What To Do This Weekend: January 9-11, 2026

Crowd raising their cell-phone flashlights for a 1-minute, 19-second silence commemorating the victims of the fire (Photo – W.K.)

Find meaning with community at both modern and classic film screenings, classic car gatherings, and candlelit vigils. Meet the 2026 Rose Court and get in touch with your body and soul through tai chi, mahjong, evensong and even scientific inquiry.

Enjoy the San Gabriel Valley’s diverse offerings this weekend.

By Melanie Hooks

Click on highlighted event titles for more information.

The Gold Rush, courtesy of Janus Films, © Roy Export SAS

Friday, January 9, 2026

10:00 – 11:00 am: Sierra Madre Senior Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class, Memorial Park. 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)

11:00 am – 9:30 pm: Ashes to Film Festival in Cypress Park. Founded by filmmaker Shiloh Strong after losing her home to Santa Barbara fires in 2009, the festival features works by those impacted directly by fire, including Eaton Fire survivors. (Huron Substation, Los Angeles)

4:30 – 6:15 pm Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” (1925) Screening at Norton Simon. Writer/director/composer and star Charlie Chaplin charts a prospector’s search for fortune in the Klondike and his discovery of romance (Georgia Hale). Included with museum admission. (@Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena)

5:00 – 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)

7:00 – 9:00 pm: San Gabriel Valley Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, Group support. (@600 S. Lake Ave., Suite 200 Pasadena CA 91106)

7:00 – 9:00 pm: Caltech Tai Chi Club. Free Hao-style tai chi chuan instruction, beginners welcome. Street, lot and structure parking available & free on-campus after 5:00 pm. (@Hameetman Center, Caltech, Pasadena)

2026 Rose Court: Riya Gupta, Serena Guo, Keiko Rakin, Olivia Hargrove, Sophia Ren, Naira Wadley, Livia dePaula (Photo – TOR)

Saturday, January 10, 2026

8:00 am – 2:00 pm: Altadena Cars and Coffee Fundraiser. Cruise into the parking lot of Gelato and enjoy a full day of raffles, delicious food and beer garden while raising money for your neighbors. (@Bulgarini Gelato, 749 East Altadena Drive, Altadena)

9:00 am – 11:00 am: Sierra Madre Remembers and Honors Eaton Fire Heroes and Community. The Sierra Madre community will come together to honor the bravery, resilience, and unwavering collaboration displayed during the Eaton Fire at a special commemoration event hosted by the newly re-established Sierra Madre Fire Safe Council. (@Sierra Madre Fire Station, Sierra Madre)

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Community Legal Clinic at Robinson Community Center. Public Counsel and the City of Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department present Community Legal Clinic and Homelessness Prevention Legal Clinic providing free legal services to low-income individuals and families. (@Jackie Robinson Community Center, Pasadena)

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: San Gabriel Oil Filter Exchange. Bring in a used oil filter and receive new one for free. Also recycle up to five gallons of motor oil. (@O’Reilly Auto Parts, 965  E. Las Tunas Blvd, Sierra Madre)

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Altadena Poets Laureate Host “New Year, New Myths” Workshop With Elline Lipkin. Explore the myths surrounding fresh starts and new beginnings in a free poetry workshop with acclaimed poet Elline Lipkin. (@Bob Lucas Branch Library, Altadena)

11:00 am – 4:00 pm: DENA Relief: One Year of Impact. A family-friendly community celebration honoring a year of resilience, care, and collective action. Live bands and food for sale will continue the fundraising efforts with resources available for fire survivors. (@See Event’s Description for location details.)

11:00 am – 9:30 pm: Ashes to Film Festival in Cypress Park. Founded by filmmaker Shiloh Strong after losing her home to Santa Barbara fires in 2009, the festival features works by those impacted directly by fire, including Eaton Fire survivors. (Huron Substation, Los Angeles)

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: “ICE Out for Good” Rally. A coalition of community members and advocacy groups will gather for a rally: “ICE Out For Good – Pasadena, CA and Surrounding Foothill Communities.” (@Garfield Ave. and Colorado Blvd.)

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Japanese Mahjong Meet-up in Monterey Park. Learn the basics Japanese style mahjong. No prior experience needed. Geared towards adults (ages 18-40) who want to play in a fun, low-pressure environment. (@Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library)

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Pasadena Library Hosts ‘Royalty & Tea’ with the 2026 Rose Court. The Rose Queen and Court will share their recent experiences, read royalty‑themed stories, and be available for photos. Recommended for ages 12 and under. (@Hastings Branch Library, Pasadena)

2:00 pm: Community Yoga & Healing Gathering. Join a gentle, beginner-friendly yoga gathering as we honor the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire. See event listing for advance registration. (@Santa Catalina Branch Library, Pasadena)

2:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Grit & Courage Celebration in Pasadena Village. Enjoy free wine, eats, and live flamenco & cello music, open mic and poetry all afternoon and evening to celebrate community resilience. (@Monopole WineRX, 21 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101)

7:30 pm: Amelia Hogan & The Flight Crew Bring Celtic Tunes to Pasadena. Enjoy range of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and American traditions in a live concert. Amelia also plays bodhran and a small 22 string Welsh lap harp (@Knox Presbyterian Church, Pasadena)

Huron Substation, location of Ashes to Film Festival (Photo – Ashes to Film Festival)

Sunday, January 11, 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: Dr. Lucy Jones Leads Forum on Science & Faith for Resilience. Disaster scientist Dr. Jones leads All Saints Forum, “Science & Faith as Tools for Resilience & Recovery,” an exploration of the social science behind music, joy, and community as powerful resources for healing after disaster. (@All Saints Church, Pasadena)

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)

11:00 am – 5:00 pm: USC Pacific Asia Museum Free Admission. Enjoy free admission every second Sunday of the month to inspiring encounters with the art, history and culture of Pacific Asia. (@USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena)

11:00 am – 9:30 pm: Ashes to Film Festival in Cypress Park. Founded by filmmaker Shiloh Strong after losing her home to Santa Barbara fires in 2009, the festival features works by those impacted directly by fire, including Eaton Fire survivors. (Huron Substation, Los Angeles)

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Pasadena Workshop Reignites Ancient Fire Skills. A hands-on experience rooted in ancestral knowledge and seasonal renewal. Register ahead. (@ Hahamongna Watershed Park, Pasadena)

5:00 pm: Climate Evensong at All Saints Church. A special evensong opportunity to gather in lament for the losses in the fires, to gather in hope for the resilience of the ongoing recovery, and to gather in commitment to action to reverse the damage to our world with reception afterwards. (@All Saints Church, Pasadena)

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Candlelit Vigil Marking One Year Since Eaton Fire. A candlelit remembrance honoring the Altadena community’s grief and resilience is scheduled at the burned site of the Altadena Town & Country Club. (@ 5400 N. Lake Ave)