Roses and rain don’t usually go together on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.
But wet weather is in the forecast for the first day of 2026 in Southern California, which could be the first time in 20 years that rain falls on the Rose Parade.
Here’s what to know about the 2026 event, including the forecast, getting there, camping rules and more.
Will it rain on the Rose Parade?
For the first time in two decades, it looks like rain for the Rose Parade.
A late-December storm is expected to reach its peak overnight Wednesday into Thursday before showers become more scattered.
“The last time it rained was 2006 during the parade,” said Lisa Derderian, public information officer for the city of Pasadena. “It was coming down pretty good, I was there myself, but these diehard fans are there. They want to see the parade, they’re there often. It’s a tradition.”
Derderian said it has rained on the parade only 10 times in the event’s history.
Note: Umbrellas are not permitted at the parade.
Parade goers endure the rain for a look at the 117th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)
When is the Rose Parade?
Rain or shine, the 137th Rose Parade is scheduled to step off at 8 a.m. Thursday in Pasadena.
Where is the Rose Parade route?
The parade route is 5.5 miles along Colorado Boulevard. The parade will begin at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, moving north on Orange Grove then east on Colorado Boulevard, then turning north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and ending at Sierra Madre and Villa Street. The route will close to vehicles at 10 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed until 2 p.m. Thursday after the parade.
What is the 2026 Rose Parade theme?
The parade is themed “The Magic in Teamwork.” Tournament of Roses officials said the theme celebrates “the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals.”
Who is the Rose Parade grand marshal?
Lakers great and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
Camping on the Rose Parade route
Camping overnight along the route will only be permitted the night before the parade, on Wednesday night. People planning to camp can start claiming spaces on the sidewalk beginning at noon Wednesday, but all people and property such as blankets and chairs must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., spectators can move out to the blue “Honor Line” on the street.
Here are some camping rules to know:
Small, professionally made barbecues that are elevated at least 1 foot off the ground are permitted along the route, but they must be at least 25 feet from buildings and other combustibles. A fire extinguisher also must be readily available.
People under age 18 will only be permitted on the parade route from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday if they are supervised by an adult.
Parade-goers should be prepared for cold weather and rain, and dress in layers.
Tents, sofas or boxes that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited along the route.
Bonfires along the route are prohibited.
No items can be sold along the route without a city permit.
Selling spaces along the parade route is prohibited.
No public areas can be roped off.
Ladders or scaffolding that can be used for elevated viewing of the parade are prohibited.
Open containers of alcohol are prohibited on public streets and sidewalks and other public areas.
Throwing objects into the roadway or parade route is prohibited, even items that are seemingly harmless, such as marshmallows, flowers or tortillas.
No drone are allowed on the parade route. The No Drone Zone ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration also extends to flights over the Rose Bowl during the football game. Anyone who violates the drone ban may be subject to arrest, prosecution, jail and/or fines.
Getting to the Rose Parade
Parking in the area will be limited and often sells out early, so visitors were urged to take Metro or other public transportation to the event. Metro will be providing all-night service on the A, B, D and E lines New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day, with additional early morning service Thursday morning. Metro will also offer free fares on all of its bus and rail lines beginning at 4 a.m. Wednesday through 3 a.m. Thursday.
There are four Metro A Line stations located within a half-mile of the parade route, and the Sierra Madre Station can be used to reach the Floatfest following the parade.
For people heading to the Rose Bowl Game after the parade, a free shuttle will run from 9 a.m. Thursday until two hours after the game, with loading on Pasadena Avenue between Walnut and Holly streets.
How did the Rose Parade start?
The event now associated with the Rose Bowl football game was initially organized by members of the Valley Hunt Club in 1890 as a way to showcase Southern California in the winter. A parade was held before the hunt club competition with flower-decorated carriages. Chariot races, jousting, foot races and a tug-of-war followed the first parade.
“In New York, people are buried in snow,” Prof. Charles F. Holder said at a club meeting, according to the Tournament of Roses. “Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let’s hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise.”
The first Tournament of Roses football game wasn’t until Jan. 1, 1902. After an absence for more than a decade, football was permanently reinstated among Tournament of Roses traditions in 1916.