The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses, has been a tradition in Pasadena, California since 1890, with a few exceptions during times of war and the COVID-19 pandemic. This event, which takes place every New Year’s Day, features four main classes of participants: covered floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and Tournament Entries. The parade lasts for roughly two hours and is followed by the Rose Bowl Game between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The 2025 Rose Parade will be streamed live on YouTube by Pasadena Star-News and broadcast nationally by ABC. The theme for this year’s parade is “Best Day Ever!” with tennis legend Billie Jean King serving as the Grand Marshal. There will be 39 floats from various organizations, including the University of Oregon, Ohio State University, Honda, San Diego Zoo, Trader Joe’s, and the U.S. Army. Additionally, there will be a float celebrating the musical Wicked, which was recently released as a film.
A total of 20 marching bands and 16 mounted units will participate in the parade, including the United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, the Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band, the United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Arabian Horse Association Versatile Arabians. The event president expressed that the theme of “Best Day Ever!” celebrates life’s best moments and encourages attendees to cherish memories with family, friends, and community.
The Rose Parade has a rich history that dates back to its inception in 1890, featuring sports competitions like chariot racing, jousting, and tug-of-war. From 1920 onwards, motor-driven floats replaced horse-drawn carriages in the parade. In previous years, notable figures such as Shirley Temple, Buzz Aldrin, David L. Wolper, and Jackie Robinson have served as grand marshals. The parade in 1999 had four joint grand marshals for the first time: Shirley Temple, Buzz Aldrin, David L. Wolper, and Jackie Robinson.
While no official attendance estimates are provided for the Rose Parade, the 2024 event was reported as the biggest in three years, with local media suggesting a turnout of half a million to 700,000 people. Organizers hope to see a similar turnout for the 2025 Rose Parade, which will include a broad lineup of participants and floats. The event will feature a number of marching bands, mounted units, and floats representing various organizations and themes in celebration of life’s best moments.
