Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo shown delivering his annual community toast at a previous Pasadena Neighbor Day.
A year after the Eaton Fire made neighbors suddenly essential to survival, Pasadena marks its fourth annual Neighbor Day with live music, community gatherings, and a mayoral toast Sunday at Wild Parrot Brewing Company.
The free event, organized by the City of Pasadena Economic Development Division and local Americana duo The Nextdoors, runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Lamanda Park brewery, 2302 E. Colorado Blvd. Four bands perform throughout the afternoon, Mayor Victor Gordo delivers his annual community toast at 5 p.m., and proceeds benefit three local nonprofits.
“Never was the importance of knowing your neighbors highlighted more,” said Russell Mark, co-founder of The Nextdoors and Pasadena Neighbor Day. During the 2025 fire, he said, knowing which neighbors had disabilities, breathing sensitivities, or pets home alone “suddenly became vital in a potential life or death scenario.”
The event grew from a playful 2023 social media campaign by The Nextdoors and Wild Parrot into an official City celebration after Mayor Gordo responded with a “Saturday Night Live”-style video declaring Pasadena Neighbor Day. He has delivered an annual community toast each year since.
“A place like ours doesn’t just look at success as a ledger book — our purpose is to bring a community together,” said John Jackson, who co-owns Wild Parrot with his wife, Kirsten. The brewery hosts a running club, trivia nights, and other community programming. “Neighbor Day fits in perfectly with that.”
Sunday’s lineup opens with the Licata Brothers, a folk-rock duo from Arcadia, at 3 p.m. Nina Lares leads a yacht rock singalong at 4 p.m., followed by Gordo’s toast. The Nextdoors, a husband-and-wife duo featuring Mark on guitar and Mika Larson on cello, take the stage at 5:15 p.m. Los Angeles rock outfit Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls close the show at 6:30 p.m.
Wild Parrot will donate to the Pasadena Educational Foundation and Pasadena Fire Foundation. The Nextdoors will contribute a portion of merchandise sales and raffle proceeds to Light Bringer Project, the nonprofit that produces the Doo Dah Parade and LitFest.
“All these organizations were heavily impacted by the Eaton Fire, and yet rose to the occasion and were powerful agents for assistance, positivity, and perseverance during a chaotic and painful time,” Larson said.
Last year’s event raised over $3,500 for fire relief efforts, according to event organizers, with more than $1,700 going specifically to the Pasadena Educational Foundation and Pasadena Symphony relief funds, according to the City of Pasadena.
District 4 Councilmember Gene Masuda, whose district includes the event venue, called Neighbor Day “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community, strengthen connections, and support local businesses.”
David Klug, the City’s economic development director, said the Lamanda Park location helps bring “more vitality into our neighborhood commercial districts.”
Events extend beyond the brewery. Kulturas Latin Kitchen & Cantina, 187 N. Sierra Madre Blvd., hosts all-day happy hour from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with neighbor specials and gift card giveaways. Imagine Co-Labs music school leads a family jam session at Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Raffle prizes include 2027 Rose Bowl Parade tickets donated by Masuda, Santa Anita race tickets, and items from Pasadena Heritage and local businesses.
Resident influencer Michael Calderon, known locally as Mr. Pasadena, hosts the festivities for the third year.
Pasadena Neighbor Day is free and open to all ages. Food and beverages are available for purchase. More information is available at PasadenaNeighborDay.com.
Wild Parrot Brewing Company, 2302 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more visit PasadenaNeighborDay.com. Tickets: Free.
