For 36 years, the storied East Los Angeles Christmas Parade was one of the largest and longest running Christmas parades that focused on the Latino community until 2009, when to the dismay of the community, the parade route along iconic Whittier Boulevard went dark. In 2016, the illustrious parade was brought back to the Southern California community. Thanks to the support of many local education, government, and business partners, new life has been brought into a cherished event that celebrates the community and the holiday season. Nearly 70,000 attendees lined Whittier Boulevard in November 2016 to welcome back the bands, equestrian units, folklorico groups, floats, and dignitaries in true East Los Angeles style.
A special thank you to Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis for supporting the parade as its Presenting Partner, and making the return of the East LA Christmas Parade possible.
This one-day, parade with spectacular floats, marching bands, equestrian units, and celebrity guests, traveled down the historic Whittier Boulevard Shopping District and on through the heart of Downtown East Los Angeles.
Parade celebrities included Grand Marshal Oscar De La Hoya, Legendary Marshal Art Laboe, Celebrity Marshal Danny Trejo, from Telemundo – Acceso Total host Stephanie Himonidis, weather anchor Michelle Trujillo and stars from the upcoming Telenovela “Sangre de mi Tierra”, from ABC7 – co-anchor Ellen Leyva, weathercaster Danny Romero and reporter Coleen Sullivan, Mandril from Radio Centro 93.9 FM, J Cruz from Power 106, CeCe from 93.5 KDAY, Anthony Citric Campos, William Garza, Thee Midniters, Violeta Martin, Richard Yniguez, Thee Commons, Leyo and many others!
The Christmas Parade celebration continued onto the afternoon, with post-parade festival filled with music, food, entertainment, and more!
