Roses Got Watered This Year

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Happy New Year! Hope you had a great time at the Rose Parade. I’ve been soaked from the rain for the past two days, but nonetheless, it was a great time. If you missed the Rose Parade, I put together a recap for you.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• My Rose Parade Recap

• Events this Weekend

• Civic News

  • Christmas Tree Recycling Program

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy Birthday Muna! 🎂

🎄THE DIGEST

My Rose Parade Recap

It was a noticeably different parade this year, with steady rain falling for most of the night and much of New Year’s Day. But it did not stop the 137th Rose Parade from happening. It was unique and spectacular, as always!

This year’s parade marked the first time in about 20 years that rain affected the parade route, and it kept the usual overnight camping crowds smaller than normal. I was on Colorado Boulevard the night before for the lululemon Midnight 5K, and it rained through the night and into parade morning. The New Year’s celebration at midnight on Colorado was energetic, a unique experience, and worth getting drenched in the rain for!

The 137th Rose Parade marched down Colorado Boulevard on New Years Day under the theme “The Magic in Teamwork”. Basketball legend Magic Johnson served as Grand Marshal. Despite the weather, the parade featured 43 floats, along with marching bands and equestrian units, all moving through wet streets.

The Sweepstakes Trophy for Most Beautiful Entry went to Cal Poly Universities for “Jungle Jumpstart.” The float was designed, built, and decorated by students from Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and depicted rainforest animals working together to restore an old robot. This year marked the 77th consecutive year the two universities have collaborated on a Rose Parade float.

The parade was presided over by the 107th Rose Queen, Arcadia High School senior Serena Hui Guo, along with members of the Rose Court representing Pasadena and surrounding cities.

Low cloud ceilings canceled the planned B-2 stealth bomber flyover during the parade, but the aircraft did appear later in the afternoon. The bomber flew over the stadium around 3PM during the Rose Bowl Game.

The game itself turned into a surprise result. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 38–3, a lopsided finish to New Year’s Day that capped off a long, rain-soaked day in Pasadena.

I’ll be writing up a long-form coverage on the Rose Parade for the News N’ Roses blog and will include a lot more photos for you to see. Stay Tuned!

📷@sierramadrerosefloat📍Colorado Blvd
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 ☃️WHAT'S HAPPENING

This Weekend

🩰 Holidays @ the Playhouse: Bob Baker’s “Nutcracker”: Experience a charming marionette take on the classic ballet, featuring whimsical characters, detailed sets, and a production that’s become a holiday tradition. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday, January 2 at 4:30PM & 7:30PM | Saturday & Sunday at 10:30AM, 1:30PM & 4:30PM.

✨ Enchanted Forest of Light: Wander through Descanso Gardens after dark as interactive light installations transform the landscape into a glowing nighttime experience. Descanso Gardens | Friday–Sunday, January 2–4 from 5:30PM–10PM

Friday(1/2/26)

🌸 Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase: Get an up-close look at the Rose Parade floats after they roll, with a walk-through display that lets you see the craftsmanship and details from just feet away. Sierra Madre Blvd. & Washington Blvd. | Friday, January 2 from 9AM–5PM

📚 Altadena Library History & Renovation Exhibits: Explore archival photos and memorabilia celebrating the library’s past, then take part in a hands-on zine activity marking its renovation and next chapter. Altadena Library | Friday, January 2 (All Day)

🖼️ Free First Friday at the Norton Simon Museum: Enjoy free admission to the galleries and garden during the museum’s monthly evening hours—no reservations needed. Norton Simon Museum | Friday, January 2 from 4PM–7PM

🎶 The Cookies w/ Allen Hinds, Maxayn Lewis, Bobby Watson & Joel Taylor: Catch a high-energy night of funk and soul as The Cookies bring a powerhouse lineup to the stage. Club 1881 | Friday, January 2 at 8:30PM

💃 The First Social Nights of 2026 w/ Queer Latin Dance LA: Kick off the year with salsa and bachata lessons followed by social dancing in a welcoming, all-ages space. Lumina Academy of Dance | Friday, January 2 from 8:30PM–12AM

Saturday (1/3/26)

🌸 Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase: Get an up-close look at the Rose Parade floats after they roll, with a walk-through display that lets you see the craftsmanship and details from just feet away. Sierra Madre Blvd. & Washington Blvd. | Saturday, January 3 from 9AM–5PM

👶 Baby & Toddler New Year’s Party: Ring in 2026 with crafts, a toddler-friendly obstacle course, goody bags, and a chance to learn about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Altadena Library District | Saturday, January 3 at 10:30AM

