The Rose Parade is a famous New Year’s celebration in Pasadena, California. Millions of people around the world watch this event each year.
The parade shows off beautiful floral floats, marching bands, and horse riders. The Rose Bowl college football game happens after the parade and is another big part of the Tournament of Roses.
More people watch the Rose Parade every year. Some watch on TV and others stream it online. Viewers from the U.S. and many other countries tune in to see the Pasadena Rose Parade.
This post tells you the start time, who performs, TV channels, the schedule, how to stream online, ticket prices, and who’s in the parade lineup for 2026.
Rose Parade 2026 Overview at a Glance
| Edition: | 137th Rose Parade |
| Date: | Wednesday, January 1, 2026 |
| Kick-off Time: | 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET |
| Theme: | “The Magic in Teamwork” |
| Grand Marshal: | Earvin “Magic” Johnson |
| TV Channels: | ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, Great American Family, KTLA 5, Telemundo, Univision |
| Live Stream HD: | Pluto TV, Christmas Plus, Fubo Sports Network, Great American Pure Flix, GFam+, Samsung TV Plus, Dooya, FanDuel Sports Network |
Pasadena Rose Parade 2026 Start Time and Location
The Rose Parade happens on Wednesday, January 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. PST. The parade kicks off at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, California.
Floats travel a 5.5-mile route through the city. Most of the parade goes down Colorado Boulevard where hundreds of thousands of people gather to watch.
The route goes north on Orange Grove Boulevard first. Then it turns east onto Colorado Boulevard. Near the finish the parade turns north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard and ends at Villa Street.
You’ll see gorgeous flower-covered floats, talented marching bands, and skilled horse riders. Everything moves at a slow 2.5 miles per hour so you can see all the details.
What Time does the Rose Parade start and End?
The Rose Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. ET. It lasts about two hours and wraps up around 1:00 p.m. ET.
Rose Parade 2026 Start Times in Different Time Zones & Locations:
USA:
- Pacific Time (PST): 8:00 a.m.
- Mountain Time (MST): 9:00 a.m.
- Central Time (CST): 10:00 a.m.
- Eastern Time (EST): 11:00 a.m.
- Alaska Time (AKST): 7:00 a.m.
- Hawaii Time (HAST): 6:00 a.m.
International:
- UK: 4:00 p.m. GMT
- Canada: 11:00 a.m. ET
- Japan: 1:00 a.m. JST (Thursday, January 2)
- Australia: 3:00 a.m. AEDT (Thursday, January 2)
2026 Rose Parade Schedule (Full Event)
| Date | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 28-31, 2025 | Float Decorating | Various Times | Float Decorating Places, Pasadena, CA |
| December 29, 2025 | Equestfest | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Burbank, CA |
| December 29-30, 2025 | Bandfest Presented by REMO | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA |
| January 1, 2026 | 137th Rose Parade | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Begins at Green Street and Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA |
| January 1, 2026 | 112th Rose Bowl Game | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA (on ESPN) |
| January 1-2, 2026 | Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Jan 1) / 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Jan 2) | Sierra Madre Blvd. and Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA |
Who are the Participants?
The 2026 Rose Parade has 85 total entries. You’ll see talented marching bands, gorgeous floral floats, and skilled horse riding teams.
Marching Bands
The parade brings in top marching bands from the United States and other countries.
The Pride of Clover Marching Band from South Carolina appears in their first Rose Parade ever. This energetic band comes from a small town with fewer than 10,000 people.
The Band Directors Marching Band is made up of music teachers from the United States and Mexico. All the members are adults who teach band or studied music education.
Delfines Marching Band travels from Veracruz, Mexico. They started in 1999 and are now the biggest musical group like this in their area.
Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band has walked in every Rose Parade since 1930. People call them “The official band of the Tournament of Roses.”
United States Marine Corps Bands puts together top musicians from three different Marine groups in Southern California. They only perform together at the Rose Parade.
Floral Floats
Dozens of beautifully designed floats roll down Colorado Boulevard. Each one is covered with tens of thousands of flowers, seeds, and natural materials. Six floats are built completely by community volunteers.
