Free and Nearly Free Movies All Summer Long Around Ventura County 2025

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Stay cool this summer of 2025 with several hundred free and nearly free ($1 to $6) movies in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas!

Rancho Simi Rec & Park District Movies in the Park on Friday nights at Rancho Madera Community Park, 556 Lake Park Drive.

  • June 13: Kung Fu Panda 4

  • July 11: Despicable Me 4

  • August 8: Inside Out 2

City of Moorpark Movies in the Park on Saturday nights at Arroyo Vista Community Park.

  • June 14: The Wizard of Oz (G)

  • July 12: Surf’s Up (PG)

  • August 9: Ant-Man (PG)

  • September 13: Sonic 3 (PG)

Free Movies at the Park at Thousand Oaks Community Park on Friday evenings.

  • August 8: The Lion King

  • September 12: The Incredibles

City of Agoura Hills Summer Movies in the Park on Saturday nights at Reyes Adobe Park.

  • June 21: Moana

  • July 12: The Parent Trap

  • August 9: Despicable Me 4

Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center is offering $6 Children's Summer Movies (includes small popcorn and small drink) Mondays through Thursdays from June 23 to August 7.

  • June 23-26: Shrek (PG)

  • June 30 - July 3: The Bad Guys (PG)

  • July 7-10: Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)

  • July 14-17: The Wild Robot (PG)

  • July 21-24: Sing 2 (PG)

  • July 28-31: Despicable Me (PG)

  • August 4-7: Shrek 2 (PG)

CineMalibu Summer Movies at Malibu Bluffs Park on Saturday evenings:

  • July 26: Shrek

  • Aug 23: Scooby Doo

AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14 hosts Summer Movie Camp - $3 family movies for 8 weeks - Mondays and Wednesdays at 11am and 2pm, from June 23 to August 13.

  • June 23 and 25: The Bad Guys

  • June 30 and July 2: Minions: The Rise of Gru

  • July 7 and 9: Despicable Me 4

  • July 14 and 16: Kung Fu Panda 4

  • July 21 and 23: The Wild Robot

  • July 28 and 30: Shrek

  • August 4 and 6: Migration

  • August 11 and 13: The Secret Life of Pets

Regal Theaters in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Simi Valley present the Regal Summer Movie Express - $1 family movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays June 10 to August 6. Times vary by theater. www.regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express

  • June 10-11: Sing 2 and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

  • June 17-18: Trolls Band Together, If

  • June 24-25: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, The Bad Guys

  • July 1-2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, The Wild Robot

  • July 8-9: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Paw Patrol: The Movie

  • July 15-16: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie

  • July 22-23: Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4

  • July 29-30: TMNT Mutant Mayhem, The Garfield Movie

  • August 5-6: Minions: The Rise of Gru, Paddington in Peru

Kids Summer Movie Series at Plaza Stadium 14 in Oxnard and Roxy 11 in Camarillo feature $3 family movies at 10am (Camarillo) and noon (Oxnard) on Wednesdays, from June 18 to August 13.

  • June 18: The Bad Guys

  • June 25: Paddington 2

  • July 2: The LEGO Movie

  • July 9: The Wild Robot

  • July 16: The Croods

  • July 23: The LEGO Movie 2

  • July 30: Captain Underpants

  • August 6: Smallfoot

  • August 13: Scoob!

The Ojai Film Society presents a series of free summer films at Libbey Bowl on alternate Friday nights from July 25 to October 3:

  • July 25: Sally

  • August 8: The NeverEnding Story

  • August 22: The Greatest Night in Pop (with director Bao Nguyen in attendance)

  • September 5: 9 to 5

  • September 18: Speak. (with director Jennifer Tiexiera in attendance)

  • October 3: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Ojai Library is hosting free movie screenings in its Community Room on select Mondays at noon and Thursdays at 5pm, featuring a mix of movie types. More details at THIS LINK.

Seaside Movie Nights at Ventura Harbor Village at sunset:

  • August 9: E.T.

