Corks and Kegs Wine and Beer Festival in Thousand Oaks on Thursday, October 9, 2025

The inaugural Corks and Kegs Wine and Beer Festival is planned for Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 5:30-8:30PM at The Gardens at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks, merging two previous fundraising events - Conejo Uncorked and BrewFest - into one celebration. Event to feature an evening of fine wines, craft beers and delicious cuisine. Proceeds will support Kiwanis programs and initiatives that are dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families in our community. Ages 21+ only. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Learn more at corks-and-kegs.com.

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/

Conejo Food & Wine Festival in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, June 22, 2025

The Conejo Food & Wine Fest is planned for Sunday, June 22, 2025 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.

Charity partners are Food Share of Ventura County and Many Mansions.

36th Annual Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 21, 2025

The 36th Annual Simi Valley Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is planned for Saturday, June 21, 2025 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 $20. Seniors, children under 13 and active military with ID are $10. Family pass $50. Admission includes chili tastings, until the chili is gone.

More information at www.chilikc.com.

48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025

Mark your calendars for the 48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025. 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  

37th Annual Ojai Wine Festival at Lake Casitas on Saturday, June 21, 2025

The 37th 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.

32nd Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival in Camarillo on Sunday, June 1, 2025

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 1, 2025, 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.

39th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 17-18, 2025

The 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025 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. 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 4, 2025

On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 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 Children's Miracle Network, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 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. More information at www.ihoppancakeday.com.

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

Senior Concerns Ultimate Dining Experience at Hyatt Regency Westlake on March 15, 2025

Senior Concerns is pleased to announce its 50th Anniversary Ultimate Dining Experience on Saturday, March 15, 2025, 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.

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