Starting in 1928, a one-mile stretch of Hollywood Blvd used to be temporarily renamed “Santa Claus Lane” for the holiday season. It was a promotional event intended to boost sales for the Hollywood merchants. The highlight of which was the annual parade down Hollywood Blvd. The one we’re seeing here took place on November 24, 1945, which shows both sides of the street thick with crowds. The attendance that night broke all records because in 1942, ’43, and ’44 the parade was suspended because of the war. But that was all over for the people in this photo, and Angelenos turned out in droves to celebrate the first peacetime holiday season.
Here’s a 1929 newspaper ad for the Santa Claus Lane Christmas Parade down Hollywood Blvd for what would have been the second annual parade:
The song “Here Comes Santa Claus” was written/sung by Gene Autry, and was inspired by the Santa Claus Lane Parade?
This is how that same view looked in August 2022. That building with the Art Deco tower on the corner is still there, as is the Egyptian Theatre.
I know that some years when I attended the Hollywood Christmas Parade, as it was renamed, it came down Hollywood Blvd. from the west. I know at least one year it also made a circle around Sunset Blvd. I wonder if there’s a database of the parade routes over the years.
In watching some newsreel segments of the Santa Claus Lane Parade of various years on youtube recently, more than once the voice over indicated that Santa Claus rode down the boulevard on his float “every night” for some period of time with a different Hollywood celebrity in tow. Sometimes a celebrity would also “be” Santa Claus. Anyone have any recollections of these things from the ’40s or ’50s?
Once again I ask why the more recent photo makes that section look so dingy and dirty!!! All the clutter and signage on the buildings is disgusting.
So very sad. do they even have that parade anymore? I remember in the 90s watching on TV but have not seen it in years.
Martin Pal: I remember the Christmas Parade from the late-50s and early 60s. Yes, the Santa float made a nightly ride down Hollywood Blvd. beginning at Argyle and progressing west along the street. On occasion Santa would have guests riding with him and Christmas music would be playing over a tinny sound system mounted on the side of the float.
The opening of Santa Claus Lane was a big deal with thousands lining the street. The Hollywood High School band was at the forefront along with that year’s Grand Marshall in a convertible auto. I remember either 1960 or 1961, Mary Pickford was the G.M. and she was perched on top of the back seat, in a fur coat, making grand, dramatic gestures to the crowds and I recalled thinking, “she’s glued to the gills!” I remember the parade always going east to west.
Thanks so much for those recollections, Jim! I, and some others, have always been fascinated with those huge metal Christmas Trees lining the Blvd. for around twenty years! Wish I could’ve seen them in person!
Do they not have the parade anymore????
If not why not?????
I love that song by Gene. Brings back fond memories of Christmas in my life.