For the 136th time, Pasadena, California, . The colorful and glittering celebration marks the beginning of each year with flowers, floats, marching bands and performers from across the globe.
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A few things to know about this year’s parade:
- Starting around 8 a.m. local time, 24 marching bands, 16 equestrian groups and 39 floats decorated with an array of flowers will take part in the 5.5 mile parade route.
- is the grand marshal. King attended high school about 30 miles south of Pasadena in Long Beach and is an alumna of nearby Cal State L.A.
- The is “Best Day Ever!” It was selected by Tournament of Roses .
- The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena responded to the tragic news that emerged from New Orleans. in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street. Officials assured visitors that all safety precautions has been taken at the parade
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Our team of reporters and photographers fanned out across the parade route to provide coverage you won’t see on TV. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter:
- Teresa Liu:
- Anissa Rivera:
- Steve Scauzillo:
- Mercedes Cannon-Tran:
- Christina Merino:
- Tyler Evains:
Floatfest offers up close view
The last float cleared the 210 freeway overpass, marking the end of the 136th Rose Parade.
If you missed the parade don’t worry, you have a chance to get an up close look at the floats for the next three days. The floats will be parked at the corner of Sierra Madre Avenue and Washington Boulevard starting Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. until Friday, Jan. 3.
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10:11 a.m. First floats reach parade ending
The first floats, starting with Honda’s “Electrified Dreams,” and marching bands reached the conclusion of the parade’s 5.5 mile route. Near Sierra Madre Boulevard and Villa Street, there may not be the glitz and glamour of T.V. corner but these parade goers are just as excited as those in the grandstands. However the overpass for the freeway is a tight fit for some floats, which must be folded down to make it safely through.
Spectators were filling up spots along the parade’s conclusion around 7 a.m., hours before the first float would make an appearance. Lots of Los Angeles All City Marching Band parents are stationed on Sierra Madre Boulevard to cheer on their children, like Maria and Hugo Reyes, whose daughter Joselyn Reyes plays trumpet in the band. This is her 3rd year playing in the parade.
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Free Palestine advocates briefly march in parade
A group of about eight to 10 in a straight line carrying a large banner.
Parade watchers thought it was parade entry. Last year, protesters briefly blocked the parade before peacefully departing.
9:50 a.m. Torrance float needs a tow
The city of Torrance “What a Beautiful Day” float broke down along the parade and got a helping hand near Colorado Boulevard and Pasadena Avenue from a tow truck.
9:45 a.m. 605 All-Star Band, largest in the parade, takes center stage
Named after the Southern California freeway which runs north and south to the east of Pasadena, the 605 band is the largest marching band in this year’s parade and one of the largest ever. The band is made up of more than 500 members representing three school districts, seven cities and eight high schools located along the 27 miles of the freeway.
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9:15 a.m. Largest parade crowds since pre-pandemic
Lisa Derderian, spokesperson with the city of Pasadena, said this morning’s crowds are the largest the parade has seen since pre-pandemic. Derderian said thousands lined the route overnight and this morning to watch the parade.
One side of the parade route is covered in shade and the other bathed in sunlight. Where there are no grandstands, the crowds are eight people deep.
Eliza Winter of Redlands sold souvenir programs for $15 each. It’s an annual gig choir students at Redlands High School pick up to raise money for choir trips.
“It’s been good,” she says of business. “You really have to hustle and speak up.”
9:04 a.m. Louisiana float performance entertains crowd on somber morning for state
Country artist Timothy Wayne performed on the Louisiana Office of Tourism entry “Louisiana Saturday Night,” a Director Trophy winner.
on Wednesday morning could be felt at the Rose Parade. A moment of silence was held for victims of the tragedy before the parade began. At least 10 people were killed and 30 were hurt by a driver described by authorities as “hell-bent on carnage” in a busy tourist area near Bourbon Street early Wednesday. Paradegoers said they were aware of the news and sent their condolences to representatives from Louisiana participating in the parade. Some said they were more alert on the scene, but that they hadn’t considered not attending.
