Whittier Earth Day celebrations on April 11 (Photo – Kathabela Wilson)
A return of several beloved institutions — the San Gabriel Farmers Market & the Pasadena International Film Festival — anchor a full weekend of independent artists, crafters, musicians and Earth Day celebrants.
By Melanie Hooks
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Pasadena International Film Festival, 2016 (Photo ©ColoradoBlvd.net).
Friday, April 10, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Sierra Madre Senior Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. Bring a lei, flower skirt, or just your desire to dance. (@Memorial Park, Sierra Madre)
1:30 pm – 11:45 pm: Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) Screenings. A diverse slate of more than 160 films from over 12 countries, the eight-day event features a wide range of programming, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, and animated works. (@Laemmle NoHo, North Hollywood)
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Thrive Food Bank Free Farmer’s Market. Volunteer organization offers fresh locally sourced fruits and vegetables to food insecure populations. All welcome. (@Iglesia de Nazareth, Pasadena)
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Monrovia Street Fair and Market takes place every Friday evening in Old Town Monrovia! (@500 Block of Myrtle Ave. between Lemon Avenue and Colorado Boulevard)
6:00 pm: Monrovia Unified Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” Bringing together young artists from Santa Fe Computer Magnet School, Clifton Middle School, Mountain Park, and Centre Stage Inc., this classic rock and roll musical is always a crowd pleaser. (@Clifton Middle School Auditorium, Monrovia)
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: “Living by Design” documentary screening and Q&A. ArtCenter presents a special documentary screening on Bob Gurr, one of the first Disney Imagineers. (@Ahmanson Auditorium, Pasadena)
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Arboretum Library Knitters & Makers. Bring your maker materials, your imagination, fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, etc.), metalwork, or even a book, etc., and hang out outside in the beautiful Arboretum or the Arboretum Library for an evening of botanical inspiration and creativity. (@LA Arboretum, Arcadia)
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: “ICE Out of Alhambra” Event. A weekly event taking place every Friday at the corner of Main Street and Garfield Avenue. Organizers describe the gathering as a show of support for the community and a call to protect neighbors. (@corner of Main St. & Garfield Ave., Alhambra)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Caltech Tai Chi Club. Learn and practice Hao-style tai chi chuan. Additional practice includes Yang-style tai chi, kung fu, and other bare-hand and weapon forms. Free event. (@Hameetman Center, Caltech, Pasadena)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: San Gabriel Valley Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance. Group support. (@600 S. Lake Ave., Suite 200, Pasadena)
A file photo of the San Gabriel Farmers Market, April 2024 (File Photo – Staff)
Saturday, April 4, 2026
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Altadena Cars and Coffee. Cruise into the parking lot of Gelato and enjoy a morning of community around classic autos. (@Bulgarini Gelato, 749 East Altadena Drive, Altadena)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Community Legal Clinic. The Community Legal Clinic, co-sponsored by All Saints Church, is open the second Saturday of every month and will be staffed by experienced attorneys assisting with a variety of legal issues, including housing, family law, bankruptcy/consumer debt, probate, civil matters, public benefits, expungements, and more. (@Jackie Robinson Community Center, Pasadena)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: San Gabriel Farmers Market. Grand Reopening Day of weekly market. In front of the Mission Playhouse and steps from Blossom Market Hall, indulge in a wide variety (over 20 vendors) of fresh local produce, artisan foods, baked goods, flowers, and more. (@outside Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel)
9:30 am & 11:00 am: The Lizard & El Sol. Adapted from Alma Flor Ada’s cherished folktale set in Mexico, this vibrant, bilingual story follows a small but fearless lizard on a quest to bring back the missing sun. A joyful first theater experience for young audiences and a celebration of the light we bring to the world. Free. En español y inglés. (@Playhouse Village Park, Pasadena)
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: L.A. County Sanitation Districts: Earth Day Celebration – Whittier. Visitors can expect a wide range of free, family-friendly attractions, including interactive educational booths, hands-on arts and crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, and food offerings. (@1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier)
1:00 pm: Monrovia Unified Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” Bringing together young artists from Santa Fe Computer Magnet School, Clifton Middle School, Mountain Park, and Centre Stage Inc., this classic rock and roll musical is always a crowd pleaser. (@Clifton Middle School Auditorium, Monrovia)
1:30 pm – 11:45 pm: Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) Screenings. A diverse slate of more than 160 films from over 12 countries, the eight-day event features a wide range of programming, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, and animated works. (@Laemmle NoHo, North Hollywood)
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Second Saturday Sketching at Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum. Celebrate your Saturday afternoon with free art supplies and room to sketch in one of the world’s best art museums. Gather in the lobby for a themed drop-in sketching program, free with paid museum admission. (Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena)
6:00 pm: Monrovia Unified Presents “Bye Bye Birdie” Bringing together young artists from Santa Fe Computer Magnet School, Clifton Middle School, Mountain Park, and Centre Stage Inc., this classic rock and roll musical is always a crowd pleaser. (@Clifton Middle School Auditorium, Monrovia)
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Old Town Monrovia Wine Walk. Guests are invited to visit 12 different wine tastings throughout Old Town Monrovia from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm and pop into businesses along the route for unique finds and local treasures. Guests can begin checking in at 5:00 pm at Library Park and receive their tasting map and included wine glass. (@Old Town, Monrovia)
USC Pacific Asia Museum entrance (Photo – PacificAsiaMuseum)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
8:30 am – 1:00 pm: Alhambra Certified Farmers Market. Find a wide assortment of affordably priced fruits, vegetables, honey, herbs, bread & more from local growers and vendors. (@ 100 South Second Street, Alhambra)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Rose Bowl Flea Market. Every second Sunday of the month, experience over 2,500 vendors full of antiques, vintage clothing, local art, and specialty products. (@Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena)
9:30 am & 11:00 am: The Lizard & El Sol. Adapted from Alma Flor Ada’s cherished folktale set in Mexico, this vibrant, bilingual story follows a small but fearless lizard on a quest to bring back the missing sun. A joyful first theater experience for young audiences and a celebration of the light we bring to the world. Free. En español y inglés. (@Playhouse Village Park, Pasadena)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm: “Convergence” Art Exhibit Features Armenian Experience. With diverse backgrounds, ranging from those born in the United States to immigrants from various regions—these artists contribute a kaleidoscope of individual perspectives that bring the Armenian experience into focus. Continues through August 9. (@Forest Lawn Museum, Glendale)
11:00 am – 5:00 pm: USC Pacific Asia Museum Free Admission. Spanning more than 5000 years of history, USC PAM’s collection objects come from East Asia, South and Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, and the Pacific Islands and their diasporas. (@USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena)
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF) Screenings. A diverse slate of more than 160 films from over 12 countries, the eight-day event features a wide range of programming, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, and animated works. (@Laemmle NoHo, North Hollywood)
Leave a Reply