Explore Pasadena events this week, including Caltech’s Watson Lectures, The Huntington’s Strange Science Halloween party, and a special screening of Wicker.
Matthew Ramirez
October 26, 2026
TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. With Halloween just days away, M&M’s have claimed the title of America’s most popular Halloween candy, followed by Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Reese’s, and NERDS Gummy Clusters. I couldn’t find anything on Pasadena specifically, but California’s favorite is M&M’s too.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Caltech’s Watson Lectures Are Back!
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The Huntington’s Strange Science Halloween Party
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A Very Unusual Love Story Hits Pasadena
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Events this Monday & Tuesday
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Civic News
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NASADENA
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Weather
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
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THE DIGEST
🔬 Caltech’s Watson Lectures Are Back!
After an unexpected hiatus last year due to maintenance issues at Beckman Auditorium, Caltech’s popular Watson Lecture Series is back for its 2026–2027 season!
Dating back to 1922, these free public lectures give Pasadena residents a chance to hear directly from Caltech scientists about fascinating discoveries and cutting-edge research. The season kicks off Wednesday, November 4, with professor Katie Bouman exploring how physics and artificial intelligence are helping scientists understand the hidden universe.
Upcoming lectures cover everything from the gut-brain connection to space exploration, climate science, and mathematics. Admission is free, though advance registration is required. The first two lectures are fully booked, but standby lines will be available.
🎃 The Huntington’s Strange Science Halloween Party
The Huntington is marking the 10th anniversary of its annual Strange Science Halloween party this Friday and Saturday, October 30–31.
It’s a pretty interesting mix of science and Halloween, with Tesla coil demonstrations, aerial acrobatics, magic shows, spooky trivia, and discussions about some of the stranger mysteries of the universe. There will also be a DJ, dancing, food trucks, and opportunities to explore parts of The Huntington after dark, including its Conservatory.
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The event runs 6–10PM both nights and is strictly 21+. Costumes are encouraged, and each ticket includes two drinks. Tickets are $90 for general admission and $140 for VIP. Huntington Member tickets are sold out. Click here for tickets and the full event program.
🎬 A Very Unusual Love Story Hits Pasadena
Pasadena’s dym Books & Boba, a local bookstore and boba shop on North Los Robles Avenue, is hosting an exclusive screening of Wicker this Tuesday, October 27, at Landmark Theatres.
Starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage, this offbeat romantic comedy follows an outcast fisherwoman who commissions a local basketmaker to create her a husband made entirely of wicker. Naturally, things get complicated when her new husband becomes the talk of the village.
The private screening begins at 9:30PM, with guests encouraged to arrive between 9PM and 9:15PM. Tickets are $25 and include a commemorative bookmark and a chance to win a $25 dym gift card. Click here for tickets and details.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Monday (10/26)
🌹 Music in the Rose Garden: Pasadena Conservatory musicians play solo and duo classical sets among the roses at The Huntington. The Huntington’s Rose Garden | Monday | October 26 | 1PM
🎃👟 Halloween Fun Run/Walk Party: Choose a 4- or 6-mile run or a 2-mile walk, followed by food, drinks and raffle prizes for participants in costume. Run With Us Parking Lot | Monday | October 26 | 6PM
🌍 UNA Pasadena to Celebrate UN Day 2026: Empowering Youth for a Better Future: Keynote speaker Khin-Sandi Lwin, a UN veteran, and youth UN observer Sophia Alicea headline this local celebration of UN Day. Polytechnic Upper School Library | Monday | October 26 | 6–7:15PM
Tuesday (10/27)
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Certified local farmers sell their own fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, fish, and more, rain or shine. Villa Parke | Tuesday | October 27 | 8:30AM–12:30PM
🎹 Challenge as an Inspiration: Concert & Conversation with Makiko Hirata: Dr. Makiko Hirata plays Chopin, Godowsky, and Mompou, then talks about how hardship shaped each composer’s work. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Tuesday | October 27 | 10AM
