Free L.A.
Finding FREE family-friendly fun this summer has never been easier. Snap up a copy of the new travel guide: Free L.A.: The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels (Free Fun Guides) ($14.95).  Not only does this 320-page guide to free fun have a chapter on Pasadena, but other chapters include plenty of free fun things to do in the rest of the San Gabriel Valley.
Part of the Free Fun Guides series, Free L.A. is published by The Orange Cat's co-publisher, Troy Corley. Troy is a Mom and a Free & Frugal Fun expert, who has spent years creating free fun adventures for her family.
Where can you buy Free L.A. locally? Vroman's; Mrs. Nelson's; and Distant Lands, CA's oldest travel bookstore. Or go to the Free Fun Guides Website where you'll also find info on more free fun things to do.
Is your budget just too tight to buy the book? We're giving away three FREE copies to Orange Cat readers! Just email us with your favorite free things to do in the San Gabriel Valley. We'll pick three of the best free suggestions and those readers will get a free copy of Free L.A.
San Gabriel Valley Family Calendar
A sampling of upcoming family-friendly events. There are so many cool things to do for families that it's impossible to list them all here. Be sure to check our online calendars for more!
Email us your events: theorangecat.org@gmail.com
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Celebrate Kidspace's 30th Birthday! 11am - 4pm 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (map) Help celebrate Kidspace's 30th birthday all weekend long with birthday cake (Saturday only), an ice cream sundae Mini Iron Chef Challenge, party games, balloons, face painting and more. Families can share their favorite Kidspace memory on an anniversary mural.
For info: 626.449.9144.
"By George" Summer Magic Concert @ The Arboretum 7:30 - 9:30pm, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (map) The 2009 “Summer Magic” season opens June 27 at The Arboretum and June 28 at Walt Disney Concert Hall with “By George!” featuring works by famous ‘Georges’ from George Handel to George Gershwin.
Performances at Cal Phil Festival on the Green start at 7:30pm, with the gates of The Arboretum opening at 5:30pm for picnicking.
Tickets cost $20 to $95, with subscriptions available for 3 concerts or 5 concerts. To purchase tickets for Cal Phil Festival on the Green, call 626.300.8200. Box office hours 10am - 6pm Monday to Friday.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
FREE La Cañada Flintridge Summer Music in the Park, 6 - 8pm., Memorial Park, 1301 Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge (map)Join family, friends and neighbors for a free evening of music. Bring a picnic basket, blankets and lawn chairs. This concert features Jazz with the David Sagal Jazz Quintet.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FREE Fantasy in Magic Exotic Animal Show @ Altadena Library, 4:30 - 5:30pm., 600 E. Mariposa, Altadena (map) Get ready for a nonstop, action packed, high energy magic show with live exotic pets! This multi-media performance will delight the entire family.
For info: 626.798.0833.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
FREE Peek at Family History @ Pasadena Museum of History 9 - 11:30am. 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena (map)
In celebration of the current exhibition "Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy" families are invited to enjoy five new sessions of the museum's children’s program, Peek at the Past. the program features games, crafts, and activities that can be used to explore their own family history. Program for children ages 4 through 8 years old and an accompanying adult.
July 1 – Family Holidays from Many Cultures July 8 – Wrapped in Family History
July 15 – Picturing Family History
July 22 – Climbing Family Trees & Jumping into Family Timelines
July 29 – Tastes of Family History
Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required. Call 626.577.1660 ext. 10.
FREE Summer Films @ Pasadena Central Library 1 – 2:30pm Donald Wright Auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (map) Beat the heat with a FREE fun family film every Wednesday in July in the comfortable, air-conditioned Donald Wright Auditorium. July 1 featured film is Wall-E, which won both Golden Globe and Academy Awards for best animated film in 2008.
FREE The FUNdamentals Band @ Levitt Pavillion 7– 8pm, Memorial Park, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena (map) Get ready to move with Aaron Nigel Smith & The FUNdamentals Band as they present their FREE up-tempo concert that encourages movement.
Grab a blanket or beach chairs, pack a few snacks and come out to the Levitt Pavillion in Memorial Park for this FREE summer concert. Wednesday night children's concerts, which continue until August 26, will feature lively musicians, storytellers, puppeteers, circus performers and more.
