Weeklong Celebration of Commitment to Young Children is Planned

A decade after pledging to become an “Early Learning City” by 2025, Pasadena is preparing to host a weeklong Celebration of the Young Child, underscoring the city’s long-term investment in early childhood education and family support.

From September 20 to 26, free programs will be held across Pasadena and Altadena at Early Learning Hub sites that include libraries, museums, community centers and health clinics. The events are organized by the City of Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child in partnership with local institutions, continuing a series of initiatives that began with the city’s 2015 resolution to prioritize early learning.

A Decade in the Making

The city’s commitment dates to the adoption of the Early Learning City goal, which led to the establishment of the Office of the Young Child and the hiring of a dedicated coordinator to guide policy and programs. Over the years, the office has expanded its reach through the Growing Together PASadena network of Early Childhood Hubs. Funded initially with a $230,000 Library Services and Technology Act grant and supported by First 5 LA, the hubs provide access to parenting classes, developmental screenings and resources for children ages 0 to 5.

Annual observances of the Week of the Young Child, part of a national program founded by the National Association for the Education of Young Children in 1971, have become local fixtures. In April 2024, for example, Pasadena marked the 53rd national Week of the Young Child with library and park activities emphasizing reading, art and music. Mayor Victor Gordo issued a proclamation that month reaffirming the city’s focus on early learning.

A Week of Free Events

This year’s September celebration expands the tradition. It begins with two major events on Sept. 20: a Fall Festival at Brookside Park, featuring a “Touch-a-Truck” vehicle exploration area, free admission to Kidspace Children’s Museum, a resource fair and food trucks; and Kidspace’s Halloween Bash, with costume parades, rides and family activities.

Throughout the week, programs at hub sites will include storytimes, cultural performances, craft giveaways and workshops hosted by partners such as Pasadena Public Library branches, the Public Health Department and local nonprofits. All offerings are free, with the intent of ensuring access regardless of family income.

Funding and Partnerships

City support for early childhood programs has grown steadily. Pasadena funds the Early Childhood Coordinator position, which in 2026 moved into the City Manager’s Office, embedding early learning in citywide policy. Grants and external funding continue to supplement the city budget, while community partners provide venues, programming and waived admission fees.

Kidspace Museum, for example, waived admission for the Fall Festival kickoff, while Pasadena Public Library leveraged its storytime staff to expand programming. Nonprofits and Pasadena Unified School District contribute performances, information booths and giveaways.

An Ongoing Commitment

For city officials and community partners, the Celebration of the Young Child is more than a seasonal festival; it is the visible expression of a policy framework adopted a decade ago. By institutionalizing funding, cultivating partnerships and creating physical hubs for services, Pasadena has positioned itself as a city where early learning is part of civic identity.

The weeklong celebration, officials say, reflects the city’s determination to follow through on its original pledge. As one early champion of the initiative observed, the goal has been to make Pasadena “the best place ever that you could possibly grow up in.”

Here’s the week’s line-up:

Free Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Celebrating community and honoring children’s dreams, joyful learning and community belonging. The event will have Touch-A-Truck area, free admission to Kidspace, a resource fair, food trucks, and children’s activities. Food available for purchase. For children ages 0 -5 and their caregivers.

Kidspace Halloween Bash
Saturday, Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 N.  Arroyo Blvd.
Bring your little pumpkin to Kidspace for Pasadena’s favorite Halloween events for kids—the Kidspace Halloween Bash! Join the rollicking costume parades, take a thrilling trike ride through a spooky house, and adopt a monster. Kick off the spooky season with a day packed full of monstrously fun family memories. Costumes are encouraged. Costume parades at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Space is limited. For more information, visit KidSpaceMuseum.org/Halloween-2025/. For children ages 0 -10 and their caregivers.

Pasadena Public Health Department Resource Booth
Tuesday, Sept. 23 • 9 – 11 a.m. • Villa Parke Farmer’s Market, Corner of Villa St. and Garfield Ave.
Join the Pasadena Public Health Department at the Villa Parke Farmers Market to learn about health resources for you and your family. Pick up a free dental kit, recipe book, and other helpful materials to keep your family safe and healthy.

Fall into Storytime
Tuesday, Sept. 23 • 10 a.m. • Villa Parke Park, Corner of Villa St. and Garfield Ave.
Join us for a cozy outdoor storytime in the park to welcome the first week of fall. We’ll celebrate the changing leaves, the harvest season, and the magic of autumn through stories, songs, and fun activities. Our storytime will take place right next to the farmers market, so families can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the season all around. Bring a blanket to sit on, and don’t be surprised if you spot a scarecrow—or someone straight out of a storybook—reading aloud! Presented for ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Danza Azteca Xochipilli
Tuesday, Sept. 23 • 4 – 5 p.m. • Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
Introduce your child to traditional Mexica (Aztec) culture through dance, music and storytelling. The performance will feature authentic wind and percussion instruments along with colorful, traditional indigenous costumes. For all ages.

Book/Craft Giveaway
Wednesday, Sept. 24 • All Day • Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Avenue, Altadena
Stop by the park and pick up a book or craft to take home and enjoy. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Bob Baker Marionette Show
Wednesday, Sept. 24 • 4 p.m. • La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Celebrate the magic of childhood with a special puppet show featuring amazing puppets from the Bob Baker Marionette Theater collection. They’ve been “pulling the strings of family fun since 1963!” If you are interested in bringing a group of five or more, please call (626) 744-7268, 72 hours in advance, to let us know. For ages 0-12 and their caregivers.

Book/Craft Giveaway
Thursday, Sept. 25 • All Day • Bob Lucas Memorial Library, 2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena
Stop in the newly opened Bob Lucas Library and pick up a book or craft to take home and enjoy. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Preschool Sensory Celebration
Thursday, Sept. 25 • 3 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St.
Celebrate and explore the five senses with sensory art, craftmaking, scavenger hunt, and a live performance featuring students from Jefferson Children’s Center, a Spanish Dual Language Immersion Preschool. Children of all abilities are invited. Light refreshments provided.  Presented in partnership with Pasadena Unified School District. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Book/Craft Giveaway
Friday, Sept. 26 • All Day • Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
Stop in the library and pick up a book or craft to take home and enjoy. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Joy of Reading Party
Friday, Sept 26 • 2 – 4 p.m. • Pacific Clinics Head Start, 136 W. Peoria St.
Join the fun at our Joy of Reading Party as we celebrate the young child with reading, art projects and activities. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the Raising a Readers Group Read Aloud, Puppet Making, Make It Take It Home Book activity and Matching Alphabet Games. Light refreshments provided. Children will receive a free book to continue their reading journey at home. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Reading Buddies
Friday, Sept. 26 • 3 – 5 p.m. • Families Forward Learning Center, 980 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Parents and their children will buddy together on a reading adventure as they listen to a story, make a craft, enjoy a snack and take home the book that was read to them. For ages 0-5 and their parents.