TrekUnity
When
January
Attendance
~700,000 along the route
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Every New Year's Day, Pasadena hosts the Tournament of Roses — the famed Rose Parade of elaborate flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrian units down Colorado Boulevard, followed by the Rose Bowl college football game.
Watched by hundreds of thousands along the route (and millions on TV), it's a bucket-list way to ring in the year, and the floats can be viewed up close for a couple of days afterward.
Want to go? Turn Tournament of Roses (Rose Parade) into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
January 1 (or January 2 if the 1st is a Sunday)
Admission
Free to watch curbside · grandstand seats ticketed
Parking
Very limited near the route — take the Metro A Line to Pasadena and walk.
Nearest airport
Los Angeles (LAX) ~45 min; Burbank (BUR) ~25 min
Typical weather
Mild, sunny SoCal winter — 60s °F by day, chilly if you camp out overnight for a curb spot.
Official website
Location
Pasadena, CA
Where to stay
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Grand historic resort near the action.
Hotel Constance Pasadena
Boutique hotel walkable to Old Town.
Old Pasadena hotels
Central base near dining and the route.
Where to eat & drink
Old Pasadena dining
Walkable cluster of restaurants and cafés.
Pie 'n Burger
Classic Pasadena diner since 1963.
Union Restaurant
Acclaimed Italian in Old Pasadena.
Nearby attractions
The Huntington
Botanical gardens, art, and library nearby.
Float viewing (post-parade)
See the floats up close for a couple of days after.
Old Pasadena
Historic shopping and dining district.
A sample itinerary
1New Year's Eve arrival
- •Fly in
- •Afternoon: Old Pasadena
- •Evening: early night (or claim a curb spot)
2Rose Parade
- •Pre-dawn: get to the route
- •Morning: the parade
- •Afternoon: recover / Rose Bowl game
3Floats + gardens
- •Morning: post-parade float viewing
- •Afternoon: The Huntington
- •Head home
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Take the Metro A Line into Pasadena — parking near the route is scarce.
- For a free curb spot, plan to arrive very early (or camp out overnight).
- Stay a day to see the floats up close after the parade.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Rose Parade?
New Year's Day — January 1 — unless the 1st falls on a Sunday, when it moves to January 2.
Is it free to watch?
Curbside viewing along the route is free; grandstand seats are ticketed. People camp overnight for the best free spots.
Can you see the floats up close?
Yes — the floats are displayed for a couple of days after the parade.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tournament of Roses (Rose Parade) or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.