Underwater Parks Day Festival at Sea Center in Santa Barbara on Saturday, January 18, 2025

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center located on Stearns Wharf is offering free admission to its Underwater Parks Day Festival on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM thanks to support from the Moeller Lab at UC Santa Barbara.

The Underwater Parks Day Festival celebrates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), or “underwater parks,” that preserve the biodiversity and abundance of ocean life in our coastal waters. Some of the most nutrient rich waters on the planet are located in the Santa Barbara and Channel Islands region. These waters support abundant marine life found in kelp forests, tide pools, and rocky intertidal reef habitats. MPAs restrict fishing and the overharvesting of these incredibly diverse marine ecosystems to promote stable species populations and recreational use for future generations of visitors.

Underwater Parks Day is celebrated in unison with many aquariums and science centers in Southern California.

The Sea Center is located at 211 Stearns Wharf and is open daily from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. For more information, visit sbnature.org or call 805-962-2526.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive regional aquarium and marine education facility offers guests close encounters with marine animals, and exploration of the Santa Barbara Channel on the Wet Deck. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming, including Underwater Parks Day and World Oceans Day.

Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at The Calabasas Civic Center on Monday, December 30, 2024

The Commons at Calabasas will host its annual Menorah Lighting Celebration with Calabasas Shul on December 30, 2024 at 6:30pm adjacent to The Commons at the Calabasas Civic Center Plaza, 100 Civic Center Way.

The evening will consist of live musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, Chanukah treats and the lighting of the menorah, concluding with a dazzling fireworks show. The event is free and open to the public.

Chanukah Celebration in Newbury Park on Thursday, December 26, 2024

Chabad of Newbury Park's annual Chanukah Celebration will take place on Thursday, December 26, at The Village at Dos Vientos, 350 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park, from 5:00- 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature the carving and lighting of a 6 foot ice menorah, snow for the kids, live musical performance, latkes and donuts, Chanukah crafts, and the great gelt drop.Free admission, all are welcome. For more information, visit chabadnewburypark.org

48th Conejo Gem & Mineral Club "Pageant of a Thousand Gems" on April 12-13, 2025

The Conejo Gem & Mineral Club presents its 48th Annual Pageant of a Thousand Gems on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2025 from 10am to 5pm (Sat) and 10am to 4pm (Sun) at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Admission and parking are FREE!

The show will serve up lots of fun for all ages! There are many different aspects of earth science from minerals to fossils to rocks. Vendors will be selling jewelry, minerals, gems and fossils with world-wide specimens and unique one-of-a-kind pieces.

Fun for all ages with exhibits and sales of gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals and fossils. Special youth activities. Lapidary and jewelry making demonstrations. Silent auction, door prizes, and plant sale.

CGMC is a non-profit educational organization encouraging interests in rocks, minerals, fossils, field trips, earth science education and the lapidary arts.

More information at www.cgamc.org.

48th Annual Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights and Fireworks on December 13-14, 2024

Ventura Harbor celebrates the season with its 48th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Fireworks on Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th, 2024, starting at 6:30 pm. This year's theme is “Candy Land.”

The two-day fun filled event includes a carnival, seaside shopping and dining followed by the lighted boat parade at 6:30 pm. Parking and admission are free. Fireworks at 8pm! (weather permitting)

Kids’ rides, carnival games and food vendors on the Harbor Village main lawn available starting at 4 pm. Faux snowfall and LED performers along the Harbor Village promenade at 5:30 p.m.

Visit venturaharborvillage.com for more information.

www.venturaharborvillage.com/parade-of-lights-2024

Night in Bethlehem Event in Thousand Oaks on December 13 to 15, 2024

Night in Bethlehem is a live nativity event to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at 1600 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks on Friday, December 13th through Sunday, December 15th, 2024. Shows every 30 minutes from 5:45 PM to 8 PM.

The town is an outdoor interactive Town of Bethlehem. The show is an outdoor live musical nativity. The reception is in an indoor area with live music and refreshments. Please bring canned food donations for Manna and Pantry Plus.

To learn more and reserve free tickets, visit nightinbethlehem.org

Light Up Downtown Ventura Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 29, 2024

Chabad of Ventura presents “Light Up Downtown” Chanukah celebration on Sunday, December 29, 2024 from 3-5PM at the corner of California and Main St in Downtown Ventura. Event to feature entertainment, face painting, donuts and more. Visit www.lightupdowntown.info for more information.

Community Chanukah Festival in Moorpark on Sunday, December 29, 2024

The Chabad of Moorpark Jewish Center invites the community to celebrate the Festival of Lights at its annual Chanukah Festival on Sunday, December 29, 2024 from 4:30-6PM at the Mission Bell Plaza, 593 Los Angeles Avenue.

Event to include a glowing menorah, gelt drop, free hot latkes and donuts, music, crafts and games, entertainment, hot coffee and drinks and more. Event is free of charge.

For more information, visit www.JewishMoorpark.com or call 805-CHABAD-2 (242-2232)

Additional event on the 26th. RSVP at dlh@JewishMoorpark.com

Chanukah Celebration and Chocolate Gelt Menorah Lighting in Camarillo on Thursday, December 26, 2024

Chabad of Camarillo hosts its annual Chanukah Celebration on Thursday, December 26, 2024 from 4-6PM at Constitution Park in Camarillo. Free admission. RSVP at chabadcamarillo/chanukah. Event to include a lighting of the menorah, free donuts and latkes, music, Chanukah gelt drop for the kids and more.

Holiday Sing-A-Long at The Shoppes at Westlake on Sunday, December 8, 2024

HOLIDAY SING-A-LONG - DECEMBER 8, 2024

Join the City of Westlake Village and The Shoppes at Westlake Village at the annual Holiday Sing-Along on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 3-6pm. This event will be held in the Fountain Courtyard next to Tifa and Crumbl Cookies at The Shoppes, 30770 Russell Ranch Road. 

There will be caroling and live music, a performance by the Franklin Haynes Marionettes at 4:45pm, holiday giving drive for Casa Pacifica, raffle prizes, kids’ arts and crafts, photo booth, hot cocoa, face painting, and more.

For more information, visit www.WLV.org/SingAlong.