John Foster Rings in 2026 Like a Champ at the 137th Rose Parade with a Stunning Performance of ‘Jambalaya’

Country crooner John Foster may not have won “American Idol” in 2025, but he’s ringing in 2026 like a champ.

The season 23 runner-up is in Pasadena, California, preparing to perform in the 137th annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day, proudly representing his homestate of Louisiana on a float designed to look like a giant shrimp boat. Here’s how to catch the 19-year-old as he kicks off another exciting year in his music career.

John Foster Has Been Busy Prepping & Playing in California

Foster has been in California for several days to prep for his Rose Parade appearance and take in some sights, posting pics from Warner Bros. Studios lot on December 28.

On the morning of December 30, the singer posted a photo in his Instagram Stories, wearing his signature cowboy hat outside a production tent. Foster wrote, “Good morning from Pasadena! Can you tell what Louisiana dish I had for breakfast? ” Given that it looked like he had splotches of powdered sugar on his shirt, we’re going to guess he enjoyed some beignets!

That makes sense, given that Foster is performing on the “Gulf to Gumbo” float for the state of Louisiana’s tourism marketing campaign, according to the Shreveport Times. The floral float will appear midway through the parade, according to the outlet, and it’s designed to celebrate “those who contribute to the state’s iconic dish,” complete with a shrimp boat, Louisiana seafood, a pelican, and a giant chef cooking up gumbo.

John Foster Says Rose Parade Performance is Among the ‘Biggest Honors’ of His Career

Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told the USA Today Network it was a no-brainer to select Foster for the float, noting, “He really captured the hearts of fans and represents Louisiana in all of the best ways. He’ll be a great headliner.”

Foster told KLFY that as the float makes its way through Pasadena, he’ll be performing Hank Williams Sr.’s hit song “Jambalaya (On the Bayou).” He also told WBRZ that appearing in the parade is “one of the biggest honors I’ve had up to this point in my musical journey.”

That’s saying a lot, given that since coming in second place behind “American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts in May, he’s performed at the Grand Ole Opry multiple times and performed with music icon Elton John at a fundraiser in October.

How to Watch John Foster’s Rose Parade Performance

The Rose Parade follows a five-and-a-half-mile route through Pasadena, California, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

The approximately two-hour parade will be televised on multiple networks — ABC, CNN, Fox, Great American Family, KTLA, NBC, Telemundo and Univision — though all 85 floral foats, equestrian units and musicians may not be broadcast.

However, organizers say every single “unit” involved in the parade will be streamed on eight platforms — Christmas Plus, Dooya, FanDuel Sports Network, Fubo Sports Network, GFam+, Great American Pure Flix, Pluto  TV and Samsung TV Plus — and available to watch in its entirety via TikTok Live.

If you don’t catch Foster in the parade live on TV, press materials say the official livestream will remain available to watch through January 14, 2026, on most platforms.