4th of July Fireworks, Parades and Other Events Around Ventura County

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America's 242nd birthday is July 4, 2018! Here is our annual list of local fireworks, parades and other festivities taking place throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas for Independence Day.

Fireworks planned in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark (July 3rd), Simi Valley, Calabasas, Channel Islands Harbor, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Agoura Hills (July 9th), Woodland Hills, Camarillo, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

4th of July celebration parades to take place in Westlake Village, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria (June 30).

Other family festivities and fun includes concerts, carnivals, swimming, games, tournaments, kids' fun zones, 5K/10K runs, etc.!

(Contact us with updates)

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park

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The annual Conejo Recreation and Park District and City of Thousand Oaks 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is launched from the hill behind the Hillcrest Center of the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Best viewing will be at Janss Marketplace and The Oaks Mall parking lots. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

Other CRPD 4th of July events around town include a pancake breakfast and Home Run Derby in the morning at Borchard Park in Newbury Park, Concert in the Park at 5pm at Conejo Community Park and free swimming from noon to 4pm at CLU and NPHS pools.

July 4th 5K/10K Run/Walk at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park. Race proceeds benefits a local non-profit that helps families in extreme circumstances.

Ice Cream Social and Patriotic Celebration at Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park from 1-4pm on July 4th. Free admission and ice cream (while supplies last)!

Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks once again will be hosting a free viewing of the fireworks along with live music and family activities starting at 5pm on the 4th. A DJ will be on hand in the Fountain Courtyard, live bands will be playing on the parking structure rooftop, hot dog eating contest and more.

Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks once again opens its incredible views to the public with a 4th of July Celebration starting at 6pm. Free music, family fun, food for sale and some of the best views of the Thousand Oaks fireworks display in town!

Westlake Village

The 49th Annual Westlake Village 4th of July Parade starts at 9:45am followed by music, inflatables, games, popsicles, etc. at Berniece Bennett Park until noon. Boy Scout pancake breakfast before the parade for $5/person.

The City of Westlake Village presents its 5th Annual Fireworks Spectacular Show from the Westlake Village Golf Course, with additional viewing locations at Calvary Community Church, Westlake Village Inn and Berniece Bennett Park. Activities begin at 6pm, including family-friendly games and contests and food trucks. The 18 minute show will start at 9:10PM.

Calvary Community Church is hosting a Fireworks Celebration starting at 6pm, followed by fireworks viewing at 9pm. Bring blankets, chairs and dinner, or purchase from food trucks on site. No pets, grills, alcohol, tents or tailgating allowed.

Moorpark (3rd of July)

The City of Moorpark presents its 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Arroyo Vista Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road once again. A fun family event with festivities (games, food, entertainment) starting at 4pm. Fireworks at 9pm. $5 admission; ages 4 and under are free.

Simi Valley

Visit the Reagan Presidential Library 4th of July Celebration between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Festivities include music, family entertainment, food, presidential re-enactors, face painting, storytelling and more. All 4th of July activities are FREE; however, regular admission applies for touring the museum.

The Star Spangled 4th of July Fireworks Celebration will take place at Rancho Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley on July 4th from 3pm to 9pm, followed by fireworks. More details to come.

Calabasas

The City of Calabasas 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Calabasas High School opens at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Features live music and kids' fun zone. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. $10 admission includes parking, entertainment and activities. Children under 2 are free. Food and beverages will be offered for sale.

Other Calabasas 4th of July activities include a free Summer Splash Party from noon to 5:30pm, a Pet Show at Calabasas Lake at 11am and the 41st Annual Lakeside Fun Run 4 mile, 2 mile, 1/2 mile and 1/4 mile events in the morning.

Camarillo

4th of July Fireworks and Family Fun Day to take place again this year at Camarillo High School. Gates open at 4 pm. Fireworks at 9 pm. Live music, food for sale, kids' activities and more. Tickets available for $2 (age 5 and under are free) available in advance or at the gate.

Free swimming at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center from 1-4 pm on July 4th.

Oxnard/Channel Islands Harbor

Start your holiday with the 16th Annual Channel Islands 4th of July 5K & 10K races. Flat, fast and fun!

