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The 137th Rose Parade got underway this New Year’s Day under rainy skies, and is now one for the record books.
The parade is not known for controversy, but one flared up — briefly. TV audiences saw a protest banner unfurled on a parade float dedicated to victims and survivors of the L.A. wildfires. It said "AG Bonta Altadena demands an investigation," an apparent reference to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and demanding an investigation into the Eaton Fire. The banner was quickly removed from view.
The float, “Rising Together,” featured a majestic phoenix rising from the ashes, and was rich with symbolism: It featured 31 sunflowers — one for each of the people who lost their lives in the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. During the parade, fire survivors rode the float as it made its way through the streets of Pasadena. The float is co-sponsored by the California Community Foundation and the Black Freedom Fund.
A representative for the California Community Foundation shared a statement with LAist on Thursday that said the "signage displayed was not part of" the float. However, the statement also added that the float organizers "stand with the community and support the urgency of calls for accountability and justice."
The AltadenaRising Instagram post said that "Los Angeles County officials need to be held accountable for negligence, civil rights violations, or unlawful conduct during the Eaton Fire that may have contributed to the destruction of our beloved town, including the deaths of more than 19 of our neighbors."
Beyond that, the weather dominated the day. Legend has it that it "never" rains on the Rose Parade, but that's a myth, of course. Still, today's parade was the first wet parade in 20 years, and before that it had been 50 years since the last rainy parade day. And wouldn't you know it — the clouds parted and the sunshine finally broke through not long after the parade wrapped up.
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Regardless, the wet stuff failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands who made it out to Pasadena this morning to take part in one of SoCal’s most beloved traditions.
In fact, the rain managed to add a bit of giddiness to the proceedings which were broadcast live to millions.
"It was great ... I wouldn't have missed it for the world," said Kay Lyn Case, who was in from Pittsburgh. She'd attended a Rose Parade several years ago and came back — with her sister and friends in tow — to create new memories. After it was all over Thursday she said the rain had just made it all more memorable: "It was beautiful."
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Parade participants knew the pressure was on. Everyone watching wanted to see if SoCal could perform under less-than-ideal conditions. The answer? Heck, yeah!
Paradegoers roared their approval as floats made their way down the route and there was an air of defiance on display.
Bands played with ferocity, and those aboard floats smiled and waved and laughed amid the showers. Color guards and dancers twirled, and spun away. Equestrians seemed completely unfazed. And, maybe we're biased, but it sure looked like the flowers and plants adorning the floats seemed to plump up and glisten amid all that rain. That is, until they became water logged and started tearing away ...
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More photos from the parade
Members of the Mino Jiyu Garden "Golden Bears" Green Band from Osaka, Japan, wave to the crowd along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena at the 137th annual Rose Parade.
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Ronaldo Bolaños
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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The equestrian entries into the 137th Rose Parade seemed unbothered by all the weather fuss.
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Jordan Rynning
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LAist.com
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The Rose Parade float honors San Francisco, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, sea lions along Pier 39 and distinctive Queen Anne Victorian housing.
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Jason Armond
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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This float is by the city of South Pasadena, and is entitled: "The Great Picnic Heist." It depicts a bear snoozing away as a crafty crew of ants make off with the bear's picnic lunch.
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Jordan Rynning
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LAist.com
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Rainfall had been expected throught the morning, according to the National Weather Service.
The most prized object as the parade got underway was the clear plastic poncho. Behind-the-scenes TV footage of the Rose Court preparing for its debut showed the young ladies, smiles beaming, dressed in clear ponchos that fended off the rain while allowing their vibrant green gowns to still show through.
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Members of the Golden Bears band from Japan wait in the rain to perform Thursday.
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Kayla Bartkowski
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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People wait in the pouring rain along the parade route where umbrellas are prohibited.
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Kayla Bartkowski
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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"We're not used to this in sunny California, for sure," said Chris Cooper, the band director for Homewood High School in Homewood, Alabama, who is making his 6th appearance at the Rose Parade with the Homewood Patriot Band. "But hey, the show goes on ... rain or shine." "We're just excited to spread the cheer of the new year," said an upbeat Abigail Powers, the color guard instructor for Homewood's band.
The stormy weather might have contributed to breezy travel in the area. One dad-and-daughter duo attending their first Rose Parade ever said the drive in from their home in Sierra Madre was no problem. "It was pretty easy," said Austin Darman. "I'm super excited, even though it's raining," added Isabelle Rose Darman.
Others seemed completely unfazed by the wet weather. We caught up with some folks with the Pasadena Pacers who were doing the so-called bandit run along the parade route, who were just happy to put in some miles to kick off the new year. The plan was for a 4-mile run. But Luis Lopez, one of the runners, said he "might do a little extra."
The festivities got underway at 8 a.m. sharp featuring bands, dancers and floats covered in all manner of flowers, plants and other natural materials — a celebration of our Southern California lifestyle. The theme was “The Magic in Teamwork,” with Laker icon Earvin "Magic" Johnson as the Grand Marshal.
Parade details and closures
The Rose Parade route lasted two hours, with its 5.5-mile journey starting at Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard.
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The floats, bands and horses headed north along Orange Grove at a slow but steady 2.5 mph pace before turning east onto Colorado Boulevard for a majority of the show. It then headed north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard before wrapping up at Villa Street.
Unless you have a need to be in the area during the parade, you might want to avoid this stretch of the city until it's all over.
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CityOfPasadena.net
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