So, you’re looking for the Los Angeles parade today. Maybe you saw some "No Parking" signs popping up near Crenshaw, or perhaps you just felt like the mid-January energy was building toward something big.
Honesty time: If you headed down to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard this morning hoping to catch a marching band, you're a few days early.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. While the city is buzzing with preparations for the massive Kingdom Day Parade, the actual event doesn't kick off until Monday, January 19. It’s a common mix-up. People often assume the parade happens on the actual calendar birthday of Dr. King (which is tomorrow, January 15) or they see the barricades going up early and think they’ve missed the memo.
You haven't. But there is stuff happening right now that you should probably know about if you want to actually enjoy the festivities without losing your mind in L.A. traffic.
The Kingdom Day Parade Shake-up for 2026
There’s been a little bit of "behind-the-scenes" drama this year that’s worth mentioning. For decades, we’ve known this as the Kingdom Day Parade, organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). This year, things look a little different on paper.
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Due to some permit shuffling and organization changes, you might see it referred to as the Martin Luther King Day Parade & Freedom Festival. Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel have stepped up to the plate to keep the tradition alive.
Basically, it’s the same heart, just a different team holding the clipboard.
Who is leading the pack?
Cedric the Entertainer is the Grand Marshal for 2026. If that doesn't get people out of the house, I don't know what will. He’s joined by basically the entire cast of The Neighborhood, including Max Greenfield and Tichina Arnold.
It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be crowded. And honestly, it’s probably going to be one of the biggest turnouts we’ve seen in years because the weather is finally cooperating after that weirdly windy start to the month.
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What’s Actually Happening in Los Angeles Today?
Since there isn't a literal parade rolling down the street this second, what should you be doing?
If you’re near the Marina Del Rey area, the Lloyd Taber-Marina Del Rey Library is hosting a "Let Freedom Ring" event from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. today. It’s mostly for kids (ages 5–12), where they’re doing bell crafts and storytime. It's a low-key way to start the week of remembrance without the 100,000-person crowd.
Also, if you're a fan of the Foo Fighters, they’re playing in Inglewood tonight. Not a parade, sure, but the traffic around SoFi and the Intuit Dome will certainly make it feel like one.
Surviving the Monday Parade (The Real Logistics)
When Monday actually rolls around, do not—I repeat, do not—try to drive your own car into the heart of South L.A. unless you enjoy sitting in 90-minute stalemates.
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The route is classic:
- Starts at Western Ave and MLK Blvd at 10 a.m. sharp.
- Heads west along MLK.
- Turns south onto Crenshaw Blvd.
- Ends at Vernon Ave near Leimert Park.
The Pro Move: Use the Metro K Line.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Station is literally steps away from the route. You can take the E Line to Expo/Crenshaw and transfer, or just hop on the K Line if you're coming from the South Bay side. Metro usually runs a vintage bus in the parade anyway—it looks like the one Rosa Parks rode—so the agency is pretty invested in the day.
The Freedom Festival
Most people watch the floats and then bail. That's a mistake.
The post-parade festival at Leimert Park Plaza runs until 5 p.m. This is where the actual soul of the event is. You’ve got local food vendors, live music, and a lot of community booths. If you want a real Los Angeles experience that isn't curated for a tourist brochure, this is it.
Why We Still Do This
Some people ask why L.A. puts so much energy into this specific parade versus, say, the Rose Parade (which just happened a couple weeks ago on New Year's).
The Rose Parade is about spectacle and flowers. The Los Angeles parade today (or rather, this week) is about a living legacy. It’s the world's longest-running celebration of Dr. King. In a city as spread out as ours, this is one of the few times South L.A. becomes the absolute center of the universe for the entire region.
Your Immediate Next Steps
Since the big show is still a few days away, here is how you should prep:
- Check the street closures: If you live anywhere near the Crenshaw district, move your car by Sunday night. The tow trucks in L.A. don't have a sense of humor, especially on holiday Mondays.
- Download the TAP app: If you're going to use the Metro (and you should), load $3.50 onto a virtual card now so you aren't fumbling at the kiosk with a thousand other people.
- Plan for the Freedom Festival: Look up the vendor list for Leimert Park. The food is always the highlight, but the lines get long by 1 p.m.
- Watch the broadcast: If you hate crowds, ABC7 is carrying the whole thing live starting at 11 a.m. on Monday.