From honoring Vietnamese American immigrants to a vibrant fiesta, diversity is reflected in this year’s event.

The Coding for Veterans float is not only a tribute to the military, but also embodies the mission of the organization: to provide a path for new beginnings for those who have served.

Volunteers and employees prepare floral-covered floats for the 2025 Rose Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena.

So right after the 2024 parade – which celebrates the theme of “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language” – incoming Tournament President Ed Morale s stood in front of a crowd of supporters at the Tournament House in early January announcing a key presidential proclamation:

The man accused of lighting a woman on fire on a New York City subway and fanning the flames as she burned to death has a second court hearing scheduled for Friday. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is charged with murder and arson and has been jailed at Rikers Island. As of Friday morning, authorities had not publicly identified the victim.

The float, named “Defying Gravity” in reference to the musical’s most sensational number, is 55-feet-long and features several of Oz’s most iconic details.

The cinematic sensation “Wicked” will have its own float at the 2025 Rose Parade featuring giant versions of the films stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

A Bettendorf woman and organ recipient is participating in the 2025 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Angel Dominguez was selected to represent Iowa on the OneLegacy Donate Life float. The theme for this year’s float is “Let Your Life Soar.

Jasmine Viel reports from Irwindale, where she gets a behind the scenes look at what it takes to put together one of the iconic Rose Parade floats with just days until the event.

The two-mile walk-through, arguably the Best View Ever of parade entries, will be open for three days, from Wednesday, Jan. 1 through Friday, Jan. 3. For many locals, the post-parade viewing is almost as much a tradition as watching the cavalcade in person.