Events in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme.
Find events in Ventura County and surrounding areas in this section, by category at this link and in the Events Calendar. Community events of broad public interest can be submitted at this link for possible inclusion in this section (at our discretion).
We encourage posting of other events, activities, fundraisers, classes, workshops, sales, shout-outs, etc. directly to the COMMUNITY FORUM section!
The Lucky Shamrock 5K is planned for Sunday, March 15, 2020 on the oceanfront Ventura Promenade. Starts at 8am. Your entry includes chip timing, a shirt, finishers’ medals and a breakfast burrito from Aloha Steakhouse and beer (21+) from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
More info at runsignup.com/Race/CA/Ventura/LuckyShamrock5K
Santa will be available for photos and visits at his holiday home, located in Center Court of the Pacific View Mall, 3301-1 East Main Street, Ventura, starting November 8th through December 24, 2019.
Want to see Santa sooner? Get a Fast Pass to make your family’s visit even easier!
SANTA HOURS
NOVEMBER
FRI (11/8): 11:00 AM-8:00 PM, BREAK: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
SAT (11/9): 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, BREAKS: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM / 3:45 PM-4:30 PM
MON-THUR (11/11-11/27): 11:00 AM-8:00 PM, BREAK: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
FRI-SAT (11/15-11/30): 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, BREAKS: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM / 3:45 PM-4:30 PM
SUN (11/10, 11/17, 11/24): 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, BREAK: 2:00 PM-2:45 PM
THUR (11/28) CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
DECEMBER
SUN (12/1, 12/8): 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, BREAK: 2:00 PM-2:45 PM
MON-THUR (12/2-12/12): 11:00 AM-8:00 PM, BREAK: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
FRI-SAT (12/6-12/14): 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, BREAKS: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM / 3:45 PM-4:30 PM
SUN-MON (12/15-12/23) 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, BREAKS: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM / 3:45 PM-4:30 PM
TUES (12/24) CHRISTMAS EVE 8:00 AM-6:00 PM, BREAK: 1:00 PM-1:45 PM
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Special times for your furry friends to visit Santa!*
December 3 & 10 from 5-7pm
*Cats and dogs only. Please be sure to have your pet on a leash or in a pet carrier.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Breakfast With Santa: December 7 and 14 at California Pizza Kitchen | Seating times: 8:30am, 8:45am, 9am, 9:15am
Enjoy a breakfast pizza and beverage for:
Adults $10 | Kids 10 and under $6 | Add a cup of fruit $1.
DOES NOT INCLUDE ALCOHOL OR GRATUITY
Call California Pizza Kitchen at 805-639-5060 between 2-4pm to make your reservation!
Return to the mystical times when the pirates roamed the seas during Ventura Harbor Pirates Day 2019 on Saturday, June 1st. This signature Ventura Harbor Village event celebrates a decade long festival with professional pirate live-action shows, pirate themed activities, treasure hunts, pirate costume contests, pirate vendors, and much more. Festival goers of all ages come in Piratey period costume and wenchy dress. Pirate marketplace open at 11am and live entertainment from 1pm-4pm. Action takes place on the lawn and various courtyard areas.
www.venturaharborvillage.com/event/pirates-day-2019
Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura
The Amgen Tour of California organizers today announced the 13 Host Cities selected for the 14th edition of America’s premier professional cycling stage race set for May 12-18, 2019. Throughout seven stages over seven days, the world’s elite cyclists will contest more than 750 miles of roadways, highways and coastlines from Sacramento to Pasadena.
The Amgen Tour of California Women's Race empowered with SRAM, showcasing the world’s best women cyclists, will run concurrently May 16-18, covering upwards of 180 miles over three stages. Owned and presented by AEG, both races conclude with same-day finishes in Pasadena, a veteran overall finish city.
