As the New Year gets closer, so does the annual Pasadena Rose Parade. And one of the most exciting things about the parade is seeing all of the floats made from florals and other plant materials.
The 2026 Rose Parade theme is “The Magic in Teamwork,” so each float tends to submit a design centered around that theme. What’s fun to see is how each entry interprets the theme and pulls inspiration from their organization and history into the design as well.
Each year, there are a few floats that stand out and become talkers online, so here are a few we think you should keep your eyes out for.
All Paws on Deck – City of Burbank
This float brings together some adorable animals on a sea voyage. The crew of critters is an example of this year’s theme, the Magic in Teamwork, as they set sail on the ship together, with the hopes of finding the treasure on their map, which is a “forever home with a loving family,” according to the float description. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is also a proud supporter of the Burbank Animal Shelter.
The unique thing about this float is that each character was given a name as part of a fundraiser for building the float. For $100, members of the community were able to memorialize a pet, friend or loved one. For instance, the Labradoodle is named after Carl Fish, a U.S. Army veteran and long time volunteer of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, who passed away earlier this year.
Jungle Jumpstart – Cal Poly Universities
Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s float is always a standout because its the only entirely student made float. Jungle Jumpstart focuses on a group of rainforest animals working together to bring their robot friend back to life with the nature around them.
Happy Together – Kiwanis
There’s just something about the smiles on these hippos faces that you can’t get enough of. As the name of the float says, they’re happy together.
Goin’ Nutz – La Cañada Flintridge
While La Cañada Flintridge’s “Goin’ Nutz” might seem like a fun day in the park at first glance, there’s a more meaningful story behind its design.
The float features forest creatures working together to create an acorn catapult to send themto an emergency Nut Supply raft that will take the supplies to community members downstream. The float takes inspiration from how the Los Angeles community came together to support those impacted by the Eaton Fire last January.
Where Creativity Blooms – Visit Mississippi
Kermit the Frog playing a banjo. Need we say more? The Visit Mississippi float is focused on celebrating the state’s creative arts history and named “Where Creativity Blooms.” Kermit the Frog is front and center in honor of Jim Henson, a Greenville, Mississippi, native. Kermit also has a Mississippi birthplace in Leland, where a Kermit the Frog Museum is located, honoring Henson’s legacy.
The Float also features a stack of books as its backdrop, with mosaics of the State’s public art installations, film stills, book covers and more.
Believe in San Francisco – San Francisco Travel Association
The San Francisco float is a Bay Area native’s dream come true. The 2026 Rose Parade Float marks the city’s grand return to the event, having last participated in 1978.
In addition to featuring the Golden Gate Bridge, the float also includes the iconic “Painted Ladies” Victorian houses, Pier 39 with some sea lions, a cable car and is decked out in larger than life poppies. While not seen on the image mock up on the float, it will also feature the Dragon Gate located in Chinatown. Each person walking alongside the float will also be wearing the letterman jacket of a San Francisco Bay Area sports team, including the San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries and Bay FC.
Pancake Breakfast – Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
Sierra Madre is honoring their firefighters with their float. Float is a pancake breakfast celebration where the firetruck is what is glazing the pancakes with Maple Syrup. Additionally, three Sierra Madre firefighters and three members of Sierra Madre Rose Float Association Royal Court will be riding on the sides of the float.
Space for Everyone – Star Trek 60
2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, and Paramount Pictures is celebrating the milestone with a Rose Parade float. The float includes the U.S.S. Enterprise starship as well as some recognizable Golden State landmarks including the Vasquez Rocks in Los Angeles and the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco. Fans of the series will want to keep their eyes on the center of the float, where the transporter pads will bring the iconic line “beam me up, Scott” to life, as the characters will vanish and reappear.
Sharing Skills for Success – The UPS Store
The UPS Store knows how to turn a float into a larger than life icon for the Rose Parade. In 2024 they had a rapping crocodile, in 2022 there was a storytelling rooster and now the 2026 float will feature a Seahorse coaching others in synchronized swim.
You Float Our Boat – Trader Joe’s
The Pasadena-founded grocery chain, Trader Joe’s, knows how to make a splash at the Rose Parade. The float is typically a creative way of incorporating their products into a Gingerbread House like environment. The 2026 Rose Parade float incorporates a watermelon and soda bottle turned boat crafting an ice cream float.
Titled “You Float Our Boat” the float is focused on thanking their customers for their many years. The back of the ship also incorporates a “Fearless Flyer” which is the name of the company’s product newsletter.