The best arts & culture spots in Banning

“Vintage attraction featuring enormous replicas including Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex & more.”

“Museum with art & artifact exhibits showcasing the history of Southern Californian Indian cultures.”

“Educational museum with a focus on kids offers over 100 hands-on exhibits, plus special programs.”

“Riverside Heritage House is a historic home offering tours that bring Riverside’s stories to life, from the Museum of Riverside. If you’ve lived here forever or just long enough to have a favorite taco spot, a quick visit this week is a charming reset from the usual routine.”

From the Jurupa Valley newsletter, August 27, 2026

“The Maxine Frost Performing Arts Center hosts Ramona High’s Riverside Arts Magnet shows that overdeliver... think polished student musicals, plays and showcases that feel surprisingly big-league. Make it a plan this week, clap extra loud for the kids, then brag you saw them before they were famous.”

From the Riverside newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Skip the endless scroll and go hands-on at Hello Pottery, where you can pick from pottery bisque, fluid art pours, Cream Glue decorating, or mosaics, then leave with a one-off piece that actually looks intentional. Perfect for a low-key weeknight reset.”

From the Orange newsletter, August 5, 2026

“Soul on Fire Dance is an adult-only OC studio built for expression and community, with trauma-informed instructors and a proudly LGBTQ+/BIPOC-owned heartbeat.”

From the Buena Park newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Skip the doomscroll and wander Bowers Museum this week, where The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce is in full stitch through August 30, plus California Watercolor keeps the SoCal vibes flowing. Cap it with something delicious from Ada's Table and call it a pretty great week.”

From the Anaheim newsletter, August 7, 2026

“Need a little visual pick-me-up between errands this week? Santiago Park Mural is a roughly 300-foot acrylic burst by Roberto Del Hoyo that lights up the Santiago Creek bike trail underpass, a perfect excuse to stretch the legs, snap a pic, and remember OC has creative bones. Check it out.”

From the Whittier newsletter, August 8, 2026

“Need a quick wow this week? March Field Air Museum lines up more than 100 historic aircraft, from the B-17G and B-29A to a B-52D and MQ-1B Predator, and it sits by an active flight line, so you might spot modern military aircraft while you wander.”

From the Fontana newsletter, August 4, 2026

“Part shrine, part classroom, Museum of Woman uplifts Goddesses, Queens and Wisewomen with immersive exhibits and embodied enactments, plus a women's circle and Ava's Queen Teachings exploring the Four Powers of Woman (Maiden, Mother, Queen, Wisewoman). Refuel your spirit this week, then bring that glow to Monday.”

From the Dana Point newsletter, August 6, 2026

“Sneak in a small dose of inspiration this week. Symphony Mural is a sweeping public artwork in Riverside with a curved, wall-hugging design that punches up your day in under five minutes, perfect for a quick detour when you need some color and calm.”

From the Fontana newsletter, August 5, 2026

“Need a five-minute culture boost close to home this week. Roberto Del Hoyo’s Memorial Park Mural wraps Santa Ana’s Memorial Park bandshell on five sides, even the ceiling, in acrylic paint with painted pavement below, so a low key stroll with coffee suddenly makes your weekday look brighter. Check it out.”

From the Tustin newsletter, August 28, 2026

“ATOMIC Ballroom in Irvine is a beginner-friendly, no-partner-needed studio where you can jump into salsa, swing, tango, ballroom, even roller-skate and fusion, then stick around for social dances. Grab a group class or a private lesson this week and remember why moving with music fixes everything.”

From the Santa Ana newsletter, August 20, 2026

“Set up as a pretend city, this kids' museum has a post office, cafe, farm & other interactive areas.”

“Modern university venue featuring a wide range of theater productions & artistic programs.”

“Monthly tours are offered at this historic home of a woman doctor with displays & artifacts.”

“Ready to trade chair swivels for real moves? Pacific Dance has ten state-of-the-art studios, pro instructors with TV and stage creds, and classes for total beginners to budding pros, plus workshops and an annual recital. Pick a style, enroll, and make your Irvine week way more fun.”

From the Irvine newsletter, August 23, 2026

“If you’ve been meaning to get off the couch, Fox Performing Arts Center is stacking the week with easy wins, from the Little Shop of Horrors 40th Anniversary Screening this Friday Aug 14 to Los Yonics Zamacona on Saturday Aug 15. Grab a seat, let Riverside handle the entertainment.”

From the Colton newsletter, August 14, 2026