The evening started with an all-star holiday concert held at the beginning of the parade route featuring Clay Aiken, Daughtry, Sean Kingston, India.Aire, the Band of Merry Makers (with Mark McGrath, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra and Sam Hollander), Alexander Jean, Ruben Studdard, Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, Kat Graham, Candice Glover and Heather Russell. The theme of this year’s event was “The Magic of Christmas” with performances between sets by renowned Masters of Illusion magicians Michael Turco and Jonathan Pendragon.

Parade hosts Eric Estrada and Laura McKenzie kicked off the parade festivities welcoming the USMC Marching Band representing the Toys for Tots and introduced and interviewed Grammy and Emmy award-winning TV and film stars such as Oscar De La Hoya, the casts of Significant Mother, Crazy Ex Girl Friend, Jane the Virgin, Hallmark’s Home & Family, Kung Fu Panda, Dance Moms, The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, who were on hand to wish fans a happy holiday.

Thirteen large helium balloons traveled the route with Tom Bristol including Gumby, Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, the Grinch, Strawberry Shortcake, Scooby Doo, and Tom & Jerry joined by 17 marching bands from around the world, 7 equestrian units and none other than Grumpy Cat.

All in all it was a very special and magical night made possible by the over 700 volunteers, 34 local businesses, schools and community service groups on hand to lend a helping hand to help make the parade a huge success.