A Travel Guide to Pasadena, California's Best Concerts & Events

Pasadena is the crown jewel of the San Gabriel Valley. While the world knows us best for the Tournament of Roses, locals and savvy travelers know that Pasadena is a year-round hub for world-class entertainment, music festivals, sporting events, and cultural gatherings. From the historic grandeur of the Rose Bowl to the intimate, open-air vibes of the Levitt Pavilion, this city offers a diverse calendar of events that draws millions of visitors annually. However, navigating the traffic on the I-210, finding parking in Old Pasadena, or coordinating a caravan of cars to the Arroyo Seco can quickly turn a fun group outing into a logistical headache.

That is where Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena comes in. We have spent over 15 years helping groups of all sizes—from family reunions and corporate teams to school bands and wedding parties—navigate the City of Roses with ease. Whether you need a 56-passenger charter bus for a massive music festival or a sleek minibus for a night at the symphony, we provide the reliable, comfortable transportation you need. Explore our guide to the best concerts and events in Pasadena, and learn how a private bus rental can elevate your experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

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The Rose Bowl Stadium: Concerts, Games, and Flea Markets

There is perhaps no venue more iconic in Southern California than The Rose Bowl Stadium (1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103). Known as "America's Stadium," this National Historic Landmark boasts a capacity of over 90,000, making it the premier destination for massive events. Throughout the year, the stadium hosts the UCLA Bruins football games, the annual Rose Bowl Game, and international soccer matches. But beyond sports, the Rose Bowl is a legendary concert venue, hosting global superstars like BTS, Coldplay, Beyoncé, and U2. The sheer size of the stadium means the energy is electric, but it also means traffic and parking can be notoriously difficult.

Getting in and out of the Arroyo Seco on event days can take hours if you are driving a personal vehicle. Parking often involves parking on the Brookside Golf Course, which can mean a long trek to the gates. When you book a charter bus rental with Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena, you can bypass the stress of the general parking lots. We can arrange for drop-offs closer to the stadium entrance (subject to specific event protocols), allowing your group to save their energy for the main event. Additionally, our buses have plenty of undercarriage storage, perfect for hauling coolers, tents, and chairs if your group plans to participate in the legendary tailgating scene on the golf course greens before kickoff.

Don't forget the Rose Bowl Flea Market, held on the second Sunday of every month. It is one of the most famous flea markets in the world, featuring over 2,500 vendors. If you are bringing a group of vintage lovers or antique shoppers, a charter bus offers ample space to store all your unique finds, ensuring you don't have to play Tetris in the trunk of a car to get your treasures home safely.

The Tournament of Roses Parade: A Global Spectacle

Every New Year’s Day (or January 2nd, if the 1st falls on a Sunday), the eyes of the world turn to Colorado Boulevard for the Rose Parade. This spectacular display of floral floats, equestrian units, and marching bands is a bucket-list event for many. The parade route stretches 5.5 miles, primarily along Colorado Boulevard, starting at the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. Groups travel from all over the country—and the world—to witness the magic in person. However, attending the Rose Parade requires serious logistical planning. Road closures begin days in advance, and parking is scarce, expensive, and often located miles away from the viewing stands.

Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena is your secret weapon for navigating the Rose Parade chaos. We have extensive experience working with large groups, including marching bands performing in the parade, corporate sponsors, and family groups. By renting a private charter bus, your group avoids the nightmare of finding multiple parking spots at 4:00 AM. Your driver can navigate the road closures and drop your group off at a designated bus parking area or near your reserved grandstand seating. After the parade concludes, you can relax in a climate-controlled cabin with reclining seats—a welcome relief after hours of standing or sitting on bleachers. We can even shuttle your group to the Post Parade: A Showcase of Floats event later in the day to see the floral masterpieces up close.

Live Music and Arts at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium

For a more refined and historic entertainment experience, look no further than The Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101). Part of the Pasadena Convention Center complex, this stunning venue was built in 1932 and is famous for its Italian Renaissance architecture. It has hosted the Emmy Awards, the People's Choice Awards, and America's Got Talent. Today, it is a prime spot for seeing the Pasadena Symphony, Broadway-style musicals, comedy specials, and cultural performances. The venue sits right in the heart of the city, surrounded by the bustling activity of the Paseo and Old Pasadena.

If you are organizing a trip for a senior center, a school arts program, or a corporate gala, the Civic Auditorium is a top-tier destination. However, the surrounding parking structures at the Convention Center can fill up rapidly during sold-out shows. A minibus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena is the perfect solution for medium-sized groups attending a show here. Your driver can drop your party off right on Green Street, allowing guests to enter the lobby without navigating multi-level parking garages in formal wear. After the curtain call, your bus will be waiting to whisk you away to a late dinner or back home, ensuring the evening remains elegant and hassle-free from start to finish.

Summer Nights at the Levitt Pavilion

One of the best-kept secrets of the local music scene is the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, located inside Memorial Park (85 E Holly St, Pasadena, CA 91103). During the summer months, the Levitt Pavilion hosts a series of free concerts featuring a diverse range of genres, including Latin, Jazz, Americana, and World Music. It is a fantastic community gathering spot where attendees can picnic on the lawn and enjoy high-quality live entertainment under the stars. It’s an ideal destination for youth groups, community centers, and budget-conscious music lovers.

