Hollywood’s parade rolls out the holidays anew for Angelenos

Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is right around the corner, so Hollywood got into the holiday spirit on Sunday evening with the 93rd annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, Supporting Marine Toys for Tots.

Dozens of celebrities and local officials took part in the 3.2-mile procession. Among them: Actor Luke Wilson, known for roles in films including “Legally Blonde,” “Old School,” “Idiocracy” and “The Royal Tenenbaums,” served as the parade’s grand marshal.

“I’m honored to serve as the grand marshal of this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade joining an esteemed list of Hollywood legends, and excited to support Marine Toys for Tots to bring joy to children in need this holiday season,” Wilson said in a statement.

Actor Anthony Anderson, known for his work on the ABC series “black-ish,” was recognized as the parade’s Humanitarian of the Year for his work with various nonprofit organizations. Parade organizers noted his work organizing the charitable Anthony Anderson Celebrity Golf Classic.

“I am so thrilled to be honored with the humanitarian award for this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade,” Anderson said in a statement. “This is a tremendous honor and I am so thankful to be acknowledged for my charity work by such a respected establishment in the Hollywood community.”

The parade was hosted by Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie, and co-hosted by Elizabeth Stanton and Montel Williams.

Among those scheduled to perform during the parade were ventriloquist Terry Fator, magician Mai Wynn, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and singers Anna Azerli, Liz Lentz, Melinda Lindler and Sarah Reeves.

The parade featured various film, television and stage celebrities, along with seven bands, nine large character balloons, seven floats, dozens of movie cars and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus.

Among the celebrities expected to take part were singer/actress Thelma Houston, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Cesar Millan, Ian Zierling, Deidre Hall, Kate Linder and Oliva d’Abo.

Previous grand marshals of the Christmas Parade have included Gene Autry, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Pickford, James Stewart, Walter Matthau, John Wayne, Olivia Newton-John, Susan Lucci and Dwayne Johnson.

The parade has been held every year since 1928, except from 1942 to 1944 due to World War II, and in 2020, when it was canceled because of the pandemic. When it was first held in 1928, it was known as the “Santa Claus Lane Parade.” Comedian Joe E. Brown was the first grand marshal, in 1932.

The year’s parade will not be televised live, but it will be recorded and aired on The CW Network on Dec. 12.