Pasadena, Altadena and nearby communities are set for a busy Independence Day on Saturday, with neighborhood parades, patriotic breakfasts, civic gatherings, a major Rose Bowl festival and drone show, and at least one scheduled political demonstration marking the nation’s 250th birthday.
The day’s local events begin early, with the Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park, a historical gathering at Owen Brown’s gravesite in Altadena, and the Pasadena Senior Center’s America’s 250th Birthday Breakfast. By late morning, several neighborhood traditions will be underway, including the Pepper Drive Parade in Altadena, the Historic Highlands celebration near the Pasadena-Altadena border, and the Madison Heights Fourth of July Parade and Picnic in Pasadena.
Old Pasadena will also see a July 4 edition of the “Save U.S. Saturdays” demonstration at Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue, where organizers say participants will combine a holiday observance with a protest focused on defending American democracy. Later in the day, the Rose Bowl will host the FoodieLand Food Festival, with food vendors, shopping, live entertainment and the Rose Bowl’s Independence Day drone show.
Local officials are urging residents to celebrate safely. Pasadena has reiterated that all fireworks are illegal in the city, including so-called “safe and sane” fireworks, and police and fire officials have warned of increased enforcement over the holiday weekend. Los Angeles County officials have issued similar warnings for Altadena and other unincorporated areas, where fireworks are also illegal, citing heightened fire danger after the Eaton Fire.
Below is our short list of top local July 4 events in Pasadena, Altadena, and the surrounding area.
Top Local July 4, 2026 Events
All day — Celebrate the Holiday at The Huntington
City: San Marino
Location: The Huntington
Time: The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino opens at 10:00 a.m. on July 4, closing at 5:00 p.m
Cost: $13 to $34
Summary: The Huntington is listed as open on July 4 for the first time in its history, with one-day-only 1919 Cafe specials including grilled salmon with peach BBQ sauce, dry-rubbed baby back ribs, corn on the cob, watermelon feta salad and summer snow cones.
7 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast
City: South Pasadena
Location: South Pasadena Fire Department
Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $12
Summary: The South Pasadena Kiwanis Club will host its annual Independence Day pancake breakfast, described as a community tradition supporting local Kiwanis youth programs benefiting South Pasadena children and families.
7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. — City of San Marino’s 4th of July Celebration
City: San Marino
Location: Lacy Park
Time: 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $5 to $15 per wristband
Summary: San Marino’s annual celebration at Lacy Park is listed as a full day of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, patriotic festivities and community programming.
7:30 a.m. to noon — Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at Sierra Madre’s Fourth of July Celebration
City: Sierra Madre
Location: Sierra Madre Boulevard
Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon
Cost: Free
Summary: Sierra Madre’s Fourth of July festivities are listed as beginning with the YMCA Firecracker Family Fun Run, followed by a Woman’s Club pre-parade open house and other community activities.
8 a.m. to noon — Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park
City: Pasadena
Location: Victory Park, 2675 Paloma St.
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Cost: Varies
Summary: The certified Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park is listed for July 4, offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and direct sales from farmers. The first source also identifies it as a recurring community event relevant because it falls on the holiday morning.
9 a.m.; livestream 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. — Morning Celebration at Owen Brown’s Gravesite
Town: Altadena
Location: Top of El Prieto Road; gravesite reached by short hike
Time: In-person meet-up at 9 a.m.; livestream 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Summary: Altadena Heritage and partner organizations scheduled a July 4 morning celebration at Owen Brown’s gravesite. The event connects Independence Day to Owen Brown, son of abolitionist John Brown, and Altadena’s ties to the Brown family.
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. — America’s 250th Birthday Breakfast Celebration at Pasadena Senior Center
City: Pasadena
Location: Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Cost: Listed in one source as $7 to $20
Contact: Charmaine Nelson, 626-344-4325; Charmainen@
Summary: Pasadena Senior Center will host a July Fourth breakfast with hotcakes, bacon, sausage and eggs, along with music. The event is described as an America’s 250th Birthday Breakfast Celebration.
