The 136th Rose Parade starts the new year in Pasadena and will bring thousands of people into the sun, with millions more watching on television. The San Gabriel Valley community will line the 5.5-mile-long procession route to view nearly 40 rose-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrian teams nationwide.
Almost 18 million roses worldwide will decorate the floats, including flowers from the Midwest, California, Colombia, Ecuador, the Netherlands, and New York.
The 2025 Rose Parade Theme
Every year, the Rose Parade has a theme, and this year’s theme is “Best Day Ever.”
Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales said in a statement unveiling the parade theme, “The 2025 theme celebrates life’s best moments – those unexpected times tThe and fill us with joy. From a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the simplest pleasures, each is indelibly etched into our memory. Together, we celebrate where we’ve been and what we look forward to. It’s about family, friends, and community and what we have to celebrate – and to be thankful for. On New Year’s Day and throughout the year, let’s celebrate the times that make up our Best Day Ever.”
Origins of the Rose Parade
The parade originated in 1890 and was initially organized by members of the Valley Hunt Club to showcase Southern California in the winter. It comprised flower-decorated carriages and took place before the hunt club competition. After the first parade, there were chariot races, jousting, foot races, and a tug-of-war.
According to the Tournament of Roses, Professor Charles F. Holder said at a club meeting, “In New York, people are buried in snow. Here, our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let’s hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise.”
January 1, 1902, is the first Tournament of Roses football game date.
In 1916, after a decade-long absence, the traditions and football were permanently reinstated in 1916.
About the 2025 Rose Parade
The original organizers of the Rose Parade would be happy about this year’s forecast for the parade since the concept behind it was to showcase Southern California’s mild winter. The highs will be in the 70s with partly cloudy skies.
The forecast in New York City is a high of 49 with a 30-percent chance of rain.
The Southern California New Year’s Day tradition starts at 8 a.m. PT Wednesday on Colorado Boulevard. The parade will begin at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. It then moves north on Orange Grove before turning east on Colorado Boulevard. It once again turns north on Sierra Madre Boulevard before ending at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.
Tuesday, the night before the parade, the route closes at 10 p.m. and will remain closed until 2 p.m. Wednesday after the parade finishes.
Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will be hosts on the NBC broadcast of the Rose Parade for the 98th year. The 2025 Rose Parade will be simulcast on Peacock.
Every year, there is a new grand marshal, this year’s being tennis legend Billie Jean King of Long Beach. She will lead the procession in a car.
Rules for Parade Watches on the Route
Many people attending the parade camp out on the route long before the start. Camping overnight is only allowed on Tuesday, the night before the parade. Attendees can claim spaces on the sidewalk starting at noon on Tuesday, but blankets, chairs, and people must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. Parade watchers can move to the blue “Honor Line” on the street after 11 p.m.
Drones are banned from the route. The Federal Aviation Administration has stated that the “No Drone Zone” extends to flights over the Rose Bowl during the football game. Violations can result in arrest, prosecution, jail, and fines.
