Doo Dah Parade Postponed Until 2026 Amid Wildfire and Education Funding Concerns

The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will skip 2025 and return on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, in its original Old Pasadena location, organizers announced Thursday.

The Light Bringer Project, the nonprofit producer of the irreverent annual event, cited this year’s wildfire crisis and uncertainty over education funding as key reasons for the postponement. The organization said the move will help conserve financial resources and maintain the quality of its arts education programs for underserved youth.

“The wildfire crisis and other uncertainties have placed stress on our school programs in several ways,” said Patricia Hurley, managing director of Light Bringer Project. “We’re making a difficult decision, but a responsible one. We know how many people love the parade, so have no doubt we’ll be back in full force!”

Hurley added that potential cuts to educational funding were a major factor in the decision. In response to shifting conditions, the organization relocated two art programs this spring and launched a new summer initiative for school-aged youth at a local community center.

The Doo Dah Parade, often dubbed the “twisted sister” of Pasadena’s more traditional New Year’s Day Rose Parade, returned to Old Pasadena in 2023 after years in East Pasadena. The 2026 event will mark its 46th year, though the parade has skipped several years since its 1978 debut, earning it the nickname “Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade.”

To keep the spirit alive, organizers plan to host a “No Doo Dah Day” bash at a local venue this November. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.