2026 Arbor/Earth Day Celebration at the Thousand Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 18th

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 18, 2026 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 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.

49th Conejo Gem & Mineral Club "Pageant of a Thousand Gems" on April 18-19, 2026

The Conejo Gem & Mineral Club presents its 49th Annual Pageant of a Thousand Gems on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2026 from 10am to 5pm (Sat) and 10am to 4pm (Sun) at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Admission and parking are free.

Fun for all ages with exhibits and sales of gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals and fossils. Special youth activities. Lapidary and jewelry making demonstrations. Silent auction, door prizes, and plant sale.

Vendors will be selling jewelry, minerals, gems and fossils with worldwide specimens and unique one-of-a-kind pieces.

CGMC is a non-profit educational organization encouraging interests in rocks, minerals, fossils, field trips, earth science education and the lapidary arts.

More information at www.cgamc.org.

Upcoming Events and Free Programs at the Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Branch Libraries

Thousand Oaks (Grant R. Brimhall) Library.

Thousand Oaks (Grant R. Brimhall) Library.

There are two great Thousand Oaks libraries; the Grant R. Brimhall Library at 1401 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks (805.449.2660) and the local Newbury Park Branch is at 2331 Borchard Road (805.498.2139).  These libraries provide year-round free events, activities and programs for all ages. Selected events from time to time will be covered here.

Visit the library website at www.toaks.org/library to learn more. 

The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of February at Grant R. Brimhall Library (GRB) and Newbury Park Library (NPL). All Library programs are free and open to the public; some require registration, and all are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. For the latest information on Library events, please visit www.tolibrary.org/calendar.

ALL AGES

Fiero Code Temple Raiders Contest

Sunday, February 1 – Tuesday, March 31

Have fun, learn coding, and have a chance to win cool prizes. Learn to build a dino-jump arcade game and enter the contest by March 31. Go to Fiero Code under the Library’s Virtual Resources to start. For all ages & abilities!

Conversations with Mom

Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, & 24 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Community Room

This free support group is for moms and their newborns to get together, express their joys and concerns, and meet other new moms in the community. Other caregivers, including fathers and grandparents, are welcome to attend the program on the last Tuesday of the month.

Board Game Club

Tuesday, February 3 • 5:30 – 7:30 pm • GRB Teen Space

Love strategy board games but have a difficult time finding a consistent group to play with? Us too! Ages 14+ are invited to join us monthly to play games like Forbidden Island, Dungeon Mayhem, and Wingspan, or bring your own games to share with others!

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Saturday, February 7 • 12:00 to 3:00 pm • Newbury Park Library

The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library invite book lovers of all ages to their upcoming Book Sale. This popular community event features a wide variety of affordable books, including children’s titles, adult mysteries, and romance. Most books are priced between 50¢ and $1. Early entry will be available beginning at 11:30 am for Friends’ members and teachers, offering first access to the best selection of titles. Proceeds from the sale support library programs, collections, and community services. For more information, please contact sales@ftol.org or visit FTOL.org.

The String Queens Concert

Tuesday, February 10 • 7:00 – 8:00 pm • Grant R. Brimhall Library

Praised for their authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ), Kendall Isadore, violin, Élise Sharp, cello, and Dawn Johnson, viola, are a dynamic trio known for creating captivating musical experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. Their versatile repertoire spans from the Baroque era and Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100, taking listeners on an exhilarating journey through time and genres. Seating will be open and available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a FREE event being held at the Grant R. Brimhall Library.

Gosh Yarn It! Crochet Club

Friday, February 13 • 3:30 – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Relax, crochet, and socialize at our crochet club! Beginners and experts alike are welcome to bring your own supplies and hang out with fellow crocheters as we sip tea and work on our projects. For ages 11+.

Maker Monday

Monday, February 23 • 5:00 – 7:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Stop by and choose a design/experience using one or all of our ‘maker’ machines: Button maker, VR headset, 3D printer, and Cricut machine. For ages 11+.

Ask a Doula

Saturday, February 28 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Children's Program Room

Ask a Doula provides an open and welcoming space where families can ask questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care, and infant sleep. Led by Sharon Cody, PhD, a former scientist turned certified doula, the session combines evidence-based information with practical, real-life support. For expectant parents, new parents, and caregivers of young children. Babies and little ones are welcome!

CHILDREN

Homework Help

Mondays • 3:00 – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Tuesdays • 2:30 – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Wednesdays & Thursdays • 3:00 – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Struggling with challenging school assignments? Our volunteers are here to help! For students in kindergarten through 8th grade. September 2025 – May 2026, closed on all CVUSD holidays & breaks. No session February 12 and 16.

