2024 Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park - May through September

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer! The Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park is back again in 2024.

Jackets or sweaters are recommended as the weather often cools during the latter part of the event. Concert-goers are asked to leave pets at home. Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Location: Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Avenue, Thousand Oaks
(off Gainsborough Road, at the intersection of Dover and Hendrix Avenues)

Time: All concerts begin promptly at 5:00pm and conclude at 7:00pm. Parking is offsite only; onsite parking is limited and reserved for cars with handicap placards.

The Lineup:

• Memorial Day Monday, May 27: Britain’s Finest - The Complete Beatles Experience

• Thursday, July 4: Hot August Night - The Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute

• Sunday, July 21: Savor - Santana Tribute Band

• Sunday, August 11: Blank Space - Taylor Swift Tribute

• Labor Day Monday, September 2: The Spazmatics

NOTE: Artists subject to change. Concert information: www.crpd.org/events/summer-concerts-in-the-park

2024 Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 19th

When it comes to fresh seafood, you can’t get it any fresher than right off the boat. On October 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival lures seafood lovers of all ages to Santa Barbara’s thriving harbor for one of the community’s most beloved and flavorful events. 

This signature event coincides with lobster season and features local commercial fishermen offering the Santa Barbara Channel’s freshest seafood. Fishermen and seafood vendors will provide thousands of festival-goers with an abundance of live lobster, crab, prawns, BBQ albacore, clam chowder, fish tacos, seafood gumbo and other prepared dishes. Arts and crafts vendors will offer jewelry, clothing, art, photography and other hand-crafted items.

Admission is FREE. Since 2002, the annual Harbor and Seafood Festival has become Santa Barbara’s signature autumn event. It brings people together for a day full of fun and good memories.

For more information, visit harborfestival.org. Location: Harbor Way.

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 start at $15 and are on sale now via 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.

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on April 6-7, 2024

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on Saturday/Sunday, April 6-7, 2024.

The Chumash Day Powwow celebrates Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. This is a non-competitive powwow. Food trucks, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Admission is free. Hours 10am to 6pm.

Offsite parking only at 23575 Civic Center Way and for ADA, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Free shuttle rides to Malibu Bluffs Park.

Event is located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

For more event information call (310) 317-1364 or visit www.malibucity.org/chumashday.

Calabasas Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 13, 2024

The City of Calabasas Earth Day Celebration/Green Expo will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Las Virgenes Creek site, south of Agoura Rd. in Calabasas. Over 50 exhibitors from all over Los Angeles County and Ventura County will be participating in the event to help participants take actions that will save them money through efficiency while protecting our planet. The festival is free of charge and the Calabasas Earth Day event will have something of interest for everyone. The festival will also feature numerous children’s activities to teach kids about the environment while they have fun.

Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo was created to be a day of education, celebration, and action for the natural world in which we live. On April 22, 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo sets a clear example for people and businesses how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference.

The City of Calabasas invites public agencies, non-profit organization and private companies that provide green services or products to participate in this event. Each exhibitor will be provided with one 6-foot long table to set up educational and promotional materials.

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/earth-day-celebration-green-expo..

Celebration of the Whales Festival at Channel Islands Harbor on Sunday, April 7, 2024

The 25th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival is planned for Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 10am to 3pm at the Channel Islands Harbor, 3350 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard.

The event will feature family fun, chalk art, shopping, kids’ fun zone and more.

Activities will be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market and a “Gray Whale Migration Trail” that runs through Harbor View Park that connects the two activity centers.

Learn more at www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2024-celebration-of-the-whales-festival

38th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at Santa Barbara Mission May 25-27, 2024

Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create 130 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.

The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2024, May 25-27. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.

There will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Pets are not allowed (other than service animals).

Learn more at www.imadonnarifestival.com.

Steampunk at Strathearn Festival in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 22, 2024

Steampunk at Strathearn is a whimsical festival event that will celebrate Victorian-era industrialism on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Strathearn Historical Park, 137 Strathearn Place in Simi Valley. Hours are 10am to 6pm. Adults $20. Kids 8-12 $8. Ages 7 and under free.

Event to feature vendors, entertainment, steampunk-themed activities, costumes, inventions, food and more. Learn more at rsrpd.org/recreation/the_great_outdoors.php

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

Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival on Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, starting at 9 a.m. Contests begin at 9 a.m. Performances begin at noon. Other activities to include music and dance competitions, jamming, workshops, food trucks, artisan booths and much more.

Learn more and purchase tickets at www.topangabanjofiddle.org