Here are some floats you’ll see:
Princess Cruises joins the Rose Parade for the first time ever. Their float looks like their newest ship called Star Princess.
City of Burbank has been in the Rose Parade since 1914. Their 2026 float shows 15 animal characters looking for homes. The float helps promote the Burbank Animal Shelter’s pet adoption program.
San Francisco Travel Association enters for the first time too. Their float celebrates famous San Francisco spots like cable cars, Pier 39, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Over 100,000 flowers decorate this float.
Honda sponsors the parade and brings “The Power of Teams” float.
Kaiser Permanente shows off teamwork in healthcare with a float that has almost 75,000 flowers.
Equestrian Units
Horse riding teams from around the world ride in the parade.
Arabian Horse Association comes back for their ninth Rose Parade. They ride purebred Arabian horses and mixed Arabian breeds.
Scripps Miramar Ranch Saddlebreds honors firefighters and first responders. Their horses pull an old-time steam fire engine.
Carson Kressley from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Dancing With the Stars” rides with one of the horse teams.
Special Guests
NBA star and business leader Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the Grand Marshal. He leads the parade and fits perfectly with the 2026 theme “The Magic in Teamwork.”
Serena Hui Guo is the 107th Rose Queen. She goes to Arcadia High School. Serena rides on a float with six other young women called the Rose Court:
- Riya Gupta (Caltech)
- Livia Amy de Paula (Temple City High School)
- Sophia Bai Ren (Arcadia High School)
- Keiko Rakin (Alhambra High School)
- Naira Elaine Wadley (John Muir High School)
- Olivia Hargrove (Pasadena City College)
Each Rose Court member gets a $7,500 college scholarship. They represent the Tournament of Roses throughout the year.
The 2026 Rose Parade brings together tradition, art, and talent from all over the world.
What Channel is the Rose Parade on Today?
The Rose Parade airs all over the world. ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, Great American Family, Univision, Telemundo, and KTLA 5 show the Rose Parade in the USA.
People in Armenia, the Caribbean, and Latin America can also watch it live. The American Forces Network plays the Rose Parade 2026 as well.
TV Broadcast Details:
- ABC (11:00 AM ET): Kevin Negandhi, Hannah Storm, and John Naber talk you through it.
- NBC: Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin host.
- FOX: Live coverage
- CNN: Live coverage
- Great American Family: National broadcast
- KTLA 5 (Los Angeles): No commercials starting at 6:00 AM PT. They show “Backstage At The Parade” and “Parade Countdown.” Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines host.
- Telemundo (Spanish): Penelope Menchaca and Carlos Calderon host.
- Univision (Spanish): Spanish coverage
Check the TV schedule and set your alarm so you don’t miss it.
How to Watch the Rose Parade 2026 Live Stream Online?
You can watch the Rose Parade 2026 online for free on 8 different streaming platforms. This makes it easy to watch from anywhere.
FREE Streaming Options (No Subscription Required):
The 2026 Rose Parade streams free on these apps and websites:
- Pluto TV – Watch on the Pluto TV Christmas channel from 8:00-10:00 AM PT
- Christmas Plus – Free app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, VIZIO, iOS, tvOS, and Android
- Fubo Sports Network – Free on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, VIZIO WatchFree+, LG Channels, Plex, TCL Channels, and Tablo TV
- Great American Pure Flix – Free streaming
- GFam+ – Great American Family Plus app (free)
- Samsung TV Plus – Free streaming
- Dooya – Free streaming
- FanDuel Sports Network – Free streaming
Loni Love, Darren M. Haynes, and Pressley Hosbach host the official stream.
The stream shows all 85 parade entries. You can watch it again through January 14, 2026 on most apps. Some keep it for up to one year.
Cable TV Login Streaming:
Your cable subscription might include parade channels. Go to their website or app and log in with your TV provider info to stream live.
Subscription Streaming Services:
These paid streaming services work great without cable:
- Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month) – Gets you ABC, NBC, FOX, and ESPN for the Rose Bowl Game. Disney+ and ESPN+ come with it too.
