St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ventura on Saturday, March 15, 2025

Downtown Ventura presents the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 10 am on Main Street, Downtown Ventura. The parade route starts at Lincoln Drive and goes west on Main Street to Fir Street. The 2025 parade them is “Show-Me You’re Irish.” Visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com for more information.

Bark in the Park at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, March 15, 2025

Bark in the Park is planned for Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9am to noon at Conejo Creek Park North, 1379 E. Janss Road (behind the Thousand Oaks Library).

Special activities include a dog costume contest, big and littlest dog contests, small dog races, dog entertainers, dog agility course, vendors and more. Dogs available for adoption will also be on hand.

Event free of charge and activities are free to participate in. Food available for purchase.

For more details, visit www.crpd.org/events/bark-in-the-park.

39th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 17-18, 2025

The 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. Strawberry-themed nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, popcorn, and margaritas are just a few of the choices. The festival also features 150 artists and crafters, a Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake experience.

Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days. General admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8 and children 4 and under are free. Limited parking onsite. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service nearby or take advantage of the Ventura Amtrak Station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

Springtime at the Adobe Event at the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas on Saturday, April 5, 2025

Springtime at the Adobe at the Leonis Adobe Museum, 23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 1pm to 4pm. Event to feature live music, scavenger hunt, crafts and more. $8 per person; if you're under the age of 2, yippee, you don't have to pay! www.leonisadobemuseum.org or 818.222.6511

2025 Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks on April 5-6

Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

The largest Nordic festival in Southern California will return to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks April 5-6, 2025

This 51st iteration of the Scandinavian Festival will celebrate the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Sami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. The festival will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, with music, dancing, food, crafts, demonstrations (food and Nordic crafts), vendors and activities for people of all ages in Kingsmen Park.

The festival will offer a games area for competitive activities, including Viking chess, a strategy game from the Middle Ages. People also can play Dala horse croquet and the ancient Viking game of kubb. Children and adults can also paint a wooden Viking ship, decorate head wreaths with flowers and ribbon and dance around the maypole. There will also be performances at the Children’s Stage and the Main Stage most of the day, featuring fantastic performers and musicians.

In the Nordic Country Crafts Tent, children can make free craft souvenirs representing each Scandinavian nation and earn a reward for collecting passport stickers from each activity.

Festivalgoers can wander through an authentic Scandinavian encampment and a Sami siidastallan, or community gathering. They can ask a rune reader for advice, trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts and buy Scandinavian handicrafts. Aebleskivers, Viking dogs, Swedish meatballs and other favorites will be available in the food court.

Tickets are $20 at the gate. Early bird tickets available for $15 through February 28 at scandinavianfest.org. Kids 12 and under are free of charge, accompanied by adult.

The campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

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Spring "Conejo" Hunt at the Stagecoach Inn Museum Newbury Park on Saturday, April 19, 2025

Spring “Conejo & Easter” Hunt & Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 1-4PM.

Hop on over to the Stagecoach Inn Museum and bring the kids and grandchildren to hunt for “conejos,” while the whole family enjoys exploring historic structures and interacting with costumed docents. A map is included with admission for marking bunny sightings to be turned in for a prize in this frolicking outdoor hunt around the beautiful museum grounds.

Our Conejo Hunt this year will send “kids” of all ages hunting for several numbered metal art “Conejos” made by blacksmith Bobby Mensinger and there will be new baby animals to look for this Spring to add to the fun... ducklings, chicks, and of course, baby bunnies.

Have your picture taken with our resident Easter Bunny and we’ll have crafts and “bunny” sack races and frolicking about to the sweet sounds of a local live band.

Regular admission is $10 per person; children 5 to 12 are $5 Children under 5 and Conejo Valley Historical Society Members are free. Annual CVHS Family Memberships can be purchased online or at the door for as little as $50. stagecoachinnmuseum.com

2025 Conejo Valley Parade Planned for Sunday, May 18, 2025

The 2025 Conejo Valley Parade is planned for Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 9am on Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. The parade will include floats, vintage cars, horses, and other participants. The parade is organized by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise and Fargo’s Angels.

The parade will start at the corner of Duesenberg Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, heading west and ending Conejo School Road. The route is approximately one mile long.

For more detailed information, volunteering, sponsorships and participating in the parade, visit www.conejovalleyparade.org.

13th Annual Autism Society of Ventura County Aut2Run Event on Sunday, April 27, 2025

The Autism Society of Ventura County hosts its 12th Annual charity “Aut2Run!” race at California State University Channel Islands on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

The event features a 10K trail run, 5K Run/Walk, 15K "Hero Run" (10K and 5K combined), 1 mile walk/run and a Fun-K. Open to competitive runners, casual walkers, families & the community. Learn more and register at www.aut2run.org.

Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Ventura County. ASVC is a local chapter of the national Autism Society, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of all affected by Autism. ASVC was founded in 1994 by local parents and educators to provide support groups, community events, information and resources to families and individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

2025 Santa Barbara Fair & Expo April 24-27 and May 2-4

The Annual Santa Barbara Fair and Expo is planned for April 24-27 and May 2-4, 2025 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara.

The event will feature carnival rides, farm animals, fair food, great live entertainment and more. There will be over 30 rides and attractions, pony rides, petting zoo, kids' carnival, live entertainment featuring music, illusions, dancing, magic and more, expo showcase of local foods, wine and beer, arts and crafts, horticulture and fine arts displays, free samples of featured desserts, appetizers and other foods at the Fair & Expo Cooking Contest and interactive exhibits. Fair hours as follows:

  • Thursday April 24th, 4pm - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Friday April 25th, 4pm - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Saturday April 26th, 11am - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Sunday April 27th, 11am - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Friday May 2nd, 4pm - 10pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Saturday May 3rd, 11am - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Sunday May 4th, 11am - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit earlwarren.com/events/santa-barbara-fair-and-expo.

Arbor Day Celebration in Calabasas on Saturday, March 15, 2025

The City of Calabasas will host an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Wild Walnut Park, 23050 Mulholland Hwy.

The event is free and residents are welcome to come out and get involved in helping to create a beautiful and healthy environment in Calabasas.

www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/arbor-day