The annual Amgen Tour of California carries the distinction of being the only U.S. men’s and women’s races on the UCI WorldTour calendar. With seven new courses between them, the event’s legacy as an international platform for both men’s and women’s racing will hold special significance this year as Olympic hopefuls gear up for Tokyo 2020.
2019 RACE SCHEDULE
DATE | MEN
Sun., May 12 - Stage 1: Sacramento
Mon., May 13 - Stage 2: Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe
Tues., May 14 - Stage 3: Stockton to Morgan Hill
Wed., May 15 - Stage 4: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay
Thurs., May 16 - Stage: 5 Pismo Beach to Ventura
Fri., May 17 - Stage 6: Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sat., May 18 - Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena
DATE | WOMEN
Thurs., May 16 - Stage 1: Ventura
Fri., May 17 - Stage 2: Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sat., May 18 - Stage 3: Santa Clarita to Pasadena
**Courses subject to change
The Amgen Tour of California and the Amgen Women's Race empowered with SRAM are Tour de France-style cycling road races created and presented by AEG. Running concurrently, the races challenge the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along demanding courses that traverse hundreds of miles of California's iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions and award important, world-ranking points to the top finishers. For more information visit the Amgen Tour of California on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
The final nine miles of Men’s Stage 5 in Ventura
Men’s Stage 5 on Thursday, May 16th Details
Starts in Pismo Beach at 10 am on Pomeroy Ave
Total distance 136.4 miles
Finishes in Ventura at anticipated time of 3:43 pm on Shoreline Drive
The final approximately 9 miles are as follows:
From Casitas Vista Road, the course turns right onto Ventura Ave
Left onto Kellogg St
Right onto Cedar St
Left onto Ferro Dr
Right onto Brakey Rd
Right onto Summit Dr
Left onto Poli St
Right onto Hemlock St
Left onto Thompson Blvd
Right onto San Jon Rd
Right onto Harbor Blvd
Left onto Figueroa St to the finish on Shoreline Dr
Women’s Stage 1 on Thursday, May 16th Details
Starts in Ventura at 12:10 pm
Distance 60 miles
Ends in Ventura at anticipated time of 2:56 pm.
The women’s race will follow the men’s race finish in reverse and will finish in the same order as the men’s race.
Join the Ventura Land Trust at the Harmon Canyon Sunset 5K on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 6pm. During this first official race at Harmon Canyon, you will discover the amazing 2,100 acre hillside property that Ventura Land Trust is in the process of purchasing and opening up to the public for hiking, biking, trail running and nature loving. Limited registration!
A $30 entry fee includes chip timing, race shirt and post-race pizza. Beer will be available for purchase. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Ventura Land Trust. Register at runsignup.com/Race/CA/Ventura/HarmonCanyonSunset5K.
Location: 7511 Foothill Road, Ventura
The 3rd Annual Seaside Kids Club is back at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, every Thursday from July 5 – August 9, 2018 from 11 a.m. – noon on the waterfront!
Kids ages 4 -10 years old are encouraged to immerse themselves in new sea themed activities, entertainment and crafts.
Cost is only $3 per session OR
$12 for all 6 Sessions when you sign up to be a Kids Club Member!
Sign-in begins at 10:30 AM at the Kelp Corridor directly across from Coffee Dock and outside the Village Carousel & Arcade.
7/5: Red, White Sand & Blue Ocean: Take to the ocean and get kids to make their own ocean in a bottle, learn to put on a life vest with Captain Cooper from Ventura Boat Rentals, visit with Ventura Harbor Patrol, and receive a booklet on Water Safety.
7/12: Seals & Sea Lions Are Pinnipeds: Get up close and learn all about our pinnipeds in the Harbor and at the Islands from a Channel Islands National Park Ranger. As part of this summertime afternoon of fun, decorate a sea horse to take home (craft sponsored by Lakeshore Learning).
