Happy Monday, Pasadena

FoodieLand returns to the Rose Bowl July 3–5 with 250+ vendors, live entertainment, carnival games, and a July 4 drone show instead of fireworks.

News N’ Roses
June 29, 2026

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Did you know that Colorado Boulevard wasn’t always called Colorado Boulevard. It was originally Colorado Street and wasn’t renamed until 1958.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

FoodieLand and Fourth of July Drone Show
Events this Monday & Tuesday
Civic News
Weather
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

FoodieLand and Fourth of July Drone Show

FoodieLand returns to the Rose Bowl this Fourth of July weekend, transforming the iconic venue into a massive outdoor night market filled with food, shopping, games, and live entertainment. Running Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, the three-day festival features more than 250 food, drink, and artisan vendors serving everything from international street food and desserts to specialty drinks and unique snacks. Visitors can also browse craft and merchandise booths, enjoy carnival-style games, and catch live performances throughout the weekend.

One of the biggest talking points this year isn’t the food—it’s what’s happening in the sky. Instead of a traditional fireworks display, FoodieLand will once again feature a July 4 drone show. There has been some disappointment around Pasadena that fireworks aren’t returning, especially during America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Personally, I thought last year’s drone show was surprisingly impressive. The technology was fascinating to watch, and while it doesn’t quite replace the excitement and nostalgia of fireworks, it offered something different.

The move to drones also makes sense given Southern California’s wildfire risk and ongoing air quality concerns. After everything the region has experienced in recent years, it’s understandable why organizers have opted for a safer alternative. At the same time, I completely understand why many people still prefer the tradition of fireworks. It will be interesting to see whether drone shows become the new normal or if fireworks eventually make a comeback.

FoodieLand runs Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m. Admission is $12 per day and must be purchased online in advance. Children 5 and under are free, and parking at the Rose Bowl is free throughout the weekend.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (6/29)

🍳 Recipe & Cookbook Swap: Bring a favorite recipe or cookbook to swap and walk away with something new to cook. Crowell’s Barth Community Room | Monday | June 29 | 12–1:30PM

⚽ Soccer Watch Parties: Watch international soccer matches on the big screens while enjoying food, drinks, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Stone Brewing Tap Room – Pasadena | Monday | June 29 | 12PM–9PM

🎤 Monday Mic & Afternoon Dance Party: Join an all-ages afternoon of live performances and dancing hosted by Maria Bamford and Melinda Hill. Altadena Music Center | Monday | June 29 | 2PM

🧵 Learn to Sew: Learn or refresh your sewing skills in a four-week class series for all experience levels with materials included. The Hive, South Pasadena | Monday | June 29 | 6:30PM–8:30PM

📖 Charles O’Malley & Scott W. Stern discuss & sign Shakespeare’s Margaret: A deep dive into Shakespeare’s most complex and overlooked female character, Margaret of Anjou. The Pasadena Playhouse | Monday | June 29 | 7PM

Tuesday (6/30)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other farm products directly from certified local growers. Villa Parke | Tuesday | June 29 | 8:30AM–12:30PM

🦎 Wild Wonders Animal Show: A live exotic animal show featuring wildlife ambassadors from Wild Wonders education organization. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Tuesday | June 30 | 1–2PM

💐 Flower Arranging: Pinkie and Blue Boy Florals “Bring a Buddy”: A buddy-friendly floral arranging workshop inspired by the Huntington’s iconic portraits. The Huntington’s Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court | Tuesday | June 30 | 1–3PM

📚 Laila Lalami discusses & signs The Dream Hotel: The Pulitzer Prize finalist reads and signs the paperback for Pasadena’s One City, One Story program. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | June 30 | 7PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events are added to the News N’ Roses events page. Check them out here!

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!

CIVIC NEWS

City Council Meeting CANCELLED

Pasadena’s City Council has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 13.

Chats and Snacks with a Housing Counselor

Pasadena residents can get free one-on-one housing guidance at Chats and Snacks with a Housing Counselor on Tuesday, June 30 at Villa Parke Community Center, where Rent Stabilization Department staff and the Housing Rights Center will answer questions about tenant rights, rental housing, and available resources.

WEATHER

Monday

72🌡️58 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 44 (Good)

Tuesday

71🌡️58 |☀️| 💨 S 9 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Monday | June 29 | 6PM–10PM

🛡️ SKÁLD: Experience the epic folk music of SKÁLD, inspired by Norse myths and Scandinavian legends, with Escape Artist Lovers opening. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Monday | June 29 | 8PM

🎸 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee and his trio perform an evening of jazz standards. Edwin Mills | Tuesday | June 30 | 6PM–10PM

🎸 Live Music Night with Gregory Porée: Guitarist Gregory Porée performs an evening of classical music, soulful covers, and original compositions. Visionarium Live Italian | Tuesday | June 30 | 6:30PM–8:30PM

🎻 Patrick Wolf: Tour of the Beast: Singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf brings his Tour of the Beast to Los Angeles with Julia Nunes opening. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Tuesday | June 30 | 8PM

THANKS! ⚽

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FoodieLand returns to the Rose Bowl July 3–5 with 250+ vendors, live entertainment, carnival games, and a July 4 drone show instead of fireworks.

A MESSAGE FROM CTRL COLLECTIVE