Pasadena Birthday Party This Sunday!

Explore the City of Astronomy Festival, celebrate Pasadena's 140th birthday, and tour the historic Castle Green during its annual Summer Open House.

News N' Roses
June 12, 2026

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. This month marks Pasadena’s birthday: the city was officially incorporated on June 19, 1886. For 140 years, Pasadena has grown from a small settlement at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains into the vibrant community we know today.

Pasadena's City of Astronomy Festival Brings Space Science to the Public Sunday
Pasadena Celebrates 140 Years This Sunday
Step Inside Pasadena's Historic Castle Green This Sunday
Events this Weekend
The Box Office: Plays & Musicals
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. I know this has nothing to do with Pasadena but the NY Knicks pulled off an incredible win in Game 4. If you’re a Knicks fan or a New Yorker in Pasadena, and you want to watch the next game with a New York-only crowd, you should watch the game at 33 Taps Silver Lake.

THE DIGEST

Pasadena's City of Astronomy Festival Brings Space Science to the Public Sunday

On Sunday, Pasadena's title as the "City of Astronomy" takes center stage at a free science festival at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Hosted alongside the summer meeting of the American Astronomical Society, the event brings together scientists and educators from organizations including NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Observatories, LIGO, and The Planetary Society for an afternoon of hands-on space science.

Visitors can look through solar telescopes, build a comet, make solar s'mores, explore virtual reality experiences, see infrared cameras and radio telescopes in action, and even view live feeds from the International Space Station. Short presentations throughout the day will cover topics ranging from black holes and exoplanets to galaxies and the search for life beyond Earth.

The free event runs from 1 to 5PM and is open to all ages with no reservation required. You can stop by for a few minutes or spend the afternoon exploring some of the science and discoveries that have made Pasadena a global hub for astronomy and space exploration. Click here for more details.

In the spirit of the Astronomy Festival, get your NASAdena Shirts here!

Pasadena Celebrates 140 Years This Sunday

Pasadena is throwing itself a birthday party this Sunday at the Pasadena Museum of History, celebrating the city's 140th anniversary alongside the centennial of Route 66 and the 150th anniversary of Colorado Boulevard.

The free event features vintage cars and motorcycles, Route 66 exhibits, live music and dancing, arts and crafts activities, face painting, chalk art, watercolor demonstrations, and family-friendly games. Mayor Victor Gordo will cut the official birthday cake at 2PM, and guests can enjoy complimentary cake and lemonade while exploring the festivities from noon to 4PM It's a fun way to celebrate some of the milestones that helped shape Pasadena's history. Click here for more details.

Step Inside Pasadena's Historic Castle Green This Sunday

If you've ever wondered what lies behind the doors of Pasadena's iconic Castle Green, this Sunday is one of the few opportunities each year to find out.

The annual Summer Open House takes place on Sunday, June 14, offering visitors rare access to the historic landmark's most beautiful spaces, including the Grand Salon, Palm Court, Moorish and Turkish Rooms, the grand staircase, and several private residences. Guests can also explore a pop-up museum featuring artifacts from Castle Green's archives, hear historians share stories from the building's 128-year history, enjoy live entertainment, and sip lemonade on the veranda.

Originally built in 1898 as part of the luxurious Hotel Green resort complex, Castle Green remains one of Pasadena's most recognizable architectural treasures. The tour is hosted by the Friends of Castle Green, whose preservation efforts have helped protect and restore the landmark for future generations. For tickets, click here. To read more about Castle Green Tour, read my blog post on it here.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

This Weekend

🌵 Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale: Explore hundreds of award-winning cacti and succulents from around the world and browse plants available for purchase. The Huntington | Friday-Sunday | 10AM–5PM

🚴 REV CYCLE 14th Birthday & Pride Fundraiser Weekend: Celebrate REV CYCLE's 14th anniversary with cycling classes benefiting The Trevor Project, along with raffles, giveaways, and community experiences. REV Cycle | Sat 8:30AM-12:30PM & Sun 8-11AM