Independence Day activities all day long on July 4th at the Channel Islands Harbor, After the 5K/10K, family fun at the Marine Emporium Landing from 11am to 9pm will include a crafters' market, inflatable fun zone, rock climbing wall and food booths. At 6 p.m., more than 50 patriotic themed electric boats will cruise around the Harbor in the 3rd Annual 4th of July Electric Boat Parade. The Annual Fireworks by the Sea starts at 9 p.m.

Ventura

The City of Ventura 4th of July Street Festival and 43rd Annual Pushem-Pullem Parade are free, with the parade starting at 10am, street fest on Main Street and side streets with over 200 artisans, food booths, vendor displays and live music.

The Rotary Club of Ventura hosts its 24th Annual Fireworks Show and Family Picnic again this year on July 4th at the Ventura College Athletic Field starting at 5pm, featuring a family picnic, live music, kids' fun zone, followed by fireworks show at 9pm! Presale tickets available online.

Ojai

The annual Ojai Independence Day parade will take place at 10am on July 4th. Live music and fireworks show will take place at Nordhoff High School Stadium, starting at 5 pm. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 am. Presale tickets for the nighttime event are available. Details at www.4thofjulyinojai.com. Also, there will be a free concert on Tuesday, July 3rd, 6pm at Libbey Bowl, featuring the 805 Brass and others.

Fillmore

The 32nd Annual Sespe Creek Car Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4th and the City of Fillmore fireworks show starts around 9:15 p.m. at Fillmore Middle School.

The Fillmore & Western "Firecracker Train" departs at 6:30PM for a BBQ dinner and ride, topped off with a viewing of the City of Fillmore fireworks display.

Fillmore & Western July 4th Festival Train Rides at 10am, noon and 2pm. One hour rides on vintage diesel trains!

July 4th Chili Cook-Off and Beer Fest at Central Park in Fillmore will take place from 10am to 5pm.

Santa Paula

Fireworks show planned at Harding Park, 1300 E. Harvard Boulevard at 9pm.

Agoura Hills

On Sunday, July 8th, the City of Agoura Hills once again presents a free concert at Chumash Park followed by a fireworks display! Concert starts at 6pm and fireworks are at 9pm.

Woodland Hills

The Valley Cultural Center in Woodland Hills hosts its July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza featuring free concert at 6pm, followed by fireworks at approximately 9 p.m.

Carpinteria

The 21st Annual Rods and Roses Classic Car Show will take place on Saturday, June 30th, from 10 am to 3 pm, followed by an Independence Day Parade at 5 pm.

Santa Barbara

The 55th Annual 4th of July Parade starts down State Street at 1pm.  Lots of activities all day near the beachfront hosted by the City of Santa Barbara and SPARKLE and of course fireworks at West Beach at 9 p.m.

Malibu

The City of Malibu does not host a public fireworks display but the LA County Fire Dept approves permits for private fireworks displays off of barges in the ocean. TBA

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Free and Nearly Free Movies All Summer Long Around Ventura County

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Stay cool this summer of 2018 with several hundred free and nearly free ($1 to $4) movies in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas! These movies are at local movie theaters, parks, libraries and other locations!

Agoura Hills: Kids $1.50 Summer Movie Series at Regency Theatres on Tuesday and Thursday mornings June 19th through August 9th

Agoura Hills: Free Summer Movie Screenings at Reyes Adobe Park and Historic Site on 5/12 and 9/8.

Camarillo: Camarillo Arts Council Free Movies at Constitution Park on 6/30 and 8/4

Camarillo: $1 Movies at Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10AM from June 19th to August 22nd.

Camarillo: Free Movies in the Park Friday nights at Community Center Park from July 13th to August 10th and Camarillo Grove Park on August 17th.

Malibu: CineMalibu Summer Movies at Bluffs Park on 6/16 and 8/12 and a "dive-in" movie at Malibu Community Pool on 7/21.

Moorpark Free Movies in the Park on 6/16, 7/21 and 8/18 at three different parks.

Oak Park: Drive-in movie screening of "Trolls" at Oak Park HS on 6/2 and $1 screening of "The Goonies" at Oak Canyon Community Park on 9/15. CLICK HERE

Oxnard: Summer Movie Clubhouse at Century Riverpark 16 - 10 films for $5 or $1 per show on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am starting June 13th through August 15th

Oxnard: Free Family Movies preceded by crafts at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on June 21, July 28 and August 11 at 10am. 

