37th Annual Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 20, 2026

The 37th Annual Simi Valley Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is planned for Saturday, June 20, 2026 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 $15 (early bird until 6/6), then $20. Seniors, children (ages 6-17) and active military with ID are $10. Family pass $40. Admission includes chili tastings, until the chili is gone.

More information at www.chilikc.com.

Seaside Live Music at Ventura Harbor Village - Spring/Summer 2026

Enjoy live music at Ventura Harbor Village all spring and summer long. Located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura.

5/2/26 1-4PM: Caliente Band 805

5/9/26 1-4PM: Tiki Bomb

5/10/26 1-4PM: Ben Betts

5/16/26 1-4PM: Mary White

5/22/26 1-4PM: Petty by the Campfire

5/23/26 1-4PM: The Gamble

5/24/26 1-4PM: Mark Masson

5/25/26 1-4PM: Ben Betts

5/30/26 1-4PM: Pier 101

5/31/26 1-4PM: TBA

More details at www.venturaharborvillage.com/events. Subject to change, so check the Ventura Harbor Village first for updates.

Paid parking applis from 10am to 8pm Friday through Sunday and holidays at Ventura Harbor Village and neighboring beaches. Parking on Spinnaker Drive will remain free of charge. Under an hour will be free of charge. Up to 4 hours will be $1 per hour, or $10 for a day pass.

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.

2026 Happy Face Music Festival in Simi Valley on Saturday, May 23rd

The 5th Annual Happy Face Music Festival in Simi Valley takes place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10:30am to 7pm at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley.

A spectacular day of live music and entertainment in the community known for its famous happy face.

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and get ready to bask in the sun, surrounded by breathtaking hilltop views at the Happy Face Festival in Simi Valley. Satisfy your hunger cravings with delicious eats from the area’s best food truck vendors and quench your thirst with a cold beverage in hand. Music lineup (as of March) includes Bee Gees Fever, The fABBA Show, Dog “N” Butterfly, and YachtSoul Groove.

General Admission: $25 (25% Early Discount Tickets)
VIP Admission: $125

Free for children 11 and under

Tickets at happyfacemusicfest.com.

This Memorial Day weekend concert is presented by The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise - A charitable organization. 100% of festival proceeds benefit dozens of local charities and international causes.

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.

Memorial Day Ceremony in Oxnard on Monday, May 25, 2026

A Memorial Day Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Plaza Park, 500 South C Street, Oxnard. The community is welcome to join the ceremony in remembrance for those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Services.

www.oxnard.gov/event/memorial-day-ceremony-2026

Free Comic Book Day Planned for Saturday, May 2, 2026

Free Comic Book Day takes place annually on the first Saturday in May, which is May 2, 2026 this year. On Free Comic Book Day, participating comic book stores around the world give away designated comic books to anyone visiting their stores.

Visit www.freecomicbookday.com to learn more. Participating stores in the local Ventura County area this year include:

Conejo Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale in Newbury Park on May 29 and 30

The Conejo Orchid Society will hold its annual Orchid Show and Sale fundraiser May 29 and 30 at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road. This free event will be an opportunity to learn about orchids and the Conejo Orchid Society. Learn how to care for your orchids, hop for some great bargains and try your hand at growing some of the most beautiful and unusual plants in the world.

This event includes an exhibit of members’ orchids and a wide range of inexpensive, easy-to-grow orchids for sale. Several hundred orchids from quality orchid nurseries and society member divisions will be available. Many can be grown outdoors in Southern California. Other available items will include companion plants, such as tillandsias, and succulents, grown by Society members, and orchid potting mix.

Demonstrations will show how to repot and care for orchids. Society members will be available to provide guidance on how best to grow your new orchids and will answer your questions.

Hours are 10:30am to 5:30pm Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Arrive early for the best selection. Demonstrations 11am until closing both days. Admission is free. Pay for purchases with cash or checks only.

For more information, call 805-410-3803 or visit www.conejoorchidsociety.org.

35th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Pierce Brothers Westlake Village on May 25, 2026

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park Hosts

35th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony May 25, 2026

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Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village will host its 35th Annual Memorial Day event on May 25, 2026 in honor of those who have proudly served our country. This event is free and open to the public.

Limited parking available at the memorial park. Additional parking available at Costco.

Band concert begins at 10:30am | Program begins at 11:00am

www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com

2026 Matilija Poppy Festival at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks on May 17th

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The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden presents its annual Matilija Poppy Festival on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 11am to 4pm. Event will feature beautiful Matilija poppies, including garden tours at 11:15am and 2:15pm, crafts, speakers, kids’ activities, and more. Free admission.

Master gardener speakers at 12:30pm (Vegetable Container Gardening) and 1pm (Composting 101).

The garden is located at 400 W. Gainsborough Road,

www.conejogarden.org