Butterflies Alive! Exhibit at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Open May 23 to September 7, 2026

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opens its popular summer exhibit Butterflies Alive! on Saturday, May 23, 2026 and will be open until September 7th.

Guests are invited to walk through a serene garden while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around them. Various butterfly species cycle through the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion during the summer, so no two visits are the same.

The exhibit requires $3 tickets in addition to regular admission and is open daily, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last entry into the pavilion is at 4:30 PM. Reservations are recommended at sbnature.org/tickets. Admission to the museum is $20 for ages 18-64, $17 for 65+ and 13-17, $15 for ages 2-12 and free for toddlers under age 2.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1916, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. The Museum seeks to connect people to nature for the betterment of both, and prides itself on being naturally different. For more information, visit sbnature.org.

Memorial Day Service at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo on Monday, May 25, 2026

Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory presents its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026 beginning at 11am. Event, free of charge to the public, will feature live patriotic music, guest speakers, displays and complimentary hot dogs and refreshments. Located at 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo.

Learn more at www.conejomountain.com/about/events.

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  

Inaugural Conejo Cottontails 5K Color Run in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, May 3, 2026

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley (ACCV) is proud to present the Inaugural Conejo Cottontails Color Run on Sunday, May 3, 2026—an all-day celebration in support of Conejo Public Art. Children under 6 are free. Tickets for children aged 7-17 are $29.00. Adults are $49.00. CLU Students are only $19.50. Get a great gift bag with a T-shirt, sunglasses, color powder, and an amazing coloring book.

The festivities begin on Memorial Field at California Lutheran University and take you on a journey past KCLU and around the campus. The Conejo Cottontails Color Run is an untimed Walk | Run | Ride | Hop event that starts at 10AM with a 5K Walk | Run around the area. The beautiful campus route will bring you to Memorial Field to join in the color celebration. Individuals and families can join the fun by picking up their Cottontail gift bag at Memorial Field between 8AM and 10AM and embarking on the self-guided map tour around the CLU campus. Meet back at Memorial Field at 11AM for the color celebration.

After the color celebration, an art sale and ACCV Jubilee will be held, with booths from ACCV member organizations showing off art for sale. Meet some of artists and member organizations that provide visual and performing arts in the Conejo Valley.

Register at https://givebutter.com/bP4ui6

Kids' Swap Meet at Thousand Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 11, 2026

The Conejo Recreation & Park District’s Kids' Swap Meet is back on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 8:00am to 12:00 noon at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks.

Kids can earn some money and become young entrepreneurs by selling toys, supplies and equipment they no longer need or use, during this family swap meet featuring local families as the vendors. Parents and kids can reserve an 8 x 8 spot to sell children's old toys, clothes, games, and furniture.

The Kids Swap Meet is a great shopping opportunity for parents, teachers, and day care professionals! Admission to shop at the Kids Swap Meet is always FREE.

For more information call (805) 381-2793.

www.crpd.org/2026-04-11-crpd-recvan-pit-stop-kids-swap-meet

2026 Ventura County Greek Festival in Camarillo June 26-28

The 47th Ventura County Greek Festival will take place June 26, 27 and 28 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 9 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 under age 12 and active military and veterans with ID.

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

29th Annual Oxnard Multicultural Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026

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.

2026 Gold Coast Gem Show at Ventura County Fairgrounds on June 6-7

The Gold Coast Gem Show is planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, 2026 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. Free admission. Hours 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

Event to feature gems, minerals, fossils, rocks, jewelry, beads, lapidary supplies, demonstrations, kids’ activities, silent auctions and gold panning. More information at goldcoastgemshow.com.

Redbird's 2026 Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow in Oxnard June 20-21

Redbird’s 2026 Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow June 20-21 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.

Native American singing, dancing, drumming, arts, crafts and food.  An authentic cultural experience and a celebration of cultural perseverance and continuity.  Public is welcome. This is a family friendly event.  The powwow takes place outdoors on the field in front of the gymnasium. There is limited covered visitor seating on the dance arena.  Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and canopies which can be set up in the open space between the dance arena and the vendors.

Please no drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, fireworks or firearms.  Free parking and free admission.  The powwow is hosted by Redbird, a 501(c)(3) non profit association, and sponsored by Edison International, The Moon Family Trust, Gary Pickett, Oxnard College, and the County of Ventura Department of Arts and Culture.

Saturday, June 20 from 11 AM to 7PM

Sunday, June 21 from 11AM to 6PM

Location: Oxnard College Gymnasium Field, 4000 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard

Learn more at www.RedbirdsVisions.org or email redbirds_vision@hotmail.com.