Tips for Viewing the Tournament of Roses Parade Floats [2024]

Visiting the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade Floats – a SoCal tradition. Did you know that you can visit the Tournament of Roses Parade floats after the parade is over? Viewing the Rose Parade Floats is a tradition our family looks forward to doing every year! This post has been updated with the latest news about this Rose Parade Showcase.

If you have never seen the floats up close, you gotta try and go. You may think they are beautiful on the television, but seeing them up close is an experience in itself. They are absolutely AMAZING in person!!!!!  The craftsmanship and detail that goes into making them is breathtaking. From thousands of roses to carnations and seeds - these flower decorated floats are vibrant, fragrant and enormous! Plus, there are so many floats to see.

Tips on Visiting the 135th Rose Parade Floats

If you have time after the parade, I highly suggest heading up to Pasadena and checking out the Rose Parade floats. They call this Floatfest - A Rose Parade Showcase!

This year, the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade takes place on Monday, January 1, 2023, New Year's Day.

Where to Park at Floatfest

Getting to Floatfest is a fairly easy outing. They have made it easy to park and shuttle over to the viewing area....or you can try your luck at finding a parking space. I personally have always paid a resident who lives near the floats to park at their house.

Shuttles are free and will be available at two separate Pasadena locations: 

• Pasadena City College - 1570 E. Colorado Boulevard, (Entrance off Del Mar Boulevard or Bonnie near the corner of Hill Avenue)
• Rose Bowl Stadium Lot B - Shuttles depart about every five minutes on Monday, Jan. 2 only.

Floatfest Viewing Times

The Floatfest viewing area is open January 2nd through January 3, 2023. Ticket sales end at 3:00 pm, with the last entry at 4:00 pm. Make sure you buy your tickets by then and enter on time or they won't let you in. Trust me...I have tried.

• Jan. 1, 2024: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
• Jan. 2, 2024: 7:00 am – 9:00 am (reserved for seniors & disabled visitors)
• Jan. 2, 2024: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

One of the best things about seeing the Rose Parade floats in person is the beautiful flowers. They a bright and colorful. you will get fantastic pictures, so don't forget your camera. Its amazing to get a chance to take a closer look at the design, decoration and workmanship that went into each float entry and learn more about the float process from Tournament volunteers on hand.

How can I see the Rose Parade Floats Up Close after the Parade is over?

If you want to see the Tournament fo Roses parade floats up close, you will need to get tickets to Floatfest. You can purchase tickets for a designated time on January 2nd and 3rd, 2023.

Following the Rose Parade, you can walk within feet of the floral and animated masterpieces. They all will be parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena. Come rain or shine.

Rules you need to know about Floatfest Before you go

• No animals, except service animals, are permitted.
• Floatfest utilizes a clear bag policy
• All strollers, backpacks, purses, etc. will be searched prior to entry.
• Wagons and things such as skateboards and bicycles are not permitted. Due to difficult terrain, strollers can be hard to use.
• There are no trams and seating is limited. be prepared to walk a distance of approximately 2.5 miles and two hours.
• Water is available free-of-charge at three locations within the venue, so bring a water bottle to fill.
• No coolers. There's a limited number of food vendors at the venue. Visitors are are allowed to bring small quantities of food and non-alcoholic drinks into the venue.
• Before you begin viewing the floats, decide where you and others in your party will meet in case you are inadvertently separated and cannot communicate via cell phone. One option is to meet near the Guest Services tent at the intersection of Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards.
• ATMs are available inside the venue.
• American Sign Language interpreters will be available for hearing impaired guests. Please inquire at entry gates or follow signs at the venue for details.

Is Floatfest crowded?

It will be crowded, but the crowds are bearable in my experience. There are plenty of areas that are not crowded where you can take a breather and sit down in the limited seats.

There are vendors selling food. Make sure to bring cash, a lot of the vendors are local scouting troups and church groups, so they don't take credits cards. I do believe you can take in snacks, and maybe water, but security is strict on bottled drinks, etc.

At the gate entrances, pick up a brochure with a map of the Floatfest venue layout. The brochure is also available at all Park-N-Ride locations. Guests using shuttles enter the event through a priority entrance.

When taking small children to see the Rose Parade Floats, you will want to bring a stroller. (Wagons aren't permitted this year) With the crowds, kids who wonder can easily get lost. Plus there's a lot of walking. I even bring a stroller for my seven year old....gasp!

How long does it take to view the Rose Parade Floats?

We always allow at least two hours to view the floats without being rushed. we like to go up and down every street to check out every single floats. Many times there are volunteers at each float talking about them and flowers. It's highly educational. again...there are a lot of photo opportunities!

Check out some of the great photos we got at our last trip to view the Tournament of Roses Parade Floats...

Simply gorgeous!

We can wait to go back this New Year....the kids have been asking about it all week.

Click here for more information about Rose Parade Float Viewing

Best Tips for Visiting the Tournament of Roses Parade Floats

• Float view takes place at the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd. & E. Washington Blvd. Pasadena, CA.
• Wear comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes. You will be walking and most likely you will have to park far.
• Bring water, drinks and snacks (kids are always thirsty, also make sure drinks are unopened).
• Bring your camera.
• Strollers and wagons are a must for kids who don't like to walk far.
• Plan to get there by 2:00 p.m., the ticket booths close at 3:00 p.m.
• Carpool if you can, the less cars your group comes in the better because of limited parking.
• Study a map to get familiar with the area...this will help you find closer parking and figure your route to the float area.
• Admission is $20 (free for children five and under).  Ticket sales end at 3:00 p.m. – venue closes at 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are available through Sharp Seating Company at (626) 795-4171. Tickets will also be available at the event box office and all Park-N-Ride locations.
• Click here for Park & Ride shuttle locations if you want to avoid finding parking.
• Designate a meeting place to gather if people in your party get lost.
• MOST OF ALL, use this time to enjoy the beginning of the new year! these are memories your kiddies will carry throughout there lives. ENJOY!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!