Special Events

The South Pasadena Community Services Department will host three dates of Movies in the Park this summer. Admission is free and patrons are encouraged to bring their picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs with family and friends to enjoy a night of entertainment in the park.

Movies in the Park are held at Garfield Park, located at 1000 Park Avenue, South Pasadena. The current schedule of movies includes Elemental on Friday, June 14, Trolls Band Together on Friday, July 12, and the series concludes with a showing of Barbie on Friday, August 9. All movies begin at sunset.

For more information, please call (626) 403-7380 or email specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov.

The South Pasadena Community Services Department will host four dates of Concerts in the Park this summer. Admission is free and patrons are encouraged to bring their picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs with family and friends to enjoy a night of music in the park.

Concerts in the Park is held at Garfield Park, located at 1000 Park Avenue, South Pasadena. The current schedule of performances includes:

• Anything for Salinas on Sunday, June 23
• Blue Breeze Band on Sunday, July 28
• Mirage: Visions of Fleetwood Mac on Sunday, August 4
• Smooth Sounds of Santana on Sunday, August 18

All concerts run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the Recreation Division at (626) 403-7380 or by email at specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov.

The City of South Pasadena is pleased to announce the 4th of July Festival of Balloons for its 40th anniversary. This year’s theme is Hometown Heroes: Celebrating the Spirit of Community.

July 4th Festival of Balloons activities kick off with Kiwanis’ Pancake Breakfast at the South Pasadena Fire Station at 7:00 a.m., located at 817 Mound Ave., South Pasadena. Opening Ceremony for the parade will start at 10:30 a.m. at the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room, located at 1115 El Centro St., South Pasadena. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. and travel from Diamond Avenue to Garfield Park where games, a live DJ, and food will be available until 2:30 p.m.

The day will conclude with a live concert from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. featuring The Kings of 88 and the fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. at the South Pasadena High School Stadium, located at 1401 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. Fireworks presale tickets will be available for purchase beginning Saturday, June 1 for $15.00 per person online by clicking the link below. Children 2 years and under are free. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. Please bring a copy of your receipt and tickets to enter the stadium.

For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at (626) 403-7380 or by email at specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov.

You and your organization can become part of the City of South Pasadena’s historic Festival of Balloons Fourth of July Parade this July. The iconic event starts at 11:00 a.m. on Diamond Avenue by the Library Community Room and ends at Garfield Park. 

This year’s theme is “Hometown Heroes: Celebrating the Spirit of Community.” Groups are encouraged to incorporate the theme into their entry’s decorations and to include music.

Registered participants may walk or ride along the route in a vehicle. The distance is approximately 0.6 miles.

To participate, complete the one-page registration form below by May 30, 2024 and sign that you’ll agree to abide by the event rules. Submit the forms by email (preferred) to specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov or by U.S. Mail to the South Pasadena Recreation Division, located at 815 Mission St., South Pasadena CA 91030, Attn: Festival of Balloons Parade. For questions, please contact Community Services Director, Sheila Pautsch at specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov or at (626) 403-7380.

Following the parade, the City will host a party in the park at Garfield Park. Fireworks will follow starting at 9:00 p.m. at the South Pasadena High School with a pre-show concert from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at (626) 403-7380 or by email at specialevents@southpasadenaca.gov.