See Louisiana Come to Life in the Rose Parade

Louisiana will roll in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, bringing the magic of the bayou to screens across the world. This year's theme is “The Magic in Teamwork,” and our float celebrates all those who contribute to one of our favorite dishes — gumbo. “Gulf to Gumbo” features a shrimp boat, fresh Louisiana seafood and a larger-than-life pelican chef bringing it all together. Providing the mid-parade entertainment will be rising country singer and “American Idol” runner-up John Foster, a Louisiana native.

On New Year's Day 2025, an alligator draped in Mardi Gras beads with a pelican standing at attention on its snout made its way down a Pasadena street. The gator carried a Cajun dance hall with live performers on its back, the pots of boiled seafood surrounding them symbolizing the food and music of a “Louisiana Saturday Night,” as rising country star and LSU student Timothy Wayne belted out the tune.

Since 2022, the Louisiana Office of Tourism has brought volunteers, musicians and artists together to showcase the state’s spirit at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, celebrating the culture that makes Louisiana unforgettable — and inviting the world to experience it.

Parades are a staple in Louisiana, and for the fifth year in a row, the Louisiana Office of Tourism is set to bring the state’s signature flair to the 137th Rose Parade, broadcast around the world on Jan. 1, 2026. Participation in the parade drives awareness of Louisiana as a vacation destination to the 800,000 spectators along the parade route, as well as the millions watching from home.

First held on New Year’s Day 1890 as a local event featuring horse-drawn carriages bedecked with blooms, the parade today features floats that are on the cutting edge of design. Though the floats are professionally designed, they’re decorated by volunteers in the days before the parade, with every float covered in flowers, leaves and other natural materials in honor of the parade’s history. (In 2025, volunteers spent more than 80,000 hours building and decorating floats for the Rose Parade!)

Learn about volunteering for the Rose Parade.

Previous Louisiana floats featured a riverboat and a court jester, with entertainment including country singer and Baskin native Lainey Wilson, zydeco accordionist Sean Ardoin, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw, “American Idol” winner Laine Hardy and the Hot 8 Brass Band.

Louisiana has been honored to receive an award each year it has participated in the Rose Parade:

• 2025 Director Award for outstanding artistic design and creative use of both floral and non-floral materials
• 2024 Showmanship Award for outstanding display of entertainment and showmanship
• 2023 Showmanship Award for outstanding display of entertainment and showmanship
• 2022 Wrigley Legacy Award for the most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment

Want to get involved and see the floats before they make their parade debut? The Louisiana Office of Tourism welcomes all who are interested to join the fun!

Mid-Parade Entertainment

For the fifth year in a row, Louisiana will provide mid-parade entertainment — this year with John Foster, a country singer and songwriter from Addis, Louisiana. Known for his rich, classic sound and honest songwriting, and as the American Idol Season 23 runner-up, Foster has quickly become one of country music’s most promising young voices. 

A co-valedictorian of Brusly High School, John has always taken pride in hard work, both on and off the stage. Along the way, he’s been mentored by incredible artists, including Miranda Lambert, Josh Groban, Jelly Roll, James Taylor and Fantasia.

Foster made his Grand Ole Opry debut to a standing ovation and has since been scheduled for five more performances on country music’s biggest stage. He’s also shared the bill with Opry greats like Carrie Underwood, Mark Wills, John Conlee and Bill Anderson.

With a voice that honors the legends and songs that tell real stories, he’s paving his own path while keeping the spirit of traditional country alive.

Visit www.johnfmusic.com and follow @officialjohnfoster for music, tour dates, and updates.