Pasadena Weekend: Greek Festival, ARTWalk, and More!

Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Did you know the Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club has been rolling in Central Park since 1921? It’s more than 100 years old and is considered the birthplace of lawn bowling in California.

In this weekend’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Greek Festival This Weekend!

• Altadena Artists and Musicians Take the Spotlight at Pasadena ARTWalk

• Pasadena’s Lawn Bowling Club Has Been Around for More Than 100 Years

• Events this Weekend

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Pasadena Greek Festival This Weekend!

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the Pasadena Greek Festival starts today and runs through Sunday.

Hosted at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, the festival is basically a full weekend of Greek food, music, dancing and culture. You can catch traditional dance performances, learn a few Greek dance moves yourself, take a tour of the church, watch cooking demos, and check out Greek wine tastings and mixology events. There’s also a Kidzone for the little ones.

The festival opens at 5PM tonight and noon Saturday and Sunday, with festivities running until 10PM each night. It’s at 778 S. Rosemead Blvd. in Pasadena, and free parking is available at Santa Anita Park with shuttles running to the festival.

Altadena Artists and Musicians Take the Spotlight at Pasadena ARTWalk

This weekend’s Pasadena ARTWalk will bring more than 180 artists and makers to Green Street in Playhouse Village for two days of art, shopping, live music, food and hands-on activities. The free outdoor fair highlights handmade work, fine art, photography, jewelry, home goods and more.

This year, the event also has a strong Altadena presence. Three of the six musicians performing are part of Altadena Musicians, a nonprofit created after the Eaton Fire to help replace instruments, equipment and music collections lost by local musicians. Céleigh Chapman, Ryan Vosika and Kevin Sandbloom are all scheduled to perform.

The fair will also feature Altadena artists and makers who lost homes or studios in the fire, including photographer Heather C. Morrow and Altadena Maid Products founder René Amy, creator of the Great Altadena Poppy Project.

ARTWalk runs Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, from 11AM–6PM on Green Street between Los Robles and El Molino. Click here for more details.

Pasadena’s Lawn Bowling Club Has Been Around for More Than 100 Years

The Pasadena Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club has been part of Central Park since 1921 and is considered the birthplace of lawn bowling in California. Croquet was added to the club in 2006. If you’ve never tried lawn bowling, it’s similar to bocce, but the bowls are shaped so they curve as they roll. The goal is to get your bowl closest to a smaller white ball called the jack.

The club offers free lessons every Saturday at 8:30AM in Central Park, so you can actually try it without committing to anything. New players are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early. The club also hosts tournaments, croquet, private events, corporate outings and team-building events. It’s located at 275 S. Raymond Ave. in Central Park. Click here for more info.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

This Weekend

🇬🇷 Pasadena Greek Festival 2026: A three-day Hellenic celebration with spit-roasted gyros, baklava, a Santorini Wine Bar, folk dance lessons, and free shuttle from the track. Santa Anita Race Track | Friday to Sunday | Sept 18 to Sept 20

🎨 Golden State Tattoo Expo 2026: Over 300 tattoo artists from 27+ countries gather for a three-day expo presented by Sullen Clothing and Inked Magazine. Pasadena Convention Center | Friday to Sunday | Sept 18 to Sept 20

🇷🇸 SerbFest LA: Celebrate Serbian culture with food and drink, live performances and music, a volleyball tournament, KidZone activities and church tours. Saint Steven’s Cathedral (Alhambra) | Saturday–Sunday | September 19–20

Friday (9/18)

🌸 End of Summer Celebration: Japanese Garden Anniversary: Descanso Gardens marks the anniversary of its Japanese Garden with an evening celebration. Descanso Gardens | Friday | September 18 | 5–7PM

🎭 August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: Gregg T. Daniel directs this 1927 Chicago recording studio drama, the seventh in A Noise Within’s August Wilson American Century Cycle. A Noise Within | Friday | September 18 | 7:30PM

🥋 Caltech Tai Chi Club: Caltech’s student Tai Chi club meets in the Hameetman Center multipurpose room. Caltech Hameetman Center 220 | Friday | September 18 | 7PM

