History of The Rose Parade
Rose Parade: by the numbers
The Tournament of Roses Parade offers a stunning mix of fresh floral displays, creative artistry, and exciting entertainment. Every float is a work of art, every performance full of energy, and every moment brimming with tradition and celebration. New Year’s day in Pasadena is truly special.
Diamond Travel has been providing all-inclusive tours to the Rose Parade for nearly 40 years!
1890
year the first rose parade was held
135+
years of continuous new years tradition
5.5mi
length of the colorado blvd parade route
35+
years Diamond Travel has been attending
The story
how it began
The Tournament of Roses Parade has called beautiful Pasadena, California home since 1890. What began as a modest floral festival to showcase Southern California’s mild winter climate has grown into an annual tradition of floats covered entirely in flowers. Today is is one of the most-watched parades in the world. The parade route follows the famous Colorado Boulevard and takes place every New Year’s Day, or on Monday, January 2 if New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday!
what makes it iconic
Every float entered in the Rose Parade must be completely covered in natural, plant-based materials: flowers, seeds, bark, leaves, or other organic matter. Not a single inch of the float’s surface can be left bare or covered with paint alone. This strict rule, unchanged for over a century, is what makes the floats true living works of art. Millions of flowers are hand-placed by volunteers in the weeks leading up to the parade, with the most intensive decorating happening in the final days of December.
Key milestones
1890
the first tournament of roses parade is held in Pasadena
Members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers and staged races and other events on Tournament Park.
1902
The Rose Bowl Game is added to the festivities
Michigan defeated Stanford 49-0 in the first post-season college football game, later renamed the Rose Bowl.
1930s
Floats become increasingly elaborate
Motorized floats with complex moving parts and themed designs became the standard, replacing horse-drawn carriages.
1945
First Nationally televised broadcast
The parade reaches audiences far beyond Pasadena for the first time, cementing its place in American culture.
1989
Diamond Travel begins attending the rose parade
Over 35 years of all-inclusive tours bringing guests from across the country to experience the parade firsthand.
2027
138th rose parade
Join us for another unforgettable New Year’s Day on Colorado Boulevard.
A trip for the ages
why Diamond Travel should be on your bucket list
Living Works of Art
Every float is covered entirely in natural materials: flowers, seeds, bark, and leaves. All materials are hand-placed by thousands of volunteers.
World Class Performances
Marching bands from across the country perform live along the route, putting on their best show in front of the grandstands.
Unmatched Atmosphere
Sitting among thousands of spectators on Colorado Boulevard as the floats roll past creates an energy unlike any other event.
Float Decorating Access
Watch volunteers hand-place flowers during December decorating nights – or join in yourself with our exclusive float decorating add-ons.
