Concert Venues in Ventura County and Adjacent Venues

Looking to attend a concert in the Conejo Valley, greater Ventura County and adjacent areas? Here’s a compilation of such concert venues. For a separate listing of local area restaurant and bars where you can catch live music, visit THIS LINK.

The Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) Thousand Oaks is one of the largest performing arts centers between Los Angeles and San Francisco at over 200,000 square feet. Managed by the City of Thousand Oaks, the BAPAC encompasses two theatres – the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theatre and the 394-seat Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre. Located at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevardbapacthousandoaks.com

The Santa Barbara Bowl, located at 1122 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, was originally built in 1936 and today with its capacity of nearly 5,000 people is the largest outdoor amphitheater in Santa Barbara County. www.sbbowl.com

The Majestic Ventura Theatre offers a 1920's Mission Style Architecture ambiance - you can see and feel close to the band from practically anywhere in the theater. All genres of music. 1200 capacity venue with multiple full bars, ballroom and occasional dinner shows. The theater is located at 26 S. Chestnut Ave., Venturawww.venturatheater.net 

Ventura Music Hall is located at 1888 E. Thompson Blvd in Ventura, hosting live music and offering craft food and drinks. www.venturamusichall.com

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is a 220 seat theater at 3050 Los Angeles Avenue that hosts musicals, concerts, exhibits, children's theater and other events year-round.  The theater is a landmark Gothic structure built in the 1920s that was named as Ventura County Historical Landmark #67 in July 1981.  The building has served numerous purposes since inception and became the Cultural Arts Center in November 1995.  www.simi-arts.org

The Oceanview Pavilion located at 575 E. Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme offers concerts, theater, fairs, shows and a variety of other events for all ages.  The venue has a capacity for up to 1400 people and can be rented out for special events. www.oceanviewinfo.com

The Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center at 800 Hobson Way has over 1,600 seats in a theater that showcases local theater, dance, music and other programs. www.theopac.org

The High Street Arts Center at 45 E. High Street has been owned by the city of Moorpark since 2005, the theater now provides high quality theatrical performances and concerts at reasonable prices  www.highstreetarts.com

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University, located on campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, showcases musicians, performers and artists from around the world at its Raitt Recital Hall (100 seats), Smothers Theatre (500 seats), Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. www.arts.pepperdine.edu

The Canyon Club in the Whizin Market Square at 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills is a live concert venue and supper club that host all types of bands and genres, comedy, special events and more. There are tables if you’re there to enjoy dinner too. Capacity is about 600. wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/canyon-agoura-hills

Libbey Bowl is located in the heart of Ojai near the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. It was originally built in 1957 and has been used for the annual Ojai Music Festival, Storytelling Festival, Ojai Day event, holiday celebrations and many other community events through the years. Beginning in 2008, the bowl was renovated and in 2011 was reopened with a new look and design. It accommodates 1,300 people. www.libbeybowl.org.

The historic Arlington Theatre is located at 1317 State Street in Santa Barbara. Built in the mission revival style, it seats over 2,000 attendees. thearlingtontheatre.com

Free Concerts and Live Music All Summer Long Around Ventura County

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Summer 2023 is upon us and we’ll have another outstanding summer of free live music throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas! Rock, jazz, pops, R&B, reggae, classical, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Classic Rock, Latin, tribute bands, etc. The compilation below has links to more detailed information.

Concerts subject to change. List will be updated regularly as new events are added.

Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Newbury Park

Agoura/Oak Park/Calabasas/Woodland Hills

  • City of Agoura Hills Free Summer Concert in the Park at Chumash Park (except 7/23 concert at the Agoura Hills High PAEC. Concerts start at 6pm.

    • Sun, June 18: Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin Tribute)

    • Sun, July 9: Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars Tribute)

    • Sun, July 23: Conejo Valley Community Concert and Jazz Bands (at AHS PAEC)

    • Sun, Aug 6: Prince Again (Prince Tribute)

    • Sun, Aug 20: Jumping Jack Flash (Rolling Stones Tribute8

  • Valley Cultural Foundation’s Free Concerts at Warner Park in Woodland Hillss on Sunday nights from June 19 to August 27 at 5:30PM (emerging artist) followed by headline acts.

    • June 18: The Soul Juice Band

    • June 25: Doctor Wu (Steely Dan Tribute)

    • Tue, July 4: 4th of July Event with music

    • July 9: This Was It (Michael Jackson Tribute)

    • July 16: The Remotes (TV Theme Song Tribute Band)

    • July 23: Queen Nation

    • July 30: 24K Magic (Bruno Mars Tribute)

    • Aug 6: Funk Fest

    • Aug 13: DSB (Journey Tribute)

    • Aug 20: Linda and Friends (Linda Ronstadt Tribute)

    • Aug 27: The Long Run (Eagles Tribute)

  • Sun Sets Summer Concert Series at Calabasas Lake on Sunday nights at 6pm.

