Your ultimate guide to watching from home – Pasadena Star News

The streets of Pasadena, California are once again gearing up for the annual flower procession that is the Rose Parade. On the dock, impressively decorated floats, new and nostalgic musical performances, beloved traditions and fittingly hundreds of thousands of roses are on display.

If you’re looking to tune in from home, the staff at The Pasadena Star-News has compiled a list of everything you need to know as you watch the 136th iteration of the floral extravaganza.

That’s how you see

The parade begins at 8:00 a.m. PST New Year’s Day. On TV, several channels will broadcast the parade, and you can find your options to watch the Rose Parade here.

No TV or cable? No problem! For the first time, the staff of the Pasadena Star-News will live stream the parade on its YouTube channelstarting at 10 PST. The stream will be stationed around where the floats fold to get under the 210 freeway bridge, making for a unique viewing experience not typically seen on television.

Also, if you’re on social platform X, be sure to follow along @PasStarNews for live behind-the-scenes posts and answers to your questions.

The floats

From post-military life to the cinematic sensation Wicked to one accompanied by the first ever all-electric float in parade history, there are plenty of floats at the facility this year that are sure to be talkers.

If you’re hoping to catch a specific float or want details close at hand as you watch, check out our guide to each Rose Parade float, band and riding unit, in order.

The musical performances

Kiesza and Aloe Blacc kick off 2025’s musical performances during the parade’s opening spectacular. Kiesza will reprise “Hideaway,” a hit that dominated global charts a decade ago, with renewed energy for global audiences, organizers said. Aloe Blacc will perform his “Wake Me Up” – a global mega-hit with the late Avicii.

On a floating stage against the backdrop of a towering Elvis Presley and BB King, the Rose Parade mid-parade performance will be a tribute to a deep musical heritage. Bringing a fusion of country and gospel influences, Brandon Bennett performs with Chapel Hart, a new group of artists blending country, rock and soul.

Featuring in the Rose Parade Grand Finale is 80s teen hitmaker and Broadway sensation Debbie Gibson. Gibson confirmed that she will “pack a lot” into the performance.

“I show all my skills in a very short time; in a very dramatic and theatrical way.”

Several marching bands will also showcase their talents during the parade, and you can see the full line-up here. Tip: Check out the creative ways some bands maneuver around the corners of the parade route.

The tradition

The 2025 Rose Parade theme is “Best Day Ever!” Every float, band and performance in the upcoming extravaganza along the 5.5 mile route has been designed with the theme in mind – and you can read about how the parade leaders came up with the theme here.

Sports icon Billie Jean King is slated to be the Rose Parade grand marshal in 2025. The tennis legend, celebrated after retirement for her work promoting gender equality on and off the field of sports, will lead the parade and the following 111th Rose Bowl game, ​​both on January 1.

This year’s Rose Queen is 17-year-old Lindsay Charles, a Pasadena local who is passionate about connecting with her community, sustainability and athletics.

The big game

Ohio State will face No. 1 Oregon at this year’s Rose Bowl game with kickoff at 2:00 PM PST, Monday, January 1st.