Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2025

The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, starting at 9 a.m. Contests begin at 9 a.m. Performances begin at noon. Other activities to include music and dance competitions, jamming, workshops, food trucks, artisan booths and much more.

Learn more and purchase tickets at www.topangabanjofiddle.org

Ojai Art Center Presents Its 48th Annual Art in the Park Event on May 24-25, 2025

The Ojai Art Center hosts its 48th annual Art in the Park celebration on Memorial Day weekend, May 24th and 25th, 2025, from 10am to 5pm at Libbey Park in Downtown Ojai.

Art in the Park is an annual tradition started in 1977 by local artists at the Ojai Art Center to give artists a place to sell their work during Memorial Day weekend. Nestled amongst the oaks in beautiful Libbey Park, a natural setting is created to showcase the rich mixture of works in a variety of mediums. Art in the Park has enjoyed a long tradition of displaying quality art. Presented by the Ojai Art Center, the oldest non-profit art center in California, the festival attracts artists from near and far. The relaxed atmosphere and approachable artists draws crowds (between 3,000 – 5,000) from Ojai and neighboring communities.

The Ojai Art Center is the oldest multi-purpose nonprofit art center in California, has been providing a place for the arts and art-related activities for more than 80 years. Everyone is invited to browse, meet the artists, grab a bite and enjoy the weekend in Libbey Park. Free admission. For more information, visit www.ojaiartcenter.org/artinthepark.html.

Nite Moves Run, Swim, Duathlon Series in Santa Barbara May 21 to Aug 27, 2025

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The annual Nite Moves - Swimming, Running & Biathlon events take place every Wednesday evening at Leadbetter Beach Park, 801 Shoreline Road, Santa Barbara from May 21 through August 27, 2025. Onsite registration begins at 5:15 pm. Swim starts at 6:25 pm; run at 6:35 pm.

Ocean conditions vary...Many brave this distance without a suit...Great workout for getting swim experience in a crowd as we usually have a 100 swimmers at the starting line...5K footraces begin at the east end of Shoreline. Out and back course with majestic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains circling Santa Barbara, race back and view Stearns Wharf, finishing at Leadbetter Beach Park.

More information at www.runsantabarbara.com/nite-moves or sign up directly at www.active.com/santa-barbara-ca/running/nite-moves-2025

39th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at Santa Barbara Mission May 24-26, 2025

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The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2025, May 24-26. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.

Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create over 100 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.

There will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Pets are not allowed (other than service animals).

Learn more at www.imadonnarifestival.com.

3rd Annual Pollinator Palooza at Barranca Vista Park in Ventura on Saturday, May 17, 2025

The City of Ventura presents the 3rd Annual Pollinator Palooza family event at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston Street on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10am to 2pm. Event is free of charge.

Enjoy arts & crafts activities, learn about native plants & pollinators, explore educational booths, and more.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1723/Events

2025 Gold Coast Gem Show at Ventura County Fairgrounds on May 24-25

The Gold Coast Gem Show is planned for Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, 2025 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.

ArtsFest at Rancho Tapo Community Park in Simi Valley on Saturday, May 17, 2025

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District presents ArtsFest at Rancho Tapo Community Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event is free of charge. Fees for some activities. Features artists, vendors, face painting, activities, demonstrations, dance performances, chalk art festival, theater and storytelling, food vendors, workshop/craft area, and more. rsrpd.org/recreation/events/spring_(march_-_may)/artzfest.php

Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark March 22-23, 29-30, 2025

Spring Spectacular is the The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College’s largest fundraising event of the year, with entertaining animal meet and greets all day.

Spring Spectacular 2025 will take place the weekends of March 22-23 and 29-30 from 10 am to 5 pm. Event to feature 3 shows, discovery stations and Ira’s Kingdom! Stay all day and enjoy the fun! Food truck will be on site, or bring your lunch to picnic in the sun!

Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. Ages 2 and under free of charge.

For directions and questions, visit zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/spring-spectacular. The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark.

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.

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Planned for April 26-27, 2025

The 2025 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is set to return to Alameda Park on Saturday, April 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Now in its 55th year, the community-organized festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country and is one of the largest Earth Day festivals on the West Coast. Presented by the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and co-produced with longtime festival partner, CarpEvents, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival continues to serve as a beacon for environmental advocacy and education.

This year, the festival is aligning with the Earth Day Network’s theme Our Power, Our Planet, inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy. Their Earth Day Action Day encourages all to take action to educate, activate and mobilize.

The 2025 festival — which is free to attend — anticipates all of the fun of past years. Highlights of this year’s event include a plant-forward Food Court, a Green Car show featuring free “Ride & Drive'' experiences, over 200 eco-friendly exhibitors, Beer & Wine Garden, Kids Zone filled with activities, two full days of live music, and so much more.

Learn more at www.SBEarthDay.org.