Country/folk artist Dave Barnes headlines the free Levitt VIBE Pasadena concert Saturday, July 18 (Photo – levittvibepasadenamusicseries.com)
Whether you go highbrow with Shakespeare, lowbrow with rock-god impersonators, or fully retro with a 1940s cabaret over Italian food, you’re sure to find something fun out in the community this warm summer weekend in the San Gabriel Valley.
By Melanie Hooks
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Friday, July 17, 2026
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Free Produce Distribution at Pasadena Senior Center. Fresh vegetables available every Third Friday of the month (while supplies last), courtesy of The Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. (@Pasadena Senior Center)
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 – 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)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Opening Reception for LA’s Garden Exhibition. LA’s Garden curator Rosten Woo will be on hand at the free opening to chat and answer questions about the exhibit, which traces the transformation of Descanso Gardens from a native oak woodland to a living museum. (@Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge)
7:00 pm: Alhambra Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park. The free concert features an 80s vs 90s musical contest. (@Alhambra Park Bandshell)
7:00 pm: Pasadena Movies in the Park. The movie Spongebob will play outdoors at Washington Park at this free family night. Bring your own blankets and picnic. (Villa Parke, Pasadena)
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: DBSA San Gabriel Valley Support Alliance. The San Gabriel Valley Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance helps attendees fight isolation with support groups, which can change the gene expression that triggers Bipolar Disorder and Depression. (@See event description for location, Pasadena)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Toots McApplesauce Brings Music and Mischief to South Pasadena. Susan Sassi as her alter ego presents Only Slightly Misbehaving, bringing together live music, character comedy, audience interaction, and a touch of old‑Hollywood glamour. (@Visionarium Live Italian, South Pasadena)
8:00 pm: Sierra Madre “Movies in the Park” Screening. Bring your own picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs for a family-friendly evening and screening of Zootopia 2. (@Memorial Park, Sierra Madre)
The rock god impersonating group Past Action Heroes (Photo – pastactionheroes.com/)
Saturday, July 18, 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)
8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Pasadena Certified Farmers Market at Victory Park features direct produce sales and goods from growers. . (@Victory Park, Pasadena)
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Descanso Gardens Community Service Day. Volunteer in the garden and be part of the living legacy and current garden projects. (@Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: San Gabriel Farmers 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)
11:00 am: Pasadena Conservatory of Music at Gamble House. Caregivers and children aged 3-9 are invited to enjoy story time, creative movement, and a mini-concert. Museum admission is separate. Saturday’s story will be This is the Moment by Micah Player. (@Gamble House, Pasadena)
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Pasadena Obon Festival. Obon odori is to dance for joy. Everyone is invited to join in, dance and be accepted as they are. This year’s festival features food, cultural exhibitions and live music. (@Pasadena Buddhist Temple)
6:00 pm: Levitt VIBE Pasadena Music Series, free and open to all ages, continues with country/folk act Dave Barnes. Dave has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, NEEDTOBREATHE, Billy Currington, and countless more. (@Memorial Park Bandshell, Pasadena)
7:00 pm: Alhambra Concerts in the Park. The family-favorite movie Lilo & Stitch begins at dusk, following the kids’ concert pre-show at 7:00 pm (@Alhambra Park Bandshell)
7:00 pm: Altadena Concerts in the Park. This week features Past Action Heroes. From rock anthems to pop classics to funky R&B, Past Action Heroes covers all the bases and then some with high-energy stage presence and flashy costumes. They bring new life to these beloved classics, making them feel fresh and exciting all over again. (@Loma Alta Park, Altadena)
7:00 pm: South Pasadena Shakespeare in the Park. Every year, the California group Shakespeare by the Sea chooses one play and tours as many summer parks as possible, performing for free but accepting donations. This year, come enjoy their wickedly good trouble of the Scottish play, known to the brave as Macbeth. (@Garfield Park, South Pasadena)
The creative team behind Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s Choo Choo Revue take the stage Sunday (Photo – BBMT)
Sunday, July 19, 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)
9:30 am: Altadena Walk Club. The group will meet at Unincorporated Coffee before heading out on a light neighborhood walk featuring a new route. Participants will loop back to the café afterward for coffee and conversation. (@Unincorporated Coffee Roasters, Altadena)
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Free Wellness Sundays at One Colorado. One Colorado invites you to soothing wellness activities on the third Sunday morning of each month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the second-level office space at 35 Hugus Alley, Suite 200 (@One Colorado, Pasadena)
4:30 pm: Bob Baker Marionette Theater Choo Choo Revue Talkback. The talkback and conversation is hosted by Rody N. Lopez, Executive Director of Craft Contemporary. He’ll be discussing how BBMT makes a new puppet show with a talented team, the same that has brought the first new show to its stage in 40 years. (@BBMT, Highland Park)
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: 2026 Sierra Madre Summer Concerts in the Park. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners to enjoy the shows in a relaxed outdoor setting. The Smokin 60’s will be performing. (@Memorial Park Bandshell, Sierra Madre)
7:00 pm: South Pasadena Shakespeare in the Park. Every year, the California group Shakespeare by the Sea chooses one play and tours as many summer parks as possible, performing for free but accepting donations. This year, come enjoy their wickedly good trouble of the Scottish play, known to the brave as Macbeth. (@Garfield Park, South Pasadena)
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