CANCELLED 68th Annual Santa Barbara Downtown Holiday Parade on Friday, December 6, 2019

2020 EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

More than 65,000 spectators are expected to line downtown Santa Barbara on Friday evening, December 4, 2020 for the 68th Annual Downtown Holiday Parade in Santa Barbara, to cheer a colossal contingent of high-stepping marching bands, giant helium balloons, fabulous holiday floats, spectacular performance groups, local personalities, and of course, the most anticipated appearance of the evening the annual arrival of Santa Claus, dispensing holiday cheer from atop his festive sleigh. The Holiday Prince & Fairy officially light up the night with the lighting of the large Christmas tree at State & Victoria Streets.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at State and Sola Streets and concludes at Cota Street.

For more information, visit www.santabarbaradowntown.com/about/downtown-holiday-parade.

47th Annual Santa Barbara Greek Festival the Weekend of July 25-26, 2020

MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Santa Barbara's 47th Annual Greek Festival is planned for July 25-26, 2020 from 11 am to 7 pm in beautiful Oak Park, 600 West Junipero Street. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Stroll through Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village. Admission and parking is free.

Dozens of volunteers enthusiastically staff their booths, creating a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. Festival-goers return year after year for the food. — Delectable festival favorites like gyros and moussaka. And no Greek village would be complete without homemade pastries like baklava, melomakarona, and kataifi.

Listen to the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki and other exotic instruments played by authentic Greek musicians who perform traditional and popular songs. Delight in the beauty of the elaborate costumes worn by performers as they share their carefully practiced steps and intricate dances with the enthusiastic audience.

Take advantage of a free Greek dance lesson, and enjoy participating in the same dances you would perform in the traditional villages of Greece. Dance the afternoon away, eat a little (or a lot), shop in the Greek marketplace, relax and enjoy yourself under the oaks in the warm embrace of the best Greek culture has to offer.

More information at www.santabarbaragreekfestival.org.

Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area Programs in Ventura County

Free events and programs at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area locations in Ventura County and adjacent areas are highlighted below! (updated periodically to remove past activities). For additional details and other event locations, visit samofund.org/calendar.

Most activities subject to cancellation if there's significant rain.

7/24 8:30-10:30pm: The Moon in Action program at Paramount Ranch - Much like the sun during the day, the Moon is the dominant bright gem of the night sky. Join us at Paramount Ranch to learn about the surface features of the Moon and the influence it has on the Earth.

The program will start with a demonstration on how the Moon reflects sunlight and why we see the different phases. The demonstration will be followed by telescope and binocular viewings of the surface of the Moon, including interactive activities for children and families to learn about the surface features.

Sat TBA 8:30-10am - Birds of the Santa Monica Mountains Walk at King Gillette Ranch - Bring your binoculars, bird guide, and/or camera and join us for an easy bird walk around the grounds of King Gillette Ranch. This area attracts many songbirds, water birds, woodpeckers, and raptors and we are always treated to something interesting. Kids are welcome and the walk is less than a mile at a very easy pace as we stop often to observe the birds. We leave promptly at 8:30 from the flagpole. Heavy rain cancels (but I will be there for anyone who wants to walk in it!). See you there!

Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas

King Gillette Ranch - View from near Inspiration Point

Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park

Directions to various locations

Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons: Ventura Fwy (101) to Chesebro Rd exit. Turn north on Palo Comado Canyon Rd then right on Chesebro Rd. Go north 1 mile to park entrance. Turn right and follow road to parking lot.

Circle X Ranch: Pacific Coast Hwy to Yerba Buena Rd. Turn inland; go 5.4 miles to Circle X Ranch contact station.

Sandstone Peak Trailhead: 1 mile north of Circle X Ranch contact station on Yerba Buena Rd. Parking lot is on left.

Mishe Mokwa Trailhead: 1.75 miles north of the Circle X contact station along Yerba Buena Road. Parking lot is on right.

King Gillette Ranch: Ventura Fwy (101) Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Turn left on Mulholland Hwy. Park entrance is 0.1 mile on right.

Malibu Creek State Park: Ventura Fwy (101) Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Park entrance is 0.25 mile south of the intersection on Las Virgenes Rd. From Pacific Coast Hwy: north on Malibu Canyon Rd to park entrance on left.

Paramount Ranch: Ventura Fwy (101) to Kanan Rd exit. South on Kanan 0.5 mile. Left on Cornell Way and veer to right. South 2.5 miles, entrance is on right side of the road.

Peter Strauss Ranch is located at 30000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills.

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa: Ventura Fwy (101) to Lynn Rd exit. South on Lynn Rd 5.25 miles to Via Goleta. Park entrance is on the left at Via Goleta. Continue all the way to a parking lot where the road ends. To get to the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, walk 0.3 mile up gravel road from the parking area to brown wooden building. 

Wendy Trailhead: Ventura Fwy (101) to Wendy Dr. exit. South on Wendy Dr to dirt pullout at intersection with Potrero Rd.

Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch: From Ventura Fwy (101): Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Turn left on Mulholland Hwy. Go 0.1 mile and turn right into entrance of King Gillette Ranch. The visitor center is the first building on your right. 26867 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

Americafest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Will Be Hosted Virtually on July 4, 2020

Americafest at the Rose Bowl Stadium is a large patriotic celebration of all things red, white and blue. AmericaFest welcomes tens of thousands for a day full of tailgating, celebration, and entertainment including a motorcycle stunt show and a world-renowned fireworks display.

