Are you ready for San Diego's biggest holiday party? Syracuse will face Washington State in the 2024 DirecTV Holiday Bowl this Friday at Snapdragon Stadium.
This beloved San Diego tradition, now in its 45th year, comes with more than just the annual college football bowl game. There's also a 5K run, tailgates and, of course, Friday's events kicked off with the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente.
2024 Holiday Bowl:
Here's everything you should know about this year's parade:
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
What time does the Holiday Bowl Parade start?
This family event β deemed "America's largest balloon parade" β kicked off Holiday Bowl festivities and takes place along the bayfront in downtown San Diego. According to the Holiday Bowl's website, more than 100,000 people are expected to attend.
The parade started at 10 a.m. on Friday and features unique floats, giant balloons, magnificent marching bands and drill teams.
What is the parade route?
The parade route is roughly 1 mile and begins at Harbor Drive and Grape Street. It runs to Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive.
How much does it cost?
You can enjoy the parade for free if you watch it from the side of the street. If you want an optimal view, you can purchase grandstand tickets for $30 each here.
Grandstands will be located near the start of the parade on the water side of the street at 1400 N Harbor Drive. Accessible seating is available, and children under 3 do not need a ticket.