Watching the Rose Parade
The Rose Parade- Starts at 8:00 a.m.
- Is held on January 1 (January 2 when the first is a Sunday)
- Lasts about two hours
- Travels along a 5.5-mile route through Pasadena starting at Ellis Street and Orange. The Rose Parade reaches the last viewing area near Sierra Madre Blvd. and Villa Street at about 9:30 a.m.
Rose Parade Grandstand Tickets
Grandstand Viewing is the easiest and most comfortable way to see the goings-on. It's also the most expensive. You can reserve one of 70,000 elevated Rose Parade grandstand seat tickets online in advance from Sharp Seating. Everybody, regardless of age, must have a ticket for the grandstands. Tickets cost as much as $30 less near the route's end than at the beginning.If regular sources sell out, try a ticket broker.
You and any items you bring into the Rose Parade grandstands will be searched. Backpacks, coolers or large bags are not allowed.
More Rose Parade Events
Modest admission fees are charged for each of these Rose Parade events. Buy tickets online in advance from Sharp Seating.- Float Decorating: As the finishing touches go on, some floats-in-progress are on view. Or if you want to help decorate one, the Rose Parade website lists ways to contact the float-builders.
- Post-Parade Float Display: The afternoon after the Rose Parade and all day for the next two days, you can see the beautiful creations close-up. allow about 2 hours to see them all. Parking is limited at the viewing area, and your best bet is to use the park-and-ride service. Buy viewing tickets in the shuttle bus parking lots. Arrive early: not only is it less crowded then, but you won't miss out in case they stop selling tickets later because of the crowds.
- Equestfest: The equestrians strut their stuff at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Visitors can tour the stables, talk to riders, take pictures and watch the drills, dances and trick riding and roping demonstrations.
- Bandfest: This field show runs two days before the Rose Parade at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.
Rose Parade the Cheap, Easy Way
You don't have to sit on Colorado Boulevard all night with the folks throwing marshmallows and spraying Silly String. You don't have to spend lots of money for bleacher seats and parking, either. Few people know that the Rose Parade itself is the least fun way (and at the same time most expensive) to see the astonishing floats. If you have two to three days for your Rose Parade experience, here's what to do:- Buy tickets to view the float decorating. You'll get a chance to see the floats under construction, up to about midday the day before the parade.
- Head for Orange Grove Boulevard late on the night before the parade, when the floats move into position. Giant spotlights make the scene almost as bright as day.
- On Rose Parade morning, sleep late while everyone else fights the crowds. Watch from your home or hotel. You'll be comfortable, and you can hear all the commentary.
- Buy tickets for the best and most interesting part of the Rose Parade: float viewing, where you can get close to the floats and talk to their builders. Crowds will be smaller if you arrive immediately when they open on the morning after the parade. Use an area park-and-ride lot, or if you have a car full of people, try for one of the paid lots near Pasadena High School.
Getting to the Rose Bowl Parade
No matter where you stay, you're going to have to get up early. How early depends on where you stay. Which, in part, depends on how far ahead you plan your Rose Bowl Parade trip. By late November, all the Pasadena hotels are likely to be full. If you're coming to Pasadena from out of town, get some ideas for the best places to stay.Downtown Los Angeles is your next best bet, where you can get directly onto a shuttle bus or catch the Metro Gold Line, but downtown hotels are expensive on New Year's Eve. Staying anywhere else is a balance between how money and sleep.
Driving to the Rose Bowl Parade
To reach downtown Pasadena, take Hwy 110 north from downtown Los Angeles, or take the I-210 south into Pasadena.Paid parking for the Rose Bowl Parade is available on a first-come, first-served basis at lots and parking structures near the Rose Bowl Parade route, or you can reserve a spot through Sharp Seating.
Overnight parking on Pasadena streets is permitted beginning at noon on December 31, for that evening only. No Parking areas and red curb zones remain off-limits. The Pasadena Police Department can answer questions about Rose Bowl Parade parking at 626-744-4598.
Public Transportation to the Rose Bowl Parade
Metro Rail's Gold line makes it easy to get to the Rose Bowl Parade, but you may have to change trains to get there if you start from somewhere other than downtown Los Angeles. Exit the Gold Line at the Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake or Allen stations; all are a short walk from the Rose Bowl Parade route.If you have grandstand seats, check your number to see which stop is closest:
- 400 W. Colorado through 300 E. Colorado: Del Mar or Memorial
- 300 E. Colorado through 1200 E. Colorado: Lake
- 1200 E. Colorado through Sierra Madre: Allen
Rose Bowl Parade in Your RV
Parking your RV along the Rose Bowl Parade route may be the least expensive, most comfortable and convenient way to go. You can find a list of places to park at the City of Pasadena website. Frontline parking along the Rose Bowl Parade route can be reserved through Sharp Seating.
