Parades, Walks & Holiday Events Southern California 2019

The holiday event is one of the longest-running gatherings in town; the parade first debuted in 1893. It’s held every New Year’s Day—unless the holiday falls on a Sunday, in which case it moves to the next day. The nationally televised parade, filled with eye-catching floats made of fresh flowers, draws about 700,000 spectators and is presented by Honda. The accompanying Rose Bowl football game, also more than a century old, draws about 100,000 and is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. In 2019, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Washington Huskies. Next: January 1, 2020

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After taking the form of an anti-Trump protest march in 2017, the 49-year-old event is back to its festival and parade format. For the first time this year, the festival will hold a free block party, plus a new Friday-night program with an opening ceremony, a drag show, and music from local DJs. Performers throughout the weekend will include Meghan Trainor, Years & Years, Ashanti, and more. Produced by Christopher Street West, the Verizon-sponsored event drew a record 170,000 people in 2018. Next: June 8-9, 2020 See more: Pride 2018: 25 Highlights From Parties, Festivals, and Marches

Drag queens and all manner of costumed revelers make up the massive street party in celebration of Halloween; the event draws about 500,000 people and bills itself as the biggest of its kind in the world. It takes over a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard, and it is free and open to the public—though children are discouraged from attending. The parade was launched in 1987. Next: October 31, 2019

The 30-year-old festival is a massive Cinco de Mayo event—billed as the largest festival of its kind in the country; it’s also billed as the largest Latino event in the largest Latino market. It’s produced annually by All Access Entertainment and held in Downtown Los Angeles along Broadway and around the streets of City Hall. A crowd of more than 200,000 festival attendees come for performances by popular Latin-American artists and authentic food from local vendors, as well as carnival-style rides and games. Next: May 2020

Promoted as the biggest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi, the event has come a long way since its debut in 1904 when it drew about 50,000 people; back then, it celebrated the arrival of the first electric passenger train linking the area with Long Beach and Los Angeles. These days, about 200,000 line the parade route each summer, and a three-day festival taking over Pier Plaza draws about 150,000 visitors. The fireworks bring in about 100,000 attendees. Next: July 4, 2019

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The long-running tradition celebrated its 86th edition in November with attendance topping one million people. Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell served as grand marshal, and Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain, and Montel Williams served as hosts; the event aired on the CW Network. Presented and produced by Associated Television International, the Thanksgiving-time event takes place on Hollywood Boulevard and features live musical performances on two stages benefiting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Next: November 2019

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October’s event marked the 19th iteration of the popular festival at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which draws about 40,000 people to celebrate Day of the Dead; it's billed as the largest celebration of the holiday outside of Mexico. With numbers swelling as the day turns to dark, the thick crowd packs into the cemetery to check out more than 100 elaborate and brightly hued altars, plus live music, dance performances, and art exhibits. Last year’s event honored Aztec goddess Coatlicue. Next: October 2019

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles hosted its presentation of the 120th annual parade in February. About 150,000 spectators line the parade route and view the telecast of the colorful event along North Broadway in Chinatown. It’s considered among the most significant cultural events in the Southern California Asian-American community. Next: February 2020

The charitable event brings together thousands who fill downtown streets in October to walk for people affected by H.I.V./AIDS. The 33rd annual event marked the third year the walk was held downtown after 15 years in West Hollywood; it kicked off in front of City Hall with an opening ceremony featuring Carson Kressley, Arturo Del Puerto, and other notable speakers. A post-walk concert featured performances from Betty Who and Todrick Hall. The 2018 walk raised about $1.5 million for A.P.L.A. Health and more than 20 other organizations; the event has raised more than $84 million in its history. Next: October 20, 2019