Call 626.683.3230.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Family Concert @ Descanso Gardens, 5:30 – 7pm, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada (map)
Children’s entertainer Tim Griffin kicks off Descanso’s Twilight Thursday annual concert series. His original songs about science, history, math and childhood goofiness are sure to delight audiences young and old.
Families are invited to bring blankets and picnics (normally not allowed) before the show that takes place at the Under the Oaks Theatre.The concert is free with Garden’s admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12 and free for kids 4 and younger.
Hollywood Bowl July 4th Fireworks Spectacular 7:30 - 9:30pm Also on July 3 & July 4 2301 N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles (map) An all-American hero headlines the annual U.S. birthday bash! John Fogerty, the guitar and voice of Creedence Clearwater Revival and a master craftsman of classic rock ’n’ roll, is enjoying an enormously successful solo career. Don’t miss an electrifying night of “Fogerty and Fireworks” — favorite American orchestral classics and a rollicking set by America’s favorite son. It's a sell out every year so get tix early!. Tickets range from $12 (good luck!) to $152 with discounts for kids under age 12.
As a KPCC Friends Card holder, you can receive 20% off tickets in sections M and N for the July 2 performance. Use the promo code JULY4 when you order online at HollywoodBowl.com. Bring the kids and start your weekend celebrations early!
Saturday , July 4, 2009
Independence Day!
City of San Marino's Annual 4th of July Celebration 4 - 9pm Lacy Park,1485 Virginia Rd, San Marino (map) Ongoing game booths and bingo from 4 to 7 pm, a community parade at 5 pm, stage entertainment from 5:30 to 9pm and a fireworks display at approximately 9pm. The park's Virginia Road entrance opens at 7am. No entrance via St. Albans Road until 3pm. Guests may reserve areas using blankets, chairs and ropes. No stakes will be permitted in the ground. Wristbands must be purchased for the park festivities. Contact the city Recreation Department 626.403.2200.
FREE Sierra Madre 4th of July Celebration 10am – 4pm Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre (map) Celebrate with a parade, FREE Dixieland music, and outdoor games. The parade “where half the town marches and the other half watches,” starts at 10am followed by outdoor games and festivities in the park. The Nightblooming Jazzmen performing noon - 4pm; food booths and beer garden 10am - 4pm. More info: 626. 355.7394.
FREE Lakeshore Fun Firecracker Craft, 11am - 3pm 3848 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (map) Kids celebrate our nation's birthday by creating kid-safe firecracker decorations. No reservations required. Store closes at 4pm for the holiday.
West Covina Independence Day Celebration Edgewood Middle School 2 - 11pm 1625 W. Durness St. West Covina (map) A carnival, live music and, of course, fireworks for fun on the fourth also benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This is the 19th annual celebration and the entrance fee to the carnival is only $1. Carnival lasts until 11pm with extra costs for rides & food. FREE live music 5 - 9pm with FREE fireworks afterwards. Make it a full day with a $4 pancake breakfast 8 - 11am @ Hurst Ranch, 1227 S. Orange Ave. More info: 626.939.8430
South Pasadena Festival of Balloons Parade, 11am Mission and Diamond Streets, South Pasadena (map) A Fourth of July parade and more for the whole family. Start with a 7am pancake breakfast at the Fire Dept. Parade open ceremonies at 10:30a.m; parade kicks off @ 11am. Gates open @ 5:30pm at the Southa Pasadena High School Field for the 9pm fireworks. Buy $7 tickets at the pancake breakfast or $10 tix at the gate. More info: 626.818.8000
Americafest 4th of July Celebration @ the Rose Bowl 2 - 9:30pm. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena (map) The Rose Bowl's 4th of July celebration in has kept the Star Spangled spirit flying for 83 years. The day combines a safe and entertaining family activity and the biggest and best fireworks show in Southern California.
The fun begins outside the stadium with food vendors, entertainment, crafts, exhibits and inflatable rides for kids outside the stadium starting at 2pm. The stadium gates open at 6pm with the Drum Corps International (DCI) Marching Music's Major LeaguesTM, presenting five of the nation's best Drum and Bugle Corps performing field shows and music at 7pm. At 9:05pm the fireworks show lights the night. The 30-minute show is choreographed and produced by world-renown Pyrospectacular.
