Every inch of a Rose Parade float is covered with flowers or other natural materials; delicate roses are placed in individual water vials, one bloom at a time.
Pasadena’s 138th Rose Parade presented by Honda begins at 8 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, January 1, 2027. Floral floats, marching bands and equestrian units follow a 5½-mile route through the city under the 2027 theme, “Welcome.” The organizer’s event page (opens in a new tab) lists the confirmed time, route, public-transit options and tickets.
Choose a viewing point before planning your trip. Most viewing takes place along Colorado Boulevard, and Metro’s A Line serves four stations within a short walk. The afternoon Floatfest (opens in a new tab) lets visitors examine the finished floats at close range.
What the 2027 parade includes
The Rose Parade combines floral floats, equestrian units and marching bands. The 2027 band list (opens in a new tab) includes Aguiluchos Marching Band from Puebla, Mexico; Banda CEDES Don Bosco from Alajuelita, Costa Rica; and Asahi University and Gifushogyo High School, listed from Kyoto, Japan. The lineup can change as the event approaches, so check the official list before travelling.
This year’s theme is “Welcome.” In September 2026, the Tournament of Roses published an early look at several float designs. Beneath the flowers sits the engineering that moves each design along the route. Every inch is covered in flowers, leaves, seeds, bark or similar natural materials. Delicate roses go into individual vials of water, one at a time. At the post-parade display, visitors can pause to examine that work up close.
The first Tournament of Roses parade took place in 1890 with flower-decorated, horse-drawn carriages. Its musical tradition began the following year, when the Monrovia City Band joined the second parade. Bands and horses still travel beside the elaborate floats.
Follow the route through Pasadena
The route starts at Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. The parade travels north on Orange Grove, turns east onto Colorado Boulevard, then turns north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard near the end. It finishes at Villa Street. The organizer’s route and transportation page (opens in a new tab) says most viewing takes place along Colorado Boulevard.
Metro’s A Line reaches several viewing points without requiring a drive through the parade area. Del Mar and Memorial Park stations are about two blocks from the route; Lake and Allen stations are about four blocks away. Metro buses also serve areas near the parade and the post-parade events. Use the Metro trip planner (opens in a new tab) and check service alerts closer to January 1, since holiday schedules can change.
The Parade Day Guide (opens in a new tab) lists vehicle closures on the route from 10 p.m. on December 31 until 2 p.m. on January 1. Parking is prohibited on the route itself. Paid parking is available in nearby lots and structures, while some streets close early. If you drive, choose a garage in advance and map the walk to your viewing area.
Tickets, arrival and access
Reserved grandstand seats are sold through Sharp Seating Company (opens in a new tab). The event calendar (opens in a new tab) also lists official hospitality and travel packages from On Location. Check what each purchase covers: parade seating, parking and companion events have separate listings.
The parade begins at 8 a.m. For seats in the Orange Grove security zone, the organizer advises arriving by 6:30 a.m.; other locations have separate arrival instructions in the Parade Day Guide (opens in a new tab). Bring your ticket or credential in the required format and read the current entry rules before setting out.
The Parade Day Guide describes three street-level viewing areas for people with disabilities and their guests. The areas are free and allow up to four guests per visitor. One area includes a section with audio description and another section with sign-language interpretation. Seating is not provided, so bring a chair if you need one. Review the access information (opens in a new tab) and request a place using the current instructions.
Make time for the surrounding events
The Tournament’s official event calendar (opens in a new tab) lists activities in Pasadena during the days before the parade. Decorating Places is scheduled for December 28–30, Equestfest for December 29, and Bandfest for December 29–30. Each has its own venue and schedule, so confirm the details on its event page before adding it to an itinerary.
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase opens at 1:30 p.m. on January 1 and runs through January 3 at Sierra Madre Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. The organizer describes it as a two-mile display of the floats after they travel the parade route. The 2027 Floatfest page (opens in a new tab) gives the daily hours, ticket link and entry rules. Its current rules require clear bags, bag checks and service animals only; wheeled items such as bicycles and wagons are not allowed.
If you want to see both the parade and Floatfest, leave time between them for transit and the walk to the display. Floatfest is a separate event with its own ticket and entry conditions.
Where to stay and what to check
Staying in Pasadena can shorten the trip on parade morning if you plan to walk or use the A Line. Search Pasadena hotel availability (opens in a new tab), then compare each property’s distance from the route or a Metro station. The Visit Pasadena lodging directory (opens in a new tab) lists local accommodation options.
Before leaving, check the parade page for schedule or entry updates, review Metro’s holiday service, and read the separate Floatfest page if you plan to go.
Public holidays around the festival
Public and bank holidays in United States from 3 days before to 3 days after the festival ().
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Editions
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