Magic Johnson stands atop rose‑petal pink Rose Parade float with golden light and cheering teams near stadium

2026 Rose Parade Set for New Year’s Day: Magic Johnson Leads Parade

At a Glance

  • The 2026 Rose Parade will run on Jan. 1, 2026.
  • It will feature the 137th edition of floats, equestrian teams and marching bands.
  • Magic Johnson will serve as the Grand Marshal.
  • Why it matters: Readers can plan to watch the iconic New Year’s Day celebration and know when and where to tune in.

The 2026 Rose Parade, a hallmark of Pasadena’s New Year tradition, is set to light up the city on January 1st. With its 137th edition featuring dazzling rose-covered floats, equestrian teams, and marching bands, the event also doubles as the kickoff for the Rose Bowl game between Indiana and Alabama.

Parade Details

The parade will begin at 8 a.m. PT (10 a.m. CT, 11 a.m. ET) in Pasadena, California. It will run alongside the Rose Bowl game, where the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers will face the No. 8-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide.

  • Date: Jan. 1, 2026
  • Location: Pasadena, California
  • Start Time: 8 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET
  • Edition: 137th
  • Highlights: Floats, equestrian teams, marching bands

Broadcast & Streaming

NBC will air the parade in English for the 99th year, while Telemundo will provide a Spanish broadcast. Viewers can also stream the parade on several platforms.

  • Christmas Plus
  • Dooya
  • FanDuel Sports Network
  • Fubo
  • GFam+
  • Great American Pure Flix
  • Pluto TV
  • Samsung TV Plus

Grand Marshal

The parade’s Grand Marshal is basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a Los Angeles Lakers icon.

Rose Bowl Game

The Indiana-Alabama Rose Bowl contest will be shown on ESPN, with a WatchESPN stream available.

Key Takeaways

  • Parade takes place on Jan. 1, 2026 at 8 a.m. PT.
  • Magic Johnson leads the parade as Grand Marshal.
  • NBC, Telemundo, and multiple streaming services provide coverage.
TV broadcast setup shows English Rose Parade and Spanish Telemundo with dish backdrop and streaming hub.

The 2026 Rose Parade promises a festive New Year’s Day for Pasadena and fans nationwide, featuring iconic floats, a star Grand Marshal, and extensive broadcast reach.

Author

  • My name is Sophia A. Reynolds, and I cover business, finance, and economic news in Los Angeles.

    Sophia A. Reynolds is a Neighborhoods Reporter for News of Los Angeles, covering hyperlocal stories often missed by metro news. With a background in bilingual community reporting, she focuses on tenants, street vendors, and grassroots groups shaping life across LA’s neighborhoods.

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