Santa Barbara: Free Outdoor Family Movies on Friday nights at the Santa Barbara Courthouse July 6 to August 17 and Wednesday nights at Campbell Hall on the UCSB campus.

Simi Valley: $1 Movies at Regal Civic Center Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10AM from June 19th to August 22nd.

Simi Valley: Outdoor Movies (free) and "Dive In" Movies ($3) hosted by the Rancho Simi Rec & Park District in June, July and August.

Simi Valley: Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center is offering up $1 Children's Summer Movies every weekday of the week starting June 11th through August 10th.

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Libraries host free movie screenings on various dates

Ventura: Kids $1 Summer Movie Series at Regency Theatres on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 8 weeks, from June 19th through August 9th.

Westlake Village: Free screening of E.T. on July 28th at Berniece Bennett Park

Woodland Hills: Movies on the Green at Warner Ranch Park on five Saturday nights from July 21st to August 18th.

Movies/dates subject to change. Contact organizers to confirm.

AND HOW ABOUT FREE CONCERTS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

For year-round movies around town, CLICK THIS LINK.

Bench Yourself in the Conejo Valley

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There are over 150 miles of public multi-use trails surrounding the Conejo Valley managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and hundreds of miles more in the neighboring Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Learn more about these great trails here on Conejo Valley Guide.

All of this hiking, biking and running can make one tired. Not to worry...there are benches in strategic spots all throughout the area, all with great views! Here we highlight some of them. Click the images for more information about the trails that lead to these benches.

Views from Angel Vista Peak bench in Newbury Park.

Views from Angel Vista Peak bench in Newbury Park.

Bench at top of peak just east of Angel Vista Peak.

Bench at top of peak just east of Angel Vista Peak.

Bench at the top of "Space Mountain" on the Los Robles Trail West.

Bench at the top of "Space Mountain" on the Los Robles Trail West.

Bench with perfect sunset view off of the Autumn Ridge Trail in the Lang Ranch Open Space.

Bench with perfect sunset view off of the Autumn Ridge Trail in the Lang Ranch Open Space.

A bench on a hilltop overlooking the Conejo Valley on Los Robles Trail East Scenic Loop.

A bench on a hilltop overlooking the Conejo Valley on Los Robles Trail East Scenic Loop.

Bench on Los Robles Loop East Scenic Loop looking towards the south.

Bench on Los Robles Loop East Scenic Loop looking towards the south.

Benches at the top of Big Sycamore Canyon Road in Point Mugu State Park (adjacent to Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park).

Benches at the top of Big Sycamore Canyon Road in Point Mugu State Park (adjacent to Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park).

Another bench that overlooks Sycamore Canyon from the Boney Mountain Trail.

Another bench that overlooks Sycamore Canyon from the Boney Mountain Trail.

Image of the Upper Sycamore Canyon bench after the Rancho Sierra Vista area in Newbury Park was ravaged by the Springs Fire of 2013 .

Image of the Upper Sycamore Canyon bench after the Rancho Sierra Vista area in Newbury Park was ravaged by the Springs Fire of 2013.

Upper Sycamore Canyon bench was subsequently replaced. Here it is in April 2014.

Upper Sycamore Canyon bench was subsequently replaced. Here it is in April 2014.

Bench on the west side of Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks.

Bench on the west side of Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks.

This bench is located at the juncture of the Sunrise and Meadow Vista Trails in the Lang Ranch Open Space and the Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley. Nice view towards Simi Valley.

This bench is located at the juncture of the Sunrise and Meadow Vista Trails in the Lang Ranch Open Space and the Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley. Nice view towards Simi Valley.

Bench on Indian Creek Trail in Wildwood Park.

Bench on Indian Creek Trail in Wildwood Park.

Bench overlooking Bard Reservoir on the Sunset Hills Loop.

Bench overlooking Bard Reservoir on the Sunset Hills Loop.

One of two benches in the hills above CLU overlooking Thousand Oaks.

One of two benches in the hills above CLU overlooking Thousand Oaks.

Oakbrook Vista Trail bench off of Lang Ranch Parkway in Thousand Oaks

Oakbrook Vista Trail bench off of Lang Ranch Parkway in Thousand Oaks

This bench on a hill connected to the Rancho Potrero trail in Newbury Park faces the west and gets you some nice views of several of the Channel Islands on clear days.

This bench on a hill connected to the Rancho Potrero trail in Newbury Park faces the west and gets you some nice views of several of the Channel Islands on clear days.

