Happy Fourth of July, Pasadena

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses.

On the Fourth of July, we celebrate more than fireworks—we honor the freedoms laid out in the Constitution, and the responsibility we all share to protect them. In Pasadena, where community runs deep and voices are strong, that means showing up for one another even when times are tense. Amid protests, political divides, and real questions about justice and safety, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But this holiday reminds us that freedom isn’t passive—it’s something we actively preserve through civic engagement, open dialogue, and standing up for what’s right. Our founders believed knowledge, unity, and participation were the backbone of democracy. That’s still true today. So this July 4th, let’s celebrate by coming together—not just as neighbors, but as citizens.

Happy Fourth of July, Pasadena. Happy Fourth of July, America.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Rose Bowl’s Firework-Free Fourth

• Your Guide to the 4th: Drones, Pie, and Pasadena Pride

• Events This Weekend

• Civil News Updates

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

— Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Rose Bowl’s Firework-Free Fourth

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl is trading fireworks for flight this year—with a 750-drone light show lighting up the sky and a three-day global street food fest called FoodieLand taking over the stadium grounds.

Expect 200+ vendors slinging everything from birria tacos and vegan banh mi to mochi donuts and Korean corn dogs, plus live music, cultural performances, and games. The drone show, produced by Pyro Spectaculars (yep, same folks behind Dodger Stadium’s displays), kicks off around 9PM each night.

🎟️ $12 general admission (kids under 5 free) includes both the drone show and festival. Tickets must be bought in advance via Eventbrite.
🕒 Hours: Fri 3–10PM, Sat–Sun 1–10PM. Free parking included.

Your Guide to the 4th: Drones, Pie, and Pasadena Pride

Fireworks are out, drones are in—and Pasadena’s Fourth of July is feeling fresher than a slice of watermelon on a hot day.

🌮 At the Rose Bowl:
FoodieLand takes over with 200+ vendors, live music, and a drone light show in place of fireworks. Tickets are $12 and include all the flavor and aerial sparkle (July 4–6).

🚒 Madison Heights:
The beloved neighborhood parade and block party returns—with the Pasadena Fire Department as grand marshals, a Pie-N-Burger truck, free ice cream for kids, and live tunes. Parade at 11AM, Glenarm St. block party to follow.

🎉 Historic Highlands:
It’s the 31st year of homegrown fun: costumed pets, decorated bikes, community BBQ, and a raffle with Rose Parade seats up for grabs.

🎈 South Pasadena:
The Festival of Balloons kicks off with a 7AM pancake breakfast and ends with fireworks at 9PM. Parade rolls at 11AM down Mission St.

🎆 Sierra Madre:
Firecracker 5K at 7:30AM, parade from 10AM–Noon, and free pool access after.

Checkout the What’s Happening section for more!

@NEWSN_ROSES

📷Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/SCNG📍Rose Bowl, Pasadena

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

All Weekend

• 🎆 FoodieLand Night Market – Los Angeles: Celebrate the holiday weekend with a feast of flavors at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena from July 4–6, 2025. Enjoy 190+ food vendors, shopping, games, and live music at this massive outdoor night market. Bring your appetite and your friends—this July 4th weekend is gonna be delicious!

Friday – July 4, Independence Day

• 🐾 Waggin’ Appearance in Sierra Madre Independence Day Parade: Catch Pasadena Humane’s iconic Wiggle Waggle Waggin’ rolling through the Sierra Madre Independence Day Parade. No adoptable pets, but plenty of tail-wagging fun! Friday, July 4 from 9AM–12PM.

• 🎆 Sierra Madre Independence Day Parade: Celebrate small-town charm with marching bands, classic cars, community groups, and kids on decked-out bikes as the annual 4th of July Parade rolls through downtown Sierra Madre. Friday, July 4 from 11AM–12PM. Free and family-friendly!