General admission tickets are $13, children under age 7 are free. Preferred seating tix for adults and children: $25. Call 800.745.3000 for tickets, or use www.ticketmaster.com. Parking is $15.
Tuesday July 7, 2009
Natural History Museum of L.A. County FREE Admission 9:30am – 5pm, Exposition Park, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles (map)FREE Admission to the 3rd largest natural history museum every 1st Tue!
FREE Family Night @ Kidspace 4pm – 8pm, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (map)Theater 360 performs "Beauty and the Beast" in the Stone Hollow Amphitheater at 6:30pm. The Lakeshore Learning Store also hosts a fun craft table for kids. Free admission for all guests to this 3-acre indoor/outdoor educational extravaganza! Explore the Digging Deeper Gallery, Interactive Gardens, Early Childhood Center and more. Regular admission is $9 per adult/child. For more info:l 626.449.9144.
Family Fun for Nature Nuts @ Descanso Gardens 5:30 – 7pm, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada (map) Families can enjoy music of Rhythm Child (July 7) in addition to going on a “Walk on the Wild Side” to discover wildlife up close including: South America’s Emerald Forest (July 21), A Journey to Africa (July 28) and a Trip Around the World (Aug. 4).
$45 per person ($35 members) for all four sessions; single events are $12 ($10 members). Seating is first come, first served. Gates open at 5:30pm for the 6pm show. Call 818.949.7980.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wildlife Company @ West Covina Library 2:30 – 3:30pm 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina (map) As part of the "Be Creative" Summer Reading Program, the West Covina Library presents the Wildlife Company and their live animal show "Habitats & Adaptations." Kids will get the chance to see, learn about and touch real live animals.
For more info: 626.962.3541.
Temperature Rising Concert Series @ Duarte Park 6:30 – 8:30pm 1344 Bloomdale St., Duarte (map) Come and enjoy four nights full of live entertainment, dancing, food, and games for the whole family. The Rt. 66 Parade Committee will also hold a raffle at every concert.
This summer’s concert entertainment includes:
June 24 - “Flattop Tom & His Jumpcats,” Swing/R&B Band sponsored by Rutan & Tucker LLP
July 8 - “Help,” Beatles Tribute Band sponsored by Cal Am Water;
July 22 - “Boogie Fever,” Disco Band sponsored by WePackItAll and Performance Nissan
August 5 - “Mariachi Anacatlan” sponsored in part by Performance Nissan.
Concession stands will open at 6 p.m. Remember to bring your lawn chair or a blanket.
For more info: 626.357.7931 ext. 260.
FREE Life-Size Puppet Show @ Levitt Pavillion 7 – 8pm Memorial Park, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena (map) Enjoy the classic tale of Ferdinand the Bull told with life-size puppets from Vagabond Puppets.
Grab a blanket or beach chairs, pack a few snacks and come out to the Levitt Pavillion in Memorial Park for this FREE summer concert. Wednesday night children's concerts, which continue until August 26, will feature lively musicians, storytellers, puppeteers, circus performers and more.
Call 626.683.3230.
TEENS Animation Festival @ Pasadena Central Library 7 – 8:30pm Donald R. Wright Auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (map) Animator/cartoonist Jim Lujan and friends showcase short cartoons and satirize the quirky and strange characters found in Southern California.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Harry Potter Release Party @ Vroman's 6PM 695 E. Colorado Blvd,
Pasadena (map) In celebration of the paperback release of Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows and in anticipation of the movie Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince, Vroman's is throwing a party! Everyone who attends will automatically be entered into a drawing for a variety of prizes. Additional drawing entry opportunities are forthcoming. Join Vroman's for a fun night with the Harry Potter trivia, drawings for prizes and more!!
Find More Events on Our Online Calendar!
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features the personal, multi-generational chronicles of six longtime Pasadena families. The stories of the Duncan, Gertmenian, Lowe, Stevenson, Kawai, and Mejia families shed light on the experiences of our African-American, Armenian-American, Chinese-American, Euro-American, Japanese-American and Latino communities, respectively.