🎭 The Visit: Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s dark comedy, directed by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak and starring Jefferson Mays, runs at the Playhouse. Pasadena Playhouse | Friday | September 18 | 8PM

🔭 Stargazing Lectures: Back to Venus: NASA’s DAVINCI Mission: JPL research scientist Amy Hofmann presents on NASA’s DAVINCI mission to explore Venus’s extreme atmosphere. Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics | Friday | September 18 | 8–10PM

Saturday (9/19)

🌿 Wildlife Sit and Nature Journaling: A quiet outdoor session combining wildlife observation and nature journaling at Arlington Garden. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | September 19 | 8AM

🥦 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: A certified market selling locally-grown produce directly from farmers, plus jams, jellies, and fish. Victory Park | Saturday | September 19 | 8AM–12PM

🎳 Free Lawn Bowling Lessons: Learn the basics of lawn bowling with free Saturday morning lessons for all ages at the Pasadena Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club. Central Park | Saturday | September 19 | 8:30AM

🌽 La Canada Farmers’ Market: A weekly outdoor market on Rinetti Lane with local produce and vendors. Rinetti Lane (Next to LCF Post Office) | Saturday | September 19 | 9AM–1PM

🎵 In-Person Sound Bath With Amy Rutledge: Meditation guide Amy Rutledge leads a one-hour session using crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, ocean drum, gong, and chimes. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Saturday | September 19 | 10–11AM

🧘 Drop-in Yoga: An all-levels Hatha and Anusara yoga session on the Main Lawn, focused on breathwork and somatics. Descanso Gardens | Saturday | September 19 | 10AM

🎨 18th Annual Pasadena ArtWalk: Over 180 hand-selected artisans show fine art, photography, jewelry, fashion, and home goods along Green Street in Playhouse Village. Green St. (Between Los Robles & El Molino) | Saturday | September 19 | 11AM–6PM

🎵 Musical Storytime at the Gamble House: Rachael Denny of Pasadena Conservatory of Music leads a musical reading of To See An Owl by Matthew Cordell on the Gamble House lawn. The Gamble House | Saturday | September 19 | 11AM

🦜 Wild Parrot Brewing Company Celebrates Four Years: The East Pasadena brewery marks its fourth anniversary with an all-day party on Colorado Blvd. Wild Parrot Brewing Company | Saturday | September 19 | 12–11PM

🍽️ Taste of Arcadia: Sample food and drinks from local restaurants and vendors while browsing the Business Showcase featuring businesses from across the San Gabriel Valley. Santa Anita Park | Saturday | September 19 | 2PM

🏛️ Civic Makers Lab: An interactive workshop for ages 18–24 focused on community building and local government processes. City Hall, Council Chambers Room S249 | Saturday | September 19 | 1–2:30PM

🎬 Pixar & Popcorn: The Allendale Branch Library screens a Pixar film with free snacks provided. Allendale Branch Library | Saturday | September 19 | 2:30PM

🖼️ Curator Walkthrough: all the ways to hold tender this land: Curator Danielle A. Hill leads a guided walk through this exhibition featuring works by Anais Franco, Francesca Lalanne, Maddy Inez, and Brie Ruais. Armory Center for the Arts | Saturday | September 19 | 2–3PM

☕ Pour & Progress: Latte Art Workshop: Learn the basics of pulling espresso shots, steaming milk and pouring classic latte art patterns like hearts, tulips and rosettas with hands-on guidance. REGENT COFFEE (Highland Park) | Saturday | September 19 | 4PM

🔭 Talks & Telescopes: Anna Von Mertens: A lecture at Mt. Wilson Observatory pairing a talk with telescope viewing. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | September 19 | 5:30PM

🍂 Music Through the Seasons: Autumn Equinox: Echoes of China plays Chinese folk music and American folk trio Ike’s Creek performs at the Gamble House. The Gamble House | Saturday | September 19 | 5–7:15PM

