Make Music Pasadena is coming back to the bustling streets of Old Pasadena for its fifth annual event. As in the past, Make Music is bringing more than 150 artists to Pasadena, and the festival will be kept lively by the strategic placement of stages throughout the historic area.  The main stage will be on Colorado between Raymond and Arroyo, right in the heart of Old Pasadena, and there will also be 6 large, themed stages in total, along with smaller stages that will be nestled in alleyways. The festival spans several city blocks from Lake to St. Joseph Ave. Up and coming talent from around the area will be gracing the smaller stages. Bands like No, The Dustbowl Revival, and The Happy Hollows will be blowing patrons away with their varying styles of music, making Pasadenans proud to live in the creative city that allows their talent to thrive. On the main stage, Coachella veterans like Grouplove, Cults, and Y La Bamba will pull the crowd towards the neighborhood’s center.  

Another great thing about Make Music is the vendors. Small canopies scattered throughout the festival grounds are manned by eager volunteers who hand out souvenirs to passerby. The festival’s swag changes each year.  Amoeba is usually on hand with bags for patrons to carry around their items in, and last year, there was a booth where people could design shirts and watch them made on the spot.  All of the best items usually fly by, so be on the lookout.

If all of that isn’t enough, here is the final kicker: Make Music Pasadena is free!  This festival is provided entirely free of charge by the city of Pasadena and the event’s sponsors.  So you will be able to have a musical day in the summer sun without giving a second thought to your wallet. The day begins at 11 a.m. and runs for a full twelve hours until 11 p.m. Visit makemusicpasadena.org for more info.

-Seth Nuñez