Parti Gras

Welcome to Palm Royale

SPEF’s Parti Gras is South Pasadena’s largest fundraising gala, spanning nearly 50 years. Held annually in May, Parti Gras brings nearly 1,000 South Pasadenans together under the stars to support all five of SPUSD schools and every student they serve.  Each year, the SPEF Parti Gras committee reinvents the backdrop for our philanthropy with bold, imaginative themes,  bringing a new look, a new mood, and a fresh sense of delight, all for the same purpose. Local restaurants share their fare, local businesses and individuals step forward as sponsors, and the community unites to do what South Pasadenans are known for: championing equity and excellence in public education.  What makes Parti Gras unforgettable isn’t just the décor, the dancing, or the thrill of the auction; it’s the shared understanding that every laugh, every bid, every raised glass directly fuels SPEF’s mission to enrich, protect, and elevate education in South Pasadena. Generations of families return year after year because they know this night matters. Parti Gras is proof that when a community unites in celebration and giving, it can build something lasting and brilliant for all its children.

This year, the theme is Palm Royale, and we can’t wait to welcome you! 

Slip into something fabulous and join us for Palm Royale, an evening inspired by retro resort glamour, warm community spirit, and a shared commitment to education for all. On Saturday, May 16, 2026, South Pasadena families, friends, and supporters will gather at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course for a night of style, celebration, and meaningful impact.

Palm Royale is more than a gala—it’s a joyful moment where everyone belongs. Together, we’ll sip cocktails, enjoy lively entertainment, bid on unforgettable auction items, and come together to support educational opportunities for every student across our five public schools—no matter where they come from or what their story may be.

Come as you are, dress it up if you’d like, and be part of a night that blends vintage flair with modern purpose. Because when our community comes together, great things happen—for our schools and for every child we serve.