Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Chalk Festival Fills Brookside Park With More Than 500 Artists Sept. 26-27

[photo credit; Eventbrite]

It is the first time the festival has been held at the park, after a May relocation that moved it off Father’s Day weekend. Admission is free.

The 200 murals will span animation, masterpiece renderings, fantasy, humorous and inspirational art, icons of popular culture and three-dimensional illusionary art — work that has earned the festival the nickname “A Museum without Walls,” Light Bringer Project said in a news release. The Pasadena nonprofit expects thousands of visitors.

Artist Simón Estrada will bring his monster art and an interactive mural to the children’s chalking zone, the organizer said. Altadena Girls, the nonprofit formed after the Eaton Fire, will share resources for teen girls, and the Reid Gorecki Foundation will sell art and clothing to benefit youth mental health.

DJ Cadillac G will play, and food trucks including Dina’s Dumpling, Majano’s Coffee, Pie ‘n Burger and Ice Princess will be on site. Visitors can picnic on the tree-lined park’s shaded lawns and vote for a favorite mural Sunday. A silent auction of participants’ art benefits Light Bringer Project’s arts programs for public school youth.

Kidspace will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, free to members, with a free chalk activation for children in front of the museum.

The 33rd annual Pasadena Chalk Festival runs Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Brookside Park, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. Admission and parking, in Lot I, are free. Free tickets are on Eventbrite. For more, call (626) 590-1134 or visit pasadenachalkfestival.org.