Annual Events

Pasadena has been strongly connected to strawberries since 1900. 

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, sent 1.5 million strawberry plants to Pasadena following a major hurricane, to help the region recover economically. Every May, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival celebrates this fruit with delicious baked goods, dozens of events, and a carnival atmosphere. The festival has run for more than 50 years, and keeps getting bigger!

Grab a piece of the World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake, listen to live music, and make friends with some of the 60,000 attendees. This is a great festival for families to celebrate summer, and enjoy one of the most delicious fruits on Earth.

There’s never a bad time to visit Crown Hill Cemetery, but one of the best months to visit is May. 

Not only can you enjoy the cemetery in full bloom, but you can also attend the Voices of the Past. Volunteers dress up as notable cemetery residents and tell the stories of their lives. This is a wonderful living history experience where you can ask questions and connect directly with people who lived in Pasadena decades ago.

Celebrate the 4th of July at the Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds! 

This event is free to attend and family-friendly. The 4th Fest Celebration begins around 4:00 p.m. with live music, a Kids' Zone that includes games and activities, and free amusement rides. Fireworks start around 9:15 p.m. and the event ends after.  

While you can bring your own food and drinks in coolers (just no glass, please), there will also be food trucks and vendors on-site to satisfy your cravings.

The City of Pasadena does an excellent job of putting this event together and creating a safe setting to celebrate the 4th of July. There are cooling areas to escape the heat and take breaks in between all of the summer fun.

Held every September, the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo is one of the region's most iconic events. 

There are two BBQ cook-offs, one for adults and one for kids. Participants can demonstrate their skills at the rodeo, and showcase their best cattle at the livestock show and auction.

Visitors who are new to the world of rodeo can immerse themselves in this culture and enjoy the entertainment options and competitions held throughout the event. Anyone interested in livestock, beef, and rodeo culture is welcome to attend. 

October is a busy month in Pasadena with the Wings Over Houston Airshow! 

For two days, professional pilots showcase unique planes and exemplary skills, fascinating kids (and kids at heart) with their feats. This is one of the best airshows in the United States and has been running for over 40 years. Explore WWII-era planes, and discover the future of flight with modern inventions. There are also booths and vendors to add a festive atmosphere to the demonstrations.

December is packed with holiday events to help families of all sizes and budgets celebrate the season. 

Attend the Christmas Tree Lighting near the Central Public Library, and enjoy local entertainment, food and drink vendors, and lighted scenes. Attend the Christmas Parade, which highlights local organizations across Pasadena on creative, brightly lit floats. These events are free to attend, family-friendly, and welcoming to all people.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are also known to pop by our various Christmas events. Even though the jolly old elf should be hard at work at the North Pole, he can’t resist a mid-holiday getaway to Pasadena, Texas.

Join the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce at our annual Taste of the Town, as we bring our community together to experience samplings from some of your favorite local restaurants, along with a business & shopping vendor expo featuring some of our local businesses, live auction, and much more! 

McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament (MTI) has produced more than two decades of exciting competition, community pride, and meaningful support for local education.

When you think of the MTI, you think of fast-paced high school basketball, unmatched community and business involvement, and a tremendous impact on students and teachers across the Pasadena and Deer Park School Districts.

Hosted in gyms throughout Pasadena ISD and Deer Park ISD, the MTI has grown into one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the nation. The 2025 tournament will feature 48 boys’ teams and 32 girls’ teams, showcasing top talent from across Texas.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated 30-member steering committee—representing business, education, and government leaders—works year-round to ensure the tournament remains first-class. The business community plays a vital role as well, contributing more than $250,000 each year to support the Pasadena ISD and Deer Park ISD Education Foundations. In addition, nearly 400 volunteers from schools, businesses, and the community give their time to make the tournament a success.

The MTI is much more than basketball. It’s a celebration of community spirit and an investment in education. Every net dollar raised is donated to the two local education foundations to fund teacher mini-grants that directly benefit classrooms. To date, the tournament has donated more than $3 million in support of teachers and students.

Each year the MTI grows stronger, and 2025 promises to be no different. With record crowds expected, the tournament will once again highlight the very best of our community while helping local students reach their full potential.