Events in Ventura, CA

The 2026 Ventura Art and Chalk Festival is a two-day event at Ventura Harbor highlighting art and chalk-focused creativity.

Applications are open for chalk artists and new art and craft vendors, and the festival website has been updated with links to apply. The 2026 Ventura Art and Chalk Festival centers on art, chalk creations, and craftwork with a focus on community fun.

Created as a monthly mentorship focused on Reiki fundamentals, this program supports Level 1 practitioners in strengthening confidence and skill with initiation, attunement, and foundational techniques. Practitioners from any attunement level are welcome. The exchange is $20 per month or $220 for the year, reflecting a $20 savings. Payments are transferable but non-refundable.

Explore improv in a friendly, beginner-focused drop-in session at The Bunker Theater in Ventura. Participate at the level that feels right, whether stepping into scenes or simply observing. Audience members may wear masks and keep their distance, while onstage work is unmasked. If that does not suit you, watching from the audience is always an option. The class begins with brief introductions where you can share your name, pronouns if you use them, and a recent positive moment in your life. Sharing is voluntary, and respect for pronouns and differing beliefs helps keep the space positive for everyone. This program is intended for adults, as scenes may touch on mature themes. The class proceeds with a minimum of four participants.

Experience a peaceful, open-air painting class at Port Hueneme Beach with California-based abstract figurative painter Ane Howard. Adults at every skill level can learn expressive techniques that transform feelings and the surrounding scenery into vivid artwork. With step-by-step guidance from a fine artist rooted in the expressionist tradition, participants explore bold brushwork and striking color contrasts in a relaxed, community-focused setting. All essential materials are provided, including painting surfaces, brushes, and paints. A recommended contribution of $35 covers supplies and instruction. Space is limited to allow for personal attention. Beginners are warmly welcomed. Wear comfortable clothing that can handle a little paint, bring sunglasses, and carry water. This weekly series rotates through hand-picked outdoor locations across Ventura County. For this session, the meeting point is the Port Hueneme Pier entrance.

A supportive circle for Reiki practitioners of any initiation or attunement level to both offer and receive, sharing the healing practice that empowers each participant. The emphasis is on mutual exchange and community care through Reiki. A love donation is appreciated but not required.

Valerie brings an Amy Winehouse tribute to Ventura Music Hall. This show honors the singer and celebrates her legacy in a dedicated tribute performance.

Jest Improv’s mainstage house team, the Jesties, leads a monthly improv comedy showcase featuring performers from Ventura County. Look forward to longform scenes full of quick-witted stories and larger-than-life characters, with the audience invited to help shape the fun. Concessions and drinks will be available. Seating is limited, and tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door, with discounted options available online.

An overnight sportfishing trip is planned with a limited capacity of 18 spots. The fare is $350 per person.

A monthly community gathering centered on Reiki paired with shamanic drumming offers a space to receive their healing benefits. Open to anyone in the community, it provides an accessible way to explore this combined practice. The exchange is $20 per session, or a 12-session option for $220 with a $20 savings. The multi-session exchange is transferable but non-refundable.

Doc Acoustic performs at Magnavino Cellars, setting a relaxed afternoon atmosphere in a wine setting.

Peter Rowan takes the stage with friends for a live performance presented by Ventura Music Hall.

Ventura Music Hall hosts a concert featuring Foxtide alongside Jade Street. Both acts share the bill for a live music show at the venue.

This limited load charter from Channel Islands Sportfishing Center targets white sea bass and halibut, with some freelance fishing as well. Capacity is set at 16 anglers, bunks are provided for comfort, and the fare is $350 per person.

Relay for Life of West Ventura County brings the community together to honor those bravely fighting cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember loved ones who have passed. Organizers are welcoming volunteers, fundraising teams, and sponsors, and they are also seeking members for the Event Leadership and Planning Committee. For committee inquiries, contact Lisa or Bri at relayforlifewvc@gmail.com. Additional information will be shared as planning progresses.

A lively open-air market celebrating local creativity. Browse handmade goods, artisan-made pieces, and distinctive items from small businesses in a festive pop-up setting. Take your time exploring and uncover unique treasures to bring home.