7/19: Jellyfish Jam - All Things Squishy! Search for sea creatures in squishy sensory ocean water beads, attend a show and tell with Ventura Harbor’s Squid experts, and create your own jelly fish craft!
7/26: Yo Ho! Piratey Fun & Puppets Too! Witness a professional marionette pirate puppet show, visit with a mermaid and pirate, play in a pirate ship, walk the plank, and create a Mermaid or Pirate Puppet!
8/2: Fit & Fun in the Sun: Strike a pose at sea with themed yoga led by yoga guru Pam Griffin. As part of this fun filled afternoon, partake in an obstacle course & relay races, and make a shell mobile to hang in the sun!
8/9: Stay Salty! A Love of all Things Beachy! Get creative and make a beach in a bottle using shells/sand/glitter stickers, snap a picture with ocean selfie spots by chalk artist Randall Williams, and talk with sea-worthy salt water experts.
The 2018 AIDS Walk Ventura takes place Saturday, March 3rd at Plaza Park in Ventura. Check-in and entertainment starts:at 8:30am and walk starts at 10am.
AIDS Walk Ventura is a fun, healthy way for friends, families and teams of co-workers to raise awareness and help to do their part in the fight against HIV & AIDS in Ventura County. Learn more and sign up at aidswalkventura.org.
Opera by the Glass Presents a Thrilling Immersive Production of Donizetti’s Tragic Masterpiece, Anna Bolena, at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, November 17, and Sunday, November 19, 2017
Artists collective Opera by the Glass will present its contemporary interpretation of Gaetano Donizetti’s historical masterpiece, Anna Bolena, sponsored by the Museum of Ventura County for two special performances on Friday, November 17 (8:00pm), and Sunday, November 19, 2017 (5:00pm).
Anna Bolena, a thrilling bel canto opera in two acts, recounts the final days of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's notorious King Henry VIII, once he had lost interest in her and ruthlessly moved on to Jane Seymour. The fast-paced immersive experience is staged in the museum’s exquisite Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, which is punctuated with striking walls of glass and river rock. Anna Bolena features first-rate Ventura-based artists in collaboration with performers from outside the area who have appeared in regional, national, and international productions.
Anna Bolena is widely considered the strongest of Donizetti's three "Tudor queen" operas, noted for its inspired music and fully realized characters. Donizetti’s original opera was over 3 hours in duration. For this production, Opera by the Glass has carefully trimmed the work down to a more palatable 2-hour length. The high-quality production will be presented in its original Italian with English supertitles.
The Friday, November 17th performance of Anna Bolena starts at 8:00pm and the Sunday, November 19th performance starts at 5:00pm, running for 2 hours and 20 minutes (2 hours of performance + a 20-minute intermission). Seating is arranged to resemble a royal court with the performers activating the space for an immersive, intimate experience; complimentary wine and light refreshments will be available for those seated at tables. VIP “King” front row tables for 4 are $300, “Queen” tables for 4 are $250, “Court” tables for 4 are $150, and single seats behind the tables are $30. Adding seats to tables is not possible. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at bolena.bpt.me. Minimum age is 16.
The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Plenty of street and metered parking is available near the venue. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page: https://oby.tg/FBAnnaEvEnt. Or direct questions to (805) 665-3651 / hello@operabytheglass.org. Opera by the Glass is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
More info:
Hana Chelberg is featured in the challenging role of “Anne Boleyn,” the ambitious, doomed Tudor queen, as she languishes in anxiety, confusion, and eventual madness while facing execution (remedial spoiler: she’s totally a goner). Dianna Burdick plays the conflicted “Jane Seymour,” who replaced Anne in the king’s affections. Luvi Avendano is “Lord Rochefort,” Anne’s brother, with whom she was accused of having an incestuous relationship. “Lord Percy,” Anne’s former love, is played by Alex Rodin Mendoza. Sally Rose Bates, as Anne’s page “Mark Smeaton,” and Ricardo Mota, as court official “Sir Hervey,” round out the cast.