Because these concerts are free and open to the public, the area around Memorial Park and the Gold Line station gets incredibly congested. Organizing a carpool for a large group can be difficult when street parking is limited. By booking a shuttle bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena, you keep your group together. You can load up your picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs into the bus, and enjoy a stress-free ride to Old Pasadena. Plus, with the money you save on gas and parking fees, you can treat your group to ice cream or drinks at one of the many nearby cafes after the show.

Festivals at Brookside Park

Located directly adjacent to the Rose Bowl, Brookside Park (360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103) has become a major hub for boutique music festivals. Events like the Cruel World Festival, Just Like Heaven, and Pasadena Daydream draw tens of thousands of fans to the greens of the Brookside Golf Course. These festivals offer a more curated experience than massive desert raves, often featuring legendary bands from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. The setting is picturesque, nestled in the Arroyo Seco with the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop, but the single-entry roads can create significant bottlenecks.

Festival organizers often encourage ridesharing, but surge pricing at the end of the night can be astronomical, and cell service can be spotty with so many people in one place. A private party bus or charter bus rental is the ultimate festival hack. You can pre-game with your customized playlist using our onboard AUX/Bluetooth sound systems and LED lighting. Your driver stays with the vehicle or returns at a scheduled time, ensuring you have a comfortable, guaranteed ride home immediately after the headliner finishes. No waiting in Uber lines for two hours—just hop on your bus and head back to your hotel or after-party location in comfort.

Cultural Events at the USC Pacific Asia Museum & Norton Simon

Pasadena isn't just about loud music and football; it is a center for high art and culture. The Norton Simon Museum (411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105) houses one of the most remarkable private art collections in the world, and frequently hosts chamber music concerts, film screenings, and lecture series. Similarly, the USC Pacific Asia Museum (46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101) offers cultural festivals, workshops, and gallery tours focused on the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. These venues are perfect for educational field trips, university outings, or private art appreciation societies.

For educational groups or private docent tours, keeping the group synchronized is vital. If everyone arrives in separate cars, you risk half the group being late and missing the start of the tour. With Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena, your entire group arrives at the museum entrance simultaneously. Our buses offer amenities like WiFi and PA systems, so tour leaders or teachers can provide context, history, and instructions to the group while en route to the museum. This turns travel time into valuable educational time.

Old Pasadena: The Perfect Pre-Show Destination

No trip to a concert or event in Pasadena is complete without visiting Old Pasadena (spanning Colorado Blvd and Fair Oaks Ave). This historic district is packed with over 200 boutiques, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes, all housed in restored Victorian and Art Deco buildings. Whether you are grabbing a pre-game burger at Slater's 50/50 or a sophisticated dinner at the Raymond 1886 before a symphony, Old Pas is the place to be. It is walkable, vibrant, and always busy.

Parking in Old Pasadena structures can be tight, and street parking is strictly metered. If you are managing a large corporate group or a wedding party, dropping them off in the heart of the action is much smoother than asking everyone to find their own parking. Your charter bus driver can drop your group off at a designated loading zone near One Colorado, allowing you to explore the alleyways and shops freely. Once you’ve had your fill of food and fun, the bus can pick you up and take you to your final event destination, be it the Rose Bowl or the Playhouse Village.

Book Your Pasadena Charter Bus Today

From the roar of the crowd at the Rose Bowl to the quiet elegance of a museum gallery, Pasadena offers world-class experiences that are best enjoyed with a group. Don't let the stress of LA County traffic, confusing parking restrictions, or split-up caravans dampen your spirit. Choose Charter Bus Rental Company Pasadena for a seamless, professional, and comfortable travel experience.

We are ready to help you plan the perfect itinerary. Our reservation specialists are available 24/7 to answer your questions, provide vehicle recommendations, and offer a free, no-obligation quote personalized to your trip. Whether you need a sprinter van for a small VIP group or a fleet of 56-passenger motorcoaches for a city-wide convention, we have the resources and expertise to make it happen.

Call us today at 626-619-7805 to secure your transportation. Let us handle the driving so you can focus on making memories in beautiful Pasadena!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pasadena Concert Transportation

Charter bus pricing varies based on several factors, including the size of the bus, the duration of your rental, the time of year, and the distance traveled. For example, renting a bus during the peak season of the Rose Parade (New Year's) will be more expensive than a standard weekday in October. We offer transparent pricing tailored to your specific itinerary. To get an accurate, free quote in minutes, call our team at 626-619-7805 with your trip details.

The Rose Bowl hosts some of the biggest events in the country, and transportation demand skyrockets on game days and concert nights. We strongly recommend booking your charter bus at least 3 to 6 months in advance for major events at the Rose Bowl. For the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game specifically, booking 6 to 9 months (or even a year) in advance is advisable to ensure vehicle availability and the best rates.

Drop-off locations depend on the specific venue's rules. For the Rose Bowl, there are designated lots for buses and oversized vehicles, though they may require a specific parking pass purchased in advance. For venues like the Civic Auditorium or locations in Old Pasadena, your driver will find the closest legal loading zone to drop your group off curbside. These drivers are locals who know the streets well and will get you as close to the entrance as possible.

Absolutely! If you rent a full-size charter bus (56-passenger models) or certain minibuses, you will have access to spacious undercarriage luggage bays. These compartments are perfect for storing coolers, folding chairs, small grills, tents, and cornhole boards. If you are planning a heavy tailgating trip, let our reservation specialist know so we can ensure you are matched with a bus that has maximum storage capacity.