The following is a submission from the City of Santa Monica.
For the first time since 1979, the city of Santa Monica plans to have a float in the Rose Parade – and is calling on the community to help bring the float to fruition.
Santa Monica’s float, themed “Waves of Welcome,” leans into the uniqueness of the city’s beach, landmarks, solar Ferris wheel, Pier sign, carousel, and coast, with a focus on sustainability. The float reflects Santa Monica’s welcoming spirit and invites the world to experience the people and places that make Santa Monica one of a kind.
The design was created by Artistic Entertainment Services, the city’s float production partner, and made its debut at this year’s State of the City event. See the design here.
With a little less than two months to go until the New Year’s Day parade, the city is encouraging the community to get involved by dedicating a rose or volunteering to help decorate the float.
“Every New Year’s Day, my family watched the Rose Parade,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “My parents grew up in Montreal and would talk about watching it in the dead of winter, dreaming of life in California. That’s the power of this parade: it tells the world who we are and invites them in. This year’s parade theme is ‘Welcome,’ and Santa Monica’s float should be built by the people who make this city so welcoming. So come glue a petal, make a donation, and put your hands on something the whole world will see.”
Santa Monica’s participation in the Rose Parade is intended to showcase the city at a moment of momentum and renewal. By highlighting Santa Monica’s iconic coastal setting, creativity, culture, innovation and welcoming community spirit, participation in the parade shares the story of a city embracing a new chapter.
There are many ways for the community to contribute to the city’s Rose Parade float, through volunteering, dedicating a rose, making a donation, or sponsorship.
- Dedicate a rose – or a baker’s dozen! – with a special message to ride along on the float.
- Volunteer to help transform Santa Monica’s float into a floral work of art.
- Make a donation to support the float.
- Sponsor the float – choose one of five sponsorship levels, including walking alongside the float or riding on it!
The float will make its debut in the 138th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2027, followed by Floatfest from Jan. 1-3, where spectators can view the float up close after the parade. For more information on the city’s participation in the Rose Parade, please visit the Rose Parade page.