Dog Days

Tuesdays • 3:30 – 4:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room

Thursday, February 5 • 3:30 – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Readers of all levels and abilities are invited to come and read to a certified therapy dog! Participants will sign up for a brief 10-minute session with a dog and their owner.

Reading Buddies

Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, & 24 • 4:00 – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, & 25 • 3:10 – 3:40 pm or 3:45 – 4:15 pm • GRB Community Room

A weekly program for students grades 1-4 to practice and gain confidence in their reading with the support of a volunteer. Registration required.

Los Robles Children's Choir: Family Singalong

Saturday, February 7 • 2:00 – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled Singalong, featuring live piano accompaniment and singers from Los Robles Children's Choir. Get ready for an afternoon of joyful singing for all ages! VibeWell Ventura County is a countywide initiative that celebrates the arts as a pathway to mental wellness, connection, and community vitality. Through partnerships and events, VibeWell integrates the proven mental health benefits of creativity into the fabric of Ventura County.

Step Into the Magic of Learning: CVUSD TK Winter Wonderland Night!

Wednesday, February 11 • 5:30 – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Thursday, March 19 • 5:30 – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Do you have a child who will be turning 4 by September 1, 2026? Join us for an enchanting evening at our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Night! CVUSD and Thousand Oaks Library are partnering to create a Winter Wonderland where your child can play, create, and explore while you get a firsthand look at how CVUSD’s TK program builds the foundation for academic success for students. Note: No snow gear required—just a sense of wonder!

Future Einsteins: Energy Chain Reactions

Friday, February 13 • 4:30 – 5:15 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Join us to create a popsicle stick chain reaction and learn about energy. Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10. Registration required.

Pathways to Science: Electricity and Magnetism

Friday, February 20 • 3:30 – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Join us to create a magnetic maze and learn about electricity and magnetism. Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10. Registration required.

Music Time with Mr. Michael

Thursday, February 26 • 10:15 – 10:45 am & 11:15 – 11:45 am • GRB Community Room

A fun-filled, interactive concert, Mr. Michael creates a joyful atmosphere for kids and parents alike. For families. Registration required.

PACT with First 5 Ventura County

Friday, February 27 • 10:30 – 11:15 am • NPL Meeting Room

Join First 5 Ventura County for a series of classes that mimic the Parent and Child Together (PACT) classes offered at Neighborhoods for Learning sites for children prenatal to 5 years. Classes include books, songs, music and movement, guided play with open-ended materials, and parent education.

STORYTIMES & PLAYTIMES

Baby Storytime

Tuesdays, February 3 & 10 • 10:15 – 10:35 am • GRB Community Room

A lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months. Walk-ins welcome!

Toddler Storytime

Wednesdays, February 4 & 11 • 10:15 – 10:35 am • GRB Community Room

A storytime for ages 12-36 months. Walk-ins welcome!

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays, February 5 & 12 • 10:15 – 11:00 am • GRB Community Room

This is a storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!

Bilingual Pajama Storytime

Monday, February 23 • 6:15 – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room

A bilingual (English/Spanish) storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!

Enrichment Playtime

Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime in the GRB Community Room.

For babies (0-12 months) • Tuesday, February 17 • 10:15 – 10:50 am

For toddlers (12-36 months) • Wednesday, February 18 • 10:15 – 10:50 am

For preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) • Thursday, February 19 • 10:15 – 10:50 am

TWEENS & TEENS

Heart Embroidery Kit - Take and Make

February 2026

Visit the Library to get a heart embroidery kit and instructions created by CReATE STUDIO. Only for ages 11-18. While supplies last.

SAT Prep Workshops by BrainFuse

February 4, 11, 18, & 25 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm • Online

Sign up for a free series of Zoom workshops to help prepare for the SATs. Author and SAT expert Brian Stewart will lead a series of sessions designed to help students understand the test, build confidence, and learn practical strategies. Registration limited; sign up ASAP.

Coding Club

Thursdays, February 5 & 19 • 4:00 – 5:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Thursdays, February 12 & 26 • 4:30 – 5:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Begin your journey to master Java through guided lessons, Fiero Code, and fun activities. Bring your own laptop and headphones. Led by Teen Volunteers. Only for ages 11-18. Registration required.

Reading Rocks Book Club

Tuesday, February 10 • GRB Children’s Program Room

Rocks (Grades 4-5): 5:30 – 6:30 pm

Boulders (Grades 6-8): 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Join us monthly to discuss books with strong female characters. This month’s Rocks selection is Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King. This month’s Boulder’s selection is Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson. Registration required.

