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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 along Colorado Blvd., featuring four main types of entries: floral-covered floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and Tournament Entries. Many of these participants have long-standing ties to the Tournament of Roses, helping to keep the event’s traditions alive.

The earliest Tournament of Roses, drew 3,000 spectators and showcased beautiful, flower-covered, horse-drawn carriages. 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 volunteer work are contributed by 935 volunteer members of the Tournament of Roses Association. Known as “White Suiters” for their iconic white uniforms, these community-spirited volunteers donate their evenings, weekends, and holidays to ensure the success of both the Rose Parade® and the Rose Bowl Game®.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP

The Rose Parade is broadcast live in the U.S. by several networks. Check our list of broadcasters or your local listings for more information. For seating and ticket information, please see our Tickets and Events page.

For safety tips and parade-day guidelines, take a look at our Parade Day Guide.

935
ACTIVE VOLUNTEER MEMBERS

80,000
HOURS ANNUALLY CONTRIBUTED

31
OPERATING COMMITTEES

Upcoming
Rose Parade Events

THEME & GRAND MARSHAL

2026 ROSE PARADE THEME – “THE MAGIC IN TEAMWORK”

The 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens announced the 2026 theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.” The theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals.

2026 GRAND MARSHAL – EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON

On October 8, The Pasadena Tournament of Roses proudly announced Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a legendary athlete, visionary entrepreneur and transformative philanthropist, as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade presented by Honda.

As Grand Marshal, Johnson will ride down Colorado Boulevard, ushering in the new year with the joy, beauty, and tradition the Parade is known for, and will also participate in the pre-game ceremony at the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.

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 stunning floats have come a long way since the early days of the Tournament, but the parade has always stayed true to its floral roots. Every inch of each float is covered in flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds, and bark. Even the most delicate blooms, like roses, are carefully placed in individual vials of water and added to the float, one flower at a time. It’s a process that blends artistry, tradition, and nature!

Tournament of Roses Approved Commercial Float Builders:

ARTISTIC ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES
700 Seco St., Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 334-9388 | aescreative.com 

FIESTA PRODUCTIONS INC.
16016 Avenida Padilla, Suite #A, Irwindale, CA 91702
(323) 428-1100 | fiestaproductions.com

PHOENIX DECORATING COMPANY
Rose Float Plaza South, 5400 Irwindale Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706
(626) 793-3174 | phoenixdeco.com  

APPLY AS A FLOAT PARTICIPANT

  • 112th Rose Bowl Game Float A
  • 112th Rose Bowl Game Float B
  • Cal Poly Universities
  • City of South Pasadena
  • Downey Rose Float Association
  • Elks U.S.A
  • La Cañada Flintridge
  • Rotary
  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
  • Star Trek 60
  • The UPS Store
  • Travel South Dakota

MARCHING BANDS

The Rose Parade’s musical tradition began in 1891, when the Monrovia, California City Band joined the second Tournament of Roses Parade, marching alongside flower-covered pony carts. Since then, musicians from all over the world have been part of this iconic New Year’s Day celebration. The parade has welcomed high school, college, and military bands, as well as a wide range of performers—from marching bands and drum and bugle corps to brass bands, percussion groups, and even bagpipes, all adding their own rhythm and flair to the festivities.

APPLY AS A MARCHING BAND PARTICIPANT

  • Aguiluchos Marching Band, Puebla, Mexico
  • Asahi University and Gifushogyo High School, Kyoto, Japan
  • Banda CEDES Don Bosco, Alajuelita, San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Blue Springs High School Marching Band, Blue Springs, Missouri
  • Carmel High School Marching Band, Carmel, Indiana
  • Falcon Marching Band, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
  • LAUSD All District High School Honor Band, Los Angeles, California
  • Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets, Pasadena, California
  • Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band, Pasadena, California
  • Pasadena Unified School District All Star Band, Pasadena, California
  • Pride Bands Alliance, Washington, D.C.
  • Rosemount High School Marching Band, Rosemount, Minnesota
  • Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, Santa Clara, California
  • The Clovis High School Golden Cougar Marching Band and Color Guard, Clovis, California
  • The Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, Georgia
  • The Marching Southerners, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
  • The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band, Carson, California
  • Timber Creek High School Falcon Band, Fort Worth, Texas
  • United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, San Diego, California

EQUESTRIAN UNITS

On January 1, 1890, Grand Marshal Francis Rowland and President Charles Holder rode out on horseback to lead the very first Rose Parade through Pasadena. Equestrian units have been a beloved part of the parade ever since. Each year, a mix of horse breeds—ranging from Curly Horses and American Saddlebreds to Gypsy Cobs, Andalusians, Miniature Horses, and Draft Horses—parade down the route, each adding its own flair and style. With colorful costumes and impressive skills, these riders and horses not only honor the parade’s traditions but also bring the theme to life with excitement.

APPLY AS AN EQUESTRIAN UNIT PARTICIPANT

  • 1st Cavalry Division, Horse Calvary Detachment (Fort Hood, TX)
  • Arabian Horse Association Versatile Arabians (Greenwood Village, Colorado)
  • Blue Shadows Mounted Drill Team (Lake View Terrace, California)
  • Budweiser Clydesdales (St. Louis, Missouri)
  • Hawaii Pa’u Riders (Waimānalo, Hawai‘i)
  • Los Angeles Police Department: Metropolitan Division Mounted Platoon (Los Angeles, California)
  • Los Hermanos Bañuelos Charro Team (Altadena, California)
  • Merced County Sheriff’s Posse (Merced, California)
  • Mini Therapy Horses (Calabasas, California)
  • Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers (Sacramento, California)
  • Scripps Miramar Ranch- Steam Fire Pumper Unit (San Diego, California)
  • Spirit of the West Riders (Arcadia, California)
  • The New Buffalo Soldiers (Shadow Hills, California)
  • The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team (Norco, California)
  • The Valley Hunt Club (Pasadena, California)
  • United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard (Barstow, California)
  • Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society (Alpine, 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.

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.

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