The Hollywood Christmas Parade is returning to The CW tonight (December 15) to kick off the holiday season, and viewers will be able to experience all the Christmas feels when watching.
Celebrating their legendary 91st anniversary and supporting the Marine Toys for Tots, the parade is dedicated to promoting kindness and helping others. It’s set to be hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams along with special co-host Elizabeth Stanton.
Colonel Paris D. Davis, a recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award, is also confirmed to serve as Grand Marshal of the Parade.
“I am honored and very grateful to be chosen as Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade. I am especially pleased that this wonderful annual tradition raises awareness of the important work that Marine Toys for Tots are doing to bring gifts and holiday cheer to those less fortunate,” he shared in a statement. “The parade also brings goodwill to people from all walks of life throughout the world. It’s a good reminder about what America stands for, who we are, and all that we can accomplish when we come together.”
This year’s parade features 97 Hollywood celebrities, 14 performers, 10 award-winning bands, six large-than-life four-story character balloons, three colorful floats, eight novelties, and 39 movie cars. Among those celebrities were Denise Richards, Brandon Routh (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), Tatyana Ali (The Holiday Proposal Plan), Craig Robinson and Rell Battle (Killing It), Ming-Na Wen (The Book of Boba Fett), Stassi Schroeder Clark (TV Personality), Brant Daughtery (Joyeux Noel), Dwight Yoakam (Recording Artist), Ernie Hudson (Quantum Leap), Raymond Lee (Quantum Leap), Caitlin Bassett (Quantum Leap), Aly & AJ (Recording Artists), Christina Vidal (Primo), Deidre Hall (Days of Our Lives), Stephen Nichols (Days of Our Lives), Lonnie Jordan (WAR), Kimberlin Brown (The Bold and the Beautiful), Karrueche Tran (The Bay), Kristos Andrews (The Bay), Maxwell Caulfield (The Bay), A Martinez (The Bay), Alanna Ubach (TED), Kate Linder (The Young & The Restless), Kerri Kasem (Radio Host), Nancy Davis (Founder & President of Cure Addiction Now and Race to Erase MS), Chaz Dean, and more.
The Celeb Secrets team was in attendance when the 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade made its way through La La Land two weeks ago (November 26), and we spoke with some of our favorite celebrities about our favorite Christmas films, music, traditions, and memories.
Without giving too much away, keep reading to see some of our favorite moments from one of the city’s oldest holiday traditions and don’t forget to watch the 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade TONIGHT, December 15th beginning at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.
Paula Abdul Receives The Humanitarian of the Year Award
The Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, dancer, actress, choreographer, producer and television personality was honored the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year at the iconic Hollywood Christmas Parade. This esteemed honor reflects the depth of her generosity and her unwavering commitment to giving back to the community.
Colonel Paris D. Davis As The Grand Marshal
For the first time in history, an American War Hero, Colonel Paris D. Davis, a recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military award presented in The White House by President Joe Biden on March 3, 2023 was the Grand Marshal of the iconic 91st Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
The Holiday Performances
This year’s holiday performances included New Zealand-born Italian Pop-Opera singer, Anna Azerli, singing “O Holy Night;” The Village People with “Go Santa Go” and “YMCA;” The Grinch, who’s the star of the Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Pantages Theatre and Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Southern California.
Larger Than Life Character Balloons
There were six character balloons that the audience got to enjoy and mesmerize over them — a 25ft tall Toy Soldier, a 35ft Mighty Mouse, a 45ft eagle and a 40ft tall Betty Boop along with Pirate and Chest!
The Award-Winning Musical Bands
What’s a parade without musical bands? This year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade featured TEN award-winning live bands who showcased their talent from all over the world. From the United States Marine Corps Band to the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drums, the Korean American Youth Performing Artists, Oaxaca Philharmonic Band and Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band, everyone made sure to bring holiday cheer thanks to stunning live music.
