Happy Halloween Pasadena

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Chocolate was once used as currency by the Mayans and Aztecs. These days, it’s the gold standard of trick-or-treating economics.

Happy Halloween and Feliz Día de Los Muertos!

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Octavia Fest 2025: Pasadena Honors a Literary Legend

• UCLA Wants to Leave the Rose Bowl

• Events this Weekend

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)! It’s JPL’s 89th birthday!

🎃THE DIGEST

Octavia Fest 2025: Pasadena Honors a Literary Legend

Pasadena’s own Octavia E. Butler — the groundbreaking science fiction author who redefined what the future could look like — is getting the hometown celebration she deserves.

Starting Nov. 8, the monthlong Octavia Fest 2025 will bring together art, music, storytelling, and “collective dreaming” across Pasadena and Altadena, all inspired by Butler’s imagination and social vision.

Expect everything from a bike ride retracing her Pasadena roots to interactive visioning sessions, youth readings, and even an Afrofuturistic roller disco that sounds straight out of one of her novels.

Organized by Big Bowl of Ideas in partnership with local favorites like Octavia’s Bookshelf, Active SGV, and Pasadena NAACP, the festival aims to celebrate creativity, justice, and the power of imagining better futures — just as Butler always did.

For more information on Octavia Fest and events, click here.

UCLA Wants to Leave the Rose Bowl

In news that feels like a breakup no one saw coming, UCLA has reportedly told Pasadena it’s ready to “move on” from playing at the Rose Bowl — ending a century-long relationship that’s older than most rivalries (and some grandparents).

The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company aren’t taking it lightly. They’ve filed a lawsuit accusing UCLA of breaking its lease, which runs through 2044, and of walking away from decades of tradition, taxpayer investments, and, well, memories.

UCLA allegedly wants to pack up and head to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — which, to be fair, is closer to campus but a lot harder to romanticize. Pasadena’s attorneys called it a “profound betrayal of trust and tradition,” and the city’s demanding that UCLA honor the deal.

In short: it’s not just about football. It’s about legacy, pride, and a stadium that’s seen more history than any jumbotron ever will. Stay tuned — this one’s bound to get dramatic.

NEWSN_ROSES

📷@nasajpl📍Pasadena, CA. “JPL’s birthday falls on Halloween, so we take our costume game very seriously. Check out one of our favorite spacey costumes from the early years”

Tag @newn_roses to get your photos in New N’ Roses!

WHAT’S HAPPENING👻

All Weekend

• 🌿 2025 Fall Plant Sale: Celebrate the season at The Huntington’s annual Fall Plant Sale, featuring succulents, natives, roses, and more—everything you need to refresh your garden before winter. 10AM–5PM.

• 🤖 2025 Hackaday Superconference: The ultimate meetup for hardware hackers and makers returns! Join the Hackaday community at Supplyframe DesignLab for three days of hands-on workshops, inventive projects, and inspiring talks. Starts at 10AM.

Friday

• 👻 Family Halloween Bingo Party: Dress up and join the Pasadena Public Library for a spooky-fun round of Halloween Bingo, complete with creepy photo ops and prizes for lucky winners. Friday, October 31 from 4–5PM.

• 🍬 Halloween Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating & Family Pics!: Bring the whole family to Old Pasadena for a night of candy-filled fun! Enjoy store-to-store trick-or-treating, Halloween photo ops, and an outdoor silent screening of Dracula under the stars. Friday, October 31 from 4–8PM.

• 💀 Haunted Pasadena: Take a spooky stroll through Pasadena’s haunted history as you explore eerie alleys, old theatres, and ghostly tales that still linger in the City of Roses. Friday, October 31 at 6:30PM.

• 🏈 78th Annual Turkey Tussle Football Game: The Pasadena High Bulldogs face off against the John Muir Mustangs in this iconic hometown rivalry at the Rose Bowl—fighting for bragging rights and the legendary Victory Bell. Friday, October 31 at 7PM.

• 🎨 Friday Night Fun – Pasadena Paint Nite with Boozy Pigments: Sip, paint, and unwind at the Hilton Pasadena with Boozy Pigments for a fun night of creativity, music, and good vibes—perfect for teens and adults alike. Friday, October 31 at 7:30PM.

Saturday

• 🍎 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh and local at this beloved Saturday market, featuring California-grown produce, farm-fresh goods, and tasty finds straight from the source. Saturday, November 1 from 8AM–12PM.

• 🐦 Bimonthly Bird Sit with Pasadena Audubon: Start your morning in peaceful observation at Arlington Garden—join Pasadena Audubon for a quiet hour of mindful birdwatching among warblers, hummingbirds, and hawks. Saturday, November 1 at 8:30AM.

• 🎨 Creative Arts Group Annual Art Festival: Explore a vibrant weekend of creativity in Sierra Madre, featuring more than 50 artists showcasing original works across every medium at this beloved community art festival. Saturday, November 1 at 10AM.

• 💐 Día de los Muertos Ofrenda – Altar on Display: Visit the Altadena Main Library’s community altar and add a photo or memento to honor loved ones as part of this heartfelt Día de los Muertos tradition. Saturday, November 1 (All day).

• 🐾 Best Friends’ Super Adoption: Meet hundreds of adorable dogs and cats looking for their forever homes at this heartwarming festival filled with food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and family fun. Saturday, November 1 from 10AM–4PM.

