Rose Parade 2024 survival guide: What you need to know before you go

You are a brave one, among the more than 700,000 camped out in the early-morning chill for a view of the 135th Rose Parade’s floral pageantry, the trotting horses and performers. Savor your glimpses of this year’s grand marshal, Broadway star Audra McDonald and the Rose Queen Naomi Stillitano with her court. Take in the multi-sensory New Year’s Day experience.

But before all that, know that the Rose Parade IRL can also be a question of endurance and planning. Pro tip: you can never plan enough.

Herewith, a gift: some tips and tricks to getting the most out of America’s New Year’s Day celebration, without the “what-was-I-thinking” hangover:

THE KEY DETAILS

What: The 134th Rose Parade presented by Honda

When: 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1

Where: The action starts at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, with the 5.5.-mile route traveling north on Orange Grove and east onto Colorado Boulevard, heading north onto Sierra Madre Boulevard before ending at Villa Street.

BEFORE YOU GO

Revel in comfort and remember the forecast for Jan. 1 is a high in the ‘60s and low in the 40s. As of now, there’s even an ever so slight chance of rain. Grab your hat and gloves, dress in layers, drink lots of healthy fluids and eat well to avoid dehydration.

• If you’re thinking about food afterward or before, consider these 18 offerings

PARKING

Reserved parking for cars, buses and RVs for both the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game is available for purchase through the following:

• AP Parking, starting from $35, https://ap-parking.myfreesites.net/
• City of Pasadena, 626-744-7665, https://www.cityofpasadena.net/transportation/
• LAZ Parking, 626-578-1705, starting from $60 for either parade or game, https://www.lazparking.com/locations/rose-bowl-parking
• Sharp Seating Company, 626-795-4171, https://sharpseating.com/

Paid parking is also available on a first-come, first-served basis at various lots and parking structures near the parade route. Check out sites such as ParkWhiz.com for options.

Remember, overnight parking on Pasadena streets begins at noon the day before the parade and continues for that evening only. All “No Parking” areas and red curb zones remain off-limits and vehicles in violation will be subject to impound and a fine. There is no parking allowed on the parade route itself.

TRANSPORTATION

Metro

Metro will offer enhanced service on its A Line (Azusa), formerly the Gold Line, to accommodate more riders on Parade Day. It will also operate 24-hour service on Metro Rail, also on the Silver and Orange Lines on the night of Dec. 31 through the morning of Jan. 1.

Visit metro.net for more information, including free rides.

These stations offer the best access to the parade route:

• Del Mar Station: walk two blocks north to the parade route.
• Memorial Park Station: walk two blocks south to the parade route.
• Lake Station: walk four blocks south to the parade route.
• Allen Station: walk four blocks south to the parade route.

Parking is available at many Metro Rail stations, including Union Station in downtown Los Angeles; some lots are paid while others are free.

Take Metro to access other events such as the Rose Bowl and Floatfest, which happens after the parade and through Tuesday, Jan. 2. Buses originate from locations throughout Los Angeles County.

Follow @metrolaalerts and @metrolosangeles on X, formerly Twitter. For more information, call 323-466-3876 or visit metro.net.

Metrolink

Metrolink offers rides from San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties to Tournament of Roses events via Union Station, where riders can transfer to the Metro A line (Azusa). The first trains on the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines will depart an hour earlier than its regular schedule to accommodate Rose Parade-bound passengers. The cost is $10 for a holiday pass.

For more information, visit metrolinktrains.com or follow @Metrolink on social media.

STREET CLOSURES

The Pasadena Police Department will close the Rose Parade route early to vehicular traffic, beginning at 10 p.m. the night before the parade through 2 p.m. the following day, along Colorado Boulevard, from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard, and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma Street.

WHAT’S NEW

Take over the Rose Parade route at the first ever Lululemon Run with the Roses 5K kicking off at midnight Sunday, Dec. 31, from the lululemon store, 101 W. Colorado Blvd., and finishing at 300 E. Colorado Blvd. The entry fee is $29. https://tournamentofroses.com/event/lululemon-run/

Food trucks will line the way to Floatfest this year, so you can nosh on your way to enjoy the showcase of floats on Sierra Madre Boulevard. Food Fare, presented by Dine Out Lauderdale, will also offer flavors from South Florida. Find it on Sierra Madre Boulevard near Gate A in the showcase lot. Floatfest is open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1 and 7 to 9 a.m., reserved for seniors and disabled visitors; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2. Admission to Food Fare is free. Admission to Floatfest is $20. For more information, https://tournamentofroses.com/event/floatfest-a-rose-parade-showcase-presented-by-lululemon/

WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO

5 things that are OK

1. If you have tickets to grandstand seats, arrive before 6:30 a.m. on Parade Day.
2. If you’re staking out your own spot, you can camp overnight the night before the parade. A spot on the sidewalk along the parade route can be saved starting at noon Sunday, Dec. 31. Blankets, chairs and other items must remain on the sidewalk until 11 p.m. Spectators can then move out to the blue “honor line,” but not past it.
3. Small, professionally manufactured barbecues elevated at least 1 foot off the ground as allowed as long as they are at least 25 feet from buildings and any combustibles. A fire extinguisher must be readily available.
4. Minors under the age of 18 may be on the parade route from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. only if they are supervised by an adult.
5. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 and know the cross streets from where you’re calling. Otherwise, call 626-744-4241.

5 things that are not OK

1. Tents, sofas and boxes of any type that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited.
2. Unoccupied chairs are not allowed.
3. Bonfires and all fireworks are strictly prohibited; open containers of alcohol are illegal on sidewalks, streets and other public areas.
4. No items may be sold along the parade route without a city permit.
5. No ladders or scaffolding may be used as elevation for viewing activities.

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

There’s the official Rose Parade app, and the TAP card app for paying for your Metro fares before the parade, both available for Apple and Android devices. The Pasadena Star-News has a free app offering breaking and local news along with restaurant reviews, weather, sports and entertainment reports.

CONTACTS

Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau: Rose Parade hotline 877-793-9911, main number 626-793-2122, visitpasadena.com

On X, follow the City of Pasadena (@PasadenaGov), the Pasadena Fire and Police Departments (@PasadenaFD and @PasadenaPD), Tournament of Roses (@RoseParade) and the Pasadena Star-News (@PasStarNews).

An Added Calendar of Events: