Fireworks in the sky on 4th July (Photo – Steven Zhang)
Consider a small museum on a quiet free Friday before diving into America’s 250th birthday celebrations near and far. After the fireworks, or drones, on Saturday night, top off your weekend by sampling as many of the 250 delicious vendors at FoodieLand as you can at the Rose Bowl Stadium. A full and satisfying weekend ahead!
By Melanie Hooks
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Enjoy Rembrandt’s self-portrait at Norton Simon Museum’s Free Day (Photo – nortonsimonmuseum)
Friday, July 3, 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)
3:00 pm – 10:00 pm: FoodieLand Pasadena. FoodieLand is the nation’s largest food festival, uniting local talent, small businesses, and deliciousness. Over 250 vendors will be onsite providing global flavors, artisan shops, games, and live music. (@Rose Bowl Stadium, 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)
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Norton Museum Free Admission Day. Take advantage of the monthly late afternoon free admission into this world-class home of Old Masters and modern visionaries alike. (@Norton Simon Museum, 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)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: CANCELLED FOR HOLIDAY: 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: Monthly Queer Social at SGVLGBTQ Center is an opportunity for folks across the San Gabriel Valley to gather and enjoy a night of music, community, and good vibes. Dress code: Fabulous! (@SGVLBGTQ Center, El Monte)
Fireworks at the Crescenta Valley High School campus (Photo – Kayleigh Scott)
Saturday, July 4, 2026
7:00 am – 9:00 pm: City of San Marino Fourth of July Celebration and Parade. Gates open at 7:00 am, followed by the 8:00 am JP Blecksmith Fun Run, food booths and games, the community parade at 4:45 pm, music by the Motown band Stone Soul from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and concluding with patriotic songs & fireworks at 8:45 pm. (@Lacy Park, San Marino)
8:00 am – 12:30 pm: Pasadena Certified Farmers Market at Victory Park features direct produce sales and goods from growers. Special celebrations for the holiday. (@Victory Park, Pasadena)
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 – 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)
9:30 am – 11:30 am: Celebrate America’s 250th with Pancakes. Altadena’s annual Pepper Drive Independence Day Parade returns on Saturday, July 4, celebrating one of the neighborhood’s longest-running traditions and its second year back since the Eaton Fire.. (@Corner of Pepper Drive and Glen Canyon)
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Altadena’s 4th of July Parade. This celebration features a full breakfast of hotcakes, bacon, sausage and eggs — just the kind of breakfast consumed by our country’s founding fathers. The event will also feature fun music and good fellowship. (@Pasadena Senior Center)
11:00 am: Pasadena’s Fourth of July Parade. Spend your Independence Day in the Madison Heights neighborhood of Pasadena. The neighborhood’s annual 4th of July parade will be led by this year’s Grand Marshall, Fire Chief Chad Augustin. (begins@Euclid Ave & Fillmore)
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm: FoodieLand Pasadena. FoodieLand is the nation’s largest food festival, uniting local talent, small businesses, and deliciousness. Over 250 vendors will be onsite providing global flavors, artisan shops, games, and live music. (@Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena)
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm: City of Alhambra Fourth of July. Attendees can enjoy food, games, and live entertainment throughout the evening before the celebration concludes with a fireworks show at 9:00 pm. (@Almansor Park, Alhambra)
4:00 pm – 10:30 pm: La Crescenta-Montrose 4th of July: Mary Dyer Band and Fireworks Show. Popular local cover band Mary Dyer (which doesn’t actually contain anyone named Mary Dyer) headlines the sunset show that also features fireworks. Grounds open at 4:00 pm with food vendors and more. (@Crescenta Valley High School)
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Monrovia Independence Concert and Fireworks Show. Enjoy live music, entertainment, dancing, and a fireworks show. (@Library Park)
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: City of Arcadia Fourth of July. This free, family-friendly event will feature live music by The Answer on the main stage and a local youth band in the kid’s area, free carnival games, friendly competitions, food concessions, community booths, and a patriotic drone show. (@Santa Anita Park, Arcadia)
6:30 pm: Arthur Blair Historic Inn Grand Opening Charity Soirée. The Arthur Blair Historic Inn, 508 S. Ivy Ave., Monrovia, will celebrate the completion of its restoration with a Grand Opening Charity Soirée. The event will feature self-guided tours of the restored property, refreshments, and live chamber music. (@508 S. Ivy Ave, Monrovia)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm: South Pasadena Independence Day Fireworks Show. The evening celebration begins with gates opening at 7:00 pm. A live concert is scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, followed by a fireworks show at 9:00 pm. (@South Pasadena High School Stadium)
Patrons at FoodieLand Pasadena (Photo – Eventbrite)
Sunday, July 5, 2026
8:00 am – 3:00 pm: Pasadena City College Flea Market is known primarily for selling antiques and collectibles, with the products varying from high-end antiques to rummage sale-type items. Over 400 vendors to browse. (@East & West parking lots, Pasadena City College)
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)
1:00 pm – 10:00 pm: FoodieLand Pasadena. FoodieLand is the nation’s largest food festival, uniting local talent, small businesses, and deliciousness. Over 250 vendors will be onsite providing global flavors, artisan shops, games, and live music. (@Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena)
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