Pasadena to Celebrate 139th Birthday With Art, History, Music, and Cake at Fenyes Gardens

Jeannette Bovard and Brad Macneil at Pasadena’s 138th Birthday celebration (File Photo – W.K.)

Pasadena is turning 139, and the city is marking the milestone with a vibrant, art-filled birthday bash that invites the whole community to get creative, get wet, get musical, and yes, get cake.

By John Boucher

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Pasadena Museum of History will host “Happy Birthday Pasadena: Cake, Paint, & Party!” at the scenic Fenyes Estate Gardens. This free family-friendly event celebrates the city’s history, artistry, and diverse community spirit with a lively lineup of hands-on activities and historical explorations.

Paint, Frame, and Celebrate with the Pasadena Society of Artists

At the heart of the festivities is the Pasadena Society of Artists’ hands-on Watercolor Studio, where artists of all ages and skill levels can pick up a brush and paint their own masterpiece amid the blooming gardens. Visitors can frame their creations in the Art 2 Go Craft Workshop, creating keepsakes that capture the day.

For added artistic inspiration, the PSA’s powerful centennial exhibition, “100 Years – 100 Images,” will be on view, showcasing a century of Pasadena’s creative legacy.

Step Back in Time at the Fenyes Mansion and Finnish Folk Art Museum

Guests can also explore Pasadena’s roots with mini self-guided tours of the 1906 Fenyes Mansion and the historic Finnish Folk Art Museum, featuring artifacts, architecture, and stories from Pasadena’s early days. Highlights include the mansion’s Victorian-era interiors and the Raymond Hotel Clock, a symbol of Pasadena’s high-society past.

Music, Games, Face Paint—and Cake!

Entertainment will be in full swing throughout the afternoon. Sing along with The Jazz Expedition, compete in Pasadena History Trivia and a Scavenger Hunt, and let the kids cool off at Pump and Splash, an interactive water play area.

Little ones can do the Cakewalk for sweet prizes, pose with Fantasy Carousel Figures, or get transformed with designs by Blue Sky Face Painting.

And of course, what’s a birthday without dessert? Stop by Eva’s Sweet Shop for complimentary birthday cake and popcorn.

Whether you’re channeling your inner artist, brushing up on Pasadena history, or just in it for the treats, Happy Birthday Pasadena promises an unforgettable afternoon of celebration, creativity, and community.

Don’t miss it, Pasadena only turns 139 once.