- - Cal Poly float, mini horses and George Takei. Our favorite Rose Parade sights

Paris Barraza, USA TODAYJanuary 2, 2026 at 12:46 AM

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A blinking robot. An elephant seemingly life sized. A giant stack of pancakes. And a sea of rain ponchos.

The 137th annual Rose Parade proved that even a steady rain wasn’t going to stop the show, even if the wet weather was unusual for the New Year’s Day tradition in Pasadena.

Band members wore rain ponchos (and some members had their instruments under clear coverings too) and dancers dealt with rain-slicked asphalt.

Flowers are placed on floats for the Rose Parade on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, during the Rose Bowl Bash in Pasadena.

A quarter until 9 a.m. and the rain was a steady drizzle, but it was far from the heavy rain or chance thunderstorm. For a brief period, the rain subsided, although it resumed — soaking participants and attendees — toward the end.

The National Weather Service Los Angeles forecasted early Thursday that Pasadena would see 1.5 inches of rain from the early morning hours through the afternoon. In the hour leading up to the parade were brief periods of heavy rain as attendees began gathering on Colorado Boulevard, where fold-up chairs were empty as people huddled under various building awnings or archways.

We were among the brave souls who attended the rainy event, so if you missed out, here were a few of our favorite moments.

Scenes from the 137th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.San Francisco comes to Pasadena

San Francisco Travel Association has made its return to the Rose Parade after nearly 50 years with its “Believe in San Francisco” float. Featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and other iconic San Francisco scenery, Pasadena got a taste of the Bay Area on New Year’s Day.

Cal Poly universities show off a robot

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona teamed up for “Jungle Jumpstart” float; A lemur, monkey, birds and a jaguar perched near a giant robot with blinking eyes that felt like something out of "The Wild Robot."

Mini horses, enough said

The Mini Therapy Horses, the Southern California nonprofit, brought its team of gentle-not-so-giants, who trotted along the wet street with decorated manes.

Flowers are placed on floats for the Rose Parade on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, during the Rose Bowl Bash in Pasadena.CMA winner Charlie Worsham and Kermit the Frog

Mississippi’s “Where Creativity Blooms” was the mid-parade performance with CMA winner Charlie Worsham. But serving as back-up was a giant Kermit the Frog, an ode to Mississippi native and celebrated puppeteer Jim Henson. Also noteworthy, ballet dancers performing on the moving float (albeit slow-moving) as a crew in denim performed on the street.

Trader Joe’s brings the fireworks, literally

Trader Joe’s may enjoy social media videos highlighting its unique items and a core of shoppers eager to buy its tote bags, but let us not forget where it all started — in Pasadena. Its “You Float Our Boat!” was a whimsical float with what looked like a giant watermelon cut in half to serve as a ship, with other foods adorning the float. Some fireworks were discharged with the float, shrouding it in smoke and slightly obscuring it from attendees’ view as it made its turn onto Colorado Boulevard.

‘Star Trek’ celebrates 60th anniversary

The 60th anniversary of “Star Trek” took flight with the “Space for Everybody” float. It was impressive in its spacecraft design, and with a smiling guest: George Takei.

Scenes from the 137th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.Firefighters honored post Eaton Fire

Sierra Madre Rose Float Association’s featured a (real) firefighter dumping maple syrup on a heaping stack of pancakes (fake) with its "Pancake Breakfast” float. The theme was to capture a pancake breakfast fundraiser, and it was to honor the city’s firefighters. Sierra Madre were among the communities impacted by the Eaton Fire in January.

What was the Rose Parade theme this year?

This year’s theme was “The Magic in Teamwork.”

Who was the Rose Parade opening act?

The parade was opened by English singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs, who performed atop the float by Honda accompanied by 24 dancers.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See the giant floats you missed at rainy 2026 Rose Parade

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