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AMERICA’S NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

THE ROSE PARADE BEGINS AT 8AM PST ON JANUARY 2nd 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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROSE PARADE HISTORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROSE PARADE PARTICIPANTS

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®.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP

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

Upcoming
Rose Parade Events

THEME & GRAND MARSHAL

2023 ROSE PARADE THEME – TURNING THE CORNER

This year, the 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses President, Amy Wainscott, announced “Turning the Corner” as the Pasadena Tournament of Roses theme; celebrating the unlimited potential that each new year brings, “The 2023 theme celebrates turning a corner. Whether that corner is actual or figurative like the unlimited potential that each new year brings—we all enjoy the opportunity of a fresh start,” explained Wainscott. “Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.”

2023 GRAND MARSHAL – GABBY GIFFORDS

This year, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is the 2023 Grand Marshal. Gabby’s remarkable recovery from traumatic injuries epitomizes the 2023 theme, “Turning the Corner” “Almost all of us have the luxury to face our challenges in private and many of us also have the freedom to overcome or heal on our own timeline. But when one has no choice but to be both vulnerable and strong in public, with the whole nation watching, that calls for a special brand of bravery and that is why Gabby Giffords is the perfect example of how to turn the corner.”

Tournament of Roses Themes & Grand Marshals

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.

APPLY AS A FLOAT PARTICIPANT

  • 109th Rose Bowl Game University Float A
  • 109th Rose Bowl Game University Float B
  • 2023 Tournament of Roses Royal Court
  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation
  • American Honda
  • BAZIC Products
  • Blue Diamond Growers
  • Building Industry Association of Southern California
  • Cal Poly Universities
  • City of Alhambra
  • City of Burbank
  • City of Hope
  • City of South Pasadena
  • City of Torrance
  • Claremont McKenna College
  • Donate Life
  • Downey Rose Float Association
  • Elks U.S.A.
  • Enjoy Illinois
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Kiwanis International
  • La Cañada Flintridge
  • Lions International
  • Louisiana Travel
  • Lutheran Hour Ministries
  • Mansion Entertainment Group
  • Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom
  • NASCAR
  • Odd Fellows & Rebekahs
  • Rose Bowl Stadium/Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
  • Rose Parade Opening Unit
  • Rotary
  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
  • Shriners Children’s
  • Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
  • Snapchat
  • Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, in Partnership with Nouns
  • Trader Joe’s
  • Western Asset

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.

APPLY AS A MARCHING BAND PARTICIPANT

2023 MARCHING BAND DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)

  • All Gifu Honor Green Band (Gifu, Japan)
  • Banda de Música La Primavera (Santiago, Veraguas, Panamá)
  • Brookwood Bronco Marching Band (Snellville, Ga.)
  • Buhos Marching Band (Veracruz, Mexico)
  • Foothills Falcon Band (Tucson, Ariz.)
  • Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band (Fresno, Calif.)
  • LAUSD All District High School Honor Band (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets (Pasadena, Calif.)
  • Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band (Pasadena, Calif.)
  • The Pella Marching Dutch (Pella, Iowa)
  • Rockford High School Marching Band (Rockford, Mich.)
  • Rose Bowl Game Participating Team (Pac-12 University)
  • Rose Bowl Game Participating Team (Big Ten University)
  • Rosemount High School Marching Band (Rosemount, Minn.)
  • The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band (Long Beach, Calif.)
  • Spartan “Legion” Marching Band (Norfolk, Virginia)
  • Taipei First Girls High School Marching Band, Honor Guard and Color Guard (Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China)
  • Triuggio Marching Band Triuggio (Monza and Brianza, Italy)
  • United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Calif.)
  • Vista Ridge High School Ranger Marching Band (Cedar Park, Texas)
  • Wisconsin Northwoods Marching Band (Minocqua, Wis.)

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.

APPLY AS AN EQUESTRIAN UNIT PARTICIPANT

2023 EQUESTRIAN UNIT DESCRIPTIONS (PDF)

  • 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment (Fort Hood, Texas)
  • Alameda County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse (Dublin, California)
  • Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team (Lake View Terrace, California)
  • Budweiser Clydesdales (St. Louis, Missouri)
  • CA State Guard 26th Mounted Operations Detachment (Long Beach, California)
  • International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (Birmingham, Alabama)
  • Los Hermanos Banuelos (Altadena, California)
  • Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers (Citrus Heights, California)
  • Ramona, California’s Official State Outdoor Play Presented by the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre (Hemet, California)
  • Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Detail (Riverside, California)
  • Scripps Miramar Ranch (San Diego, California)
  • Spirit of the West Riders (Arcadia, California)
  • The New Buffalo Soldiers (Shadow Hills, California)
  • The Valley Hunt Club (Pasadena, California)
  • The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team (Norco, California)
  • United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard (Barstow, California)

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.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses has selected Nicole Cavender, Jennie O’Hagan and Lois Hiranaga as judges for the 2023 Float Awards sponsored by FTD. To learn about this year’s judges click here.

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.

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.

FLOAT AWARDS

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