FreeBee

Free things to do in Pasadena

7 free things to do and get in Pasadena, including 5 attractions, 2 food. Each one checked against its official source, every catch spelled out.

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Today 1

AttractionsFree (worth about $25)

Free tours of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena

Weekdays by reservation (no weekends or holidays)

NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryPasadena

JPL offers free in-person Visitor Day Tours for individuals and families of up to 10 people: a multimedia presentation, the von Karman Visitor Center, Space Flight Operations and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility. Tours last 2–2.5 hours with about 0.8 miles of walking and stairs. They're booked a month at a time, at least three weeks ahead, and only on weekdays; spots are limited. Visitor parking is free.

Verified Oct 27 · jpl.nasa.gov

Catch: Reserve at least 3 weeks ahead; limited spots, booked one month at a time · Adults 18+ need a REAL ID or passport (non-citizens: passport or green card) · Full roster of names submitted 3 weeks before

Tomorrow 2

FoodFree (worth about $40)For people who qualify

Choose-your-own groceries at the Friends In Deed food pantry, Pasadena

Tue and Wed 10am–3pm; Thu 10am–1pm

Friends In DeedPasadena

Friends In Deed runs a market-style pantry where you pick your own groceries: canned and dry goods, cereal, and when available meat, fresh produce, toiletries, diapers, formula and pet food. Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am–3pm and Thursdays 10am–1pm; come once a week. Arrive by 9am to join the opening lottery instead of lining up.

Verified Oct 27 · friendsindeedpas.org

Catch: Only for: low- and no-income households in the greater Pasadena and Altadena area · Bring ID for each family member and proof of address to register (staff will still help if you lack them) · Once per week

FoodFree (worth about $40)For people who qualify

Free groceries at Foothill Unity Center in Pasadena

Tue, Wed and Fri, 9–11:30am

Foothill Unity Center, Pasadena

Foothill Unity Center hands out groceries three mornings a week at its Pasadena site, drive-thru or walk-up: fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and bread when available, plus a meat or fish item once a month. Bring your own bags or a wagon. Call (626) 584-7420 to register before each distribution; CalFresh and Medi-Cal sign-up is available on site.

Verified Oct 27 · foothillunitycenter.org

Catch: Only for: income at or below 150% of the poverty level · Only for: residents of 12 San Gabriel Valley areas incl. Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, Arcadia · Register by phone before each distribution

This weekend 2

AttractionsFree (usually $20)

Free Norton Simon Museum for kids, students and military

Mon, Thu, Sun noon–5pm; Fri–Sat noon–7pm

Norton Simon MuseumPasadena

Visitors 18 and under, students with a valid ID and active military with ID get into the Norton Simon Museum free any day it's open. EBT cardholders are also admitted free. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Verified Oct 27 · nortonsimon.org

Catch: Ages 18 and under, students with valid ID, active military with ID, or EBT cardholders

AttractionsFree (worth about $8)

Free art galleries at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena

Thu–Sat, 1–5pm

Armory Center for the ArtsPasadena

The Armory Center for the Arts shows contemporary art in a historic 1932 California Guard armory in Old Pasadena, across from Memorial Park Station. Galleries are open Thursday to Saturday, 1–5pm, and admission is always free. Closed for major holidays and from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

Verified Oct 27 · armoryarts.org

No catch

Always free 2

AttractionsFree (usually $20)

Free first Friday evenings at the Norton Simon Museum

First Friday of each month, 4–7pm

Norton Simon MuseumPasadena

The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is free for everyone on the first Friday of each month from 4 to 7pm. Regular adult admission is $20.

Verified Oct 27 · nortonsimon.org

No catch

AttractionsFree (usually $15)

Free second Sundays at USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena

Second Sunday of each month, 11am–5pm

USC Pacific Asia MuseumPasadena

USC Pacific Asia Museum is free for everyone on the second Sunday of every month (normally $15), plus exhibition opening and closing weekends, Lunar New Year week and May for AAPI month. Kids 14 and under are always free. Open 11am–5pm, with free parking in the museum lot at Los Robles Avenue and Union Street.

Verified Oct 27 · pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu

No catch