Pasadena rings in New Year with 2024 Rose Parade

LOS ANGELES - The 135th Tournament of Roses Parade delighted spectators in Pasadena Monday with marching bands, equestrian units and -- of course -- a host of elaborately decorated floral floats -- all making their way down Colorado Boulevard under the theme "Celebrating a World of Music."

The parade began with an "Opening Spectacular" performance featuring Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, "The Voice" champion Cassadee Pope, "American Idol" alum David Archuleta and Los Angeles singer/songwriter/producer Rush Davis. They all performed on the Rose Parade opening stage, alongside the Honda float themed "Keep Dreaming."

Watch FOX 11's In Depth special: 2023 Rose Parade 

A total of 39 floats took part in this year's procession. Some were sponsored by local cities, such as Torrance, Burbank and Alhambra, each touting local attractions, while others were funded by businesses such as Kaiser Permanente, Honda, Shriners Children's and The Cowboy Channel.

Nearly 20 marching bands marched and performed during the parade, including groups from Japan and Costa Rica, as well as schools across the country. 

Following the parade is the Rose Bowl game. This year, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face off with the Michigan Wolverines. 

The floats will be on display at the Floatfest at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevard, giving spectators a chance to a get a close-up look at the creations. The Floatfest will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday.

On Tuesday, the Floatfest will be open at 7 a.m. for senior citizens and the disabled, then open to the general public at 9 a.m., closing at 5 p.m.

Floatfest tickets are $20 in advance online, and admission is free for children ages 5 and younger.

What was this year's Rose Parade theme?

This year's theme was "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language."

"The 2024 theme brings us together through music. In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, one language unites us all — music. The sound, texture, rhythm, form, harmony, and expression meld together to move, soothe, excite and delight the world," said Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian during the initial announcement. "From bossa nova to blues, classical to country, metal to mariachi and rock to rap, thousands of genres invite us to become one in celebrating a world of music. Whether near or far, young or old, we invite you to year-long festivities that culminate on New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade."

Who were this year's winners?

The San Diego Zoo took the top honors, winning the 2024 Sweepstakes Trophy for its entry "It All Started With a Roar."

The Sweepstakes Award, which has been presented for each parade since 1924, honors the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.

To see the full list of 23 winning floats, tap or click here.

What is the Rose Parade route?

The 5 1/2-mile Rose Parade route begins at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena. The parade travels north on Orange Grove Blvd. at a leisurely 2 1/2-mile per hour pace and then turns east onto Colorado Blvd., where the majority of the parade viewing takes place.

Near the end of the route, the parade turns north onto Sierra Madre Blvd. and concludes at Villa St.

What are the Rose Parade street closures?

The Pasadena Police Department, supported by the Tournament of Roses Association and City Officials, will be closing the Rose Parade route early to vehicular traffic to enhance public safety measures. 

Route closures are effective 10 p.m. on December 31 through 2 p.m. on or around January 1 along Colorado Blvd., from Orange Grove Blvd. to Sierra Madre Blvd., and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma St.

Colorado Boulevard will once again close to motor vehicles earlier than in prior years for the staging of the Rose Parade. 

Colorado Boulevard will close beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, and will remain closed through the conclusion of the staging and clean-up following the parade. 

If you plan to host a New Year’s Eve event, viewing party, or anticipate vendor deliveries, and your property’s access is via Colorado Boulevard, please let your guests and vendors know that they must arrive before 10 p.m. or park in areas without restricted parking and walk in. 

The parade route will reopen by 2 p.m. on Monday, January 1.

You can see an enlarged street closure map by tapping or clicking here.

How can I get to the Rose Parade?

Metro

Metro will operate 24-hour service on Metro Rail, also on the Silver and Orange Lines on the night of December 31 through the morning of Parade Day. In addition, Metro will offer enhanced service on the Metro Gold Line to accommodate large numbers of anticipated riders on Parade Day. 