🔬 Molecular Mysteries: Caltech grad students walk kids ages 7 to 11 through the world of atoms and molecules, hands-on building included. Hastings Branch Library | Tuesday | October 27 | 4–5PM
📚 As the Page Turns Book Club: This monthly fiction book club meets at Crowell’s Barth Community Room to discuss the title of the month, with copies available to borrow while they last. Crowell’s Barth Community Room | Tuesday | October 27 | 4PM
♟️ Chess Night: Bring yourself and your best moves to the library’s Reading Court for an outdoor chess night, sets provided. Bob Lucas Library | Tuesday | October 27 | 5:30PM
📚 Sarah J. Maas ACOTAR 6 Release Party! (TICKETED): Vroman’s celebrates A Court of Splintered Harmony with ACOTAR trivia, a bag charm bar, and a copy of the book included with your ticket. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | October 27 | 6PM
🎉 Spooky Bingo and Lotería at Cerveceria del Pueblo: Play bingo and lotería at this craft brewery fundraiser, with one beer included and prizes up for grabs, benefiting Union Station Homeless Services. Cerveceria del Pueblo | Tuesday | October 27 | 6:30PM
🎲 Adults at Play: Tabletop Game Night: Pull up a chair at Sierra Madre Library for a drop-in night of tabletop games and snacks, solo or with friends. Sierra Madre Library | Tuesday | October 27 | 6PM
🎵 Loss Transformed | Open Rehearsal: PCM faculty rehearse Brahms’s Horn Trio live, then take questions on their process and interpretation decisions. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Tuesday | October 27 | 7PM
💃 The Mixx: Salsa Mixx: Award-winning LA instructor Rogelio Moreno leads salsa and bachata lessons, then DJ Salsa y Sabor keeps the floor going all night. The Mixx Pasadena | Tuesday | October 27 | 8PM
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events posted regularly on the website. 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 (Special Closed Session)
The Pasadena City Council will hold a special closed session on Monday, October 26, at 3PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249. Click here to view agenda.
Finance Committee Meeting
The Pasadena City Council’s Finance Committee meets Tuesday, October 27, at 4PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249, to discuss city finances, budgets, and fiscal matters. Click here to view agenda.
Accessibility and Disability Commission Meeting
The Accessibility and Disability Commission meets Tuesday, October 27, at 5:30PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center (1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) to discuss accessibility, disability rights, and improving services for Pasadena residents with disabilities. Click here to view agenda.
City Council Meeting
The Pasadena City Council meets Tuesday, October 27, at 6PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249 (100 N. Garfield Ave.), to discuss city business and local government matters. A closed session begins at 5PM. Click here to view agenda.
NASADENA
NASAdena T-Shirts
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Pasadena’s connection to space and science runs deep. JPL, Caltech and Mount Wilson Observatory have all helped shape major discoveries and missions over the years.
The NASAdena shirt pulls those pieces together, with references to Mars exploration, Caltech astronauts and Mount Wilson’s 100-inch telescope.
WEATHER
Monday
77🌡️54 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 35 (Good)
Tuesday
73🌡️53 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC
🌹 Music in the Rose Garden: Pasadena Conservatory musicians play solo and duo classical sets among the roses at The Huntington. The Huntington’s Rose Garden | Monday | October 26 | 1PM
🎶 Great Lake Swimmers – Caught Light Tour 2026: Great Lake Swimmers perform live in support of Caught Light, the band’s ninth album. Lodge Room Highland Park | Monday | October 26 | 7PM
🎹 Challenge as an Inspiration: Concert & Conversation with Makiko Hirata: Dr. Makiko Hirata plays Chopin, Godowsky, and Mompou, then talks about how hardship shaped each composer’s work. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Tuesday | October 27 | 10AM
🎵 Loss Transformed | Open Rehearsal: PCM faculty rehearse Brahms’s Horn Trio live, then take questions on their process and interpretation decisions. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Tuesday | October 27 | 7PM
🎺 Reservoir: Chicago-born musician, composer and producer Will Miller performs his cinematic soul-jazz project Reservoir. Lodge Room Highland Park | Tuesday | October 27 | 7PM
🎸 The Colorado Bar Jam: Every Tuesday, LA musicians gather to jam out and hang out together. The Colorado Bar | Tuesday | October 27 | 9PM
THANKS!
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