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.

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.

2nd Annual Spring Arts, Crafts & Antiques Festival at the Stagecoach Inn Newbury Park on April 5, 2025

2nd Annual Spring Arts, Crafts & Antiques Festival, April 5th 10AM - 4PM

Join us for the 2nd ANNUAL SPRING ARTS, CRAFTS & ANTIQUES FESTIVAL. Entrance is free for this one-day event, which includes an open house at the Stagecoach Inn Museum Complex (there will be a $5 charge to tour the Inn, free to tour out buildings). Enjoy music while shopping at the booths of local artisans in a beautiful setting.

If you would like to participate as a vendor or exhibitor, you may check the website or call the museum for the application. Applications are due prior to March 15, or a late fee will be charged.

The festival takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., April 5th at the Stagecoach Inn Museum at 51 S. Ventu Park Rd. in Newbury Park. This event is sponsored by the Conejo Valley Historical Society. www.stagecoachinnmuseum.com

2025 Arbor/Earth Day Celebration at the Thousand Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 19th

The City of Thousand Oaks’ annual Arbor Earth Day Celebration returns to Thousand Oaks Community Center Park to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day in one combined event on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 10am to 2pm. This year’s event will include an electric vehicle display area where the public can see and ask questions about various EV models, educational workshops on drip irrigation installation, caring for landscaping in drought, water-wise ground covers, as well as a bicycle safety course & helmet giveaway, bicycle donation/collection, kids activities & bounce house, compost and plant giveaways, raffles, live music, and more.

The event will include:

    Electric vehicles (EVs)
    Environmental Workshops/presentations
    Bicycle safety course and instruction
    Bicycle donation/collection for underserved youth (hosted by Conejo Rec & Park District)
    Kids Crafts, games, and bounce house
    Compost and plant giveaways
    Raffles
    Live music

The festivities begin at 10:00 am in the park area and parking lot of the Thousand Oaks Community Center at 2525 N. Moorpark Road. For more information about this event, visit toaks.gov/earthday.

Ventura Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2025

The Earth Day Festival will return to downtown Ventura on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Plaza Park on East Thompson Blvd. Some event highlights include opening remarks and Chumash blessing, live performances by Inlakech Art Center’s Mariachi Band & Ballet Folkrórico; and local musical talent.

Event will also feature environmental booths and sustainable goods, local food vendors, EV showcase, and more.

More information at meritostaff.wixsite.com/meritoearthday.

62nd Annual Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show on March 1-2, 2025

Ventura Gem & Mineral Society presents its 62nd Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show at Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds. on Saturday, March 1st (10 am to 5 pm) and Sunday, March 2nd (10 am to 4 pm).

Explore gems, minerals, rocks, fossils, jewelry, exhibits, displays, prizes, dealers, silent auction, kids' activities, plant sale and more.

FREE admission. There’s a fee for parking.  More information at www.vgms.org.

These are great family friendly shows. Event hosts love sharing their knowledge with attendees.  Good, old fashioned fun, with typically dozens and dozens of displays, information, demonstrations, etc.

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.

48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025

Mark your calendars for the 48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025. 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. Tickets will be available in advance, along with more information at www.chili-cook-off.com  

City of Moorpark Earth Festival and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2025

The City of Moorpark presents its Earth Festival and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9am to 1pm. There will be tree giveaways (first 100 households) seed packet giveaways, recycled crafts and eco-friendly vendors.

The Community Yard Sale is a gathering of many families and non-profits selling used items including housewares, clothing, toys and more at the Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark from 9 am to 1 pm. Free to the public. www.moorparkca.gov/663/Earth-Festival-Community-Yard-Sale