Giant Panda Makes Its Debut at the 136th Rose Parade

The 136th Rose Parade took place on January 1st in Pasadena, California, a city known for its rich history and culture. The “Giant Panda” float made a spectacular appearance and won the top prize for floats.

The Rose Parade, which began in 1890, has become one of the most grand New Year celebrations in the United States, with thousands of people gathering to welcome the arrival of the new year. The theme for the 2025 Rose Parade was “Best Day Ever!” aimed at celebrating the wonderful moments in life that bring surprises and warm our hearts.

Around 8 a.m. local time, a U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bomber flew low over Colorado Boulevard in downtown Pasadena to salute the crowd, and the Rose Parade officially kicked off amidst energetic singing and cheers of “Happy New Year!”

Giant Panda Makes Its Debut At The 136th Rose Parade

In keeping with tradition, a police motorcycle squad adorned with flowers led the parade. Following them, 39 floats decorated with flowers and natural materials, 24 marching bands filled with music and dance, 16 equestrian teams, 7 car teams, and about 90 other performance groups paraded down the 5.5-mile route.

A highlight of this year’s parade was the “Giant Panda” float from the San Diego Zoo. The float featured the first pair of giant pandas to visit the U.S. in over 20 years, “Yun Chuan” and “Xin Bao.” The float, decorated with bamboo and 25,000 fresh flowers, won the top float prize at the 136th Rose Parade.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance stated that this was their fourth consecutive year participating in the Rose Parade. The 2025 float theme, “Friendship Across the Earth,” commemorates the historic moment when giant pandas first arrived in the United States. The giant panda possesses an extraordinary ability to unite people, bringing unwavering friendship and hope to a changing world.