🎶 Music Through the Seasons with Pasadena Conservatory of Music: The Autumn Equinox edition features Echoes of China (Chinese folk) and Ike’s Creek (American folk trio) performing at the landmark Greene & Greene home. The Gamble House | Saturday | September 19 | 6–8PM

🎨 Whiskers & Watercolors: Oaks & Acorns: A cat-themed watercolor painting session at a cat cafe, with all art supplies provided. Tail Town Cafe | Saturday | September 19 | 6PM

🎭 Pericles: Ellen McLaughlin’s translation of Shakespeare’s Pericles, told through movement and music, follows a prince fleeing a deadly royal secret. Boston Court Pasadena | Saturday | September 19 | 7:30PM

🎭 A Complete History of the American Musical in 90 Minutes or Less: Barry Gordon leads a cast of nine through American musical theater history, from George M. Cohan to Sondheim. Parson’s Nose Theater | Saturday | September 19 | 7PM

🎄 Happy! Merry! Joyous!: Jim Blanchette performs a one-man show about life as a caroling mercenary, from July rehearsals to singing in restaurants full of people who hate you. Fremont Centre Theatre | Saturday | September 19 | 7PM

Sunday (9/20)

📓 Wildlife “Sit” and Nature Journaling at Arlington Garden: A quiet observation and journaling session in Arlington Garden’s outdoor space. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Sunday | September 20 | 8–10AM

🧘 The Courtyard Series | Wellness: Equinox instructors lead Pilates and Yoga, with Sound Bath and Breathwork sessions by Somer Skye Energy Works. 35 Hugus Alley, Suite 200 | Sunday | September 20 | 10AM

🎻 Main Series 1: Hidden in Plain Sight: Salastina performs Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 and Bartók’s early Piano Quintet in C major. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Sunday | September 20 | 3–5PM

🀄 KITTENjong with Tail Town Cats: A mahjong lesson followed by table play for groups of four, hosted by Common Ground Mahjong inside a free-roaming cat lounge. Tail Town Cafe | Sunday | September 20 | 4PM

📚 Octavia’s Bookshelf to Host Author Lara Sheehi for Discussion of From the Clinic to the Streets: Sheehi discusses her argument for radically reimagining psychoanalysis, joined in conversation by Robin D.G. Kelley and Melissa “Mel” Lopez. Octavia’s Bookshelf | Sunday | September 20 | 5–7PM

🎭 Broadway Gamble Ramble 2026: Small groups tour the Gamble House encountering live dance, theatre, and narrative performances woven through the historic rooms. The Gamble House | Sunday | September 20 | 6PM

Upcoming Events

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

*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!

WEATHER

Friday

79 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 49 (Moderate)

Saturday

81 🌡️ 59 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Sunday

77 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 S 6 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎸 Live Blues at Visionarium with Shea Welsh: Shea Welsh returns to Visionarium Live Italian for an evening of live blues, with food, wine and cocktails available during the performance. Visionarium Live Italian | Friday | September 18 | 7PM

🎙️ Chloe Perrier: French jazz singer Chloe Perrier performs jazz standards, bossa nova, French songs and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Friday | September 18 | 7PM

🎹 Kiefer presents: Over the Breaks with GENA: Pianist, producer and composer Kiefer blends modern jazz, hip-hop production and solo piano, with GENA joining the night at Lodge Room. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Friday | September 18 | 7PM

🍂 Music Through the Seasons: Autumn Equinox: Echoes of China plays Chinese folk music and American folk trio Ike’s Creek performs at the Gamble House. The Gamble House | Saturday | September 19 | 5–7:15PM

🎷 Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys: Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys perform jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, spanning music from the 1920s through the 1960s. Edwin Mills | Saturday | September 19 | 7PM

🎻 Main Series 1: Hidden in Plain Sight: Salastina performs Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 and Bartók’s early Piano Quintet in C major. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Sunday | September 20 | 3–5PM

🎷 Ken Song: Ken Song performs an evening of jazz. Edwin Mills | Sunday | September 20 | 6PM

THANKS!

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