The Agent Ong Open brings its Eliminator Series to California with a stop at Buena Lanes in Ventura. Presented by The Agent Ong Team, Hammer, and Robert Smith Bowling Services, this competition runs a pure double elimination match play format with no qualifying. Every round is head to head. A single loss keeps a bowler in the hunt, a second loss ends the run. The first two rounds are best of three, then matches shift to single game deciders, and all contests in the contenders bracket are single game as well. A blended handicap keeps everyone in one division, with bowlers averaging 209 and under receiving seven pins and those at 210 and above competing scratch. The champion earns a guaranteed $1,000, and payouts follow a 1 in 8 cash ratio. Additional action includes scratch brackets, scratch side pots, and chances to win entries into Agent Ong Open IV, All In. Built for pressure and quick adjustments, this format rewards clutch performances in every match.

The seventh annual Chowderfest at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum offers an afternoon of chowder tastings, live performances, and cruises on the harbor. Attendees can sample a range of chowders from local restaurants, enjoy craft beer and wine, explore the museum, and cast a vote for a favorite. Online tickets are $45 and include an extra hour of access before general entry, while gate tickets are $55 with standard entry. It sold out in 2025.

The IF4 screening takes place at Ventura College Performing Arts Center and is hosted by Sespe Fly Fishers. A no-host bar will be available before and during the show. The program includes an intermission with dinner service, after which the film continues. Attendees can mingle, explore raffle prizes, and enjoy an evening centered on film, fun, and community. Tickets may be purchased at the door if available. For information about this screening, contact President@Sespeflyfishers.org. For questions about IF4, email info@flyfilmfest.com.

Ventura Music Hall presents You Should Be Dancing, a tribute to the Bee Gees, featuring a dedicated performance centered on the group’s music. A celebration of the Bee Gees catalog.

A monthly showcase from Jest Hers spotlights women in comedy, featuring performers from across Ventura County. Expect fast-paced improv alongside sharp stand-up that riffs on everyday oddities and modern life. The night celebrates talent, wit, and empowerment as HERStory takes the spotlight. Tickets include a five dollar online discount, and concessions and refreshments are available.

At Ventura Reiki Center, this gathering explores the Munay-Ki as a path of nine initiations shared through energetic transmissions. The teachings speak of a time of profound transformation and of a new kind of human who lives free of fear, with wisdom and power, and accepts stewardship for all creation. The rites are presented as a way to heal the past, shift karmic and ancestral patterns, and strengthen the luminous energy field. They also describe re-informing the DNA to foster a different relationship with aging, healing, and dying, encouraging participants to envision and bring forth a new world. This session focuses on the Earthkeeper Rite within a ten-part journey hosted at this center. The arc of the series includes an opening introduction and Despacho, progresses through the Healer, Bands of Power and Harmony, Seer, Daykeeper, Wisdomkeeper, Earthkeeper, Starkeeper, and Creator rites, and concludes with a closing Despacho. The rites themselves are offered at no charge. An ayni exchange for teaching, supplies, and mentoring is listed as $45 per gathering or $400 for the entire series, reflecting a $50 savings. Bringing a gift for the host or rite giver is customary.

Ventura Music Hall hosts a concert featuring Rayland Baxter, with Grace Cummings also on the bill. Both artists share the stage for a live performance at the venue.

Mustang enthusiasts meet at Black Bear Diner for the club’s recurring fourth-Wednesday gathering. The agenda covers ongoing and new business, including planning for upcoming car shows and brainstorming future cruise ideas. A raffle is included, with tickets priced at $1 each and prizes available, and participants are welcome to bring items to donate to the drawing.

Cousins Maine Lobster is setting up in Saticoy for a one-time, eight hour pop-up in front of the Valero gas station. The menu features hot lobster rolls, tacos, and tots. Order directly at the truck, or use the mobile app to place an order ahead when it is available. Preordering in advance of the event is not offered, and app access may be limited. App users earn points toward rewards with each purchase. This is a cashless service that accepts credit, debit, and Apple Pay.

