38th Annual Ojai Wine Festival at Lake Casitas on Saturday, June 20, 2026

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.

37th Annual Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 20, 2026

The 37th Annual Simi Valley Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is planned for Saturday, June 20, 2026 on the St Rose of Lima church grounds at 1305 Royal Ave, Simi Valley. Event hours are 10am to 4pm.

Sample chili, explore cars and enjoy the day with family and friends! Live bands and entertainment, large kids area, chili tasting galore, car show (over 100 cars) and vendors. There will also be plenty of vendors booths and ample quantities of food and drink.

Overflow parking available across the street at Royal High School.

General admission is $15 (early bird until 6/6), then $20. Seniors, children (ages 6-17) and active military with ID are $10. Family pass $40. Admission includes chili tastings, until the chili is gone.

More information at www.chilikc.com.

24th Annual Margarita MixOff & More in Thousand Oaks on Thursday, September 24, 2026

The 24th Annual Margarita MixOff and More, presented by Soroptimist International of the Conejo, is planned for Thursday, September 24, 2026 at The Gardens at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the event. Admission gets you tickets to taste margaritas and appetizers. Beer, wine and soft drinks included. Ages 21+ only.

Soroptimist International of the Conejo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that raises funds to help provide services for women and girls in the Conejo Valley and around the world.  The Soroptimist mission is “improving the lives of women and girls in the local community and throughout the world enabling them to take control of their lives and live their dreams.”

Visit www.siconejo.org for more information or to purchase tickets directly at www.siconejo.org/margarita-mixoff-is-back.

Los Robles Greens is located at 299 South Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

49th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026

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  

Conejo Food & Wine Festival in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, June 28, 2026

The Conejo Food & Wine Fest is planned for Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 1:30-5:30pm on the grounds of St. Paschal Baylon School, 155 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Open to everyone 21 years and older! Enjoy gourmet food from local restaurants and the finest selections from participating wineries.

Visit www.conejofoodandwine.com to learn more and to purchase tickets.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities.

Malibu Chili Cook-Off on September 4-7, 2026

The 2026 Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off is planned for Labor Day weekend, September 4-7 at 23575 Civic Center Way. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY! TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD ONSITE. Tickets will be available at malibuchilicookoff.org. Carnival ride tickets will be sold separately.

Event hours are 4-10PM Friday, 1-10PM Saturday/Sunday and 1-8PM Monday.

Event features a chili contest, carnival, fair, skate contest, live entertainment, food for sale, vendors, and more.

Event parking is $20, cash only.

https://malibuchilicookoff.org

40th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 16-17, 2026

The 40th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2026 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. Strawberry-themed nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, popcorn, and margaritas are just a few of the choices. The festival also features 150 artists and crafters, a Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake experience.

Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days. General admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8 and children 4 and under are free. Limited parking onsite ($30). Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service nearby or take advantage of the Ventura Amtrak Station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

IHOP National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, IHOP restaurants nationwide will celebrate National Pancake Day from 7 am to 8 pm and will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return, IHOP will ask guests to consider donating what they would have paid for the pancakes or more to Feeding America. IHOP has raised nearly $30 million for charity through this event since 2006!

The free pancakes are limited to one free short stack per guest. Dine in only. Tax and gratuity excluded. More information at www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Local area IHOP locations in Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Fillmore and Ventura.

33rd Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival in Camarillo on Sunday, June 7, 2026

The award-winning Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is back, bringing together an unparalleled showcase of fine wines, gourmet cuisine and community spirit. This premier event, benefitting Casa Pacifica, will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 1-5PM at California State University Channel Islands. Enjoy an all-inclusive experience featuring unlimited tastings of exceptional food, premium wines, and craft brews as well as complimentary parking and live, all-day entertainment. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

The Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is Casa Pacifica’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the agency’s life-changing mental health programs for children, young adults and families.

More information, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and along with its campus-based programs administers a number of community-based programs which are designed with the intent to strengthen families and keep children in their homes. For more information about Casa Pacifica, visit www.casapacifica.org.

Senior Concerns Ultimate Dining Experience at Hyatt Regency Westlake on March 14, 2026

Senior Concerns is pleased to announce its 38th Annual Ultimate Dining Experience on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. Program to include honoring legacy families and organizations, special performances, tastings under the tent, dinner and dancing in the ballroom, and a glimpse into the future.

Inspired by a vintage circus aesthetic and the spirit of The Greatest Showman, the fundraising gala will spotlight the nonprofit’s mission of supporting over 13,000 local seniors and their family caregivers each year through vital programs and services. Proceeds from the event will help sustain Senior Concerns’ Adult Day Program, Meals On Wheels, Caregiver Support Center and Senior Advocate Services.

Guests will begin the evening with “Sip and Bites Under the Big Top” featuring cuisine from local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries. The Ring of Rarities will be open for guests to bid on unique and dazzling silent auction packages. The festivities will continue in the ballroom with a gourmet dinner, themed entertainment, special presentations and a live auction hosted by celebrity auctioneer Zack Krone.

To learn more and reserve your seats, visit www.seniorconcerns.org/events/ultimate-dining-experience. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.