Students at Trabuco Hills High School can start getting their passports ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Saddleback Valley Unified School District campus’ award-winning instrumental music program received an official invitation to perform in the 2026 London New Year’s Day Parade, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary. The parade, with a global audience of millions, will feature more than 8,000 performers from around the world.
Bob Bone, founder of the London New Year’s Day Parade, visited the Mission Viejo campus to personally deliver the invitation. A red carpet welcome and a performance by the Trabuco Hills band marked the occasion, highlighting the school’s nationally recognized ensemble, known for earning multiple Grand Champion titles in the Western Band Association Championships and other major events.
“We only wanted the very best marching bands, fitting for our 40th Anniversary,” said Bone. “And Trabuco Hills High School certainly fit the bill. We are enormously proud of reaching such a significant milestone, and the global attention and affection that the event now receives.”
In addition to performing in the parade, students will have the chance to explore London’s rich history and culture through an educational program that includes visits to museums and historic landmarks.
The parade will be broadcast live globally — including in the U.S. on PBS — and is expected to attract millions of viewers worldwide.
Watch the brief video above, produced by OCDE’s Media Services team.