A Full Moon Ceremony centered on a fire ritual offers space to release what no longer serves, honor the lessons carried, and welcome renewal. Participants symbolically place outdated stories and beliefs into the flames to invite transformation and deep healing at the level of the soul. This intimate experience is held at a private residence. The exchange is $25, or opt for a package of 12 for $275, which provides a $25 savings. Payments can be transferred to another person but are not refundable.

Carsie Blanton appears at Ventura Music Hall in a show presented by the venue.

Experience the largest arts festival in the area with a free, family-friendly celebration that brings together more than 200 artists across dozens of venues. Artwork by local creators will fill galleries, businesses, restaurants, and the grounds of Mission Park, with maps and signs to guide you along a route that begins on Main Street Downtown and continues up Ventura Avenue. Featured stops include the Museum of Ventura County, the Vita Arts campus at Garden and Main, Working Artists Ventura, and the Bell Arts Factory, while many other spaces along the way showcase visual art and live music. Two stages energize the event, one at the Albinger Archeological Museum across from Mission Park and another at California and Main, presenting local bands, theater groups, and dancers. A cinema festival unfolds at the Downtown Century 10 theaters, poets gather at the Museum of Ventura County Pavilion, and the streets come alive with chalk art, a children’s area, large-scale installations, and live demonstrations in painting and pottery. Organized by an all-volunteer team, this two-day celebration connects neighborhoods, businesses, and the arts community in a shared showcase of creativity.

Harvest of Colors showcases quilts by members in a dedicated quilt show at Earl Warren Show Grounds Santa Barbara.

Now in its fifth year, the Seaside Oddities Expo transforms Ventura County Fairgrounds into a sprawling showcase of the weird and wonderful. Browse 150 vendors offering dark art and photography, vintage Halloween decor, taxidermy, antiques and curiosities, occult oddities, rare sideshow props, and natural wonders. The marketplace fills San Miguel Hall with even more spooky sellers set up on the lawn. To ease lines and manage crowds, tickets use staggered arrival windows. Entry is valid only for the window selected at purchase and cannot be changed. Pre-sale tickets are $10 online, with prices increasing to $20 during the event weekend. Kids 10 and under receive free admission with a paid adult and do not need a timed ticket. Expect hourly sideshow performances in the Main Hall, multiple themed photo ops including a retired casket, roaming special guests, live spooky tattoos, and a free arts and crafts booth for children hosted by local artist Casie Art. A costume contest invites adults, teens, and kids to compete in separate categories. Food vendors and a full bar offer savory bites, sweet treats, and specialty drinks. The fairgrounds are fully handicap accessible. Pets are not allowed, and only service animals are permitted. The halls can be crowded and the main hall remains dimly lit. All ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded or transferred.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars make their debut at Ventura Raceway in California, a first appearance anticipated to be thrilling.

Fresh fish pairs with live acoustic performances for a straightforward blend of food and music. A relaxed atmosphere highlights simple flavors and acoustic sound.

Ventura Music Hall hosts an appearance by Brian Posehn.

At the Oxnard Car Show, the Cousins Maine Lobster truck serves fresh made favorites like lobster rolls, crispy tots, tacos, and more alongside a backdrop of classic cars. Place your order at the truck, or order ahead with the Cousins Maine Lobster app to avoid the line. The app opens one hour before the event and lets you collect points with each purchase for rewards. If mobile ordering is limited, walk up service will still be available. This stop is cashless and accepts debit, credit, and Apple Pay.

The Harvest of Colors Quilt Show celebrates quilts and the craft of quiltmaking. View quilts that highlight color, pattern, and careful craftsmanship.

Ventura Music Hall hosts a concert headlined by The Green, featuring Johnny Suites. This live show brings both artists to the stage for a shared bill at the venue.

Ventura Music Hall hosts Get The Led Out for a live performance. Door and show details and ticket information are provided by the venue.

Mike Dawes takes the stage for a live concert at Ventura Music Hall, presented by the venue.

