2025 Matilija Poppy Festival at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks on May 18th

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden presents its annual Matilija Poppy Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 11am to 4pm. Event will feature beautiful Matilija poppies, including garden tours at 11:15am and 2pm, crafts, speakers, kids’ activities, and more. Free admission.

Master gardener speakers at 12:30pm (Drought Tolerant Landscaping with Herbs) and 1pm (Gardening with California Sage Varieties).

The garden is located at 400 W. Gainsborough Road,

www.conejovalleybotanicgarden.com

2025 City of Agoura Hills Summer Movies in the Park - June 21, July 12 and August 9

Free Movies in the Park will take place once again this summer of 2025 at Reyes Adobe Park, 30400 Rainbow Crest Drive, Agoura Hills, hosted by City of Agoura Hills Community Services. Movies start at dusk.

Save the dates:

June 21: Moana

July 12: The Parent Trap

August 9: Despicable Me 4

More information at www.agourahillsrec.org.

Malibu Chili Cook-Off (2025 Event Cancelled)

THE 2025 MALIBU CHILI COOK-OFF CANCELLED DUE TO THE CHALLENGES FACING MALIBU IN WAKE OF THE 2025 WILDFIRES.

The 2024 Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off took place on Labor Day weekend, August 30 to September 2 at 23575 Civic Center Way. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

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

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

Event features chili contest, carnival, fair, skate contest, live entertainment, food for sale, vendors, etc.

Event parking is $20, cash only.

https://malibuchilicookoff.org/

Annual Huck Finn Fishin' Derby at Rancho Simi Community Park on Saturday, May 3, 2025

The Annual Huck Finn Fishin’ Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.. Kids ages 15 and under will be hooked on fishing fun while scanning the water for the biggest and best fish to catch. The derby will be held along the banks of the two-and-one-half acre lake at Rancho Simi Community Park. Parents are advised to bring their children to the lake as early as possible to ensure a great spot. For safety reasons, no spinners/lures allowed. The lagoon will be stocked with over 1,500 pounds of fish before the event.

The annual event is open to boys and girls 15 years of age and younger. Rain or shine, the fishing event goes on.  Open to the public. Breakfast served from 7am to 8am. Visit www.rsrpd.org/recreation/events/spring_(march_-_may)/fishing_derby.php for more information.

Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District Movies in the Park in June, July and August

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District presents free Movies in the Park at Rancho Madera Community Park, 556 Lake Park Drive, Simi Valley (Wood Ranch). Pre-movie fun activities start at 6:30PM. Movies start at dusk. Bring blankets and chairs.

• Friday, June 13: Kung Fu Panda 4

• Friday, July 11: Despicable Me 4

• Friday, August 8: Inside Out 2

Additionally, there will be a free screening of Tangled at Oak Canyon Community Park, 5600 Hollytree Drive, Oak Park, on Friday, June 20th.

www.rsrpd.org/recreation/events/summer_(june_-_august)/family_movie_nights.php

2025 Pioneer Jamboree at Stagecoach Inn Newbury Park on Saturday, June 7th

The Stagecoach Inn Museum hosts its Annual Pioneer Jamboree from 10am to 4 pm, Saturday, June 7, 2025, on the museum’s grounds at 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park.

Bring the whole family to pan for gold, lasso like a cowgirl or cowboy, see a blacksmith fire-up the forge, and play pioneer games. Wear your western costumes (optional) and join the fun!

Activities include storytelling; cursive writing; fossil digging; rock painting; giant bubble making, and more! You can even try your hand at using a washboard… for laundry or for making music!

There are two parking locations- one next to the Museum on Ventu Park Road and one behind the Museum on Susan Drive.

General admission is $10. Children age 5 to 12 are $5 and under 5 are free. Conejo Valley Historical Society Members are free. Annual CVHS Family Memberships can be purchased online or at the door for as little as $50.  

For further information, call the museum at (805) 498-9441 or visit www.stagecoachinnmuseum.org.

2025 Ventura County Greek Festival in Camarillo June 20, 21 & 22

The 46th Ventura County Greek Festival will take place June 20, 21 and 22 at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo (5575 Santa Rosa Road).

The event features live Greek music, folk dancing, food, delicious pastries and baklava, vendors, and a kids' play area.

Festival times are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Check vcgreekfestival.org or call 805.482.1273 for more information. No onsite parking. Free parking and shuttle rides at the Ventura County Office of Education parking lot at 5100 Adolfo Road.

Admission is $6, which includes a raffle ticket. Free admission for kids 12 and under and active military, veterans and first responders with ID.

2025 Arbor/Earth Day Celebration at the Thousand Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 19th

The City of Thousand Oaks’ annual Arbor Earth Day Celebration returns to Thousand Oaks Community Center Park to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day in one combined event on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 10am to 2pm. This year’s event will include an electric vehicle display area where the public can see and ask questions about various EV models, educational workshops on drip irrigation installation, caring for landscaping in drought, water-wise ground covers, as well as a bicycle safety course & helmet giveaway, bicycle donation/collection, kids activities & bounce house, compost and plant giveaways, raffles, live music, and more.

The event will include:

    Electric vehicles (EVs)
    Environmental Workshops/presentations
    Bicycle safety course and instruction
    Bicycle donation/collection for underserved youth (hosted by Conejo Rec & Park District)
    Kids Crafts, games, and bounce house
    Compost and plant giveaways
    Raffles
    Live music

The festivities begin at 10:00 am in the park area and parking lot of the Thousand Oaks Community Center at 2525 N. Moorpark Road. For more information about this event, visit toaks.gov/earthday.

Chinese Cultural Day at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Park on Saturday, April 26, 2025

The 7th Chinese Cultural Day at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Park will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 11am-3pm.

The Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA), a non-profit organization, is hosting Chinese Cultural Day in celebrating the Moon Festival. The celebration will showcase traditional Chinese music, dance performances, and interactive cultural exhibits, as well as games, food and raffles. Admission is free.

Learn more about CCCA at www.ccca-tocs.org.

Ventura Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2025

The Earth Day Festival will return to downtown Ventura on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Plaza Park on East Thompson Blvd. Some event highlights include opening remarks and Chumash blessing, live performances by Inlakech Art Center’s Mariachi Band & Ballet Folkrórico; and local musical talent.

Event will also feature environmental booths and sustainable goods, local food vendors, EV showcase, and more.

More information at www.meritofoundation.org.