Friday (6/12)

⚽ Team USA vs. Paraguay Watch Party: Watch the USA vs. Paraguay soccer match while enjoying food trucks, live music, soccer-themed games, and family-friendly activities. Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza | Friday | June 12 | 4:30PM

🍷 Friday Nights at The Gamble House with West Altadena Wine + Spirits: Enjoy wine tastings, live jazz from the Danny Janklow Trio, docent-led access to the first floor of the house, and lawn picnicking. The Gamble House | Friday | June 12 | 5:30PM–7:30PM

🌹 An Evening Among the Roses: Celebrate LGBTQ+ members and their contributions to The Huntington with music, special performances, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing. The Huntington | Friday | June 12 | 7PM–10PM

☯️ Caltech Tai Chi Club: Learn and practice Hao-style tai chi chuan along with other martial arts forms in a welcoming environment open to beginners and experienced students alike. Caltech's Hameetman Center 220 – Multipurpose Room | Friday | June 5 | 7PM

🎶 Sunset Sessions | Live Music & Libations: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring Stefan Poole along with libations hosted by Javier’s in The Courtyard. One Colorado Courtyard | Friday | June 12 | 7:30PM

Saturday (6/13)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers' Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and farm products directly from certified California farmers. Pasadena Farmers' Market | Saturday | June 13 | 8AM–12PM

🏋️ The Courtyard Series | Fitness Sessions Supported by Vuori: Join a fitness session led by local studios and instructors as part of this monthly series focused on movement and mindfulness. One Colorado Courtyard | Saturday | June 13 | 8AM–10AM

🔭 Special Behind the Scenes Engineering Tour: Go behind the scenes to explore the mechanical, optical, and electrical systems of Mt. Wilson Observatory’s historic telescopes and facilities. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | June 13 | 9AM–2:30PM

🌱 Learn Regenerative Gardening by Doing it Yourself with Capri Kasai!: Join fellow volunteers for a hands-on gardening project focused on regenerative gardening, planting, landscaping, and native ecosystems. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | June 13 | 9AM

🏳️‍🌈 Altadena Pride Walkabout: Celebrate Altadena Pride’s 5th anniversary with a community festival and walkabout featuring entertainment, local resources, and activities throughout the day. Altadena Community Center | Saturday | June 13 | 10AM

🏛️ Regional Restoration Expo to Bring Craft, Community, and Preservation to Pasadena: Meet restoration specialists, craftspeople, and preservation experts at this free event focused on historic preservation and community resilience. The Blinn House | Saturday | June 13 | 10AM–5PM

💃 DANCE | Roots of Loving Us from CONTRA-TIEMPO: Experience a performance blending Salsa, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, and contemporary dance through movement, rhythm, and storytelling. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | June 13 | 2PM & 8PM

🎬 Matinees on the Mountain: "Our Heavenly Bodies (1925)": Watch the 1925 silent film Our Heavenly Bodies with a live score as part of Mt. Wilson Observatory’s Matinees on the Mountain series. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | June 13 | 3PM–5:30PM

🚗 Symphony of Cars Gala: Enjoy an evening featuring 15 showcased vehicles, dinner, a hosted bar, and music from Gary Tole and the Legends of Swing Orchestra. Lacy Park | Saturday | June 13 | 6PM–10PM

🏳️‍🌈 Pasadena PRIDE: Celebrate Pride Month with live entertainment, arts and crafts, face painting, and opportunities to connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations and community partners. Pasadena City Hall | Saturday | June 13 | 6PM–9PM

Sunday (6/14)

🚗 San Marino Motor Classic: Browse an impressive collection of vehicles and enjoy food trucks throughout the day at this annual car show. Lacy Park | Sunday | June 14 | 9AM–3PM

