What’s New in Pasadena, California February 2023

February in Pasadena is alive with celebrations and activity. Come enjoy the Lunar New Year events at The Huntington, follow this guide to honoring Black history in Pasadena, explore all the culinary options this Valentine’s Day, and head to the bounty of sports bars to watch the Super Bowl! New restaurants and eateries have popped up and there’s plenty to do all over town.

Goldenvoice has announced the Just Like Heaven lineup with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs headlining the May 13th festival, and the Cruel World lineup with Siouxsie and Iggy Pop headlining the May 20th
festival, both at Brookside at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS IN PASADENA

February 4 – 5: The Huntington’s Chinese New Year Festival
The Huntington’s Chinese New Year Festival is welcoming the Year of the Rabbit with a family-friendly event featuring lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, arts and drafts, and more. Festivities take place in the Liu Fang Yuan (Chinese Garden) and food trucks in attendance include Dina’s Dumplings, the Tropic Truck, Pinch of Flavor, and more.

February 3: Xiao Guo Comedy Show
Xiao Guo Comedy Show Tour takes over the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, featuring a lineup of Chinese comedians performing a variety show in Mandarin.

February 4: Sean Healy Presents ONEUS
K-pop phenomenon ONEUS heads to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on their inaugural world tour, called “Reach For Us” on February 4.

February 10 – 12: The California International Antiquarian Book Fair
In its 55th year, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America’s book fair will be taking over the Pasadena Convention Center for a three-day event, showing fine and rare materials from around the globe, including manuscripts, modern first editions, children’s books, ephemera, maps and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics. Admission is free for students with valid student ID. Children under 12 are free.

Valentine’s Day Celebrations: Love in Pasadena
Romantic evening strolls in Pasadena’s walkable downtown areas are the perfect pairing to a special Valentine’s Day meal with loved ones. In Old Pasadena, Perle Restaurant is serving a special six-course tasting menu with a parting gift, featuring oysters, duck liver parfait, beef Wellington, and more. The historic Raymond restaurant is dishing out a four-course menu with roast duck paired with black trumpet mushrooms, black cod, and raspberry coulis.

February 18: Pasadena’s Black History Parade & Festival
On February 18th, one of California’s biggest and longest running black history parades is back. The 41st Annual Pasadena Black History Parade & Festival begins on Fair Oaks Avenue and Figueroa Street and culminates at Pasadena’s Robinson Park (1801 N. Fair Oaks Ave.) for the festival, which features live bands, dance performances, community booths, guest speakers, food for purchase, and tons of fun!

Here are some additional ways to honor Black history in Pasadena.

February 17: Giggles & Grooves “Valentine’s Day Edition” Featuring Lil Duval and Donell Jones
Live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, stand-up comedian and actor Lil Duval and award-winning R&B singer/songwriter Donell Jones puts on a special Valentine’s Day edition of Giggles & Grooves. Tickets available online: https://www.visitpasadena.com/events/giggles-and-grooves-valentines-day-edition/

NEW SHOPS AND EATERIES

No Comment
Old Pasadena welcomes a new upscale restaurant and lounge, aptly named “No Comment,” promising an ultra-lux dining experience. Under Chef Edgar Ramos, this new American concept savors the Mediterranean and Japanese flavors influenced by the grill, with a robust cocktail menu that aims to revitalize classics with a “No Comment” spin. Featured dishes include a braised pork belly starter on crispy rice, a Hamachi crudo starter dressed with homemade ponzu, and mains such as miso black cod and a showstopping tomahawk steak. The restaurant will be open for both lunch and dinner in its elegant interiors, which include cascading plant walls, light panels, patterns, and a sound booth. Keep an eye out for a secret menu and rotating live music. https://www.instagram.com/nocommentpasadena/

Savvvys
Savvvys is a new family-owned café offering elegant modern houseplant aesthetics, plenty of outlets, free wifi, and specialty lattes made with handcrafted syrups and beans from small batch roaster Unity roasting. Try the maple latte, baby blue matcha, peach cobbler latte, rose flavored espresso, and select from a display of fresh pastries. There’s also protein shakes and charcuterie boards. Enjoy the local art on display, beautiful open-air patio, and houseplants for sale. Open everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. https://www.yelp.com/biz/savvvys-pasadena

I Like Pie Bakeshop
Old Pasadena welcomed a new pie shop dishing out individual pie experiences with delicious personal pies. Flavors change seasonally based on regionally sourced ingredients and currently feature a winter/mixed berry pie or hand pie. The Jelly Jar Pies are a must, to take home and warm up before eating. Savory pies include shepherd’s pie, onion and potato quiche, and more. https://ilikepiebakeshop.com/

Tepito Coffee
Mike de la Rocha and Emmy-nominated actor Richard Cabral first began serving their coffee last year, when they took over a space inside Vroman’s Bookstore. Now visitors can get a taste of their organically grown coffee from a small community called Boca Del Monte in Veracruz, Mexico at Tepito Coffee, a new brick and mortar in Old Pasadena. Tepito partners with Homeboy Industries for staffing and is proudly serving farm to cup on historic Route 66. https://www.tepitocoffee.com/

Octavia’s Bookshelf
Pasadena welcomes a new independent bookstore by Nikki High in February 2023, called Octavia’s Bookshelf, in honor of Pasadena native, sci-fi author, and MacArthur fellow Octavia Butler. With funding support from GoFundMe, the shop will highlight authors who are Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. https://www.instagram.com/octavias_bookshelf/

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.