  • September 6: Jaws

  • October 11: Hocus Pocus

Free outdoor screening of Snow White at Sarzotti Park in Ojai on Saturday, July 19th.

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

AND HOW ABOUT FREE CONCERTS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Free Concerts and Live Music All Summer Long Around Ventura County

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We’re looking forward to another outstanding summer of free live music throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas! The compilation below has links to more detailed information.

Concerts subject to change. List will be updated regularly as new events are added.

Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Newbury Park

Agoura/Oak Park/Calabasas/Woodland Hills

  • City of Agoura Hills Free Summer Concerts in the Park at Chumash Park. Concerts start at 6pm on the following Sunday nights:

    • June 15: Mirage (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)

    • July 6: DSB (Journey Tribute), followed by patriotic drone show

    • August 3: Queen Nation (Queen Tribute)

    • August 17: Brandon Ragan Project

  • Valley Cultural Foundation’s Free Concerts at Warner Park in Woodland Hills on Sunday nights from June 15 to August 24 (except the July 4th Friday event) at 5:30PM (emerging artist) followed by headline acts.

    • June 15: No Duh - A Tribute to No Doubt

    • June 22: DJ Quik

    • Friday, July 4: Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza on Friday, July 4th, from 6-9:30PM featuring Strange Days - Tribute to the Doors

    • July 13: Twisted Typsy - Fleetwood Mac Tribute

    • July 20: Kenny Hale - The Music of Neil Diamond

    • July 27: Surfin’ - Tribute to The Beach Boys

    • August 3: Live From Earth - Pat Benatar Tribute

    • August 10: Which One’s Pink - Pink Floyd Tribute

    • August 17: DSB - Tribute to Journey

    • August 24: Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars Tribute

  • Sun Sets Summer Concert Series at Calabasas Lake on Sunday nights at 6pm.

    • June 8: AbbaFab - The Premier ABBA Experience

    • July 20: Live From Earth - Pat Benatar Tribute

    • August 3: Stone Soul - Motown

    • August 24: Turn the Page - Tribute to Bob Seger

  • Music in the Park at Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park at 6:30pm

    • Saturday, July 12 - Kenny Metcalf - Elton John, The Early Years

Moorpark/Simi Valley

  • Summer Music in the Park Free Concerts at Rancho Simi Community Park on Saturday nights at 6:30pm.

    • June 21: Cali Country All Stars

    • July 19: Bruno Mars and Britney Spears Tribute

    • August 16: Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin Tribute)

  • City of Moorpark Concerts in the Park at Arroyo Vista Park at 6pm

    • June 28: Electric Vinyl (Classic Rock)

    • July 26: Yachty by Nature (Yacht Rock)

    • August 23: Juano and Friends (Rock, Cumbia, Oldies, R&B)

    • September 27: The Spazmatics (80s)

  • Concerts at the Plaza at the Simi Valley Civic Center Plaza take place from 6-9pm on the following nights:

    • 7/12: Rock the Boat (Yacht Rock)

    • 7/19: Holgers Heroes (70s/80s Rock Classics)

    • 7/26: Soul Jukebox & The Funky Divas (Motown, R&B, Funk)

    • 8/2: Ticket to Ride (Beatles Tribute)

    • 8/16: 2 For The Show (Hit Songs)

    • 8/23: Double Header - (Two Bands - Classic Rock and Bryan Adams Tribute)

Camarillo/Oxnard/Port Hueneme/Ventura

Santa Barbara

Free Thursday Night Concerts at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday nights, July 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 6-7:30pm.

Have something to add to this list? CONTACT US!!

Check the Events Calendar for things going on around town as well as the Local Events and Community Messages sections of Conejo Valley Guide.

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

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America's 249th birthday is Friday, July 4, 2025! Here is a compilation of local holiday events and activities in celebration of Independence Day.

Fireworks Display Summary for 2025:

  • Thursday 7/3: Moorpark, Fillmore

  • Friday 7/4: Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Channel Islands Harbor, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills

  • Sunday 7/6: Agoura Hills (Drone Show)

4th of July celebration parades to take place in Westlake Village, Ventura, Ojai, Channel Islands Harbor and Carpinteria (June 28).