🏓 2nd Annual South Pasadena Pickleball Crown Tournament: Watch 64 players compete across multiple divisions in this community pickleball tournament featuring an awards party and raffle drawings for participants. Orange Grove Park | Sunday | June 14 | 9AM–12:30PM

🏰 Annual Spring Summer Tour: Explore historic rooms, private residences, archival exhibits, and live entertainment during this open house at Castle Green. Castle Green Pasadena | Sunday | June 14 | 11AM–3PM

🧘 Resonance: A Yoga and Sound Journey: This monthly outdoor session blends yoga, breathwork, and live music to explore the connection between mind, body, and nature. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Sunday | June 14 | 12PM–1:30PM

🎂 Pasadena Museum of History Celebrates Pasadena's 140th Birthday and Route 66 Milestones: Celebrate Pasadena’s 140th birthday, Route 66’s centennial, and Colorado Boulevard’s 150th anniversary with vintage cars, live music, exhibits, crafts, and tours. Pasadena Museum of History | Sunday | June 14 | 12PM–4PM

👠 Cinderella Glass Slipper Tea: Enjoy excerpts from Cinderella, high tea, character interactions, photo opportunities, and hands-on activities inspired by the classic fairy tale. Madeline Garden | Sunday | June 14 | 3PM

🎷 Jazz in the Park: Grace Fae & the Grandbirds: Enjoy a free outdoor jazz concert featuring Pasadena-based vintage jazz ensemble Grace Fae & the Grandbirds. Playhouse Village Park | Sunday | June 14 | 6PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events get 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!

THE BOX OFFICE

🌱 Little Shop of Horrors: This musical blends science fiction, rock and roll, doo-wop, and dance in a reimagined production of the classic story of Seymour, Audrey, and Audrey II. Lineage Performing Arts Center (LPAC) | Various Times

🎭 Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon: Two American travelers stumble upon a mysterious Scottish village that appears for just one day every hundred years in this classic musical. The Pasadena Playhouse | Various Times

WEATHER

Friday

88 🌡️ 63 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 58 (Moderate)

Saturday

84 🌡️ 61 ☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Sunday

84 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎻 AUTHOR | Restrung by Vijay Gupta: Violinist and author Vijay Gupta shares stories from his forthcoming memoir followed by a live performance featuring music connected to his personal journey. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday | June 12 | 8PM

🎷 Friday Night Jazz With Nanci Zhang!: Enjoy an evening of live jazz featuring vocalist Nanci Zhang and her trio, with dinner, drinks, and dancing. The Barkley Restaurant & Bar | Friday | June 12 | 9PM–1AM

🎸 The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Taylor Swift + More for Kids – Wedding of The Century Pre-Party!: This family-friendly concert features music inspired by Taylor Swift along with games, movement, and interactive activities for kids. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Saturday | June 13 | 11:30AM

🎸 Live Music Night on the Visionarium Rooftop with Gold Rush Acoustic Band: Enjoy live music from the Gold Rush Acoustic Band featuring a mix of 60s and 70s classics and country favorites on the rooftop. Visionarium Live Italian | Saturday | June 13 | 7PM–9PM

🎹 Middle Aged Dad Joel Band (MADJB’s Tribute to Billy Joel): Enjoy a live tribute to Billy Joel performed by the Middle Aged Dad Joel Band. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Saturday | June 13 | 8PM

🎸 Latin Rock Saturday Night at The Barkley!: Enjoy an evening of live Latin rock music featuring the Melrose Band. The Barkley Restaurant & Bar | Saturday | June 13 | 9PM–1AM

🎻 MUSIC | Ghosh with Votek and Dhillon: Experience a performance blending Hindustani classical music and Western chamber traditions through violin, cello, and tabla. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday | June 14 | 4PM

🎵 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Main St Groovers: Enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring Main St Groovers as part of Sierra Madre’s Summer Concerts in the Park series. Memorial Park Bandshell | Sunday | June 14 | 6PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who wonders how in the world flat Earthers even exist. 😵‍💫

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