For the 137th time, Pasadena, California, the San Gabriel Valley city 10 miles northeast from downtown Los Angeles, is hosting the Rose Parade. This year, though, for the first time in 20 years, it’s raining on the parade. Still, the extravaganza of marching bands, floats, flowers, performers, wav es and smiles, marks a new beginning, a new year – rain or shine. Also see: Our complete guide to the Rose Parade Things to know about this year’s parade: Starting around 8 a.m. local time, 19 marching bands, 17 equestrian groups and 39 floats decorated with an array of flowers will take part in the 5.5-mile parade route. Basketball and Los Angeles icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson is this year’s grand marshal. Johnson followed a glittering career on the court by becoming a philanthropist, advocate and part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Speaking of Magic, the 2026 Rose Parade theme, selected by Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens just so happens to be “The Magic in Teamwork.” Rain is a factor on this year’s parade route for the first time since 2006. Expect it throughout the parade and through the day. This year’s celebration comes nearly one year since the Eaton and Palisades fires sparked Jan. 7, 2025, killing 31 people and destroying thousands of structures. The Eaton fire decimated the town of Altadena, located just a few miles away from the parade route. There will be various acknowledgments toward victims, survivors and first-responders throughout the day. Also see: Rose Parade 2026 lineup: Your guide to every float, band and equestrian unit, in order Our team of reporters and photographers fanned out across the parade route to provide coverage you won’t see on TV. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter: Anissa Rivera: @AnissaRiv0901 Steve Scauzillo: @stevscaz Christina Merino: @christinam_love Victoria Ivie: @vwritesap Julianna Lozada: @juliannawriting Lululemon 5K runs through the rain drops Despite the inclement weather about 5,000 runners took part in the Lululemon 5K “Run With the Roses” Wednesday night into Thursday morning along the parade route through the elements. Also see: Thousands brave a rainy Lululemon “Run With the Roses” in annual pre-Rose Parade 5K 5:10 a.m. Rain along parade route as expected Crowds appeared sparse near Colorado Boulevard and Marengo Avenue around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Carolyn Burt/Pasadena Star-News) Despite hopes of a meteorological miracle, the 137th Rose Parade looks set to be the first in 20 years to go forward in the rain. Crowds appeared sparse along the route in the early morning hours before the parade was set to begin. Also see: With rain forecast for the Rose Parade, Pasadena says no umbrellas allowed along route, urging ponchos instead Related Articles Thousands brave a rainy lululemon ‘Run with the Roses’ in annual pre-Rose Parade 5K Pasadena gets a steady dose of New Year’s Eve rain, a precursor to likely showers on Rose Parade A century-old LA business helps bring Rose Parade floats their floral finesse Tournament of Roses, its own team hit hard by January wildfires, steps up to buoy recovery Inside the perfectly timed B-2 bomber flyover at Pasadena’s Rose Parade ...read more read less