Few people think of Southern California at Christmastime. With its warm weather and tropical vegetation, it doesn't exactly conjure images of snowy landscapes. But Southern Californians celebrates the holiday just like everyone else, and their mild winters allow a number of unique activities that no other community can claim (in addition to more traditional Christmas activities such as local productions of "A Christmas Carol" and the like). If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area during the holidays, take some time to enjoy one-of-a-kind activities.
Since 1928, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has sponsored an annual Christmas parade through the streets of Hollywood. Though it initially started out as a very humble affair, it has grown into quite a spectacle, with floats, marching bands, movie stars and Santa Claus making an appearance. The Chamber of Commerce canceled the parade for budgetary reasons in 2007, but the Los Angeles City Council stepped in and has sponsored it ever since. The parade typically takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and runs along both Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. Grandstand tickets are available for a fee, though those hoping to catch the parade for free can claim spots along the route early.
Disneyland in Anaheim makes a big to-do over Christmas every year. The park is decorated with holiday trimmings--including a large Christmas tree in Town Square--and the Disney mascots wear festive clothing as they move throughout the park. The parades and fireworks take on a holiday theme--complete with snowmen, dancing sugarplum fairies and other themed figures--and snow falls in certain sections of the park after the fireworks display (a big deal for So Cal kids who grow up without snow). The "It's a Small World" ride adopts a Christmas-themed soundtrack, and Jack Skellington and his crew take over the "Haunted Mansion" for the season. Disneyland's Christmas decorations usually go up around Thanksgiving and remain in place until after the new year.
The coastal communities of Southern California often host boat parades in which local boats decorated with Christmas lights wind through community harbors. Specifics vary by city, but the most famous parade is in Newport Beach, which spends five nights every year displaying luxury yachts, sailboats and even kayaks decked out in holiday finery. Music plays during the parade, and some boats re-enact Christmas scenes on their decks. The 14-mile route winds through the large harbor, giving spectators ample opportunity to view the parade from the shore.
