The Rose Parade takes place in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day.
Also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, it travels along Colorado Boulevard and features decorated floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. Its floats are famous for using natural materials, including flowers, seeds, leaves, and other plant matter. The parade is separate from the Rose Bowl football game, although both are connected with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.
The first parade was held on January 1, 1890. Pasadena organizers presented the event as a way to showcase Southern California’s mild winter climate, contrasting it with colder conditions in much of the United States. The celebration grew from a local event into a nationally televised tradition.
A frequent mistake is to answer Los Angeles because Pasadena is part of the broader Los Angeles metropolitan area. The parade’s route and organizing institution, however, are specifically based in Pasadena. When January 1 falls on a Sunday, the parade is held on January 2 under the event’s traditional scheduling rule.