    • June 11: Off the Record (Rock Hits)

    • July 16: Gold Rush Country (Country Hits)

    • Aug 6: Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)

    • Aug 27: Super Soul Groove

  • Music in the Park at Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park on Saturday, July 8th (Yachty by Nature - Yacht Rock)

Moorpark/Simi Valley

  • Summer Music in the Park Free Concerts at Rancho Simi Community Park on Saturday nights at 6:30pm.

    • Sat, June 17: Angel’s Roost (Southern Rock/Country)

    • Sat, July 15: Adelaide Pilar (Latin)

    • Sat, August 19: The Spazmatics (80s)

  • Simi Civic Center Plaza Concerts in the Courtyard on up to six designated Fri/Sat nights from 6-9pm in June, July, August and September,

    • Saturday, June 24: Arena (Duran Duran tribute)

    • Saturday, July 8: Sidetracs (Top 40, R&B, Latin)

    • Saturday, July 15: Heathers on Fire (Dance Music)

    • Saturday, August 5: Mirage (Fleetwood Mac tribute)

    • Friday, August 18: K-Tel All-Stars (70s music)

    • Saturday, September 9: Justin Honsinger (Country)

  • City of Moorpark Concerts in the Park at Arroyo Vista Park at 6pm

    • June 24: Fast Times (80s Hits)

    • July 22: Ignition (Classic Rock)

    • Aug 26: Chico (Latin and Swing)

    • Sept 23: Moorpark Symphony Orchestra

  • Free Summer Concert Series at the Simi Valley Town Center features a variety of bands, including a number of tribute bands at 7pm, including (updated 6/30):

    • Sat, Jul 8: The Long Run (Eagles Tribute)

    • Sat, Jul 15: Jon Ranger

    • Sat, Jul 22: Fast Times (80s Tribute)

    • Sat, Jul 29: Ignition

    • Sat, Aug 5: Journey USA/Trinity

    • Sat, Aug 12: Doc Rogers Band

    • Sat, Aug 19: Bruno and the Hooligans

    • Fri, Sep 1: Rock cover band Ignition

    • Sat, Sep 2: Twisted Gypsy

    • Sun, Sep 3: 805 Social Club

    • Mon, Sep 4: TBA

Camarillo/Oxnard/Port Hueneme/Ventura

  • Summer Concert Series at Constitution Park at 7pm on designated Saturday nights.

    • Sat, June 24 - 24K Magic

    • Sat, July 8 - The Kings of 8

    • Sat, July 22 - The 805 Social Club

    • Sat, August 5 - Garth Live!

  • Camarillo Community Band Free Concerts in the Park at 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings in July - July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at Constitution Park as well as 11 a.m. on May 29 at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park.

  • Free Concerts by the Sea at Peninsula Park at Channel Islands Harbor is on Saturdays from 4-6PM starting July 8 to September 2, featuring an assortment of local talent and musical genres.

  • Rock the Collection Summer/Fall Free Concert Series at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard featuring popular tribute bands on the following nights:

    • Aug 23: Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars tribute)

    • Sep 6: Kings of Queen (Queen tribute)

    • Sep 20: Prince Again (Prince tribute)

    • Oct 4: DSB (Journey tribute)

  • Heritage Square Summer Concert Series from 6-8pm on Friday nights from June 16 to August 18 - reserved tables and seats available for a free. Free lawn seating available for this concert series offering a wide variety of musical genres.

    • 6/16: House Arrest (60s/80s Dance Band)

    • 6/23: The Impulse Band (Classic Rock, 80s, Latin)

    • 6/30: The Chico Band (Latin, Swing, Oldies)

    • 7/7: Brandon Ragan Project (Funk, Motown, R&B)

    • 7/14: Los Cool Arrows (Cumbias, Spanish Rock)

    • 7/21: Decadent Decades (Rock/Pop)

    • 7/28: Los Xiquenos (Chicano Folk, Cumbias)

    • 8/4: The Reunion (Classic Rock, R&B, Fusion Jazz)

    • 8/11: The Renegades Band (60s-90s Old School Dance)

    • 8/18: Caliente Band 805 (R&B, Salsa, Funk)

  • Free Seaside Live Music at Ventura Harbor Village includes a variety of performers beginning Memorial Day weekend through June.

Santa Barbara

Free Thursday Night Concerts at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday nights in July from 6-7:30pm.

  • July 6 – Paradise Kings (Rock, Blues, and Swing)

  • July 13 – The Molly Ringwald Project (80’s Dance Hits)

  • July 20 – Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries (50’s & 60’s Rock n’ Roll)

  • July 27 – Mezcal Martini (Latin Jazz)

Have something to add to this list? CONTACT US!!

Check the Events Calendar for things going on around town as well as the Local Events and Community Messages sections of Conejo Valley Guide.