📚 Pasadena Conservatory of Music presents Musical Storytime: Wonder Why: Enjoy a kid-friendly morning with storytelling, crafts, creative movement, and a mini-concert inspired by Wonder Why by Lisa Varchol Perron. Vroman’s Bookstore | Saturday, January 3 at 11:30AM

💃 “Happy New Year” Swing Dance with Carl Sonny Leyland & His Boogie Woogie Boys: Kick off the new year with a swing lesson followed by a live band set featuring classic boogie woogie and high-energy dance music. Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association | Saturday, January 3 from 7:30PM–11PM

Sunday (1/4/26)

🏃 Altadena Forever Run: Join the community for a 10K, 5K, or family-friendly 1K run/walk honoring fire survivors and supporting ongoing recovery efforts. Mariposa Junction | Sunday, January 4 at 8AM

❄️ Winter Frolic: Spend the day exploring Kidspace’s winter-themed activities with hands-on play, imaginative experiences, and seasonal fun designed for kids and families. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Sunday, January 4 (All Day)

🕺 New Classes & Dances at PBDA: Kick off a new series of dance classes starting with Jitterbug/East Coast Swing, with plenty of additional styles and sessions offered throughout the week. Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association | Sunday, January 4 at 4:15PM

Save the Date

🔭 Astronomy on Tap: Supermassive Black Holes & Radio Astronomy: Grab a drink and dive into mind-blowing space science with short, engaging talks, live Q&A, pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes. Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena. Monday, January 12 at 7:30PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!

🔔CIVIC NEWS

Christmas Tree Recycling Program

The City just launched its Christmas tree recycling program, with curbside pickup for city refuse customers and limited-hour drop-off sites for everyone else. Here’s the quick breakdown so you don’t waste a trip (or get tagged for doing it wrong).

🌲 Drop-Off Recycling (Today, Jan 2, is the last day)

• Locations: Eaton Blanche Park (Millicent Way lot) & Robinson Park (Morton St lot)

• Hours: 7AM–2PM daily

• Note: Parks stay open later, but recycling staff leave at 2PM

🚛 Curbside Pickup

• Runs Jan 5–Jan 16 on your normal trash day

• Trees must be:

  • Placed at the curb (not alleys)

  • Completely bare — no stands, lights, ornaments, or tinsel

After Jan 16, trees must be cut down to fit inside your green organics bin with the lid closed.

❌ What won’t be recycled

• Flocked / “snowy” trees → black trash bin

• Artificial trees → trash (unless you donate them)

• Holiday lights:

  • Working → donate

  • Broken → take to a S.A.F.E. Center (they’re e-waste)

The program is run by City of Pasadena and applies only to homes with city refuse service. More information on the Christmas Tree recycling program is available here.

❄️NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

64 🌡️ 56 |🌧️35%| 💨 E 5 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 15 (Good)

Saturday

61 🌡️ 55 |🌧️90%| 💨 E 6 mph

Sunday

59 🌡️ 50 |🌧️75%| 💨 SE 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

🎅LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎷 Catalina Combo: Settle in for a night of jazz with Catalina Combo, featuring vocals by Willie McNeil alongside bass and guitar. Edwin Mills | Friday, January 2 from 7PM–11PM

🎶 The Cookies w/ Allen Hinds, Maxayn Lewis, Bobby Watson & Joel Taylor: Catch a high-energy night of funk and soul as The Cookies bring a powerhouse lineup to the stage. Club 1881 | Friday, January 2 at 8:30PM

🎙️ Ed Romero: Enjoy an evening of classic jazz and Great American Songbook favorites as Ed Romero brings decades of musical storytelling to the stage. Edwin Mills | Saturday, January 3 from 7PM–11PM

🎸 Sons of Hermon at Old Towne Pub: Catch a live set from Sons of Hermon for a laid-back night of rootsy, live band energy. Old Towne Pub Pasadena | Saturday, January 3 at 8PM

🎤 Saturday Vocal Jazz Series: Enjoy an intimate hour of live vocal jazz featuring singer Sidney Jacobs. Club 1881 | Saturday, January 3 from 8PM–9PM

🎷 Ken Song: Wind down the weekend with an evening of live jazz led by Ken Song in an intimate setting. Edwin Mills | Sunday, January 4 from 6PM–10PM

🎶 Live Music and Food Popups at Stone Pasadena: Spend the afternoon on the patio with rotating live music and local food popups, perfect for a laid-back weekend hang. Stone Pasadena | Sunday, January 4 from 3PM–5PM

🍾THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who got soaked during the parade.

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