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park

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 for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Best viewing will be at Janss Marketplace and The Oaks Mall parking lots. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Patriotic music simulcast by KHAY 100.7.

Other CRPD 4th of July events around town include a $5 family 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.

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. Wristbands required to gain access to entertainment and activities on the rooftop of the parking garage starting at 5pm. (Two additional paid ticket options for early access available at THIS LINK.)

Independence Day Festivities at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd from 1-4PM.

Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks at 200 West Bethany Court once again opens its incredible views to the public with a 4th of July Fireworks Viewing from its parking lot. Starts at 6pm and fills up quickly - they have free children’s activities, inflatables and more. BBQ available for purchase. www.bethanyto.org

Pancake Breakfast from 8am to noon at the Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge, 158 N. Conejo School Road. Pancakes, bacon or sausage links, coffee and juice for $6. Live music from 2-5pm featuring Unkle Monkey.

Westlake Village

The Westlake Village 4th of July Parade and Party in the Park starts at 9:30am at the corner of Lakeview Canyon and Agoura Roads, culminating at Berniece Bennett Park.

The City of Westlake Village presents its 10th Annual Fireworks Spectacular Show from the Westlake Village Golf Course, with additional viewing locations available. Activities begin at 6pm, including family-friendly activities, music and food trucks. The show will start at 9:10pm.

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. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the gate. Onsite parking $5 (advance purchase only.)

Simi Valley

The Reagan Presidential Library 4th of July Celebration is back this year from 10am to 3pm on July 4th, featuring patriotic music, family entertainment, games, crafts and more.

The Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley presents the Star-Spangled Rock & Country Jam and Fireworks Celebration on July 4th at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Avenue. Gates open at 3pm. There will be music, food and craft vendors, beer and wine, shopping and a free kids’ fun zone. And of course, fireworks! Event is free of charge but VIP passes are available.

Calabasas

The City of Calabasas is hosting the Lakeside Fun Run 4 and 2 mile runs in the morning and Summer Splash Party at the Tennis & Swim Center from noon to 5pm, as well as a pet show at 11 a.m.

Camarillo

The City of Camarillo is hosting a July 4th Fireworks Show at the Camarillo Premium Outlets again this year at 9pm. Park and enjoy the fireworks. Last entry is 8:45 pm.

Free recreational swim at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center, 1030 Temple Avenue, from 1-4 pm.

Oxnard/Channel Islands Harbor

The Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Family Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Albacore Way, travels north up Harbor Blvd. and ends at Cabezone Circle, home to Marine Emporium Landing. Then from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. there will be farmers’ market vendors and other activities at Harbor View Park.

The Channel Islands Harbor will be offering activities and entertainment all day, followed by Fireworks by the Sea at 9pm on the 4th of July.

The educational tall ship Mystic Whaler will be hosting a viewing party for the Fireworks by the Sea from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Guests will view the fireworks from Mystic Whaler's deck while they enjoy snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/MysticOceanAdventures ($55 adults, $35 12 and under).

Heritage Square Oxnard is hosting a 4th of July concert from 4-8:30pm featuring two bands. Table seating available at www.oxnarddowntowners.org/event-details/fourth-of-july-at-heritage-square-the-gamble-band-the-soul-revival-band or sit on the lawn and enjoy the music for a requested donation of $5.

Ventura

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

Ventura Rotary hosts its Annual Fireworks Show and Family Picnic this year on July 4th at the Ventura College Athletic Fields starting at 5pm, featuring a family picnic, live music, kids' fun zone, followed by fireworks show at 9pm. Tickets $12 ($13 day of event) for ages 13+ and $6 for ages 4-12. Family of 4 pre-sale pass is $36 (online only).

Ojai

The annual Ojai Independence Day Parade will take place at 10am on Friday, July 4th.