• 🌼 Día de los Muertos at Kidspace: Celebrate life and remembrance at Kidspace’s Día de los Muertos festival with music, dance, art, and a community ofrenda honoring loved ones and pets. Saturday, November 1 (All day).

• 🌾 Annual Shoya House Rice Harvest: Experience the art of rice harvesting at The Huntington’s Japanese Heritage Shōya House, with hands-on activities like bundling and threshing, plus guided talks on this centuries-old tradition. Saturday, November 1 from 12–2PM.

• 🕯️ Celebrate the Tradition of Día de los Muertos at Loma Alta Park: Honor loved ones and embrace community spirit with music, dance, crafts, and colorful altars at this vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration hosted by LA County Parks. Saturday, November 1 from 1–4PM.

• 🌶️ Annual MHNA Chili Cookoff: Spice things up at the Madison Heights Neighborhood Chili Cookoff and Block Party—come taste, mingle, and enjoy a fun afternoon of good food and great company. Saturday, November 1 from 3–7PM.

• 🎸 Día de Muertos at Old Towne Pub: Keep the Halloween vibes going with a night of live music, spooky tunes, and good company at Old Towne Pub’s Día de Muertos celebration. Saturday, November 1 at 8PM.

• 🎭 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha: Award-winning comedian Julia Masli brings her unpredictable solo show to Pasadena, turning audience problems into hilarious, off-the-cuff theater with no script and no safety net. Saturday, November 1 at 8PM.

Sunday

• 🛍️ Pasadena City College Flea Market: Hunt for treasures and unique finds among 400+ vendors offering everything from vintage collectibles to quirky bargains at PCC’s beloved open-air market. Sunday, November 2.

• 🎨 Creative Arts Group Annual Art Festival: Discover an inspiring showcase of original works from more than 50 artists at this beloved community art festival in Sierra Madre, celebrating creativity across every medium. Sunday, November 2 at 10AM.

• 🐾 Best Friends’ Super Adoption: Meet hundreds of adorable dogs and cats looking for their forever homes at this heartwarming festival filled with food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and family fun. Sunday, November 2 from 10AM–4PM.

• 🌼 Día de los Muertos at Kidspace: Celebrate life and remembrance at Kidspace’s Día de los Muertos festival with music, dance, art, and a community ofrenda honoring loved ones and pets. Sunday, November 2 (All day).

• 🌺 Day of the Dead Celebration: Honor loved ones at Descanso Gardens with live music by Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and a community ofrenda filled with joy, remembrance, and tradition. Sunday, November 2 from 11AM–12:30PM.

• 💀 Día de Muertos Celebration at Republic of Lucha: Join Republic of Lucha for their 2nd Annual Día de Muertos Altar Festival and Competition—an afternoon of music, tamales, prizes, and community as everyone comes together to honor loved ones and add to the growing altar. Sunday, November 2 from 1–6PM.

• 🎨 Pasadena Día de los Muertos Paint Nite with Boozy Pigments: Sip, paint, and celebrate Frida’s fearless spirit at this Día de los Muertos–inspired paint night—complete with cocktails, music, and vibrant creative energy. Sunday, November 2 at 7PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!

🌽CIVIL NEWS

Pasadena Seeks Input on Major Stormwater Project at the Rose Bowl

Pasadena residents are invited to weigh in on a major stormwater capture project planned for the Brookside Park area near the Rose Bowl. The city will host a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6–8 PM at La Casita Del Arroyo to share details and gather community feedback.

The project aims to collect and treat runoff from northwest Pasadena, improving local water quality while boosting supplies in the Raymond Basin — all with added community upgrades above ground.

Led by the Department of Public Works, the initiative supports water goals for the Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River. Residents can learn more about the environmental review and share their thoughts before final plans move forward.

💧 Learn more: bit.ly/BrooksideParkProject or email [email protected].

(Community meeting: Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6–8 PM | La Casita Del Arroyo, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd.)

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER🍂

Friday

78 🌡️ 61 🌤️| 💨 W 3 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 85 (Moderate)

Saturday

81 🌡️ 61 |🌤️| 💨 W 3 mph

Sunday

79 🌡️ 59 |🌤️| 💨 SW 4 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

🕷️LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 📚 Musical Storytime: Over the River and Through the Wood: Join the Pasadena Conservatory of Music at Vroman’s for a lively storytime featuring music, movement, and crafts inspired by the classic holiday tale. Saturday, November 1 at 11:30AM.

• 🎻 Musical Interludes: Songs About Place: Immerse yourself in a beautiful evening of chamber music at PCM, where each piece evokes the spirit and emotion of a place—followed by a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the courtyard. Saturday, November 1 at 4PM.

• 🎻 Restoration Concert Series: New Hollywood String Quartet: Enjoy an afternoon of exceptional chamber music as the New Hollywood String Quartet performs in the historic South Pasadena Library Community Room. Sunday, November 2 at 4PM.

• 🎶 Prima Voce Emerging Artists Presents: Lillian Magrinelli: Soprano Lillian Magrinelli takes the stage for Motherhood: A Celebration of Maternal Voices, a moving program honoring the strength and emotion of mothers through song. Sunday, November 2 at 7PM.

THANKS!🕸️

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who’s crazy enough to start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving.

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