What to know about the 2025 Rose Parade – NBC Los Angeles

The New Year begins with Pasadena’s Day in the Sun.

The 136th Rose Parade will bring thousands of people to the San Gabriel Valley community, and millions more will watch the 5.5-mile procession with nearly 40 rose-decorated floats, marching bands and equestrian teams from homes across the country.

Here’s what you should know about Southern California’s New Year’s tradition.

When is the Rose Parade?

The parade begins at 8 a.m. PT on Wednesday on Colorado Boulevard.

How to watch the Rose Parade

NBC will broadcast the Rose Parade for the 98th time. Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will serve as hosts. Peacock will simulcast the 2025 Rose Parade.

What is the theme of the Rose Parade 2025?

This year’s theme is “Best Day Ever.”

“The 2025 theme celebrates life’s most beautiful moments – those unexpected times that put smiles on our faces, warm our hearts and fill us with joy,” Tournament of Roses President Ed Morales said in a statement revealed the theme of the parade. “From a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the simplest joys, each one is indelibly etched in our memory. Together we celebrate where we have been and what we are looking forward to. It’s about family, friends and community and whatnot. We need to celebrate – and be grateful for it. On New Year’s Day and throughout the year, let’s celebrate the times that make up our best day ever.”

From building the float to deciding which design will make it to the Pasadena Tournament of the Roses, everything takes careful planning.

How did the Rose Parade begin?

The event, now associated with the Rose Bowl football game, was originally organized in 1890 by members of the Valley Hunt Club to showcase Southern California in winter. Before the hunting club competition, a parade with carriages decorated with flowers took place. The first parade was followed by chariot races, jousting games, foot races and a tug of war.

“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 will soon bear fruit. Let’s have a festival to tell the world about our paradise.”

The first Tournament of Roses football game was not played until January 1, 1902. After more than a decade of absence, football was finally reintroduced into the Tournament of Roses tradition in 1916.

How do the floats in the Rose Parade get their flowers and what happens when the parade is over? Here’s a look at the cycle of life of roses in the Rose Parade.

Weather forecast for the Rose Parade

Wednesday’s weather appears to be exactly what the original organizers envisioned to showcase Southern California in the dead of winter. Expect highs in the upper 70s and partly cloudy skies. In New York, the forecast calls for clouds with a high of 49 and a 30 percent chance of rain.

Who is the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade 2025?

Long Beach tennis legend Billie Jean King will lead the procession as grand marshal.

Where is the Rose Parade?

The Colorado Boulevard parade begins at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, runs north on Orange Grove, then east on Colorado Boulevard, then turns north on Sierra Madre Boulevard and ends at Sierra Madre and Villa Street.

The route will be closed to vehicles on Tuesday at 10 p.m. and will remain closed until Wednesday after the parade at 2 p.m.

Climate reporter Chase Cain spoke with a rose farm owner to discuss the impact of climate change on the growth of roses for the iconic parade.

Rose Parade Camping

There are a few rules to follow for Parade Route campers. First, overnight camping along the route is only permitted the night before the parade – Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Campers can begin claiming sidewalk space starting at noon Tuesday, but all people and items such as blankets and chairs must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., spectators can move to the blue “Honor Line” on the street.

Click here for a full list of camping rules.

Rose parade “No drone zone”

Drones are prohibited on the Rose Parade route. The Federal Aviation Administration’s “No Drone Zone” extends to flights over the Rose Bowl during the football game. Anyone violating the drone ban may face arrest, prosecution, prison and/or fines.

The city of Pasadena is gearing up for the annual Rose Parade, and as the final touches are being done, it’s educating the public on what they should know before they go. Annette Arreola reports for NBC4 News on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Closure of the Rose Parade freeway on-ramp

Some highway ramps in the Pasadena area will be closed Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon.

• Westbound 210 Freeway exit at Sierra Madre
• Exit 210 east at San Gabriel Boulevard
• Eastbound 134 Freeway at Orange Grove Boulevard
• Exit to the 134 Freeway westbound at Orange Grove

Arrival to the Rose Parade

Parking in the area is limited and sells out early. Organizers have urged visitors to use the subway or other public transportation. Metro is offering free fares on all bus and train lines starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday. Additional trains on the A Line will run early in the morning on Wednesday to accommodate parade-goers. There are four subway stations on the A line located within a half-mile radius of the parade route.