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Bench off the Lizard Rock Loop trail on the west side of Wildwood Park.

Bench off the Lizard Rock Loop trail on the west side of Wildwood Park.

Bench with a view of Boney Peak from the Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park.

Bench with a view of Boney Peak from the Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park.

There are dozens of benches facing all directions in the beautiful hilltop Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in the heart of Thousand Oaks

There are dozens of benches facing all directions in the beautiful hilltop Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in the heart of Thousand Oaks

Another bench on the west side of top of the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

Another bench on the west side of top of the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

Bench overlooking the Potrero Grade from the Vista Del Mar Trail in Newbury Park.

Bench overlooking the Potrero Grade from the Vista Del Mar Trail in Newbury Park.

Bench on the El Encanto Trail in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. Panaromic view towards Boney Mountain while catching the sunset.

Bench on the El Encanto Trail in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. Panaromic view towards Boney Mountain while catching the sunset.

Bench with panoramic views at the top of the Triunfo Canyon Trail (part of the Los Robles trail system) in Westlake Village.

Bench with panoramic views at the top of the Triunfo Canyon Trail (part of the Los Robles trail system) in Westlake Village.

Enjoy views towards Newbury Park, Wildwood Park and so on from this bench on the Lynnmere Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Enjoy views towards Newbury Park, Wildwood Park and so on from this bench on the Lynnmere Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Bench at Box Canyon Overlook in Wildwood Park.

Bench at Box Canyon Overlook in Wildwood Park.

Birthday Party Places In and Around Ventura County

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Trying to figure out what to do for your kids' birthday parties in and around Ventura County? We've got you covered with this compilation of over 150 birthday party options in and around Ventura County, spanning from Ventura to Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Newbury Park and surrounding areas. We have categorized venue by "type" as best we can.  Contact us if you have something to add!

The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard is a Ventura County Crown Jewel

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The 46,000 square foot Mullin Automotive Museum in Downtown Oxnard is spectacular!

Open only a few days a month to the general public, this is one museum that is a MUST SEE. The autos, made by Bugatti, Voisin, Delahaye, Delage, Talbot-Labo, Hispano-Suiza, Renault, Peugeot and others, are works of art from the 1930s and 1940s, when autos were more than transportation. In addition to the autos, there are representative furnishings and works of art from the era on display.

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Visit www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com and reserve a visit. The photos and video footage below are great but don't come anywhere close to a visit in person!

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The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society Meets Monthly and is Open to the Public

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What a small world it is. A Ventura County resident named Peter contacted us regarding making some additions to the local Live Music and Other Nightlife Options compilation.

Not more than a week or two later, while harvesting produce for local charity Food Forward, I struck up a conversation with another volunteer. His name was Peter. After a bit of bantering for over an hour, I mentioned Conejo Valley Guide® to him, to which he replied, "Oh, I know that website!" After a few more back and forths, I discovered that this was the same Peter that had recently emailed the site. Small world!

Peter told me that the Ventura County Classical Guitar Society is a hidden gem. The group of classical guitar enthusiasts meets generally the last Wednesday of the month at the Pleasant Valley Parks and Recreation Senior Center (1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo).

He said that it is a fun session to attend is free and open to the public. Members of the group as well as guests perform for the group starting at 7PM (guest performers start at 8PM). Donations are accepted for guest performers.

So if you're up for an enjoyable evening of live classical guitar performances, visit www.vccgs.com and check out upcoming performances.

As of June 2018, here are upcoming performers planned (subject to change): 6/27 Folias Duo, 7/25 Benjamin Shearer, 8/29 Carlos Gonzales, 9/26 Samuel Hines, 10/31 Ines Thome, 11/28 Yuri Liberzon.

Over 140 Summer Camps and Programs In and Around Ventura County

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Looking for a summer camp within range of Ventura County? Here's a list of over 140 summer day camps and residential camps and programs in the area. Actually, there are hundreds and hundreds of individual camps available.

We've attempted to categorize the camps into three main groups; Traditional/Learning, Sports and Music/Arts, though many camps cover numerous fun activities all in one.

Know of more? Submit them here!

No doubt there will be some typos/errors on this list, so let us know if you find one.

Traditional Day Camps, Overnight Camps, Educational Camps and Other Camps

Sports Camps

Music/Arts/Science Camps