THE ROSE PARADE – AN ICONIC TRADITION
The Rose Parade begins at 8AM PST on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California, USA.
For millions of people around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic New Year’s Day tradition.
The Rose Parade travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd. and features four types of entries: floral-decorated floats entered by a participating corporation, non-profit organization or municipality, equestrian units, bands, and Tournament Entries. Rose Parade participants have long histories with the Tournament of Roses and keep the traditions alive.
The earliest Tournament of Roses welcomed 3,000 spectators to its first parade filled with beautiful, horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers. More than a century later, the parade floats are a marvel of state of the art technology, all tucked away beneath flowers and other all-natural materials.
Each year more than 80,000 hours of combined service are supplied by 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses Association. Nicknamed “White Suiters” because of the distinctive white suits every volunteer wears, these community-spirited men and women give up their evenings, weekends and holidays to ensure the success of the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game®.
The Rose Parade is broadcast live in the U.S. by several networks/stations. Please refer to our list of broadcasters or check your local listings. For seating and ticket information, please see our Tickets and Events page.
Rose Parade safety tips and guidelines can be found in our Parade Day Guide.
935
ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS
80,000
HOURS ANNUALLY CONTRIBUTED
31
OPERATING COMMITTEES
THEME & GRAND MARSHAL
2021 ROSE PARADE THEME – DREAM. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE.
Miller announced “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” as the Pasadena Tournament of Roses theme; celebrating education’s ability to open doors, open minds and change lives. “Education paves the path to success with a world of opportunities achieved through knowledge, compassion and determination. Education is the great equalizer,” shared Miller. “As a community college educator, I have seen firsthand the life-changing miracle that education provides. As students visualize their future, education becomes the bridge to accomplish their aspirations and transform lives for generations to come.”
2020 GRAND MARSHALS
Rita Moreno, Gina Torres and Laurie Hernandez were announced as the 2020 Grand Marshals. They will ride in the 131st Rose Parade® presented by Honda, themed “The Power of Hope” and join in the pre-game celebration of the 106th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual both are held on January 1, 2020.
“The 2020 theme is ‘The Power of Hope.’ With hope, we can aspire to do better and inspire others to reach higher; hope never quits; with hope anything, in fact everything is possible,” Farber shared. “Rita Moreno, Gina Torres, and Laurie Hernandez epitomize hope. Through their talent, efforts, persistence, and dedication, they have achieved excellence and have given back to the world stories of hope, dreams fulfilled, dignity, respect and inspiration. They have provided el Poder de La Esperanza para todo el mundo!”
View list of all former Tournament of Roses Grand Marshals PDF.
ROSE PARADE PARTICIPANTS
The Rose Parade features three types of entries: floral-decorated floats sponsored by a participating corporation or community organization, equestrian units, and marching bands. The only cars that appear in the Rose Parade are those that may carry the Grand Marshal, the Mayor of Pasadena, the Rose Bowl Game Hall of Fame Inductees and the Tournament of Roses President. Many of the Rose Parade’s participating organizations have long histories with the Tournament of Roses and have made numerous appearances in the parade.
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE ROSE PARADE?
Visit our Apply page for more information about applying to be a Rose Parade participant. Deadlines for floats, equestrian units and marching bands vary.
FLOATS
The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats have come a long way since the Tournament’s early days, and the Rose Parade has stayed true to its floral beginnings. Every inch of every float must be covered with flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark. The most delicate flowers, including roses, are placed in individual vials of water, which are set into the float one by one.
COMING SOON
MARCHING BANDS
The Rose Parade’s musical legacy dates to 1891 when the Monrovia, Calif. City Band joined the procession of flower-covered pony carts in the second Tournament of Roses Parade. Since then, hundreds of thousands of musicians from all over the world have made the famous march through Pasadena on New Year’s Day. The Rose Parade has welcomed high schools, colleges and universities, and Military bands. Past parades have featured a variety of musicians including marching bands, drum and bugle corps, brass and percussion bands, and bag pipes.
COMING SOON
EQUESTRIAN UNITS
On January 1, 1890, Grand Marshal Francis Rowland and President Charles Holder mounted their horses and led the first Rose Parade through Pasadena. Equestrian units remain an irreplaceable part of the parade. Each year, the Rose Parade features a wide variety of horse breeds who entertain spectators, each with their own style and grace, including Curly Horses, American Saddlebreds, Gypsy Cobs, Andalusians, Miniature Horses, Draft Horses, and more. Equestrian units offer a variety of special skills and colorful costumes that tie into the Rose Parade theme while continuing to honor traditions.
COMING SOON
AWARDS
Each year the Tournament of Roses selects three judges to grant float awards based on many criteria including float design, floral presentation and entertainment value. The Tournament of Roses announces the award-winning floats on New Year’s Day prior to the Rose Parade. As the award-winning floats venture down the parade route, they are preceded by banners showcasing their award. The banners are carried by select members of the Tournament of Roses Eagle Scout and Gold Award Girl Scout Troops.
FTD is the official floral partner of the Tournament of Roses. The iconic American company has been affiliated with the Rose Parade for more than 60 years. FTD decorates the antique automobiles which carry the Rose Parade VIPs down Colorado Boulevard including the Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame cars. FTD is also the sponsor of the Rose Parade Float Awards. Learn more about the Rose Parade® Float Awards PDF.
Float Design
This category showcases attractive, visually well-balanced floats that over a creative treatment of the designer’s idea. The floats are in line with the parade’s theme and include the use of animation.
Floral Presentation
This category provides a visual balance and cohesive mix of floral and non-floral materials. The floats are predominantly floral in appearance and display an abundance of flowers.
Entertainment Value
This category creates a dramatic impact by creatively using additional elements to advance the design concept. Additions may include, but are not limited to, float riders, outwalkers, pyrotechnics, and showmanship.
TOP AWARD
Sweepstakes
Most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.
THEME
Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme
BOB HOPE HUMOR
Most whimsical and amusing float
DIRECTOR
Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials
CROWN CITY INNOVATOR*
Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology
GRAND MARSHAL
Most outstanding creative concept and float design
FANTASY
Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination
ANIMATION
Most outstanding use of animation
AMERICANA
Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions
GOLDEN STATE
Most outstanding depiction of life in California
MAYOR
Most outstanding float from a participating city
PRESIDENT
Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
ISABELLA COLEMAN
Most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design
QUEEN
Most outstanding presentation of roses
LEISHMAN PUBLIC SPIRIT
Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant
PRINCESS
Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length
PAST PRESIDENT
Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials
FOUNDER
Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization
INTERNATIONAL
Most outstanding float from outside the United States
TOURNAMENT VOLUNTEER
Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length
EXTRAORDINAIRE*
Most extraordinary float
WRIGLEY LEGACY*
Most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment
JUDGES
Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact
SHOWMANSHIP*
Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment
*Including units 55 feet in length and greater