Thursday, October 29, 2026

Question: Pasadena’s Rose Parade has marched almost every New Year’s Day since 1890, but one circumstance, by a rule dating to 1893, will always push it to Jan. 2 instead. What is it?

Answer: When New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. Under the “Never on Sunday” rule, the parade and Rose Bowl Game move to Monday. The tradition began in 1893 to prevent parade festivities from frightening horses tied outside churches and disrupting Sunday services.