Live music and fireworks show will take place on July 4th at Nordhoff High School Stadium, starting at 6 pm (gates open at 5:30pm). Fireworks will begin at 9:15 pm. Presale tickets for the nighttime event are available at www.4thofjulyinojai.com. $13 (plus fees) adults, $6 (plus fees) for kids, $30 (plus fees) family of 4 pass. (pre-sale)

Free concert on Thursday, July 3rd at Libbey Bowl at 6pm featuring the Ojai Band.

Pancake breakfast at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 East Ojai Ave from 7am to 10am on July 4th hosted by the Ojai Lions Club. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for kids.

Fillmore

The Sespe Creek 4th of July Car Show, Chili Cook-Off & Cornhole Tournament will take place in downtown Fillmore on Friday, July 4th from 9 am to 4 pm.

The City of Fillmore is hosting its annual fireworks show on Thursday, July 3rd at 9pm at the Fillmore Middle School athletic field, 532 A Street. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the show from their homes and city parks. www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=233

Santa Paula

The City of Santa Paula invites the community to a day of celebration capped by a spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at the new Santa Paula Creek Regional Sports Park at Harvest at Limoneira (301 Harvest Loop). Festivities kick off in the afternoon from 4-8:30PM and include live music at the amphitheater, food trucks, face painting, lawn games, inflatable jumpers, and the City Corps Wagon Train. The fireworks show begins at 9:00 PM. Admission and parking are free.

Agoura Hills

There will be a fun Patriotic Drone Show after the free concert at Chumash Park on Sunday, July 6th (featuring DSB - Journey Tribute).

Woodland Hills

Valley Cultural Foundation presents a July 4th Extravaganza at 6pm, featuring live music, then fireworks at 9pm.

Carpinteria

The 28th Annual Rods and Roses Classic Car Show will take place from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, June 28th in Downtown Carpinteria, followed by an Independence Parade at 3:30pm.

Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara is planning fireworks at West Beach at 9 p.m. this year and there will be other festivities during the day.

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.

Ten Things To Do in the City of Moorpark

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The City of Moorpark has the distinction of being the youngest city in Ventura County,  incorporating July 1, 1983.

According to the Moorpark Historical Society, the city originated when land investor Robert W. Poindexter of Los Angeles and his wife Madeline purchased the plot of land that is now Moorpark after Southern Pacific Railroad announced plans to relocate its tracks Los Angeles to San Francisco route from the coast to Chatsworth.

For many years, Moorpark was mostly farmland, with dry land crops including apricots, hay and lima beans, then later, walnuts and citrus when irrigation systems were improved. Moorpark became known as the "apricot capital of the world" and held an annual apricot festival by the late 1920s

So where did the name Moorpark come from? Apparently, Poindexter named the community after the Moorpark Apricot. Simple as that. Heck, he could have named it Poindexter!

So in any case, Moorpark is now a full-fledged city of 12.8 square miles with a population of approximately 35,000. Here is a selection of over 10 things to do within the City of Moorpark.

For more things to do in Moorpark, visit the Do Something, Kid Fun and Fitness & Sports sections of the site. And of course the Events Calendar highlights daily goings on around the county.

A DOZEN FUN THINGS TO DO IN SIMI VALLEY

Memorial Day Weekend Events and Activities Around Ventura County

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Memorial Day is a holiday to remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971, but its beginnings go back to after the Civil War in 1868.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, cities in the North and South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. But in 1966, Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

Traditionally, Memorial Day was May 30th each year. That was changed to the last Monday in May when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was signed into law in June 1968 and put into effect in 1971.

In 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was enacted by Congress to ask Americans to pause in an act of national unity at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

Here is a compilation of activities and events this 2025 Memorial Day weekend around Ventura County and adjacent areas.

Tell Me a Little Bit About Newbury Park

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Newbury Park is a community located in the western portion of Thousand Oaks. Most of Newbury Park became part of Thousand Oaks by community vote sometime in the 1960s and 1970s. Thousand Oaks became a city in October 1964.