• 🎈 4th of July Festival of Balloons: South Pasadena’s all-day celebration kicks off with pancakes at the fire station, followed by a patriotic parade, games and food in Garfield Park, and a fireworks finale with live music at the high school stadium. Friday, July 4 – All day, fireworks at 9PM. Tickets for fireworks: $15 presale, $20 at the gate, kids 2 and under free.

• 🎉 Madison Heights July 4th Parade & Block Party: A neighborhood favorite with a firefighter-led parade, games, music, crafts, and food trucks. Friday, July 4 at 11AM starting at Euclid & Fillmore. Free to attend!

• 🖼️ Free First Friday at Norton Simon Museum: Enjoy free gallery access and world-class art in a peaceful setting. Friday, July 4 from 4–7PM. No reservations needed.

• 🌅 Celebrate Fridays! at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden: Unwind with a drink and take in the serene beauty of the garden at sunset. Friday, July 4 from 4–8PM. $15 admission; kids 12 and under free.

• 🚲 Bike the 4th: Ride out for a family-friendly potluck and drone show above the Rose Bowl—no fireworks, just good vibes, tamales, and two wheels. Friday, July 4 from 7–10PM. Free!

• 🎨 Pasadena Paint and Sip Friday Fun: Unwind with a brush and a beverage at this lively paint night hosted at the Hilton Pasadena. No experience needed—just good vibes and creative fun. Friday, July 4 at 10:30PM. Tickets available online.

Saturday

• 🍅 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh, local produce, baked goods, fish, and more straight from the source. Saturday, July 5 from 8:30AM–12:30PM in front of Pasadena High School.

• 🥬 La Cañada Farmers’ Market: Pick up farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and more—rain or shine. Saturday, July 5 from 9AM–1PM in La Cañada Flintridge.

• 🧶 Crafting Meetup at the Gamble House: Bring your favorite project and join fellow crafters for a relaxing afternoon under the oaks. Saturday, July 5 at 12PM. Free and open to all—no reservations needed!

• ✏️ Drawing for Beginners: Learn the basics of sketching, from perspective to shading, in this hands-on beginner-friendly workshop on West Colorado Blvd. Saturday, July 5 from 3–5PM. Tickets sold day of—museum entry not included.

• 🌸 An Evening in the Garden: Enjoy golden hour in the serene Japanese garden with soft lighting, pond reflections, and birdsong. Bring a picnic or sip wine before dinner. Saturday, July 5 from 4–8PM. $15 admission; kids 12 and under free.

Sunday

• 🛍️ PCC Flea Market: Browse antiques, collectibles, and hidden gems from 400+ vendors at one of Pasadena’s biggest markets. Sunday, July 6 from 8AM–3PM at Pasadena City College.

• 🍔 FUMC All-Church Picnic: Join First United Methodist for a post-service picnic indoors with burgers, hot dogs, and potluck sides. Sunday, July 6 at 11:15AM in Fellowship Hall. Free and open to all!

• 📖 Amor – Author Event at Octavia’s Bookshelf: Meet local author and Altadena librarian Sofia Aguilar as she shares her tender new chapbook Amor, joined by poets Jocelyne Flores and Alexis Jaimes. Sunday, July 6 from 5:30–7PM. Free!

• 🎷 Jazz in the Park: Kira & the Major 3: Catch live jazz in the heart of Pasadena as Kira & the Major 3 bring classic American, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban grooves to Playhouse Village Park. Sunday, July 6 at 6PM on the Van Halen Stage. Free!

Save the Date

• 🎶 Moonlight Melodies: An Evening with The Crooners: Spend a magical night with the Pasadena POPS at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on Friday, July 12 at 7:30PM. Enjoy timeless tunes from Broadway to Bond under the stars. Gates open at 5:30PM for picnicking at 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia.

• 🌼 Mariposa Night: Celebrate the heart of Altadena with an evening of storytelling, music, food, and community on Saturday, July 12 from 7PM–9PM at Beckman Auditorium. Come early for a 5:30PM resource fair with food trucks, live music, and local nonprofits on the lawn. Free and open to all—RSVP requested!