The Beach Boys 1991 "Crocodile Rock" Music Video Filmed at Golf N' Stuff Ventura

"Crocodile Rock" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and become Elton John's first U.S. number one single in February 1973. Eighteen years later, the Beach Boys recorded the song. Funny thing is that our own Golf N' Stuff in Ventura is featured in this kind of silly music video released in 1991.

Roughly half the video features familiar scenes from Golf N' Stuff, including several of the more prominent holes and structures as well as the bumper boats. Yes, the Beach Boys are featured on the bumper boats in their fedoras at Golf N' Stuff, along an offbeat display of scenes featuring a crocodile on the piano admired by a woman in a pink bikini, brief glimpses of Randy's Donuts and a cameo appearance by John Stamos.

Golf N' Stuff is often part of our family outings in Ventura County. Sign up for their email club and receive periodic special offers. Golf N' Stuff is among over 100 venues on this compilation of birthday party options in and around Ventura County.

Rod Stewart's "Forever Young" Music Video is Unmistakably Filmed in Hidden Valley

After posting a photo of crows flying over the Hidden Valley “straightaway” on Potrero Road in Hidden Valley, Mario M. pointed out that the the song “Forever Young” started playing on his radio as he was driving on Potrero Road. He then pointed out that Rod Stewart’s Forever Young video was filmed on that straightway. And he certainly was right.

I’m certainly familiar with this popular song, which reached number 12 on the 1988 Billboard Hot 100 after its release on July 3, 1988. But I was not aware of this particular video.


Here’s the photo of crows flying across the north end of the Potrero Road straightaway in Hidden Valley.

Here’s the photo of crows flying across the north end of the Potrero Road straightaway in Hidden Valley.

Here’s Rod Stewart singing to a child in the video, played by Alex Zuckerman.

Here’s Rod Stewart singing to a child in the video, played by Alex Zuckerman.

And another shot from the video, showing a car full of female teenagers not wearing seatbelts. For shame! :) We can see that the speed limit of 25 MPH has not changed since 1988.

And another shot from the video, showing a car full of female teenagers not wearing seatbelts. For shame! :) We can see that the speed limit of 25 MPH has not changed since 1988.

And….one more scene from the video.

And….one more scene from the video.

Hidden Valley is an unincorporated community in Ventura County, bordered by Newbury Park to the west and north, the Santa Monica Mountains on the south and Lake Sherwood to the east. It is not considered part of the Conejo Valley.

A key scene from the 1981 horror film, “The Hand,” starring Michael Caine, was filmed on this Potrero Road straightaway. It was THE scene of the movie, where Caine’s character’s (Jon Landsdale) hand went missing after a vehicular mishap on Potrero Road.

The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society Meets Monthly and is Open to the Public

What a small world it is. A Ventura County resident named Peter contacted us regarding making some additions to the local Live Music and Other Nightlife Options compilation.

Not more than a week or two later, while harvesting produce for local charity Food Forward, I struck up a conversation with another volunteer. His name was Peter. After a bit of bantering for over an hour, I mentioned Conejo Valley Guide® to him, to which he replied, "Oh, I know that website!" After a few more back and forths, I discovered that this was the same Peter that had recently emailed the site. Small world!

Peter told me that the Ventura County Classical Guitar Society is a hidden gem. The group of classical guitar enthusiasts meets generally the last Wednesday of the month at the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District Senior Center (1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo).

He said that it is a fun session to attend is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6PM. Members of the group as well as guests perform for the group starting at 7PM (guest performers start at 8PM). Donations are accepted for guest performers.

So if you're up for an enjoyable evening of live classical guitar performances, visit www.vccgs.com and check out upcoming performances.

Upcoming planned performances:

  • 2/22/23: Rodrigo & Niccole

  • 3/29/23: Hugo Nogueira

John Fogerty and Family Perform "Green River" with the Conejo Valley Sunset in the Background

John Fogerty and his family have been giving weekly performances on Fogerty’s YouTube channel over the last month while in COVID-19 quarantine. John is joined by his sons Shane and Tyler and daughter Kelsy. All of their performances have been great; this rendition of “Green River” was also visually spectacular as we were treated to a birds eye view of a Conejo Valley sunset. Yes, many of you may see your homes from this vantage point, peaking into Newbury Park towards the Conejo Grade, Oxnard plain and beyond.

Shane and Tyler are members of the Los Angeles band Hearty Har.

Thank you to the Fogerty famlly for entertaining us during this coronavirus stay at home time.

Earlier videos shown below:

Neil Diamond Sings "Sweet Caroline" Updated with a COVID-19 Reminder in the Lyrics

Neil Diamond released “Sweet Caroline” in May 1969, well over 50 years ago. Diamond’s inspiration for the song was John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline, who was 11 when the song was released.

Today he released a slightly modified version of Sweet Caroline on his YouTube channel with a subtle COVID-19 reminder to wash your hands!

“Hands,

Washing hands,

Reaching out,

Don’t touch me…

I won’t touch you.”

For local area COVID-19 updates in the Ventura County area, visit THIS LINK.