- YouTube TV – Has all the big networks showing the parade
- Sling TV ($45.99/month) – Costs less and has parade channels
- DirecTV Stream (starts at $89.99/month) – Full channel lineup
- Fubo – Premium plan available
- Peacock ($10.99/month for Premium or $16.99/month for Premium Plus) – NBC’s streaming app
Univision and Telemundo are great for Spanish broadcasts. You can get both through Fubo and other services.
Also Check: Where to watch the Rose Bowl Game 2026?
Local Streaming:
KTLA 5 streams free on the KTLA+ app and KTLA.com. No commercials and it starts at 6:00 AM PT.
VPN for International Viewers:
Get a good VPN to watch from outside the U.S. This gets around location blocks. Then you can stream from anywhere in the world.
Download Fubo, Christmas Plus, or Pluto TV on your phone or tablet. Enjoy the parade on any device no matter where you are.
How to Get Rose Parade Tickets in 2026?
You can buy tickets online from the official seller or trusted resale sites to see the Rose Parade 2026 in person. The best seats are in the grandstands along Orange Grove Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard where the parade starts and goes through.
Official Ticket Seller:
Sharp Seating Company sells official tickets for the Tournament of Roses.
- Phone: (626) 795-4171
- Website: sharpseating.com
Buy tickets online only. They don’t take cash or credit cards at the parade.
Ticket Prices by Location:
Prices change based on where you sit along the route:
- Area 1 (Start of Parade): $125-$325 per seat
- Area 2 (0.5 to 1.5 miles from start): $95-$195 per seat
- Area 3 (1.5 to 3 miles from start): $85-$185 per seat
- Area 4 (3 to 5 miles from start): $75-$175 per seat
- Most grandstand seats cost $80-$130.
Trusted Third-Party Ticket Marketplace:
StubHub is one of the best places to buy Rose Parade tickets. They have lots of seat choices and protect buyers with real ticket guarantees.
StubHub backs every purchase with their FanProtect Guarantee. You get real tickets before the event or they give your money back. They show you the full price upfront with all fees. No surprise costs pop up later.
Official tickets might sell out but StubHub often has seats from verified sellers right up to parade day. They send mobile tickets straight to your phone. You can call customer support anytime day or night.
Go to StubHub.com or get the StubHub app. Search “Rose Parade 2026” and sort by price or section to find what you want. Buy securely to lock in your spot at this famous New Year’s Day event.
Other Third-Party Options:
Vivid Seats – Starts at $110 and averages $226
Ticketmaster – Different seat options
VIP Experiences:
Some restaurants and buildings along the route sell premium viewing packages.
NOOR Restaurant has these VIP options:
- Platinum Seating (outdoor balcony): $425 per person
- Gold Seating (outdoor balcony): $375 per person
- Indoor Seating: $325 per person
- Children (ages 2-11): $250
VIP packages usually come with champagne brunch, open bar, great views, and easy parking.
FREE Viewing Options:
Watching from the street is completely FREE.
Bring your own chairs, cushions, blankets, or stools
Get there by 6:00 AM for good spots (earlier is better)
You can camp overnight on the curb starting at noon on December 31
Three special viewing areas for people with disabilities are free (no seats given). Ask the Tournament of Roses for access.
Important Ticket Tips:
Buy early. Tickets went on sale in February 2025 and sell out fast.
Get parking when you buy tickets. Buy parking near your seats through Sharp Seating Company.
Show up early. Colorado Boulevard closes to cars at 6:00 AM sharp on parade day.
Take the Metro. The Metro A Line runs starting around 4:00 AM. This beats dealing with parking. The nearest stations are Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake, and Allen.
Special Free Tickets:
The Tournament of Roses gave away over 1,000 free parade tickets to Eaton Fire survivors. Groups like the Eaton Fire Collaborative handed them out.
Go to the Sharp Seating website for more about tickets. Check StubHub too for safe tickets with buyer protection.
Rose Parade 2026 FAQs: Everything you need to know
What happens if it rains on Rose Parade day?
The Rose Parade has a “rain or shine” rule. They almost never cancel because of weather. The parade goes on even in rain. The people running it watch for bad storms. Bring rain gear, ponchos, and waterproof covers for your seat. Lots of people show up ready with umbrellas and rain jackets.
