The 2026 Rose Parade, a cherished New Year’s Day tradition, promises an exciting showcase of floats, performances, and community spirit. Scheduled to commence at 8 a.m. PST on January 1, 2026, this year’s parade will mark its 137th iteration, featuring a theme centered around “The Magic in Teamwork.” The event will be televised across several channels including NBC, ABC, and Univision, while also being available for streaming on multiple platforms.
How to Watch and Experience the Parade
For those wishing to tune in from home, the parade will be broadcast live, ensuring audiences can enjoy the colorful floats and musical performances. Additionally, the Pasadena Star-News will offer a unique perspective by live-streaming the parade on its YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m. PST. This stream will focus on the area where floats navigate under the 210 Freeway bridge, providing a rare view of the floats folding to pass through.
This year’s floats include a diverse array of designs, notably a float themed around the Apple TV show “Shrinking” and a tribute to the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. A detailed guide to all participating floats, bands, and equestrian units is available on the Pasadena Star-News website for viewers interested in planning their viewing experience.
Musical Performances and Special Guests
The parade will feature an impressive lineup of musical performances. Bishop Briggs will kick off the festivities with her hit song “River,” accompanied by a dynamic group of dancers. Later, John Foster, the runner-up from last season’s “American Idol,” will perform atop the Explore Louisiana float, alongside a pelican chef preparing gumbo. The grand finale will showcase the Grammy-nominated group Capital Cities, who will perform their popular song “Safe and Sound.” They will be joined by DEK of Hearts, the recent winner of NBC’s “The Voice.”
In addition to these performances, a variety of marching bands will showcase their talents, highlighting the creativity and skill that goes into their preparations for the Rose Parade.
Honors and Community Spirit
This year’s grand marshal, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a Hall of Famer with the Los Angeles Lakers, will lead the parade. Johnson’s selection reflects a broader message of resilience and teamwork, especially poignant following challenges faced by nearby communities in the past year. The theme of “The Magic in Teamwork” was chosen prior to devastating fires in the Altadena and Palisades areas, serving as a reminder of the collective effort required for recovery and rebuilding.
High school senior Serena Hui Guo has been named the Rose Queen for this year, having attended the parade since childhood. Her presence adds a personal touch to the event, emphasizing the deep-rooted traditions of the Rose Parade.
Interestingly, this year’s forecast predicts rain, a rarity for the Pasadena event, the last occurrence of which was in 2006.
The Rose Bowl Game
The 2026 Rose Parade and the accompanying Rose Bowl game are set to bring together a wide audience, celebrating artistic expression, athletic achievement, and community resilience on this special day.