“It was a concern, yes. But it is not really a worry,” said Danny Ruiz, a Pasadena resident sitting in the grandstand near the curve. “You are just more alert being around your surroundings,” Ruiz said. When he came to the Rose Parade, he said: “It (tragedy in NO) was always In the back of my mind.”
Organizers pointed out that the Rose Parade route has a “a hard shutdown” to vehicles along the 5 1/2-mile route, robust vehicle barriers at each intersection, and more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel working the parade and the Rose Bowl Game that follows later Wednesday.
“As so many here in Los Angeles wake up to begin the new year, they will be greeted by the devastating news of terror and violence in New Orleans,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement on X Wednesday morning.
“The Los Angeles Police Department is coordinating with federal partners to keep Angelenos safe. Local and regional law enforcement will remain vigilant at events in the L.A. region including the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and other gatherings,” Bass added.”Our city’s thoughts are with the families and communities impacted by this morning’s horrific incident.”
Jose Refugio Quiroz, a photo lab technician from PCC, said he hadn’t heard about the tragedy.
“This is the world I live in now, I mean, I’m always thinking about what could possibly happen,” Quiroz said.
“The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” a statement said. “We stand in solidarity with the entire state during this difficult time.” A suspect who drove a vehicle at high speed into a crowd of revelers was killed after a firefight with police, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press. Ten people were killed and 30 were injured in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m.
Parade officials sought to assure visitors that security was tight at the event. “The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners,” the statement said. “We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.”
Float award winners announced
Honoring a collection of wild creatures in bold colors, the Rose Parade’s 2025 Sweepstakes Award, marking the most beautiful entry, was presented to the San Diego Zoo early Wednesday.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced the 23 floats awarded official honors, recognizing excellence in a variety of categories. Check out all the honorees .
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8:35 a.m. Jackson State marching band brings the boom
Known as the “Sonic Boom of the South,” Jackson State University’s marching band received the largest applause of the performers so far. The band followed the Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales who rode in a 1911 Rambler Model 65.
The band stopped to put on a performance for the crowd.
8:20 a.m. Rose Parade underway, grand marshal Billie Jean King greeted by cheering crowd
Sporing a rose red blazer, tennis legend and social justice icon Billie Jean King waved to the crowd while riding inside a Rolls-Royce Phantom III.
King said growing up in Long Beach her whole family would watch the Rose Parade and then watch the Rose Bowl game.
“It was something we would look forward to every Jan. 1,” King said.
8:06 a.m. B-2 bomber soars over parade
Kiesza and Aloe Blacc’s opening spectacular was punctuated by the B-2 flyover right on time at 8:06 a.m. The performers sang in front of Honda’s “Electrified Dreams” float accompanied by a team of backup dancers.
Meeting of the mayors
The pre-parade pleasantries featured a meeting of the mayors. Just an hour before the 2025 Rose Parade began on Wednesday morning, Mayor Samantha Smith of Guanajuato, Mexico, presented the Rose Court and local officials will gifts and an open invitation to visit Guanajuato at their convenience.
At the Tournament House, Rose Queen Lindsay Charles was set to receive official scarves and a pin, and the Queen and whole court received an invitation to visit Guanajuato anytime they want), according to Rene Gonzalez, chair of Guanajuato Proposed Affiliation Group, which is spearheading the efforts to establish a sister city relationship between Pasadena and Guanajuato.
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Ducks, Buckeyes ready for Rose Bowl game
It’s a big year for Ducks and Bucks. Fans of Oregon and Ohio State universities, who will clash in the Rose Bowl across ton at 2 p.m., are scattered along the parade route. Gisselle Garay is a U of Oregon grad and brought her family to town to cheer on their Ducks. Above: “It’s a culture that kind of grows on you. It’s very welcoming. We recognize each other.”
Rose Parade unsung heroes
The unsung heroes of the Rose Parade are the white-suited volunteers who trail the equestrian units and scoop up their, er, gifts to the event. been doing this job for 34 years. “I love it. Itap the highlight of my year, “ said the South Pasadena resident, brandishing her formidable shovel.
7:30 a.m. Vendors offering visitors tasty, warm treats
At the corner of Arroyo Parkway and Colorado Boulevard Mario Rodriguez, of Los Angeles, set up shop selling champurrado, pan dulce, cafe olla and tamales.
