AMERICA’S NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
THE ROSE PARADE BEGINS AT 8AM PST ON JANUARY 1 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
#ThisGen2023: A Youth Empowerment Forum presented by Meta
April 22, 2023| 9:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Decorating Places presented by Alaska Airlines
December 28, 2023| 11:00 AM - December 30, 2023| 1:00 PM
Equestfest
December 29, 2023| 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bandfest presented by REMO
December 29, 2023| 2:00 PM - December 30, 2023| 4:00 PM
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase
January 1, 2024| All day - January 2, 2024
THEME & GRAND MARSHAL
2024 ROSE PARADE THEME – “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language”
On the front steps of Tournament House, the 2024 Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian, announced the 2024 Tournament of Roses theme, “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language”.
“The 2024 theme brings us together through music. In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, one language unites us all — music. The sound, texture, rhythm, form, harmony, and expression meld together to move, soothe, excite and delight the world,” explained Aghajanian. “From bossa nova to blues, classical to country, metal to mariachi and rock to rap, thousands of genres invite us to become one in celebrating a world of music. Whether near or far, young or old, we invite you to year-long festivities that culminate on New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade. Let the music begin!”
2024 GRAND MARSHAL
The 2024 Grand Marshal will be announced later this year. Stay tuned for updates!
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.
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.
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.
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 will announce the judges for the 2024 Float Awards sponsored by FTD later this year.
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.