31st Annual California Lemon Festival in Goleta September 28-29, 2024

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Be sure to stop by Girsh Park in Goleta on September 28-29, 2024 for the 31st Annual California Lemon Festival. Admission and parking are free. Open 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Festival will include 80+ booths, lemony food and drinks, live entertainment, kid zone, classic car show on Saturday, Safety Street, pie eating contests, and more.

For more information visit www.lemonfestival.com. Pets not allowed at the event.

St. Paschal Baylon Presents Conejo Fall Fest in Thousand Oaks October 18-20, 2024

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The annual St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church Fall Fest is planned for Friday through Sunday, October 18-20, 2024 at 155. E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

There will be approximately numerous carnival rides, games, free live entertainment, a variety of food options, boutique, beer garden, “Sweet Shop,” raffle, and more!

Hours of operation are 5 pm - 11 pm on Friday, 2 pm - 11 pm on Saturday and 1 - 9 pm on Sunday. All are welcome and admission and parking are free! For more information and to purchase discounted ride tickets and festival dollars in September, visit www.spbfestival.com.

Ventura Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show October 4-6, 2024

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The 52nd Annual Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show is planned for October 4-6, 2024 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Family-owned and operated, the beloved tradition returns with the nation’s finest artists and crafters eager to showcase their newest creations for a one-of-kind shopping experience unlike any other.

The Festival offers a full day of fun for all ages with more than 24,000 handmade creations from hundreds of exhibitors, specialty foods, strolling performers, a KidZone, demonstrations, contests, and more. The event also gives back by supporting local charities in the community.

With such a colossal collection of artistry all under one roof, there is always something new to discover at the west coast’s largest and most prestigious indoor showcase. From jewelry, ceramics, blown glass and woodcarvings, to holiday décor, clothing, eclectic keepsakes, specialty foods, accessories, furniture, ornaments and more, each item is an expression of originality from artists who are share their passions with a personal touch.

General admission is $9. Seniors (62+) and military are $7. Youth (13-17) are $4, and it’s free to kids 12 and under. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Parking charged by the VC Fairgrounds is $10.

Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds; 10 West Harbor Blvd, Ventura

More information at harvestfestival.com.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Ventura on August 24, 2024

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Ventura Land Trust’s annual benefit, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returns on Saturday, August 24th to the expansive lawn of the Ventura County Credit Union headquarters, 2575 Vista Del Mar Drive, Ventura. The film festival features nearly two hours of environmental and activism films along with live music, food trucks, drinks, raffle, auction, kids’ activities and more.

A family-friendly event, participants are encouraged to spread out on chairs and blankets. Doors open at 5 pm, and films begin just before 8 pm as the sky darkens.

A general admission ticket is $40, $5 children and $10 for teens (13-17). VIP tickets, which include special gift items and admission to the Ventura Vibe VIP Lounge, are $125. Tickets and more information at www.venturalandtrust.org/wild-scenic-film-festival.

2024 Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park on Saturday, June 1st

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The City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services Division hosts its 4th Annual Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park, 500 S. C Street on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Experience the world of insects through educational exhibits and enriching experiences. There will also be insects to touch, insects to taste, photo opps, bounce houses, live music and more. Free admission.

More information at www.oxnardrecevents.com/insect-festival.html

38th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at Santa Barbara Mission May 25-27, 2024

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The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2024, May 25-27. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.

Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create over 100 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.

There will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Pets are not allowed (other than service animals).

Learn more at www.imadonnarifestival.com.

2024 Matilija Poppy Festival at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks on May 19th

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The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden presents its annual Matilija Poppy Festival on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 11am to 4pm. Event will feature beautiful Matilija poppies, including garden tours at 11:30am and 2pm, crafts, speakers and more. Free admission. The garden is located at 400 W. Gainsborough Road,

www.conejovalleybotanicgarden.com

50th Anniversary Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks on May 18-19, 2024

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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 plans to be back May 18-19, 2024.

The 50th Anniversary 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 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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.

Children’s Stage performances include acclaimed storyteller Robert Seutter (aka True Thomas), the musician and entertainer Ross Sutter and audience-participation productions of “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” The popular ABBAFab tribute band will headline the Main Stage each day. Other Main Stage performers include singer-songwriters Ann-Marita Garsed, Grim Bernhoft, the Swedish Folk Dance Club of Los Angeles, North Star Nordic Dancers and more.

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.

Admission is free for kids 12 and younger. Tickets are $20 from May 1st to the day of the event and are available on Eventbrite. Parking is free. For more information, visit scandinavianfest.org or the festival’s Facebook page, or email mdeterra@callutheran.edu.

The campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

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