His sing-song call attracts customers who fork over $4 for a warming cup of coffee. Rodriguez said business is good.
Near the end of the parade route spectators are holding down their spots under the 210 freeway between Maple and Corson Streets. The parade begins at 8 a.m., but it’ll be at least a couple of hours after that before any floats reach this point.
Parade-goer Carol Caplon said she typically arrives around 10 am to catch the end of route, setting up homemade wooden chairs on the brick right under the 210 ramp. Today, though, she’s here early to save an accessible spot for her brother who uses a wheelchair.
B-2 flyover set for just after 8 a.m.
Listen up, Southern California, and keep your eyes on the skies. The official flyover time for the B-2 Stealth bomber will be 8:06 a.m., officials said Wednesday morning. The B-2 – based out of Whiteman AFB in Missouri — is scheduled to soar over Colorado Boulevard, leaving spectators awestruck, just as it has for the past several years.
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Running into the New Year
Hours before the Rose Parade was set to roll, throngs of runners ran their way into 2025 For the second year in a row the Lululemon-sponsored 5K was a sellout among runners, joggers and walkers. Along with participants, there were also hundreds of people in attendance that were already camped out along Colorado Avenue for the parade, who cheered the runners on fervently as they ran. There were many special reasons more than 2,500 people chose to start the new year with a midnight 5K run along the Tournament of Roses parade route in Pasadena, but for Alexandria Calopiz and Joe Isaac Becerra of Chino it was all about romance.
“I thought, ‘What better way to start off our wedding year than running a 5K when the ball drops,’” said Calopiz, who will wed Becerra on June 5, 2025. “What a way to start it — being active and just doing it together.”
7:10 a.m. Billie Jean King thrilled to serve as grand marshal
Was Billie Jean King thrilled to serve as Rose Parade grand marshal? You bet she was. It’s all about being a Southern California native, she said. “I am from Long Beach,” she said before the parade’s launch at the Tournament House. ” I went to Poly High,” she declared. “Our family, every Jan. 1 sat down to watch the Rose Parade together. This is special to me.”
The grand marshal, a sports icon and equal rights crusader, and her wife, Ilana Kloss, were about to step into a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III to roll into the parade.With 50 million people across the globe tuning in, she’ll take a 5.5-mile slow drive along Colorado Boulevard, waving to thousands in person gathered to watch the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade.
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6:45 a.m. Pasadena offers condolences after New Orleans tragedy, assures local visitors
The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena responded to the tragic news that emerged from New Orleans in the hours before the parade was to begin.
A suspect who drove a vehicle at high speed into a crowd of revelers was killed after a firefight with police, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press. Ten people were killed and 30 were injured in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday along Bourbon Street.
The area is known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and with crowds in the city ballooning in anticipation for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.
“The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” a statement said. “We stand in solidarity with the entire state during this difficult time.”
The statement efforted to assure visitors that all safety precautions has been taken at the parade. “The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners,” the statement said. “We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.”
The statement added: “The parade is a top level Federal event and we have to ability to call in additional resources if the need exists. “We have a hard shut down of vehicles along the entire Parade route in addition to very robust vehicle barriers at intersections. over 1,000 law enforcement personnel are working the Parade and Game.”
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6:35 a.m. Rose Court greets guests at Tournament House
Resplendent in the gowns they will wear aboard their float, the Rose Court greeted guests and made media appearances at the Tournament House. The parade will also be presided over by the 106th Rose Queen —Westridge School senior Lindsay Charles — and the six members of her Rose Court:
—, a senior at Maranatha High School;
— , a senior at John Muir High School;
— , a senior at Mayfield Senior School;
— , a senior at Flintridge Preparatory School;
— , a senior at Arcadia High School; and
— , a senior at La Cañada High School. Charles said her greatest joy in serving as queen was meeting scores of people in the past few weeks, especially the children.
Staff writers Teresa Liu, Anissa Rivera, Steve Scauzillo, Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Christina Merino, Tyler Evains and Lisa Jacobs contributed to this report.