Financial Aid for College Applications

Tuesday, February 17 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Learn the best resources and ways to apply for financial aid for college, especially with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Taught by an Admissions Counselor from California Lutheran University (CLU). For parents and teens or those preparing for college. Registration required; walk-ins available if room.

Step Into the World of Robots

Tuesday, February 24 • 4:00 – 5:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Discover the future of robots today through a robotics showcase with a live demonstration! Led by Teen Volunteers. Only for ages 11-18. Registration recommended.

Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers

Visit the Library and pick up a “Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers” form. Finish reading a book with more than 200 pages, submit to get a pin button, and enter for a chance for a boba or burger gift card. Read more books for more chances to win. For ages 11-18.

ADULTS

Movie Matinée

Monday, February 2 • 1:00 – 3:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Enjoy free movie matinées at the Library! Check our online schedule to see what’s playing and make your next afternoon a movie day.

Microsoft Word Basics

Tuesday, February 3 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, including how to use and navigate the available tools to write papers, resumes, invoices, and more. Registration required.

Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley

Thursday, February 5 • 4:00 – 5:00 pm • Online

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we chat online with Vanessa Riley about her newest book, Fire Sword and Sea, based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye.

Crafternoon

Friday, February 6 • 2:30 – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Adults are invited to join us at the Library to socialize and make a different craft each month! This month, we will be making a Collage Photo Frame. Materials provided. Registration required.

Happily Ever After Book Club

Monday, February 9 • 6:30 – 7:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Join us as we chat about our favorite romance novels, where a Happily Ever After (HEA)—or a Happily For Now (HFN)—is always guaranteed. This month’s book is An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole. Walk-ins welcome.

Excel Basics 1: Working with Text

Wednesday, February 11 • 12:30 – 2:15 pm • NPL Tech Space

Become familiar with Microsoft Excel and learn about tools that can help you stay organized. Registration required.

Open Mic Poetry Nights

Wednesday, February 11 • 6:00 – 7:30 pm • GRB Tech Training Room or Online

Wednesday, February 25 • 6:00 – 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room or Online

Come listen to local poets and share your own work every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, in collaboration with The Ventura County Poetry Project.

Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic with Dr. Lindsey Stewart

Thursday, February 12 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Online

Feminist philosopher Dr. Lindsey Stewart’s book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, tells the stories of Negro Mammies of slavery; the Voodoo Queens and Blues Women of Reconstruction; and the Granny Midwives and textile weavers of the Jim Crow era. These women, in secrecy and subterfuge, courageously and devotedly continued their practices and worship for centuries, passing down their traditions.

Cybersecurity Basics

Thursday, February 12 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Thursday, February 26 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Join us as we explore ways to be safe online and to protect yourself from scams. Registration required.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Group

Thursday, February 12 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Practice speaking English in an informal and friendly group setting, open to all non-native speakers. Registration recommended, walk-ins welcome.

Nostalgia Gardening: Growing Memories in Your Backyard

Saturday, February 14 • 2:00 – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Create a garden space that honors your memories and brings joy using “Nostalgia Gardening.” Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

Canva Basics

Wednesday, February 18 • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Perfect for beginners, this course will guide you through the essentials of Canva, a free web-based graphic design software. Registration required.

Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch

Tuesday, February 24 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Online

Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble.

Excel Basics 2: Working with Numbers

Wednesday, February 25 • 12:30 – 2:15 pm • NPL Tech Space

Become familiar with Microsoft Excel and learn about tools that can help you stay organized. Registration required.

Spanish at Your Library

Wednesday, February 25 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Advanced & intermediate learners are invited to join our informal Spanish conversation group to practice and improve with fellow language lovers, guided by a native speaker! Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

International Women’s History Month Story Slam

Saturday, March 21 • 3:00 – 4:30 pm • GRB Meeting Room

Writers eighteen and older are invited to participate in our International Women’s Month Story Slam. Stories may be fiction or nonfiction, but must highlight the voices and experiences of women or be primarily about female characters or influences. Stories must be submitted by Sunday, March 8th, at the Information Desk at either the Grant R. Brimhall or Newbury Park Libraries, or emailed to info@tolibrary.org with the subject heading “Story Slam.” Stories must be between 1000-1200 words. The reading of the top 8 stories will be held in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room on Saturday, March 21st at 3:00 pm. All readers will be notified on Friday, March 13th.

ON THE REGULAR

LevelUp Lounge

Fridays • 10:00 am – 5:30 pm • GRB Teen Space

Access all ages gaming with the Library’s Xbox Game Pass! Hang out and relax with games like No Man’s Sky, Powerwash Simulator, Forza, Sea of Stars, and over 250 more options!

