Black History Festival, 2025 (File Photo – City of Pasadena)
San Gabriel Valley celebrates Black History Month, Lunar New Year (the first time for the Fire Horse in 60 years), Rare Books from around the world, music, the arts and more. Get into the rousing spirit this weekend!
By Melanie Hooks
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Bridget “Biddy” Mason (Photo – UCLA Digital Archives)
Friday, February 20, 2026
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Free Produce Distribution at Pasadena Senior Center. Fresh vegetables available every Third Friday of the month from 9:00 am to 10:30 am (while supplies last), courtesy of The Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. (@Pasadena Senior Center, Pasadena)
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)
4:00 pm: Celebrating the Life of Early LA Black Leader Bridget “Biddy” Mason. A one-woman show for ages 5+ embodying the incredible life story of “Biddy” Mason, born enslaved and who won her freedom in a landmark California court case. Join in a celebration of resilience, community, and empowerment. (@La Pintoresca Library, Pasadena)
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)
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm: A Special Evening with British Comedian & Author Eric Idle. Rare Books LA hosts the legendary actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, screenwriter, playwright, and bibliophile as the opening event for its Rare Books Pasadena weekend. (@Pasadena Heritage Blinn House, Pasadena)
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: “ICE Out of Alhambra” Event. Weekly event taking place every Friday. (@the corner of Main Street and Garfield Avenue, 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)
8:00 pm: Five Shows, One Weekend: A Lunar New Year Celebration in Sierra Madre. A weekend full of Asian American artistry packs the Playhouse, kicking off Friday night at 8:00 pm with Jett Kwong, experimental pop artist and culminating in a Sunday 4:00 pm performance by the Vietnamese American Thủy Vân Dance Company. (@Sierra Madre Playhouse, Sierra Madre)
Black History Festival (L) Grand Marshal Walt Butler. (R) Community Grand Marshals Dell and Dudley Stewart (Photos – City of Pasadena)
Saturday, February 21, 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: Lunar New Year Community Bike Ride. Join other riders to support Lotus Rising LA (Eaton Fire recovery charity) for their second annual community bike ride. (@Around the Cycle, Pasadena)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Pasadena Black History Festival at Robinson Park. The popular festival car show will take place alongside an expanded array of activities designed to honor Pasadena’s rich African American history and cultural heritage. (@Robinson Park, Pasadena)
10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Rare Books Pasadena. The sold-out two-day event welcomes booksellers and bibliophiles from around the world to share their love of antiquarian books, fine prints, maps, and ephemera. (@Raymond Theatre, Pasadena)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Altadena Poets Laureate: To Submit or Not, and Where, and When with Lynne Thompson. This interactive workshop will help poets navigate the world of literary submissions by offering practical tips for organizing their work, finding the right markets, and exploring opportunities that can support their path to publication. (@Loma Alta Park, Altadena)
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Paint Like Alma Thomas Workshop. Learn about abstract artist and teacher Alma Thomas, then create your own art piece inspired by her paintings! For all ages. Registration required. (@San Gabriel Library, San Gabriel)
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Third @First Concert: The Belrose Duo Plays Romantic Favorites. Free concert on 3rd Sat of the month. David Garrett (cello) and Junko Ueno Garrett (piano) offer the beloved Rachmaninov Sonata and favorite encore pieces. (@First United Methodist Church, Pasadena)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Free JazzZone Performance at San Gabriel’s Blossom Market Hall. A free public performance, sponsored as part of Black History Month, which focuses on the African American heritage of blues and jazz music. (@Blossom Hall Market, San Gabriel)
Healing Blue (Photo – Lineage)
Sunday, February 22, 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)
10:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Rare Books Pasadena. The sold-out two-day event welcomes booksellers and bibliophiles from around the world to share their love of antiquarian books, fine prints, maps, and ephemera. (@Raymond Theatre, Pasadena)
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Healing Blue Performance: Lineage Dance Celebrates Cancer Journey Stories. Each year Lineage brings new women’s stories to light as well as the choreography that has been inspired by their words. (@Lineage Performing Arts Center, Pasadena)
7:00 pm:LA Children’s Chorus Marks 40 Years with “Every Child Sings” Benefit Concert. Featuring more than 200 children, the LA Children’s Chorus will join with its own Alumni Celebration Choir to benefit their music education programs and need-based scholarship fund. (@Zipper Hall, Los Angeles)
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