Additional members of Henry’s treacherous court are characterized by an ever-present chorus of eavesdroppers and spies. Covers and ensemble members include Constance von Briesen-Kamm, Rosa Chang, Grace Kim, Rachel Labovitch, Jessie Missouri, and Esteban Pérez. The production also features a 14-piece live orchestra of area musicians.
Anna Bolena will be staged with a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics in the Museum of Ventura County’s Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, a state of the art event space in the heart of historic downtown Ventura. Audience seating will be arranged around a theatrical “runway” in blatantly hierarchical, courtly fashion with tables configured by ticket price. The best seats, with the closest access to the performers, will go to those with the most power and influence (i.e., money). As they perform, players in sumptuous costumes will filter through the audience in the impressive space, offering an immersive experience as the action unfolds all around.
Anna Bolena is the first live performing arts production to be staged in the museum. While not entirely historically accurate, the production should appeal not only to diehard opera fans, but also to history buffs, political junkies, cultural adventurers, and music lovers seeking an accessible way to dip their toes into the often-pretentious world of opera.
In addition to serving as Artistic Director for Opera by the Glass, Zeffin Quinn Hollis also directs Anna Bolena. Timothy León is the Music Director and Conductor. Robert Chelberg is an Executive Consultant.
Opera by the Glass –
Launched in 2016, Opera by the Glass is a community of singers, directors, and musicians devoted to providing fantastic immersive opera experiences for contemporary audiences in non-traditional yet spectacular spaces in Ventura County and beyond. The concept is part of a new breed of intimate opera companies and grass roots arts organizations that strip away rigid performance paradigms to offer accessible and affordable opera in casual settings that are enjoyable and easy-to-follow by a wide audience. Anna Bolena is the second opera staged by Opera by the Glass. The organization’s sold-out inaugural production of Bellini’s The Sleepwalker (2016) met critical acclaim and enthusiastic local audiences last November.
The California Beer Festival (CBF) returns to Ventura County the weekend of September 15-17, 2017 at Mission Park in Ventura.
FOOD & BEER PAIRING
Friday, September 15, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Start your weekend off at CBF's Food & Beer Pairing Competition! Local Chefs pair with Local Breweries for an Exclusive Tasting Event! This VIP event includes unlimited access to samples of chef specials, carefully paired with a brewery and topped off with live music. Savor the memories made with the CBF Family with your (1) CBF souvenir pint glass! You must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
CRAFT BEER HEAVEN
Saturday, September 16, 12:30 – 5:00 pm
Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven is THE event for any new or seasoned craft beer enthusiast! Expand your mind and palate as you sample from over 85 craft beers on tap, live music, flavorful food and Bocce Ball! Ticket holders will receive access to Live Entertainment, Food available from vendors, (1) Souvenir glass, and Unlimited Access to 85 Craft Breweries to sample from!
SUNDAY FUNDAY
Sunday, September 17, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Revisit the park on Sunday for SUNDAY FUNDAY!
Bring the family, blankets, and chairs for Sunday Funday in the Park. This event will feature great food, Craft Beer, and an amazing Live Entertainment lineup! Space is very limited. Kids 12 and under are Free. There is NO beer sampling on Sunday, beer and food will be available for purchase.
Visit www.californiabeerfestival.com/cbf-ventura to learn more and buy tickets!
The SummerFest 3000 Meter Run will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Ventura Unified School District facility at 255 W. Stanley Ave, Ventura. Fast out and back course along the Ventura-Ojai bike path starting at 8am. This is a friendly low key event to encourage our youth to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. Entry fees kept at a minimum to encourage participation. Entry for kids is free. Race shirts and awards will not be given, however, the event will be timed and. elementary and middle school entrants will receive finishers' medals. All proceeds from this event go to the Ventura Education Partnership. Visit www.vendurance.com/events/upcoming-races to learn more and register.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