Board Games at the Library

Grant R. Brimhall Library

Stop by the Information Desk to borrow board games to play while inside the Library! Games available include Wingspan, Parks, Forbidden Island, and more.

Dungeons and Dragons Kit

Grant R. Brimhall Library

The Thousand Oaks Library offers Dungeons & Dragons Kits, each packed with guides, handbooks, a game master screen, dice sets, and more for D&D 5th Edition. Find them alongside the Book Club in a Box collection. Perfect for your next adventure!

Stay & Switch

Newbury Park Library

Level up your visit with the Nintendo Switch Lite, available to borrow with your library card at the Newbury Park Library Information Desk. Loaded with fun digital games, the Switch Lite is perfect for in-library play. Come check it out and enjoy some gaming time!

Camarillo Old Town Friday Night Car Cruise - 4th Fridays March through October 2026

The Camarillo Old Town Friday Night Cruise is back for 2026 on the 4th Friday of the month from March through October from 4-7 p.m.

2026 dates: March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25 and October 23

Drive down Ventura Boulevard with your classic car to the Studio Channel Islands Art Center at 2222 Ventura Boulevard. There will also be vendors, face painting and music in addition to the 200+ anticipated classic cars to see. Try some local takeout by supporting the Camarillo Old Town eateries with their pre-order and/or take-out options.

www.camarillomerchant.org/camarillo-old-town-car-cruises

Ventura Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Earth Day Festival will return to downtown Ventura on Saturday, April 18, 2026, 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, and more.

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

More information at www.meritofoundation.org.

Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby at Rancho Simi Community Park on Saturday, May 9, 2026

The Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026 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. While not mandatory, when possible, organizers request that fish be retuned to the water so another young fisherman can enjoy catching it on another day.

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.

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ventura on Saturday, March 14, 2026

Downtown Ventura presents the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10 am on Main Street, Downtown Ventura. The parade route starts at Lincoln Drive and goes west on Main Street to Fir Street, featuring costumes, dancers, horses, high school bands, and more. Visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com for more information.

Oak Park Egg Scramble Event at Mae Boyar Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026

The Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District Egg Scramble Event is planned for Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Mae Boyar Park, 130 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The egg hunt is for ages 10 and under (BYOB - Bring Your Own Basket):

  •     Ages 2 and under at 9:30 a.m.

  •     Ages 3-5 at 10 a.m.

  •     Ages 6-7 at 10:20 a.m.

  •     Ages 8-10 at 10:40 a.m.

Free of charge. Rain cancels the event.

Visit www.rsrpd.org for more information.

25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on March 28-29, 2026

25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on Saturday/Sunday, March 28-29, 2026

The Chumash Day Powwow celebrates Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. This is a non-competitive powwow. Food trucks, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Admission is free. Hours 10am to 6pm.

Continuing a generations-long tradition of Powwows in California, members from tribes all over the western and southwestern states will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park to sing, dance, socialize and heal. The event will begin with an invocation and prayer led by Chumash elder Beverly Folkes.  Native American Head Staff include: Vic Chavez, Arena Director, Randy Pico, MC, Kale Flores, Head Man, Maxine Orozco, Head Woman, Kenny Gonzales, Head Young Man, and Aurelia Hale, Head Young Woman. Northern Drums, Bear Springs Singers and Southern Drums, Hale and Company, will accompany the dancers.
 
The event will feature Native American tribal ceremonies, dances, and special guest performances. Twenty Native American artisan vendors will have merchandise for sale including: jewelry, flutes, moccasins, beading accessories, leatherworks, pottery, dream catchers, and more.  Food will be available for purchase from Bison Burger, Drizzle, LA Donut, Salt ‘N Pepper, Tropic Truck, and Westside Banh Mi.

This family-friendly cultural festival is free and open for all to attend. Event hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM with a Grand Entry at 12:00 PM. Complimentary general and ADA parking is available at 23815 and 23825 Stuart Ranch Road with free shuttle rides available to Malibu Bluffs Park and back. There is no on-site parking at Malibu Bluffs Park. 

Offsite parking only at 23575 Civic Center Way and for ADA, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Free shuttle rides to Malibu Bluffs Park.

Event is located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

For more event information call (310) 317-1364 or visit www.malibucity.org/chumashday.

Calabasas Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026

The City of Calabasas Earth Day Celebration/Green Expo will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Las Virgenes Creek site, south of Agoura Rd. in Calabasas. The festival is free of charge and the Calabasas Earth Day event will vendors, giveaways, kids’ events, and more.

Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo was created to be a day of education, celebration, and action for the natural world in which we live. On April 22, 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo sets a clear example for people and businesses how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference.

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/earth-day-celebration-green-expo..