Rose Parade 2024: What To Expect

Ring in the new year with us and get front row seats to America’s most iconic New Year’s Day tradition – the Rose Parade! From insider access and exclusive float-viewing events to grandstand seating, our Rose Parade tours offer a truly immersive experience.

If you are traveling to Pasadena to witness the 135th annual Tournament of Roses on January 1, 2024, here’s a handy guide to the many highlights of Rose Parade 2024.

Theme and Grand Marshal

The theme for Rose Parade 2024 is “Celebrating A World Of Music: The Universal Language”. The year’s theme is an ode to the unifying power of music, the way it touches our souls, soothes and heals us. Whether it’s jazz, rap, country or bossa nova, music transcends language, culture and geography, bringing us closer together.

Fittingly, the Grand Marshal for Rose Parade 2024 is Audra McDonald, an accomplished singer and actor with six Tony Awards, two Grammys and an Emmy. She has been named one of the world’s most influential people by Times magazine, and in 2016, she received a National Medal for the Arts, USA’s highest honor in the field, from then President Barack Obama!

Who is the Rose Queen?

The Tournament of Roses announced Naomi Stillitano as the 105th Rose Queen. A senior at the Arcadia High School, Naomi is a dancer, musician and swimmer, and dreams of being a fashion designer. 

The tradition of crowning the Rose Queen and her Royal Court goes back to 1905. The Rose Queen and Court symbolize the very spirit of the Rose Parade: a celebration of community. Each of the seven Royal Court members will receive a $7,500 USD educational scholarship from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

Rose Parade 2024 Floats To Look Out For

Floral floats, equestrian units and marching bands are mainstays of the Rose Parade. The parade usually features more than 40 elaborate floats designed painstakingly by professionals over several months. The floral decorations are done by volunteers, a few days  before the parade. 

In keeping with the musical theme of the year’s parade, Explore Louisiana, the official travel authority for Louisiana, will bring Mardi Gras to life through its float complete with performances by award-winning musicians such as guitarist James Burton and more. You can also look forward to the American Armenian Association’s Armenian Melodies float that will pay homage to the country’s rich heritage. The City of Alhambra’s float, “Celebrating The Year Of The Dragon,” will showcase the city’s diversity, highlighting its Asian and Latin American culture.

If you’re traveling with YMT, you’ll also get an exclusive chance to admire the nearly-done floats as part of the pre-parade event.

Rose Parade 2024: Good To Know

• The Rose Parade will begin at 8 am PST on January 1, 2024. The four-hour long event will see over 40 floats covering the 5 ½-mile-long route down Colorado Boulevard. 
• If you’re visiting Pasadena as part of our Rose Parade Tours, you’ll enjoy grandstand seating – the best seats in the house!
• As a YMT guest, you’ll get a chance to admire the nearly-done floats as part of the exclusive pre-parade event. 
• Don’t miss the Floatfest, which takes place the day after the parade. You can get a closer look at the whimsical floats and learn more about the creative process behind them from volunteers.
• January in Pasadena can be cool, so dress in layers, and remember to stay hydrated!

Plan your Rose Parade 2025 trip!

Experience Rose Parade 2025 with YMT Vacations on our Rose Parade & Los Angeles or Rose Parade & Coastal California Tour departing on December 29, 2024. From the perfect seats to exclusive pre-parade events, you’re in for a treat as a YMT guest. Browse our itineraries and call us at 888-860-1969 to get started!