10 a.m. — Pepper Drive Parade
Town: Altadena
Location: Pepper Drive and Glen Canyon Road
Time: 10 a.m.; street expected to reopen by about 11:30 a.m.
Summary: The neighborhood parade will step off at Pepper Drive and Glen Canyon Road and proceed two blocks, with decorated wagons, children on scooters and an informal front-yard gathering afterward. The source notes it is the second Fourth of July since the Eaton Fire and describes the parade as neighbor-run, with no registration, no lineup and no formal organizing committee.
10:30 a.m. band expected; 11 a.m. celebration — Historic Highlands Fourth of July Celebration
City: Pasadena/Altadena border area
Location: Triangle pocket park, where Chester Avenue and Howard Street meet; parade lineup at Howard Street and Michigan Avenue
Time: Band expected around 10:30 a.m.; main event at 11 a.m.
Summary: Historic Highlands’ Independence Day celebration is listed as being in its 32nd year, with a parade, music, decorated bikes and wagons, a potluck, raffle and children’s activities.
10:30 a.m — South Pasadena Festival of Balloons / Fourth of July Celebration
City: South Pasadena
Location: Opening ceremony at South Pasadena Public Library Community Room, 1115 El Centro St.; parade from Diamond Avenue near the Library Community Room along Mission Street to Garfield Park; evening fireworks at South Pasadena High School Stadium, 1401 Fremont Ave.
Time: Opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m.; parade steps off at 11 a.m.; park festivities continue into the afternoon; fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Summary: South Pasadena’s Festival of Balloons / Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, with a full day of patriotic events. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room, followed by the Festival of Balloons parade at 11 a.m. The parade will step off from Diamond Avenue near the Library Community Room and travel along Mission Street to Garfield Park, a route of about six-tenths of a mile. Daytime festivities at Garfield Park will include family games, food, music and a DJ, with the city’s Independence Day fireworks show scheduled for 9 p.m. at South Pasadena High School Stadium.
11 a.m. — Madison Heights Neighborhood Association July 4 Parade and Picnic / Block Party
City: Pasadena
Location: Parade begins at Euclid Avenue and Fillmore Street; proceeds toward Glenarm Street
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: One source lists $20 lunch tickets
Contact: publicity@
Summary: Madison Heights Neighborhood Association will host its annual Fourth of July parade and picnic/block party, featuring decorated bicycles, tricycles and strollers, followed by food trucks and games. The dogs of Madison Heights are identified as the 2026 grand marshals.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — “Save U.S. Saturdays” July 4 Demonstration
City: Pasadena
Location: Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue, Old Pasadena
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; post-rally gathering after 1 p.m.
Contact: Caroline Mays, 951-663-0077; cmays06@gmail.com
Summary: San Gabriel Foothills Indivisible will hold its weekly “Save U.S. Saturdays” demonstration, combining a July 4 observance of the nation’s 250th birthday with a protest organizers describe as aimed at defending American democracy. The source says participants will display the viral “Signs of Fascism” protest installation.
10 a.m. to 12 noon — People’s Independence Day
City: Pasadena
Location: Quaker Meeting House, 520 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Organizer/Presenter: Listed as presented by LA Progressive
Summary: Eventbrite lists “People’s Independence Day” for Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Quaker Meeting House in Pasadena.
1 to 10 p.m. — FoodieLand Food Festival and Rose Bowl July 4 Drone Show
City: Pasadena
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Time: 1 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $12 online; food and drink purchased separately
Contact: publicity@
Summary: FoodieLand Food Festival continues at the Rose Bowl with food vendors, shopping and live entertainment, and the event will feature the Rose Bowl’s Independence Day drone show. 200 to 250 vendors.
7 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. — South Pasadena 250th Birthday Concert and Fireworks Show
City: South Pasadena
Location: South Pasadena High School Stadium, 1401 Fremont Ave.
Time: 7 p.m. concert; 9 p.m. fireworks show
Contact: specialevents@
Summary: South Pasadena will celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with a live concert followed by a 9 p.m. Independence Day fireworks show.
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