City of Inglewood Celebrates Largest Holiday Gathering in History with Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting Powered By KIA

Inglewood, CA – The City of Inglewood brought holiday cheer to thousands of residents during its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and inaugural Christmas/Holidays’ Parade on Monday, December 2, 2024. With nearly 6,000 holiday gifts distributed to Inglewood youth ages 17 and under, this event marked the largest holiday celebration in the City’s history. The evening kicked off with the inaugural Christmas Parade, which began at the Intuit Dome and concluded at the KIA Forum. Hundreds of families lined Prairie Avenue to witness the event up close, with featured community and celebrity participants which included the Inglewood High School Marching Band, KJLH’s Andre Russell, hometown legend Mack 10, the LA Rams’ Rampage, and the LA Clippers Dance Team. Mayor James T. Butts and the Inglewood City Council joined the procession, spreading holiday joy alongside special guest Ms. California USA and Santa Claus, delivered in style by the Inglewood Police Department Sleigh and the Inglewood I-Line Trolley.

Mayor James T. Butts reflected on the historic nature of the event, stating, “For the first time in Inglewood’s history, we had a Christmas parade down Prairie Avenue, and we’ve never seen this many people gather for a holiday celebration. With nearly 6,000 toys for kids and over 5,000 gift cards distributed, this will be a truly memorable Christmas for so many families in Inglewood.” Following the parade, the celebration continued at the KIA Forum with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Village Community Gift Giving event. Families enjoyed activities including face painting, a snow zone, and photos with Santa while indulging in hot cocoa, fresh tamales, loaded fries and holiday treats. Santa’s Village was alive with the holiday spirit, as thousands of children received gifts and participated in festive activities at various Christmas themed workshop stations. City leadership expressed their excitement about the event. Councilman Alex Padilla shared; “This is a time to enjoy all the good things happening in our city. Merry Christmas and let’s not forget the reason for the season!” Councilwoman Dionne Faulk added, “It’s been an amazing evening seeing so many families and children here tonight, enjoying the fun and fabulous activities we have in Inglewood.”

Inglewood icon, Mack 10 echoed similar sentiments, adding, “As someone born and raised here, it’s incredible to see how far Inglewood has come. Its been a real pleasure to be out here for this Christmas parade tonight.” The event showcased not just the City’s growth but also its commitment to creating meaningful community experiences. Councilman Eloy Morales highlighted the significance of this celebration: “Inglewood is changing, but what remains constant is the beautiful families that are here and our celebrations.” KJLH’s Andre Russell was amazed by the amount of love and support the parade received, stating, “I saw so many enthusiastic fans along the road waving and yelling and having a good time. So glad to be a part of what’s going on here with Inglewood, so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” The City of Inglewood extends its gratitude to its outstanding community partners, including the KIA Forum and Intuit Dome, for making this holiday celebration an overwhelming success. The 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade embodied the spirit of community, joy, and progress that defines Inglewood, making it a holiday season to remember always.                                                                                                                                  Source: Thomas Bunn, Video and Social Media Manager, City of Inglewood

Photo by Gloria Zuurveen