FESTIVALS & EVENTS
A weekend in early June, you’ll find seafaring folk roaming the Ventura Harbor Village. Costumes, events, & treasure hunts; they’ve got it all!
Mid-July brings another awesome homegrown weekend event showcasing amateur and professional surfers, serious music, a corn hole tournament, and more. Grab your sunscreen and head on over!
A weekend in early August, Chipper Bro & Kelly Bell put on a spectacular homegrown festival with proceeds going to a new recipient each year. There’s music, frisbee dogs, a beer garden and local vendors. Aloha!
Every year, early August our little town sparkles with bright lights, fireworks, serious music, extraordinary rides, spectacular fair food and a wild rodeo. It’s a must-do time in our little city!
Late August, grab your dancing cowboy boots and join us for some book kicking fun!
Spencer MacKenzie Throw Down Cornhole Festival
Held in late August, this local favorite has gained national attention. The street closes off and the music, competition and fun begins!
Early December, join the locals and sip, sing and shop downtown Main Street. It’s guaranteed to snow too!
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
Mid-December the Ventura harbor lights up with a parade of boats, carnival rides, food, music, and fireworks. It’s a magical way to start the holiday festivities!
Early October, when the weather is still warm and breezy, head to the beach for beers, ciders and kombucha with a surf twist of giant beer pong, cornhole, food trucks and music!
Every weekend in July and August, sit under the stars and listen to a fantastic line up of wonderful music genres. It’s a tradition worth doing!
Local College Music & Theater Events
There’s theater, chamber music, orchestra, opera and choirs. Something for everyone!
OTHER FUN THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO VISIT!
The Ventura Amtrak “station” is awesome because there is free parking at the Fairgrounds. A fun and inexpensive way to travel the coastline! Just 2 hours south to Los Angeles, 4.5 hours south to San Diego Old Town or 3.5 hours north to San Luis Obispo!
The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks
Brent’s Deli (Our favorite deli!)
Outlet Mall in Camarillo
Los Olivos (Our favorite sweet little town!)
Solvang (Fun day trip!)
Barts Books in Ojai (You just have to see it to be believe it!)
Santa Ynez (Make this a quick stop on your way to Los Olivos and/or Solvang.)
Ostrich Land in Solvang. (Sometimes they have ostrich and emu eggs for purchase!)
Horse Riding in Ventura (I took western riding lessons and leased a horse for years here.)
Horse Riding in Canada Larga
The Sacred Place in Summerland
THEATER
Rubicon Theater in Ventura
Riviera Theater in Santa Barbara
Granada Theater in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara
The Broad Stage in Santa Monica
Photo courtesy of Dillon Scheps