50th Anniversary Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks on May 18-19, 2024

Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

The largest Nordic festival in Southern California will return to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks plans to be back May 18-19, 2024.

The 50th Anniversary of the Scandinavian Festival will celebrate the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Sami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday with music, dancing, food, crafts, demonstrations (food and Nordic crafts), vendors and activities for people of all ages in Kingsmen Park.

The festival will offer a games area for competitive activities, including Viking chess, a strategy game from the Middle Ages. People also can play Dala horse croquet and the ancient Viking game of kubb. Children and adults can also paint a wooden Viking ship, decorate head wreaths with flowers and ribbon and dance around the maypole.

Children’s Stage performances include acclaimed storyteller Robert Seutter (aka True Thomas), the musician and entertainer Ross Sutter and audience-participation productions of “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” The popular ABBAFab tribute band will headline the Main Stage each day. Other Main Stage performers include singer-songwriters Ann-Marita Garsed, Grim Bernhoft, the Swedish Folk Dance Club of Los Angeles, North Star Nordic Dancers and more.

In the Nordic Country Crafts Tent, children can make free craft souvenirs representing each Scandinavian nation and earn a reward for collecting passport stickers from each activity.

Festivalgoers can wander through an authentic Scandinavian encampment and a Sami siidastallan, or community gathering. They can ask a rune reader for advice, trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts and buy Scandinavian handicrafts. Aebleskivers, Viking dogs, Swedish meatballs and other favorites will be available in the food court.

Admission is free for kids 12 and younger. Tickets are $20 from May 1st to the day of the event and are available on Eventbrite. Parking is free. For more information, visit scandinavianfest.org or the festival’s Facebook page, or email mdeterra@callutheran.edu.

The campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

2024 Ventura County Greek Festival in Camarillo June 28, 29 and 30

The 45th Ventura County Greek Festival will take place June 28, 29 and 30 back, after 10 years offsite, at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo.

The event features live Greek music, folk dancing, food, delicious pastries and baklava, vendors, petting zoo, and a kids' play area.

Festival times are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Check vcgreekfestival.org or call 805.482.1273 for more information. No onsite parking. Free parking and shuttle rides at the Ventura County Office of Education parking lot at 5100 Adolfo Road.

Admission is $6, which includes a raffle ticket. Free admission for kids 12 and under and active military, veterans and first responders with ID.

Redbird's 22nd Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow in Oxnard June 7-9, 2024

Redbird’s 22nd Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow June 7-9, 2024 in Oxnard

Redbird's Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow is a Native American cultural celebration encompassing tribal people from throughout the western hemisphere. Singing, dancing, drumming, flute music, arts, crafts, jewelry, food, cultural demonstrations and information. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. A family friendly, outdoor gathering.

Friday, June 7 from 6-9 PM Open flute circle. All wind instrument players welcome and hand drums are also welcome.

Saturday, June 8 from 11 AM to 7PM: Gourd dance and intertribal powwow.

Sunday, June 9 from 11AM to 6PM: Gourd dance and intertribal powwow.

Location: Oxnard College Gymnasium Field, 4000 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard

www.RedbirdsVisions.org

Chinese Cultural Day at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Park on Saturday, October 14, 2023

The 6th Chinese Cultural Day at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Park will take place on Saturday, October 14th from 11am-4pm.

The Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA), a non-profit organization, is hosting Chinese Cultural Day in celebrating the Moon Festival. The celebration will showcase traditional Chinese music, dance performances, dragon parade and interactive cultural exhibits, as well as games, food and raffles. Admission is free.

Booths will include: Chinese calligraphy, hieroglyphics, brush painting, origami, abacus, the art of tea and Chinese costumes. Raffle prizes include a new iPhone, Disneyland tickets and more. Food trucks will be offering Chinese/Asian food.

Learn more about CCCA at www.ccca-tocs.org.

26th Annual Oxnard Multicultural Festival on Saturday, October 7, 2023

Every year, the Oxnard Multicultural Festival is presented by the City of Oxnard's Community Relations Commission.

The festival is held annually on the first Saturday of October. The festival celebrates the rich cultural diversity of its residents and the city’s history. People of every culture come together to learn and discover their shared values in an atmosphere that honors all.

The festival offers a variety of performing groups, live music, food trucks, exhibitors, demonstrations and hands-on activities for the entire family. Admission is always free.   The 2023 event is Saturday, October 7th from 11am to 4pm at Plaza Park, 500 South C Street in Oxnard.

More information at oxnard.org/multiculturalfestival.

102nd Midsummer Festival at Vasa Park in Agoura Hills on Sunday, June 25, 2023

Swedish American Central Association of Southern California's 102nd Midsummer Festival is planned for Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Vasa Park, 2854 Triunfo Canyon Road, Agoura Hills.

Admission:: Ages 13 and above $5; Children 12 and under are free; parking included. Park will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stage program, dancing, food, swimming, huge water slide, folk dancing, Scandinavian vendors, Alpine tube slide and more.

Exit 101 freeway at Kanan Road and turn west. NO PETS (except ADA) / NO BARBECUES.

Visit vasapark.org for more information.

Open Mosque Day at Islamic Center of Conejo Valley on Saturday, October 22, 2022

On Saturday, October 22, 2022 from noon to 4 pm, the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley will be opening its doors and inviting all local residents to explore the building and the beliefs and practice of those who worship there at its annual Open Mosque Day. Islamic Center of Conejo Valley is located 2700 Borchard Rd, Newbury Park. There will be tours, exhibits, midday prayers and a brief talk and Q&A as well as light refreshments.  www.iccv.org

2021 Scandinavian Autumnfest Celebration in Agoura Hills on Sunday, October 3rd

The annual Scandinavian Autumnfest and Marknad Celebration is planned for Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 9 AM to 5 PM at Vasa Park, 2854 Triunfo Canyon Road, Agoura Hills. This event is a wonderful, family fun day with our Swedish and Nordic friends.  You will not find another event like this one around here. The cost is only $10 per car ($5 for Vasa members).

No dogs (except ADA) or BBQs allowed.

The 11th Annual Swedish Meatball Contest will take place and for $5, you can be the judge and sample meatballs and score them.

There is DELICIOUS authentic Scandinavian food for sale, vendors, access to a huge 274 foot waterslide and pool, fun family games and prizes, ropes course, rock wall, petting zoo and just a whole bunch of really nice people!  Other activities include Alpine tube slide, kids' mining, bingo, train rides and more! Visit www.vasapark.org for more information.

47th Annual Santa Barbara Greek Festival the Weekend of July 25-26, 2020

MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Santa Barbara's 47th Annual Greek Festival is planned for July 25-26, 2020 from 11 am to 7 pm in beautiful Oak Park, 600 West Junipero Street. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Stroll through Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village. Admission and parking is free.

Dozens of volunteers enthusiastically staff their booths, creating a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. Festival-goers return year after year for the food. — Delectable festival favorites like gyros and moussaka. And no Greek village would be complete without homemade pastries like baklava, melomakarona, and kataifi.

Listen to the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki and other exotic instruments played by authentic Greek musicians who perform traditional and popular songs. Delight in the beauty of the elaborate costumes worn by performers as they share their carefully practiced steps and intricate dances with the enthusiastic audience.

Take advantage of a free Greek dance lesson, and enjoy participating in the same dances you would perform in the traditional villages of Greece. Dance the afternoon away, eat a little (or a lot), shop in the Greek marketplace, relax and enjoy yourself under the oaks in the warm embrace of the best Greek culture has to offer.

More information at www.santabarbaragreekfestival.org.