Pasadena hosts the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day as part of the Tournament of Roses events.
The parade is officially the Rose Parade, presented by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association in Pasadena, California. It features floats covered with natural materials, marching bands, and equestrian units. The event traditionally takes place on 1 January, except when that date falls on a Sunday; in that case, it moves to 2 January to avoid conflicting with Sunday church services and traditions.
The first Tournament of Roses parade was held in 1890. The event began as a promotional celebration for Pasadena’s mild winter climate, contrasting it with colder parts of the United States. A common mix-up is calling the parade the “Rose Bowl Parade”; the Rose Bowl is a separate football game that is also associated with Pasadena and New Year’s Day.