Events in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme.
Find events in Ventura County and surrounding areas in this section, by category at this link and in the Events Calendar. Community events of broad public interest can be submitted at this link for possible inclusion in this section (at our discretion).
We encourage posting of other events, activities, fundraisers, classes, workshops, sales, shout-outs, etc. directly to the COMMUNITY FORUM section!
The Santa Barbara Lavender Festival is planned for Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 11am to 5pm at the Great Meadow at Santa Barbara City College, 721 Cliff Drive. Free admission and parking.
More details at santabarbaralavenderfestival.com.
The 38th Annual Ojai Wine Festival is the longest running wine festival in Ventura County. Overlooking scenic Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley, The Ojai Wine Festival is an idyllic venue to taste award winning wines, amazing craft beers, fine spirits, ciders, kombucha and spiked seltzers. A bountiful selection of wineries and craft breweries will be represented along with a tempting selection of gourmet food trucks selling delicious culinary cuisine. Patrons can shop to their heart’s delight among the arts and crafts booths. Bid on the Silent Wine Auction featuring fine wines, private tasting parties, VIP tours of wineries, artisan crafts and much more.
Admission includes unlimited tastes of wine, beer and spirits, a keepsake crystal wine glass, live band/lakeside dance floor, shop at the fine artisan vendors & gourmet food trucks & bid on the silent auction. Limited to 2500 people.
Non-drink admission tickets are $25 available only on event day.
Children 12 years and under gain free admission with a paying adult. Children must be always monitored.
Hours are noon to 4pm.
About Ojai Wine Festival
The Ojai Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose charitable projects focus on improving education, aiding low-income families, and supporting activities that enrich the lives of area youth. Fitting examples of important projects include our science based Rotary Floating Classroom, Third Grade Dictionary Project, Nordhoff High School’s “Service Above Self” scholarships for graduating seniors, and free Ojai Community Summer Band Concerts. International projects are fostered by the Rotary Foundation through donations from Rotary Club of Ojai West. The Rotary Foundation’s goals are to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
Visit www.ojaiwinefestival.com to purchase tickets.
The City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services Division hosts its 6th Annual Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park, 500 S. C Street on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Experience the world of insects through educational exhibits and enriching experiences. There will also be insects to touch, insects to taste, photo opps, bounce houses, live music and more. Free admission.
More information at www.oxnardrecevents.com/insect-festival.html
The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden presents its annual Matilija Poppy Festival on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 11am to 4pm. Event will feature beautiful Matilija poppies, including garden tours at 11:15am and 2:15pm, crafts, speakers, kids’ activities, and more. Free admission.
Master gardener speakers at 12:30pm (Vegetable Container Gardening) and 1pm (Composting 101).
The garden is located at 400 W. Gainsborough Road,
Mark your calendars for the 49th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Held from noon – 5pm (11:00 am entry for VIP tickets), this family friendly extravaganza will take place at Conejo Creek Park North at Janss Rd & Hwy 23 in Thousand Oaks.
There will be over 40 chili tasting booths – and included with your general admission is free unlimited chili tasting. Returning again is the popular Craft Brew Festival – an event within an event – with a multitude of participating breweries! There will also be a Classic & Custom Car Show in several style and vintage categories and live music on two stages. Also on hand will be over a dozen food trucks and beverage booths and a free kids’ fun zone.
The Chili Cook-Off is proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, with 100% of the net proceeds going to local charities. Tickets will be available in advance, along with more information at www.chili-cook-off.com
The 29th Annual 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 2025 event is Saturday, October 3rd from 10am to 4pm at Plaza Park, 500 South C Street in Oxnard.
More information at www.oxnard.gov/event/multicultural-festival.
The Aloha Beach Festival is back in 2026 after a year off in 2025 at Promenade Park/Surfer's Point, west of the Ventura Pier, the weekend of September 5-6. The festival features frisbee dogs, C Street Surf Contest, Hawaiian dancing, live bands, vendors, food, beer garden and more. Event proceeds to benefit the Flow Surf Academy.
Hours are 10am to 8pm both days. Admission is free. Visit www.alohabeachfestival.us for more information.
The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2026, May 23-25. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.
Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create over 100 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.
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.
The 27th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival is planned for Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 11am to 3pm at the Channel Islands Harbor, 3350 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard.
Enjoy activities throughout the Harbor including a community “Paint a Whale” mural project, ocean-themed chalk art, free kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, a children’s fun zone with bounce houses and carnival games, shopping, and educational booths about whale migration.
Stop by the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, Channel Islands Boating Center, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market, and explore the Gray Whale Migration Trail at Harbor View Park connecting the activity areas.
Learn more at www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2026-celebration-of-the-whales-festival
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District presents ArtsFest at Rancho Tapo Community Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event is free of charge. Fees for some activities. Features artists, vendors, face painting, activities, demonstrations, dance performances, chalk art festival, theater and storytelling, food vendors, workshop/craft area, and more. rsrpd.org/recreation/events/spring_(march_-_may)/artzfest.php
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
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