Happy National Marching Band Day! The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Association is thrilled to announce the 19 exceptional bands that will showcase their talents in the upcoming 137th Rose Parade® presented by Honda on January 1, 2026. With band visits by Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens already underway, bands have begun their fundraising efforts to prepare for this monumental event, centered around the theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.”
Leavens personally shared the exciting news with each band, sparking reactions from pure joy to heartfelt tears and everything in between. His genuine commitment to building relationships with these talented musicians shines through, reflecting the spirit of this year’s theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.” Leavens can’t wait to cheer them on as they work together and bring their collective talent to life on the road to the highly anticipated Rose Parade.
Bands from around the world—including Japan and Mexico—will make their way to Pasadena to take part in the iconic Rose Parade, creating lifelong memories as they march down Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards. The 2026 Rose Parade will feature a mix of beloved returning bands and exciting new groups ready to make their mark in Parade history. With such incredible talent on display, it’s no surprise that community support for these performers is stronger than ever!
For details about the bands, we invite you to visit HERE!
Bands are selected by a committee of the Association’s volunteer members based on various criteria, including musicianship, marching ability, and entertainment or special interest value.
Two bands will be added to the lineup when the universities participating in the 112th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential are determined in December.
The 2026 Rose Parade bands are listed below, alphabetically.
| Band | Location | Director | Notable Achievements & Rose Parade History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Eagle Escadrille | Allen, Texas | Dr. Philip A. Obado | One of the largest high school marching bands in the U.S. (~600 members). Sudler Shield recipient and UIL Sweepstakes winner. Previous Rose Parade appearances: 2006, 2016; returning in 2026. |
| Arcadia Apache Marching Band and Color Guard | Arcadia, California | Tom Plunkett, Kevin Sherrill | 19th Rose Parade appearance. Performed at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, Presidential Inaugural Parades, and a 2015 Super Bowl commercial. |
| Bands of America Honor Band | Indianapolis, Indiana | Richard Saucedo | A 300-member national ensemble representing all 50 states. Invited annually by the Rose Parade. Previous appearances: 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2022. |
| Delfines Marching Band | Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico | Jesus Emmanuel Mendoza Gonzalez | Oldest and largest marching band in Veracruz. Fuses traditional and contemporary Mexican music. Featured at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Previous Rose Parade appearances: 2007, 2011, 2015. |
| Franklin High School Marching Band | Franklin, Tennessee | Michael Holland | Five-time Tennessee State Marching Band Champion, Bands of America Regional winner, and Sudler Shield recipient. Performed at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Grand Ole Opry. |
| Greendale High School Marching Band | Greendale, Wisconsin | Tom Reifenberg | A 200-member, no-audition band promoting inclusivity. Notable for community service and large-scale performances. Returning to the Rose Parade after 2020. |
| Homewood Patriot Band | Homewood, Alabama | Chris Cooper | Largest high school marching band in Alabama. First Alabama band to march in the Rose Parade (1984). Sixth appearance: 1984, 2003, 2009, 2014, 2022, 2026. |
| LAUSD—All District High School Honor Band | Los Angeles, California | Anthony L. White | Established in 1973, featuring over 300 students from 75 high schools. Performed at the Super Bowl, World Series, and with artists like Ringo Starr and Jon Batiste. |
| Magnificent Marching Machine (M3) | Baltimore, Maryland | Dr. Jorim E. Reid | Morgan State University’s 150-member ensemble, known for performances at NFL games, Presidential Inaugurations, and international tours. |
| Mino Jiyu Gakuen “Golden Bears” Green Band | Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan | Daisuke Fukusato | Seven-time Gold Medalist at All-Japan Marching Contest. Collaboration with a national championship-winning cheerleading team. Celebrating school’s 100th anniversary. |
| Pasadena City College Herald Trumpets | Pasadena, California | Kevin Brown | Elite 10-member unit announcing the Rose Court since 1930. Performs at Tournament of Roses events year-round. |
| Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band | Pasadena, California | Kyle Luck | “The Official Band of the Tournament of Roses” since 1930. Featured in ESPN commercials, Mariah Carey’s music video, and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” |
| The Band Directors Marching Band | Pickerington, Ohio | Jon Waters | Comprised of music educators from the U.S. and Mexico. Debuted in the 2022 Rose Parade and performed at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. |
| The Pride of Clover Marching Band | Clover, South Carolina | Rick Langdale Jr. | First Rose Parade appearance in 2026. Celebrating 75 years of excellence before Clover High School splits into two schools. |
| The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band | Maryland and Virginia | Evan Figueras | Composed of Salvation Army musicians nationwide, forming a unified ensemble just before the Parade. Represents the organization’s social and religious mission. |
| The Sound of Brownsburg | Brownsburg, Indiana | Chris Kaflik | Established in 1918, a nationally recognized band with performances at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Bands of America Grand Nationals. |
| United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band | Camp Pendleton, California | Gunnery Sergeant Craig Palmer | A combined military band featuring Marines from the 1st Marine Division Band, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, and Marine Band San Diego. |
| CFP Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game Marching Band | TBD | TBD | Performs at all home games, select away games, pep rallies, and concerts. Represents their university with school colors and spirit. |
| CFP Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game Marching Band | TBD | TBD | This university marching band has arrived at its moment—performing along the 5 ½-mile parade route and inside the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium for the CFP Quarterfinal. A day to remember! |
Bands that would like to participate in the 2027 Rose Parade are encouraged to apply through an online application, available now on the Tournament of Roses website: CLICK HERE