Can I bring food and drinks to the Rose Parade?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks when watching from the street. Some rules apply though. You can bring sealed water bottles (24 oz or smaller). Each person gets 2 bottles max. Whole fruits or vegetables are okay.
Don’t slice them up first. Security might let you bring other food too. No glass bottles, cans, or alcohol allowed. They might check coolers.
What items are prohibited at the Rose Parade?
You can’t bring these things: bottles and cans (except sealed water), alcohol, weapons or anything that looks like a weapon, laser pointers, noise makers like thunder sticks or whistles or air horns or boom boxes, drones or remote control toys, skates or skateboards or hoverboards or scooters or bikes, big backpacks or packages (they’ll check these), and pets unless they’re service animals.
How early should I arrive to get a good free viewing spot?
Show up by 6:00 AM at the latest for the best free spots on the street. Lots of serious fans get there way earlier. You can camp overnight on the curb starting at noon on December 31.
The top spots near where it starts and “TV Corner” fill up by midnight or before. Areas 1-2 miles down Colorado Boulevard fill by 4:00-5:00 AM. Come after 7:00 AM and you’ll be stuck in the back with a bad view.
Where is the best place to watch the Rose Parade?
The best spot depends on what matters to you. TV Corner (Orange Grove Blvd and Colorado Blvd) is where all the TV cameras are. Floats stop there for pictures.
The start point (Green St and Orange Grove Blvd) shows you the floats when they look their best. Colorado Boulevard (between Orange Grove and Sierra Madre) is where most people watch and where grandstand seats are.
Near Sierra Madre Blvd has fewer crowds and easier parking but floats might look worn out by then.
Can I watch Floatfest after the parade?
Yes, Floatfest is awesome for seeing floats up close after the parade. It happens on January 1-2, 2026. Open 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on January 1 and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on January 2. The spot is Sierra Madre Blvd and Washington Blvd in Pasadena. You need tickets. Check Sharp Seating or the Tournament of Roses website. You can walk right up to floats and see all the tiny flower details. Take all the photos you want.
Are there bathroom facilities along the parade route?
Bathrooms are really hard to find along the 5.5-mile route. They put portable toilets in some spots but the lines get super long. Most businesses only let customers use their bathrooms. Use the bathroom before you go to your viewing spot. Plan ahead for limited bathrooms when camping overnight.
How long does it take for the entire parade to pass by?
The whole parade takes about 2 hours to go past where you’re standing. The parade moves at 2.5 miles per hour. Floats near the start finish sooner. People at the end of the 5.5-mile route see it go longer. Plan to stay put for at least 2-3 hours to catch everything.
Can I volunteer for the Rose Parade?
Yes, the Tournament of Roses needs volunteers they call “White Suiters.” These helpers give over 80,000 hours of work each year. Applications open in the summer before the parade.
You have to promise to help at several events all year. Members get the famous white suit uniform. Go to tournamentofroses.com to learn about volunteering and how to apply.
What is the “Never on Sunday” tradition?
The Rose Parade has a “Never on Sunday” rule from way back in 1893. They move it to Monday, January 2nd when January 1st lands on Sunday. They started this to respect church services on Sunday and let horses rest. The 2026 parade is on Wednesday, January 1st so this doesn’t matter this year.
How many people attend the Rose Parade each year?
More than 800,000 people stand on Pasadena streets to watch the Rose Parade live each year. Millions more watch on TV and online all over the world. This makes it one of the biggest New Year’s Day events anywhere.
What’s the difference between the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game?
Both are part of the Tournament of Roses but they’re separate things. The Rose Parade is a morning event (8:00 AM PT) with floats, bands, and horses going through Pasadena streets.
The Rose Bowl Game is an afternoon football game (4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT) at the Rose Bowl Stadium. It’s part of the College Football Playoff.
The 2026 game has #1 Indiana playing #9 Alabama. Both happen on January 1st or January 2nd when the 1st is Sunday.
We hope this guide helps you enjoy the Rose Parade 2026. Drop a comment with any questions about the Rose Parade 2026. Thank you!