• 🧪 Quantum for Kids @ Caltech: Dive into the strange and exciting world of quantum science with hands-on demos, crafts, coding workshops, and a campus-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday, July 12 from 10AM–2PM at Caltech. Aimed at middle schoolers but open to all ages—free with registration!

• 🌉 Pasadena Heritage Bridge Party: An unforgettable community celebration atop the Colorado Street Bridge! Saturday, July 19th from 6–11PM. Enjoy live music, local eats, kids’ activities, and vintage vehicles—all while supporting historic preservation.

• 🎨 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Discover handcraft at its finest with over 300 artisans showcasing jewelry, textiles, beads, gemstones, and wearable art at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday–Sunday, July 25–27 from 10AM–5PM. Enjoy workshops, live demos, and rare finds from makers across the country.

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 Fourth of July Closures & Reminders

City Hall and most city services will be closed Thursday, July 4, for Independence Day. Emergency services remain fully staffed, and trash pickup will run on schedule. No delays!

✔️ Free parking at meters (unless marked “No Parking”)
✔️ No Pasadena Transit service except Route 33 (Sunday schedule)
✔️ Libraries and community centers closed, but parks stay open
✔️ La Pintoresca splash pad open 9AM–7:30PM, Kennedy Pool open 1–4PM

And remember: All fireworks are illegal in Pasadena. Violators face fines up to $50,000. Stay safe and celebrate smart!

🏛️ Civil News Digest: Minimum Wage Bump & Major CA Law Changes

As of July 1, Pasadena’s minimum wage is now $18.04/hour—up from $17.50—and that’s just one piece of a sweeping set of California laws that took effect this week. Governor Newsom’s “Abundance Agenda” is officially in motion, including the first major overhaul of CEQA in 55 years to streamline housing and infrastructure projects. Other key updates: renters can now get a bigger tax credit, pet insurers must explain premium hikes, and minors will soon get more protection from addictive social media feeds. From retail crime crackdowns to new building standards, it’s a big shift in how California governs growth, safety, and consumer rights.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

82 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 SSW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 47 (Moderate)

Saturday

86 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

Sunday

85 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 SSW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎺 Jenny & The Jazz Birds at Jones Coffee: Enjoy a free morning set of smooth jazz, funk, and blues from this beloved South Pasadena group. Saturday, July 5 at 10AM at Jones Coffee Roasters on Raymond Ave.

• 🎹 The Gold Line Jazz Collective at Jones Coffee: Led by pianist Hank Mehren, this dynamic group blends cool jazz, hard bop, and Latin fusion for a vibrant Sunday morning set. Sunday, July 6 at 10AM at Jones Coffee Roasters. Free!

• 🎶 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser at Jones Coffee: Enjoy an eclectic mix of classic and original jazz from acclaimed duo Barb Catlin and Ken Rosser. Sunday, July 6 at 2PM at Jones Coffee Roasters. Free!

• 🎷 Jazz in the Park: Kira & the Major 3: Catch live jazz in the heart of Pasadena as Kira & the Major 3 bring classic American, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban grooves to Playhouse Village Park. Sunday, July 6 at 6PM on the Van Halen Stage. Free!

• 🎤 Music in the Park: Hot August Night (Neil Diamond Tribute): Sing along to Neil Diamond classics at this free tribute concert in Memorial Park. Sunday, July 6 from 6–8PM in La Cañada Flintridge. Bring a blanket and picnic!

• 🎶 A Folk Americana Music Night: Tipps and Obermiller: Enjoy a soulful, genre-blending night of storytelling and song with musical duo Tipps and Obermiller at Beckman Institute Auditorium on Saturday, July 26 from 8PM–10PM. Expect laughter, tears, and toe-tapping tunes. $25 general admission, $10 for Caltech students and youth.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who’s hosting a 4th of July BBQ.

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