Rose Parade 2025: Line Up and How To Watch on Live Stream

What Is the Rose Parade 2025?

The Rose Parade has taken place along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, nearly every year since 1890 with exceptions during the Second World War and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each New Year's Day, or the next Monday if the first day of the year falls on a Sunday, thousands participate in the event also known as the Tournament of Roses, whilst millions tune in to view the spectacle from across the United States and the wider world.

According to its official website, the parade features four main classes of participants consisting of "covered floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and Tournament Entries." It states that "many of these participants have long-standing ties to the Tournament of Roses, helping to keep the event's traditions alive."

The parade lasts for roughly two hours, with the procession making its way from the corner of Green Street along Colorado Boulevard to Villa Street. It begins at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET).

After the procession, the Oregon Ducks will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl Game, a tradition initiated in 1902 to help fund the parade.

How To Watch the Rose Parade 2025 via Live Stream

The 2025 Rose Parade will be streamed live on YouTube for free by Pasadena Star-News, with the stream based just before participants make their way below the 210 freeway bridge.

The parade will also be broadcast nationally by ABC from 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Rose Parade 2025 Lineup

The title of the 2025 Rose Parade is "Best Day Ever!", as was announced by the newly installed Tournament of Roses president on January 18, 2024.

American tennis legend Billie Jean King was announced as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Rose Parade on October 7, which the organizers said "ties seamlessly into this year's parade theme: 'Best Day Ever!', celebrating life's best moments."

According to the Tournament of Roses website, the 2025 parade will feature 39 floats, with participating organizations including the University of Oregon, Ohio State University, event sponsor Honda, the San Diego Zoo, Trader Joe's, and the U.S. Army. There will also be a float celebrating the musical Wicked, a film version of which was recently released.

Naomi Stillitano, the 105th Rose Queen, (L) waves during the 135th Rose Parade Presented by Honda on January 01, 2024, in Pasadena, California. The 2025 Rose Parade takes place on Wednesday with the theme of... Jerod Harris/GETTY

A total of 20 marching bands will participate, including the United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, the Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band and a plethora of bands from different schools.

In addition, 16 mounted units will join the parade, with the list containing the United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Arabian Horse Association Versatile Arabians.

What To Expect This Year

In a statement event president Ed Morales said: "The 2025 theme celebrates life's best moments – those unexpected times that bring a smile, warm our hearts and fill us with joy. From a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the simplest pleasures, each is indelibly etched into our memory.

"Together, we celebrate where we've been and what we look forward to. It's about family, friends, and community and what we have to celebrate – and to be thankful for. On New Year's Day and throughout the year, let's celebrate the times that make up our Best Day Ever!"

On the day, the Pasadena Police Department, with the support of event organizers, will close the Rose Parade route to vehicles starting at 10:00 p.m. on December 31 through 2:00 p.m. on January 1. This will impact Colorado Boulevard between Orange Grove Boulevard and Sierra Madre Boulevard, along with Sierra Madre Boulevard heading north to Paloma Street.

There is a seating area located along Orange Grove Boulevard, for which attendees must show a valid ticket to enter.

Rose Parade Best Moments

The first-ever Rose Parade, in 1890, had a strong sports focus and featured chariot racing, jousting, and tug-of-war competitions.

From 1920 onwards, motor-driven floats took over from horse-drawn carriages. The 1999 Rose Parade saw actress Shirley Temple, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, documentary maker David L. Wolper and sports legend Jackie Robinson all selected as joint grand marshals, the first time it happened with four people.

The January 1, 2024, Rose Parade was themed around "Celebrating a World of Music," with Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child performing along with Jordin Sparks, who won American Idol aged just 17.

How Many People Are Expected To Attend This Year's Rose Parade?

Whilst no official estimate is produced for Rose Parade attendance, the 2024 event was described as the biggest in three years by local media outlet Pasadena Now, with city spokesperson Lisa Derderian claiming "some blocks had more than 100 people per block, indicating a significant turnout in total."

The publication said unofficial estimates for the 2024 attendance ranged from half a million to 700,000 people, and organizers will be hoping for a similar turnout in 2025.