This year, Americafest will be hosted virtually.

Focused around legacy and community-building, the one-hour virtual event at 2PM will feature celebrations of our United States Veterans and military personnel, messages from our community thanking first responders, frontline workers and their personal heroes for their work during COVID-19, as well as a salute to America with a message for why we celebrate the 4th of July. At the culmination of the online-based event, there will be a flyover of Pasadena and its most historic landmarks.

The virtual event will include music from Cello artist, Cecilia Tsan who will be performing live two solos from the 100-inch telescope dome on top of Mt. Wilson in honor of our United States Fallen Heroes and the first responders and frontline workers for their admirable work and courage during COVID-19.

To register for this free event and/or to submit your video thanking local heroes, visit www.rosebowllive.tv/4th-of-july. Videos must be no longer than 15 seconds and filmed in landscape mode (horizontal).

Physically Challenged & Special Needs "Day at the Park" in Oxnard May-October

The 2020 City of Oxnard “Physically Challenged and Special Needs” Day at the Park at Oxnard Beach Park, 1601 Harbor Blvd. is planned from 11am to 2pm on May 23, June 20, July 12, Aug 15, Sept 19 and Oct 17.

An afternoon of group & individual activities, arts & crafts and board games. Bounce house and City Corps Train are also present at events. For more information, call (805) 385-8019. Event is free, however, participants must pay for parking.

www.oxnard.org/recreation/special-populations/day-at-the-park

VIRTUAL EVENT California Honey Harvest Festival in Fillmore June 20-21, 2020

EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR DUE TO PANDEMIC

The 2020 California Honey Harvest Festival is planned for the weekend of June 20-21 at Central Park in Fillmore from 9 am to 5 pm. Activities to include kid zone, live music, petting zoo, exhibits, BBQ tri tip sandwiches, train rides to honey farm tour, antique carousel rides, vendors, honey products and more! Free admission. Train rides “The Honey Bee Express” $28 for adults, $25 seniors, $16 youth, $12 child.for two hour event.

Event to be held at Central Park in downtown Fillmore, where you'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own and browse the many vendors that are all about bees and honey. Then, step aboard the historic Fillmore & Western Railway for a short train ride to Bennett's Honey farm, located halfway between Fillmore and Piru.

You'll see demonstrations by California bee keepers along the way and take a one-of-a-kind tour at the honey farm, where you'll learn all about honey bees and how the honey is collected and processed.

californiahoneyharvestfestival.com

9th Annual OakHeart Country Music Festival in Thousand Oaks on DATE TBA

The Rotary Club of Westlake Village hosts the 9th Annual OakHeart Country Music Festival at Conejo Creek Park South, Thousand Oaks on a date TBA.

Two stages, 11 artists, full bar area, two beer gardens, food trucks, vendors, kids' area, game/activities and line dancing all day. Buy tickets and learn more at www.OakHeartCMF.com. Kids 12 and under free.

CANCELLED Living History Day at Pleasant Valley Historical Society Museum in Camarillo on May 17, 2020

EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS SITUATION

It’s time once again to have fun enjoying and reliving the days of yesteryear. There will be hands-on activities for children of all ages, such as grinding grain, making butter and tortillas, braiding rugs, quilting, spinning and weaving demonstrations, making string toys and yarn dolls, and panning for gold. People will be dressed in period costumes, including a Civil War soldier. A fun time for the whole family! The event is open to the public without charge.

Living History Day is planned for Sunday, May 17, 2020 from 1 – 4 PM at the PVHS Museum and Botanical Garden, 720 Las Posas Road, Camarillo and is open to the public without charge.

Visit www.pvhsonline.org or call 805-482-3660 for more information.

CANCELLED 14th Annual Gator Run 5K, 10K, Kids 1 Mile Fun Run in Moorpark

The 14th Annual Gator Run 5K, 10K and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run events have been cancelled. Event organizers noted they may continue to pursue options for 2021.

 The Gator Run is presented by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset. A fun, family-oriented and community event, the Gator Run is perfect for runners, walkers, beginners, recreational and elite athletes. Proceeds from this event will benefit the YMCA of Simi Valley.

For more information, visit www.gatorrun.org.

CANCELLED Steam Railfest 2020 in Fillmore on April 25-26

CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

On April 25th-26th prepare to be entertained and amazed by what can only be imagined as the "Renaissance of Railroading." This festival is a celebration of steam power, railroading, antique tractors, vehicles & engines, vintage wares & oddities, unique performances, early transportation and culture mixed with a bit of Steampunk fun. There will be live steam locomotive train rides, Orchard Bluegrass Band, Caboose rides, petting zoo, Dr. Solar's Gypsy Wagon Medicine Man Show, antique carousel rides, creative vendors & artisans, unique exhibits, model train displays, vintage cars, movie props, live entertainment, food, wine tasting & more! There is no other family festival quite like this one. So mark your calendars for one of the biggest events in Ventura County's little historic town of Fillmore.

Event is 9am to 5pm each day at Fillmore & Western Railway, 364 Main Street, Fillmore. Festival admission is FREE! Steam train ride tickets are selling fast! Visit steamrailfestival.com