Boulevard merchants.
- Famous Song: "Here Comes Santa Claus" was written specifically for the 1947 parade.
- Key Figures: Gene Autry and Johnny Grant were instrumental in the parade's growth and broadcasting.
- Broadcasting: Long-term association with KTLA and more recently The CW.
- Recent Production: Currently produced by Associated Television International (ATI).
| Era/Year | Event Name | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Santa Claus Lane Parade | Daily parade to boost local shopping. |
| 1947 | Santa Claus Lane Parade | Introduction of "Here Comes Santa Claus" song. |
| 1978 | Hollywood Christmas Parade | Renamed to attract more celebrities; broadcast on KTLA. |
| 2002 | Blockbuster Hollywood Christmas Spectacular | Shift to pre-recorded primetime special on NBC. |
| 2007 | Hollywood Santa Parade | City-led replacement; invitation-only participation. |
| 2009-Present | Hollywood Christmas Parade | Name restored; produced by ATI for various networks. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the parade originally created?
It was started in 1928 by Hollywood merchants who wanted to increase shopping traffic on Hollywood Boulevard by creating a festive attraction called "Santa Claus Lane."
Who is Gene Autry in relation to the parade?
Gene Autry was a perennial Grand Marshal of the parade and was the catalyst for the creation of the song "Here Comes Santa Claus" in 1947.
Why was the parade cancelled in 2007?
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce ended the run due to a lack of celebrity participants and financial losses, specifically a $100,000 loss on the 2006 production.
How did the parade handle the 2020 pandemic?
The live parade was not held in 2020. Instead, a special titled The Hollywood Christmas Parade Greatest Moments aired on The CW on December 4, 2020.
Which networks have broadcast the parade?
The parade has been broadcast on KTLA, NBC, MyNetworkTV, the Hallmark Channel, and The CW.