The 137th Rose Parade, held on January 1, 2026, in Pasadena, showcased a stunning array of floats, each reflecting months of meticulous planning and creativity. With hundreds of flowers adorning each entry, the parade captivated thousands of spectators along Colorado Boulevard. This year’s event featured a mix of traditional themes and innovative designs, with numerous floats standing out for their artistry and cultural significance.
Innovative Designs and Cultural Celebrations
Among the standout entries was the inaugural float from the **San Francisco Travel Association**, titled “Believe In San Francisco.” This float captured the essence of the city, featuring iconic elements like cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was decorated with over **100,000 individual blooms**, including **15,000 fluorescent orange marigolds** that beautifully framed oversized California poppies.
Another highlight was the float from **Visit Mississippi**, which featured a giant Kermit the Frog, a tribute to the character’s creator, Jim Henson, who hailed from Leland, Mississippi. Accompanied by a musical performance from Mississippi-native **Charlie Worsham**, this float celebrated creativity and nostalgia in a vibrant display.
The **America250** float, marking the beginning of the United States’ semiquincentennial year, presented a breathtaking depiction of the nation’s natural beauty. Measuring **55 feet long**, it featured three larger-than-life bald eagles symbolizing the past, present, and future of the country, inviting reflection on the nation’s journey over the last 250 years.
Special Recognition for Artistic Excellence
The **Cal Poly Universities** float received the coveted 2025 Sweepstakes Award for its remarkable design and craftsmanship. Created by students from **Cal Poly Pomona** and **Cal Poly San Luis Obispo**, the float depicted rainforest animals collaborating to restore an old robot, aptly illustrating the theme “The Magic in Teamwork.”
In a poignant tribute, the float “Rising Together” from the **California Community Foundation** and the **Black Freedom Fund** honored victims of the early 2025 wildfires. Featuring **31 sunflowers** and a phoenix rising from the center, it served as a powerful reminder of resilience and community spirit.
The **UPS Store** made a splash with its under-the-sea themed float, showcasing a **34-foot-tall animatronic seahorse** leading a synchronized swimming routine. This float not only dazzled attendees with its floral adornments but also set a Guinness World Record as the largest animatronic fish ever created.
The celebration of pop culture continued with the **Star Trek 60** float, commemorating the iconic television series. A recreation of the starship U.S.S. Enterprise soared above the parade, featuring actors in costumes and elements representing key locations from the show, appealing to fans of all ages.
Other notable entries included the **Explore Louisiana** float, which highlighted the collaborative spirit of local chefs and farmers through its pelican chef stirring a pot of gumbo, and the **Kiwanis International** float, which featured a playful quartet of hippos, engaging spectators with its imaginative design.
The 137th Rose Parade exemplified the creativity and dedication of its participants, bringing together communities to celebrate art, culture, and resilience in a memorable start to the new year.