“All Are Welcome in Pasadena” Kicks off June in Pasadena, California

What Pride Means in Pasadena

History is hardly ever tidy, but Pasadena, California has been proudly celebrating all identities since The Boulevard Bar was established over 40 years ago. Today, it remains one of Pasadena’s staples. In 2014, Pasadena was recognized as the “Second Gayest City in America” by The Advocate. This marked a historic moment, when a gay couple exchanged wedding vows on a wedding float during the Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade for the first time ever during live broadcasts around the world.

Visit Pasadena launched the city-wide “All Are Welcome in Pasadena” campaign this June. Look for the window decal at business entryways, proudly displaying the Pasadena Pride Rose, a design that expresses solidarity with all identities using the colors of the Pride flag to color the petals. Visitors are invited to share their images of the campaign with a @visitpasadena or #visitpasadena tag on Instagram to be featured.

This year, The City of Pasadena raises the Pride Flag once again at City Hall this June, with a flag designed by non-binary artist Daniel Quasar and made by San Diego-based Pride Flag SD, followed by a series of interactive and family friendly events. In historic Old Pasadena, visitors will experience the district’s powerful “commUNITY” campaign and “All Are Welcome” messaging while enjoying romantic and diverse shopping and dining experiences. In October, SGV Pride will celebrate National Coming Out day with a celebration at Central Park, with the historic Castle Green and the majestic San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop.

Celebrate Pride in June in Pasadena

Earmark your evenings for The Boulevard Bar, a judgement free zone filled with dragulous energy for the past 44 years. Enjoy karaoke every night, sing it loud and proud for open mic nights on Tuesdays, watch drag queens slay the stage on Fridays, and sip on cold beers with hot bears in the BearGarden on Sundays.

Enjoy the diverse culinary landscape in Pasadena, home to over 600 friendly restaurants. Savor the flavors at LGBTQ owned businesses such as Union, U Street Pizza, Yuca’s Pasadena, and Fat Boys Food Truck. For a haunting adventure, head to the LGBTQ owned Bunker Experience for a thrilling escape room complete with live actors and a three-part storyline. Guests can choose to play one, two, or all three segments. Celebrate with the City of Pasadena with a variety of events such as the annual flag raising on June 1 at City Hall and the Love, Loud, and Proud Celebration on June 24, also at City Hall.

Celebrate Outdoors Month in June in Pasadena

Pasadena’s enchanting blend of urban and suburban landscape is complimented by lush natural areas that feel a world away. Celebrate National Outdoors Month by enjoying the historic Arroyo Seco, where visitors can try archery, play disc golf at the world’s first disc golf course, hike, bike, walk, and explore the urban wildlife that call Pasadena home. Pack your sunscreen and reusable water bottles and enjoy recreation areas such as the Rose Bowl Recreation Loop for moderate activity with the iconic stadium in the background, or more advanced trails such as Mount Wilson.

June is a beautiful time to spend in the botanical gardens, as the rose gardens unfurl into full bloom to soak in the Southern Californian sunshine. The Huntington has forest bathing classes and Chinese music every Wednesday in the Garden of Flowing Fragrance. Descanso Gardens offers live acoustic music during their extended summer hours in the Camellia Lounge. Enjoy live music with Pasadena POPs! at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden, featuring special guests such as The Fray. Tour the Wrigley Mansion that was donated to the Tournament of Roses to become their headquarters by the Wrigley family, because the Rose Parade held a special place in Ada Wrigley’s heart. Enjoy the rose gardens during the Thursday 2:00 p.m. public tours that will end on August 31, 2023

Celebrate live music in the beautiful outdoors with the Visit Pasadena Summer of Music Guide.

Pasadena Chalk Festival Celebrates 30 Years on Father’s Day Weekend

Add the Pasadena Chalk Festival to your bucket list this Father’s Day weekend, as over 500 artists from around the world gather on the Plaza of the Pasadena Convention Center to create 200 chalk murals. The festival celebrates 30 vibrant years of bringing the Italian tradition of the Madonnari to Los Angeles County. On Saturday, June 17, head over to Pasadena City Hall for impressive architectural photo ops and the Vintage Car Show.

Pasadena Playhouse Awarded 2023 Regional Theater Tony Award

In a competitive performing arts region, the Pasadena Playhouse continues to shine with innovative programming, powerful DEI initiatives, and critically acclaimed performing arts. As the official state theater of California, the playhouse has had a brilliant history as the star factory for launching the careers of celebrated actors and actresses such as Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Sally Struthers, and more. The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that based on the recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, Pasadena Playhouse will be the recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank’s generous support.

This June, the playhouse’s six-month Sondheim Celebration culminates with a three-day performance by Sondheim’s most stunning muse, Bernadette Peters, at the iconic Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

About Visit Pasadena

The Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Pasadena) is a non-profit marketing organization dedicated to promoting Pasadena as a leading meeting, convention and leisure travel destination. It is responsible for the sales and marketing efforts to attract meetings, conventions, events, and leisure travel. Through the impact of travel, Visit Pasadena enhances the local economy for the well-being of the community. For more information, go to www.visitpasadena.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @VisitPasadena.