SoCal Museums "Museum Free-for-All" Day on Saturday, March 23, 2024

SoCal Museums announces the Museums Free-for-All on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Over thirty museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, film, natural history, and science—will open their doors and offer free general admission.

Of particular interest to local audiences, the following Santa Barbara and Ventura County museums will be participating in Museums Free-for-All:

  • Museum of Ventura County

  • Santa Barbara Museum of Art

  • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

More details at socalmuseums.org/annual-free-for-all-2024

The Free-for-All also serves as a reminder that free visitor days are available year-round at museums across Southern California. A calendar of free days can be found at socalmuseums.org/free.

Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark March 16-17, 23-24, 2024

Spring Spectacular is the America's Teaching Zoo's largest fundraising event of the year, with entertaining animal meet and greets all day.

Spring Spectacular 2024 will take place the weekends of March 16-17 and 23-24 from 10 am to 5 pm. Event to feature 3 shows, discovery stations and Ira’s Kingdom! Stay all day and enjoy the fun! Food truck will be on site, or bring your lunch to picnic in the sun!

Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. Ages 2 and under free of charge.

For directions and questions, visit zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/spring-spectacular. The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark.

38th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 18-19, 2024

The 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2024 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. The festival features artists and crafters, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, live entertainment on two stages, "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake and more.

Since its inception, the nonprofit California Strawberry Festival has donated over $5 million to Southern California charitable organizations. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, children 4 and under, free. Limited parking onsite is $20 per vehicle. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service at the 6 locations nearby. Amtrak station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

Arbor Day Celebration in Calabasas on Saturday, March 16, 2024

The City of Calabasas will host an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at De Anza Park at the corner of Lost Hills and Las Virgenes Roads.

The event is free and residents are welcome to come out and get involved in helping to create a beautiful and healthy environment in Calabasas.

Spring "Conejo" Hunt at the Stagecoach Inn Museum Newbury Park on Saturday, March 30, 2024

Spring “Conejo & Easter” Hunt & Festival: March 30th, from 1-4PM.

NOTE: STAGECOACH INN HAS INDICATED THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE, RAIN OR NO RAIN.

Hop on over to the Stagecoach Inn Museum and bring the kids and grandchildren to hunt for “conejos”, while the whole family enjoys exploring historic structures and interacting with costumed docents. A map is included with admission for marking bunny sightings to be turned in for a prize in this frolicking outdoor hunt around the beautiful museum grounds.

Our Conejo Hunt this year will send “kids” of all ages hunting for several numbered metal art “Conejos” made by our blacksmith Bobby Mensinger and there will be new baby animals to look for this Spring to add to the fun... ducklings, chicks, and of course baby bunnies.

Have your picture taken with our resident Easter Bunny and we’ll have crafts and “bunny” sack races and frolicking about to the sweet sounds of a local live band.

Regular admission is $10 per person; children 5 to 12 are $5 Children under 5 and Conejo Valley Historical Society Members are free. Annual CVHS Family Memberships can be purchased online or at the door for as little as $50. stagecoachinnmuseum.com

12th Annual Autism Society of Ventura County Aut2Run Event on Sunday, April 28, 2024

The Autism Society of Ventura County hosts its 12th Annual charity “Aut2Run!” race at California State University Channel Islands on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

The event features a 10K trail run, 5K Run/Walk, 15K "Hero Run" (10K and 5K combined), 1 mile walk/run and a Fun-K. Open to competitive runners, casual walkers, families & the community. Learn more and register at www.aut2run.org.

Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Ventura County. ASVC is a local chapter of the national Autism Society, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of all affected by Autism. ASVC was founded in 1994 by local parents and educators to provide support groups, community events, information and resources to families and individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

2024 Free Movies at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, Saturday Nights in August

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The Valley Cultural Center hosts Free Movies at Warner Ranch Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills again this year on Saturday evenings in August. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends and settle down for free family entertainment.

Films will be presented on a 30-foot professional theatrical screen with digital projection, surround-sound, and high-resolution digital picture.  Parking available at 21800 Califa Street, between Topanga and Owensmouth. Parking fees are a donation to Valley Cultural Foundation.

Movies begin at dusk (approx 7pm).  Affordable concessions are provided by local service organizations.  More information at www.valleycultural.org/concerts-events/movies-on-the-green.

The Lineup:

  • August 3: Barbie

  • August 10: The Blind Side

  • August 17: Wish

  • August 24: Elemental

  • August 31: Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom

2024 City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th

EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO IMMINENT RAIN IN FORECAST

The Annual City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark

Admission is paid per child (adults enter free with paid children) and must be purchased in advance. Infants under one enter free with paid sibling.

  • Wristbands purchased 3/1-3/22: $10 per child

  • Wristbands purchased 3/25-3/29: $13 per child

  • If available, wristbands may be sold at the event for $16 per child.

Wristbands are your child's admission to the event and allow them to participate in one (1) time-specific egg hunt, and unlimited access to carnival games, attractions, and crafts.

To purchase wristbands you must come in person to the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center (4550 Tierra Rejada Road, open Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00).

Children will enjoy an event full of Easter fun with age-appropriate egg hunts, photo opps with the Easter Bunny, crafts, carnival games, and attractions (bounce houses, slide, obstacle course, and petting zoo).

How it works: Bring your favorite basket, collect as many eggs as you can, and turn them all in for a prize! For safety reasons, parents are allowed in hunts only as indicated in the schedule. Strollers and pets are not allowed in any egg hunt. All hunts are age specific. Please note that each hunt has a maximum capacity. A Family Hunt is available toward the end of the event if your hunt is full. Prizes distributed at this event are not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

More info at moorparkca.gov/egghunt.

47th Conejo Gem & Mineral Club "Pageant of a Thousand Gems" on April 20-21, 2024

The Conejo Gem & Mineral Club presents, after a five year hiatus, its 47th Pageant of a Thousand Gems on Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21, 2024 from 10am to 5pm (Sat) and 10am to 4pm (Sun) at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Admission and parking are FREE!

The show will serve up lots of fun for all ages! There are many different aspects of earth science from minerals to fossils to rocks. Vendors will be selling jewelry, minerals, gems and fossils with world-wide specimens and unique one-of-a-kind pieces.

Fun for all ages with exhibits and sales of gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals and fossils.Special youth activities. Lapidary and jewelry making demonstrations. Silent auction, door prizes, plant sale and snack bar.

CGMC is a non-profit educational organization encouraging interests in rocks, minerals, fossils, field trips, earth science education and the lapidary arts.

More information at www.cgamc.org.