47th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 5, 2024

Mark your calendars for the 47th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Held from noon – 5pm (11:00 am entry for VIP tickets), this family friendly extravaganza will take place at Conejo Creek Park North at Janss Rd & Hwy 23 in Thousand Oaks.

There will be over 40 chili tasting booths – and included with your general admission is free unlimited chili tasting. Returning again is the popular Craft Brew Festival – an event within an event – with a multitude of participating breweries! There will also be a Classic & Custom Car Show in several style and vintage categories and live music on two stages. Also on hand will be over a dozen food trucks and beverage booths and a free kids’ fun zone.

The Chili Cook-Off is proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, with 100% of the net proceeds going to local charities.  Day of event general admission is $25, VIP for $40, with kids 10 & under getting in for free; $75 gets you all the fun of the Cook-Off plus exclusive admission to the Craft Brew Festival, and the top ticket package for VIP/Chili/Craft Brew tickets goes for $100. Tickets will be available in advance, along with more information at www.chili-cook-off.com  

ArtsFest at Rancho Tapo Community Park in Simi Valley on Saturday, May 18, 2024

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District presents ArtsFest at Rancho Tapo Community Park on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event is free of charge. Fees for some activities. Features artists, vendors, face painting, activities, demonstrations and more. rsrpd.org/recreation/events/spring_(march_-_may)/artzfest.php

Kids' Swap Meet at Thousand Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 13, 2024

The Conejo Recreation & Park District’s Kids' Swap Meet is back on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 8:00am to 12:00 noon at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks.

Kids can earn some money and become young entrepreneurs by selling toys, supplies and equipment they no longer need or use, during this family swap meet featuring local families as the vendors. Parents and kids can reserve an 8 x 8 spot to sell children's old toys, clothes, games, and furniture.

The Kids Swap Meet is a great shopping opportunity for parents, teachers, and day care professionals! Admission to shop at the Kids Swap Meet is always FREE.

For more information call (805) 381-2793.

2024 Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park - May through September

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer! The Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park is back again in 2024.

Jackets or sweaters are recommended as the weather often cools during the latter part of the event. Concert-goers are asked to leave pets at home. Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Location: Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Avenue, Thousand Oaks
(off Gainsborough Road, at the intersection of Dover and Hendrix Avenues)

Time: All concerts begin promptly at 5:00pm and conclude at 7:00pm. Parking is offsite only; onsite parking is limited and reserved for cars with handicap placards.

The Lineup:

• Memorial Day Monday, May 27: Britain’s Finest - The Complete Beatles Experience

• Thursday, July 4: Hot August Night - The Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute

• Sunday, July 21: Savor - Santana Tribute Band

• Sunday, August 11: Blank Space - Taylor Swift Tribute

• Labor Day Monday, September 2: The Spazmatics

NOTE: Artists subject to change. Concert information: www.crpd.org/events/summer-concerts-in-the-park

2024 Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 19th

When it comes to fresh seafood, you can’t get it any fresher than right off the boat. On October 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival lures seafood lovers of all ages to Santa Barbara’s thriving harbor for one of the community’s most beloved and flavorful events. 

This signature event coincides with lobster season and features local commercial fishermen offering the Santa Barbara Channel’s freshest seafood. Fishermen and seafood vendors will provide thousands of festival-goers with an abundance of live lobster, crab, prawns, BBQ albacore, clam chowder, fish tacos, seafood gumbo and other prepared dishes. Arts and crafts vendors will offer jewelry, clothing, art, photography and other hand-crafted items.

Admission is FREE. Since 2002, the annual Harbor and Seafood Festival has become Santa Barbara’s signature autumn event. It brings people together for a day full of fun and good memories.

For more information, visit harborfestival.org. Location: Harbor Way.

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on April 6-7, 2024

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on Saturday/Sunday, April 6-7, 2024.

The Chumash Day Powwow celebrates Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. This is a non-competitive powwow. Food trucks, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Admission is free. Hours 10am to 6pm.

Offsite parking only at 23575 Civic Center Way and for ADA, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Free shuttle rides to Malibu Bluffs Park.

Event is located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

For more event information call (310) 317-1364 or visit www.malibucity.org/chumashday.

Calabasas Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 13, 2024

The City of Calabasas Earth Day Celebration/Green Expo will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Las Virgenes Creek site, south of Agoura Rd. in Calabasas. Over 50 exhibitors from all over Los Angeles County and Ventura County will be participating in the event to help participants take actions that will save them money through efficiency while protecting our planet. The festival is free of charge and the Calabasas Earth Day event will have something of interest for everyone. The festival will also feature numerous children’s activities to teach kids about the environment while they have fun.

Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo was created to be a day of education, celebration, and action for the natural world in which we live. On April 22, 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo sets a clear example for people and businesses how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference.

The City of Calabasas invites public agencies, non-profit organization and private companies that provide green services or products to participate in this event. Each exhibitor will be provided with one 6-foot long table to set up educational and promotional materials.

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/earth-day-celebration-green-expo..

Celebration of the Whales Festival at Channel Islands Harbor on Sunday, April 7, 2024

The 25th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival is planned for Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 10am to 3pm at the Channel Islands Harbor, 3350 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard.

The event will feature family fun, chalk art, shopping, kids’ fun zone and more.

Activities will be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market and a “Gray Whale Migration Trail” that runs through Harbor View Park that connects the two activity centers.

Learn more at www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2024-celebration-of-the-whales-festival

Steampunk at Strathearn Festival in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 22, 2024

Steampunk at Strathearn is a whimsical festival event that will celebrate Victorian-era industrialism on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Strathearn Historical Park, 137 Strathearn Place in Simi Valley. Hours are 10am to 6pm. Adults $20. Kids 8-12 $8. Ages 7 and under free.

Event to feature vendors, entertainment, steampunk-themed activities, costumes, inventions, food and more. Learn more at rsrpd.org/recreation/the_great_outdoors.php

Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival on Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, starting at 9 a.m. Contests begin at 9 a.m. Performances begin at noon. Other activities to include music and dance competitions, jamming, workshops, food trucks, artisan booths and much more.

Learn more and purchase tickets at www.topangabanjofiddle.org