Rain is falling on Colorado Boulevard and the Rose Parade is rolling anyway. I am on the curb with a hood up and a notebook zipped tight. The 137th parade is moving forward through steady showers, the first rainy edition in nearly two decades. Pasadena’s New Year mood is still bright. It just comes with droplets, umbrellas, and a new playbook for parade day fun. 🌧️
Rain on the route, and what it means right now
Floats are gleaming darker and richer under this sky. Wet petals deepen in color. Floral glue holds, but the water adds weight, so crews are keeping speeds smooth and slow. Marching bands are stepping carefully. Drumheads are taut, then damp, then taut again as the rain shifts. Equestrian teams have sanded path areas and are using high-traction shoes. The show is beautiful and cautious at once.
Sidewalks are slick. Curbs are slicker. The air is cool and clean, with low clouds that dull shadows and sharpen sound. Traffic around the route is crawling. Visibility is soft, which makes headlights look closer than they are. If you are walking in or out, take your time and mind every crosswalk.
Slick pavement and low visibility mean slower travel. Give yourself extra time, watch every step, and make eye contact with drivers.
The city’s bucket brigade is also on duty. Storm drains are moving fast, and staff are clearing leaves so water flows where it should. Volunteers are wiping raindrops from route markers and handrails. It feels like Pasadena set its alarm even earlier today.
How to watch smart in wet weather
Parade day gear is different this time. The goal is to stay warm, keep your view, and protect your tech. I have seen what works on this curb.
- Clear poncho, not a big umbrella, so neighbors can see
- Waterproof boots with tread, plus dry socks in a bag
- Small seat pad or folded trash bag for the curb
- Zip-top bags for phones, wallets, and tickets
- A thermos with something hot, plus a microfiber cloth
Umbrellas do show up, but ponchos make friends. If you must use an umbrella, angle it high and share the space. Layers beat bulky coats. A thin base, a warm mid layer, and a shell is the sweet spot. Hand warmers tuck inside gloves and make a long wait feel easy.
Store your phone in a top pocket, screen facing your body. When you take it out for a photo, wipe the lens first for a sharp shot.
Hobbies that shine when it rains
If you love cameras, today is a gift. Wet light is soft and flattering. Colors glow. You do not need fancy gear. A phone with a clean lens and a steady hand can win the day. Shoot faces, gloved hands, and flags. Catch reflections in puddles. The rain turns the street into a mirror.
- Lock your elbows to steady the shot, then tap to focus on the eyes or the float’s main bloom.
- Wipe the lens between bursts, then shoot in short runs so drops do not blur the image.
Macro fans, look for raindrops on roses and baby’s breath. Those tiny beads make petals look like jewels. If you have a pocket notebook, sketch the curve of a trombone or the swirl of a float. Pencil lines love damp air, it softens the look. Audio hobbyists can record the rhythm of rifles tapping, snare rolls, and the hush of rain on plastic seats. That soundtrack is Pasadena in real time. 🎺
Runners and walkers, the Arroyo paths and side streets are still an option after the parade. Choose gravel where you can and avoid muddy shoulders. Switch to short strides for better balance. Bring a dry layer to change into right after.
Gardeners, you can play scientist at home later. Set out a clean bowl to measure rainfall. Note how the soil drinks it in. Light pruning of soggy blooms can help stems stand tall again. Save a few petals and press them in a book as a rainy Rose Parade keepsake.
After the parade, keep the day playful
When the floats pass and the bands fade, the day is not done. Pasadena is cozy in the rain. Step into a museum for a warm hour with art. Duck into a café in the Playhouse District, watch steam rise, and trade photos with your group. Vroman’s is perfect for drying off with a new journal, then jot the moments you want to remember. If you want more roses, float viewing after the parade still happens, with extra care around puddles. The close-up view is a lesson in craft that is even more striking in damp light.
At home, build a small ritual. Lay out wet gear to dry. Back up your photos. Make a playlist of parade songs and the rain patter you recorded. If you brought kids, help them label a paper map with where you stood and what you saw. Small acts turn a wet morning into a rich memory.
The spirit of Pasadena rolls on
Rain changed the script today, not the story. The parade is moving, the bands are brave, and the flowers are shining with a new kind of polish. Pasadena knows how to host, even when the sky writes its own lines. If you dress smart, move with care, and lean into the mood, this rare rainy Rose Parade becomes more than a show. It becomes a hobbyist’s playground, a photographer’s master class, and a beautiful way to start the year.