A view of Newbury Park from Boney Peak in October 2021. (Feet Model: Conejo Joe)

Egbert Starr Newbury (Photo Courtesy Conejo Valley Historical Society)

Egbert Starr Newbury (Photo Courtesy Conejo Valley Historical Society)

Newbury Park is named after Egbert Starr Newbury, who owned thousands of acres of land in the Conejo Valley after moving to California from Michigan for health reasons in 1871.  Newbury was one of the three largest Conejo Valley landowners of his time. He and his wife Fannie became the first postmasters in the Conejo Valley in 1875.  The post office was located in a small compound near their house, which was located at the current location of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. 

The other major landowners at that time were John Edwards, who owned much of the current Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks area north of the 101, and Howard Mills, who owned much of what today is Westlake Village and Hidden Valley.

Edwards sold 10,000 acres of what is now central Thousand Oaks to Edwin and Harold Janss in 1893.  The Janss Corporation also bought thousands of acres of land in Newbury Park (Friedrich, Running Springs and Borchard Ranches) in 1962. 

There were efforts to incorporate Newbury Park in 1961 and 1963 that failed due to a lack of sufficient votes.

Over a 30 month period beginning in the Fall of 1876, only 6 inches of rain fell in the Conejo Valley.  This drought brought devastation to landowners, most of whom lost their crops and livestock and had to sell at a loss or went bankrupt.  The Newburys were no exception; they moved back to the midwest in 1877.  Egbert fell ill to pneumonia in 1880 and passed away at the young age of 36.

The Newburys lived here only six years, so why is it still called Newbury Park? Because the name of the Newburys' post office never changed! The Newbury Park Post Office has changed locations a number of times (including 1602 Newbury Road from May 1968 until it moved to its current location at 3401 Grande Vista Drive in 2013). So the Newbury name and legacy live on here in the Conejo Valley.

Horse tied to a sign indicating the Newbury Park Post Office, in 1909. The location was near modern-day Lynn Ranch. (Courtesy of the Thousand Oaks Library Local History Photo Collection).

Horse tied to a sign indicating the Newbury Park Post Office, in 1909. The location was near modern-day Lynn Ranch. (Courtesy of the Thousand Oaks Library Local History Photo Collection).

Sources: "The Conejo Valley - Old and New Frontiers" by Carol A. Bidwell and "The Newburys of Newbury Park" by Miriam Sprankling

But wait...there's more to Newbury Park! Casa Conejo is also part of the Newbury Park community but is not an incorporated part of Thousand Oaks. It is considered a census-designated place in Ventura County, with its own Municipal Advisory Council. Casa Conejo is the first planned community in Newbury Park and was built in the early 1960s. It has an area of .5 square mile and is bound by Borchard to the south, Old Conejo Road to the north, Jenny Drive (east of Newbury Park High School) to the west and Sequoia Middle School to the east.

TELL ME ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STREET NAMES IN THE CASA CONEJO NEIGHBORHOOD

Interested in historical pictures of the area going back to the 1950s?  Click here to read about the work of prolific Conejo Valley photographer, Ed Lawrence. 

Click here for a history of Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks is over 56 square miles and Newbury Park represents about 40% of that square footage. Thousand Oaks was incorporated as a city on October 7, 1964.

Three dozen or so things to do in Newbury Park

Another three dozen or so kids' activities in Newbury Park

Yet another three dozen or so sports and fitness activities in Newbury Park

Earth Day Events In and Around Ventura County

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Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd each year since 1970. Earth Day events celebrate the planet we live on and helps to renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world. Here is a compilation of 2025 Earth Day as well as Arbor Day events in Ventura County and neighboring areas.

Sat 4/12: Calabasas Earth Day Festival (2-5PM)

Sat 4/19: Arbor/Earth Day Celebration in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat 4/19: Ventura Earth Day Festival (11AM-4PM)

Fri 4/25: Earth Day Event in Simi Valley (3:30-5:30PM)

Sat 4/26: Earth Day Festival in Westlake Village (3-8PM)

Sat/Sun 4/26-27: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival (11AM)

Sat 5/3 Moorpark Earth Festival & Arbor Day Celebration (9AM-1PM)