If you stand in one place along various parts of Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, Hollywood comes to you, in a nighttime promenade of marching bands, floats, gigantic cartoonlike balloons, and a constellation of stars (and semi-stars) perched in vintage cars. The grand marshal of The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade is Extra/Saved by the Bell’s Mario Lopez, and the co-hosts are Elizabeth Stanton, Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams, with appearances by Lorenzo Lamas, Finola Hughes, Lidya Jewett, Burt Ward, Lacey Evans and others. The eternally cool and elegant Dionne Warwick presides over a group of musical performers that includes David Archuleta, Sheléa, The Boo Crew, Brandon Jenner, Ace Young & Diana DeGarmo, and Phil Vassar. While the quaint choice of celebrities tends to favor actors from the distant past rather than the more charismatic forces in Hollywood today, it’s always a kick to see the streets of Tinseltown shut down for an evening of glitzy pomp and kitschy circumstance.

The parade starts at Hollywood Boulevard & Orange Drive, continues east to Vine Street and then south to Sunset Boulevard; Sun., Dec. 1, 5 p.m.; free (grandstand seats $65 & $85). (866) 727-2331, thehollywoodchristmasparade.org. 

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