4th of July Festival of Balloons: Unity in Community
Celebrate Independence Day at the beloved Festival of Balloons in South Pasadena. This year’s theme, Unity in Community: One Nation, One Neighborhood, emphasizes local pride and togetherness.
Schedule of Events
- 7:00 a.m. – Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, South Pasadena Fire Station (817 Mound Ave.)
- 10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremony, Library Community Room (1115 El Centro St.)
- 11:00 a.m. – Parade begins at Diamond Ave. and proceeds to Garfield Park
- 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Family fun at Garfield Park: games, DJ, and food
- 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Concert by Faultline
- 9:00 p.m. – Fireworks Show, South Pasadena High School Stadium (1401 Fremont Ave.)
Ticket Info: Presale ($15) ends July 4 at 6:00 p.m. at southpasadenaca.gov/events. At the gate: $20. Children under 2 enter free.
For details, call (626) 403-7380 or email [email protected].
Summer Concerts in the Park
Held at Garfield Park (1000 Park Avenue), Concerts in the Park are free and family-friendly. Bring a picnic and enjoy the evening music.
Upcoming Performances
- July 27 – ACME Time Machine
- August 3 – Soul3Sixty
- August 17 – Live from Earth: Pat Benatar & Beyond
Concerts run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Shakespeare in the Park Returns
Presented in partnership with Shakespeare by the Sea, enjoy classic performances under the stars at Garfield Park.
- July 19 at 7:00 p.m. – Julius Caesar
- July 20 at 7:00 p.m. – As You Like It
Admission is free. For more info, contact the Recreation Division at (626) 403-7380.
South Pasadena Public Library Summer Programs
2025 Summer Reading Program
Running through August 2, the Summer Reading Program offers events, prizes, and reading fun for all ages. Visit southpasadenaca.gov/srp for schedules.
Wonderful Wednesdays
Free family-friendly performances every Wednesday in July:
- July 2 – Anime Your Way with Carlos Nieto
- July 9 – Bubblemania*
- July 16 – The Sunshine Storyteller
- July 23 – Joy of Music with Craig Newton
- July 30 – Wild Wonders: A Walk on the Wild Side*
(*Programs with an asterisk take place in the Library Community Room.)
Today’s Wild West with Mark Bedor
- Date: Saturday, July 12
- Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Library Community Room
Storytimes
- Preschool: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Toddler: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
- Family: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., outside on Oxley Street side
Public Works and Environmental Events
Free Home Energy Reviews
Book a 30–45 minute energy efficiency consultation with SGVCOG’s eSGV Program. In-person or virtual options available. Details at sgvcog.org/esgv.
Household Hazardous & E-Waste Collection
- Date: July 19
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: San Gabriel (Drive-thru format)
Used Motor Oil Filter Exchange
- Date: Saturday, July 12
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Location: O’Reilly Auto Parts, 800 E. Valley Blvd, Alhambra
Water Conservation Rebates
Visit southpasadenaca.gov/Rebates or email [email protected].
2026 Rose Parade Float Design Revealed
The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee unveiled its float design, The Great Picnic Heist, for the 2026 Rose Parade. Designed by Renee Hoss-Johnson, the float brings the theme “The Magic in Teamwork” to life with a whimsical tale of ants and a sleepy bear.
The community can see the float chassis in the Festival of Balloons Parade on July 4. Volunteers can join the build crew starting mid-July. Deco squad sign-ups open September 15 at www.sptor.org.
City Council Meetings
City Council meetings take place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, 1424 Mission Street. Attend in person or via Zoom. Next meeting: July 16, 2025.
Now Hiring: Join Team South Pas
The City of South Pasadena is hiring for multiple full-time and part-time roles including:
- CIP Program Manager & Analyst
- Public Works Superintendent
- Accounting Manager & Senior Accountant
- Senior Human Resources Analyst
Apply now at southpasadenaca.gov/jobs.
For all events and services, visit southpasadenaca.gov or follow @SouthPasadena on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
