One of the biggest films of the year will cast its spell on the next Rose Parade. The 136th annual parade will feature a special Wicked float.

Aptly titled “Defying Gravity,” the Wicked float will feature the film’s main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, posed on either side of the Emerald City of Oz. Created in collaboration with Phoenix Decorating Company, the float features a motion-activated Elphaba, Glinda’s sparkling bubbles, and a shimmering Emerald City.

The float comes in at 55 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 24 feet high, and uses over 76,000 flowers. Check out design details for each aspect of the float below.

Wicked Float Floral Details

Elphaba Design Details

  • Hat and Cape – black seaweed and fine ground onion seed
  • Hair and Nails – black onion powder, curly seaweed, fine ground parsley
  • Dress – black seaweed, onion seed, and light grey lettuce seed
  • Broom – handle crafted from coffee grounds, walnut shell, coco stix, and sisal rope

Glinda Design Details

  • Crown and Wand – white fine cut everlasting and pink strawflower.
  • Dress – pink carnations with detailed bodice and skirt accents.

Emerald City Design Details

  • Constructed with white button mums, Kermit mums, gold flax seed, mung beans, and green split peas
  • Accents of green parsley flakes and brown coffee

Additional Wicked Float Design Details

  • Yellow Brick Road – made with fine cut yellow strawflower
  • Tulip Fields – red, hot pink, lavender, and orange tulips alongside walnut shell paths
  • Sculpted Tulips – dark purple, orange, and yellow strawflowers with green ti leaves
  • Cherry Blossom Trees – shades of pink dendrobs with coffee-colored trunks
  • Grimmerie Books – crafted with redwood bark, sparkles of everlasting, and crème paper bark pages

About the 136th Annual Rose Parade

Also known as the Tournament of the Roses Parade, this event takes place annually on the first day of the new year. The parade stretches for five miles along Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, California, and features floral-covered floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and more.

The 2025 Rose Parade theme is “Best Day Ever!” and will be led by Grand Marshal Billie Jean King.

When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Where: Pasadena, California

Watch: 8am PT / 11am ET on NBC and YouTube

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