Film/television/stage star Joe Mantegna will be leading this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys For Tots on Sunday, Nov. 25 serving as grand marshal. The parade will be presented live by the City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International starting with a pre-parade show at 5:30 p.m., with the parade commencing at 6:30 p.m.

The 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots will feature over 100 celebrities from film, television and stage; 20 award-winning bands and the United States Marine Corps Color Guard; nine colorful equestrians; six ornate floats; seven spectacular live performers; 15 festive balloons and 27 popular characters/novelties with 5,000-plus people participating overall in this year’s event.

The parade will travel on a U-shaped 3.2 mile route throughout Hollywood starting at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard, traveling east onto Hollywood Boulevard turning south onto Vine Street, and then traveling west onto Sunset Boulevard back to Orange Street. Ten thousand square feet of red carpet will blanket Hollywood Boulevard in front of the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the official starting point for the parade.

Grandstand tickets for the 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now on sale. Parade attendees can view the event in style and comfort. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, including Ticketmaster.com (search for Hollywood Christmas Parade), select Walmart locations, select Simon Mall locations, Curacao locations or charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000 or online: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900495F637E1D4D?artistid=1796731&majorcatid=10003&minorcatid=54.

All seats are reserved at the time the order is placed. There are no refunds or exchanges.  Group Discounts are available. All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Free curbside seating will be available along the entire parade route

“I am honored to serve as the grand marshal of this year’s 2012 Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots,” said Mantegna. “It means a great deal to me to part of this fine American tradition that has brought wonderful holiday cheer to millions over its 80-year history.  In my family Christmas is one of most joyous times of the year. Let’s celebrate together in the streets of Hollywood on Nov. 25. See you then!”