#1 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event
Tournament of Roses will celebrate 125 years of tradition in 2014; the event includes over-the-top floats in the flower-filled parade as well as the Rose Bowl football game. Honda presents the parade and Vizio the game, which itself is marking 100 years this New Year’s Day. Next: January 1, 2014
#2 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event (up from #3)
L.A. Pride, produced by Christopher Street West, drew a whopping 400,000 attendees to West Hollywood in its 43rd year. The annual event includes a parade—one of the largest L.G.B.T. parades in the world—a festival, and other related events, including a social media lounge known as #Imagine. Next: June 6-8, 2014
#3 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event (up from #4)
The West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval bills itself as the largest event of its kind in the world, drawing about 500,000 people to its lively street party. The event began in 1987. Next: October 31, 2013
#4 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event
Fiesta Broadway brings out more than 300,000 people for what is billed as the largest celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the world. It also lays claim to the largest Hispanic event in the country’s biggest Hispanic market. Next: April 27, 2014
#5 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event
The Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year festival, presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, draws about 100,000 people for the long-running festivities: The event will mark 115 years in 2014. Next: February 1, 2014
#6 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event (new to the list)
Americafest, the annual tradition of fireworks at the Rose Bowl, is Southern California’s largest show of its kind. The 30-minute show is choreographed and produced by Pyrospectaculars. Honda sponsored the 87th annual event this year, which also has a daytime component with food vendors, entertainment, crafts, exhibits, and inflatable rides for kids outside the stadium. Next: July 4, 2014
#7 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event
Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade and Festival now draws about 300,000 attendees—a far cry from the 50,000 or so who came out a century ago when the annual tradition began in 1904. Next: July 4, 2014
#9 Parade, Walk & Holiday Event
AIDS Walk Los Angeles is billed as the world’s first and remains California’s largest walkathon to raise funds for and awareness of AIDS. It has raised close to $75 million since 1985 and drawn more than half a million participants. Funds go to AIDS Project Los Angeles. Next: October 13, 2013