Metro will also provide regular bus service to areas near the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and Post Parade areas. Buses will originate from locations throughout the county.

For real-time info on Metro service, follow @metrolaalerts on Twitter.

For more info, call 323-GoMetro (323) 466-3876 or visit metro.net.

Metrolink

Metrolink will provide special early morning train service on the San Bernardino, Antelope Valley, Orange County, Ventura County and 91 Perris Valley Lines specifically for individuals to enjoy the Rose Parade. Check metrolinktrains.com for schedule information or call (800) 371-5465 for more information.

For additional information on transportation, please visit the City of Pasadena website.

How long does the parade last?

The parade will last two hours - from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Where can I watch the Rose Parade in person?

People can arrive on Sunday, Dec. 31, at noon to look for a spot along the Rose Parade route. They must remain on the sidewalk with all the objects they have brought for the night.

Starting at 11 p.m., people can approach the blue "Line of Honor," but not move beyond it.

Where can I park?

Reserved parking for automobiles, buses and recreational vehicles is available for purchase through Sharp Seating Company (626) 795-4171; Colorado Boulevard Parking (858) 692-0868 or (949) 295-6537; City of Pasadena (626) 744-6470; LAZ Parking (626) 578-1705; Easy Parking Service (626) 286-7576 and AP Parking (858) 692-0868.

Paid parking is also offered on a first-come, first-served basis at various lots and parking structures near the parade route.

Overnight parking on Pasadena streets begins at noon the day before the parade, for that evening only. All "No Parking" areas and red curb zones remain off-limits, and vehicles in violation will be subject to impound and a fine.

There is no parking allowed on the parade route itself. Illegally parked vehicles will be impounded.

In addition to RV Parking available from Sharp Seating Company, overnight RV parking is available in Brookside Park at the RoseBowl Stadium prior to January 1. RV’s must be completely self-contained; there are no hook-ups. Space is limited and made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted. 

For additional information please contact the Rose Bowl Stadium at (626) 577-3100.

For more information about these standards, click here.

Who is the Rose Parade grand marshal?

Multi-award-winning performer Audra McDonald was announced as the 2024 Grand Marshal by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

"As the embodiment of the theme ‘Celebrating a World of Music,’ Audra McDonald stands as a testament to the global resonance of melodies. Her illustrious career in theater, music and television is a harmonious tribute to the universal language that unites cultures worldwide," Tournament of Roses officials said during the announcement on Dec. 1.

Who is this year's Rose Queen?

Naomi Stillitano is the 105th Rose Queen. The Rose Queen and Rose Court are iconic traditions, steeped in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’ history.

Members of the Rose Court experience countless benefits; becoming part of an organization dedicated to hands-on volunteerism, discovering opportunities to connect with and give back to the local community, developing public speaking skills, and growing self-confidence.

What floats can I expect to see this year?

Check out the 2024 Lineup by tapping or clicking here.

Who will be performing?

Some of the artists performing include Michelle Williams, Jordin Sparks, Straight No Chaser, Cassadee Pope, Rush Davis, and Visit Lauderdale.

How long has the Rose Parade been going on?

In 1890, Valley Hunt Club members, led by Charles Frederick Holder, sponsored the first Tournament of Roses. The abundance of flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add a parade before the competition, where entrants would decorate carriages with hundreds of colorful blooms.

"In New York, people are buried in snow," announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let’s hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."

More than a century later, the parade floats are a marvel of state of the art technology, all tucked away beneath flowers and other all-natural materials. Every New Year, visitors experience the beauty of the floral floats along with spirited marching bands and high-stepping equestrian units along the 5 ½ mile route down Colorado Boulevard.

You can learn more about the Tournament of Roses history by tapping or clicking here.

Where can I get more information?

Visit Pasadena will open the Visitor Hotline at (877) 793-9911 starting Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 until Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Access the Rose Parade Day Guide by tapping or clicking here.

City News Service contributed to this report.