A lively weekend escape for tiki enthusiasts unfolds at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, highlighted by a top floor costume cosplay party in the Lava Lounge. Expect South Seas and Adventureland inspired decor, live exotica, surf and lounge music, vintage vinyl, drumming and dancing, tropical cocktails, black magic rituals, rum tastings, food, art, shopping, special guests, and symposiums. Festivities include a lanai deck gathering dubbed the Cabana Banana Corn Dog Deck Party, complimentary rum and spirit tastings, a sip and shop tiki experience, photo spots for island memories, cocktails and snacks at the Aqua Bar, an Isle of Zug-Zug preview cocktail hour, an evening in the Lava Lounge, the Dive Drink Drive art show, symposiums and mixology classes to be announced, the Tiki Lama ku So Cal tiki bartender social with spirit tasting, and dueling pianos at Moonfish Cafe. Also featured are a Ventura Beach Tiki marketplace, live music on the lanai, lunch and cocktails at the Aqua Bar, additional complimentary tastings, and a signature top floor costume celebration to cap it all. Some experiences require an additional fee. Discounted tickets and room specials are available, along with a detailed schedule and FAQs from the organizers.

A warm, creativity-filled scrapbooking getaway awaits at Staybridge Suites Oxnard - River Ridge, an IHG Hotel. This retreat expands into two dedicated cropping rooms positioned across the hall, so there is extra room to spread out and simple access between spaces for tools, shopping, and snacks. Both rooms provide the same setup and experience. The cropping fee is $275, with an optional additional day available for $50, and tables are cleared at the end of that added day. The cropping areas are air conditioned, well lit, include Wi‑Fi, and sit on the main floor in the Junior Ballroom and the Silverado Room. The rooms lock at night, and bell carts make unloading easier. Participants have unlimited use of a broad selection of tools, including punches and border punches, trimmers and a custom cutting system, a Border Maker with all cartridges, and simple Cricut machines with a variety of cartridges. Free learning sessions take place throughout the retreat. Snacks and baked treats, small gifts, coffee, and water are provided. Massages are available for an additional fee, and OTT task lights can be reserved for $5. While the cropping rooms do not include a refrigerator or microwave, each hotel suite has both. Snacks and beverages are covered, while other meals are on your own. Hotel guests receive a continental breakfast, and a group dinner outing will be organized and open to all attendees. Staying at the hotel is optional. A discounted room block is available while space remains. Approximate group rates include a King Studio Suite at about $184 per night for one to three people and a Penthouse Suite at about $249 per night for three to five. The King Studio offers a king bed, a pull‑out sofa, a bathroom, and a kitchenette with a full refrigerator. The Penthouse includes a queen bed on the main level, a pull‑out sofa on the main level, a queen bed in a loft, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette with a full refrigerator. Comfort of sofa beds may vary. Hotel amenities feature complimentary hot breakfast, multiple pools and jacuzzis, a fitness center, full kitchens, a business center, Wi‑Fi, and on‑site security. The property is next to a golf course and is close to The Collection and nearby restaurants.

Martin Amini brings a live show to Oxnard Levity Live in Oxnard, California. Attendees can look forward to an in-person performance at this venue.

The Totally RAD Foundation’s Touch a Truck invites families to get up close with real vehicles and the people who use them. Children and kids at heart can climb into the driver’s seat, explore trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, and other equipment, and meet community heroes who operate these machines. Expect favorites like big rigs, fire engines, police cars, construction vehicles, tractors, and more. To support guests who prefer a gentler experience, the event begins with a designated quiet period when sirens and horns are not used, followed later by a time when they may be heard. Activities take place outdoors, so dress for the weather and be ready to climb. For safety, pets are not allowed. Share your photos with #TouchATruckVentura and #RADFoundation.

Hail The Sun performs with The Fall of Troy, Blight Town, and Diver in a multi-band concert. Four acts share the stage for an evening of live music.

Ventura Music Hall hosts Death From Above 1979 for a live performance presented by the venue.

Morgan Page takes the stage at Ventura Music Hall for a show presented by the venue.

A recurring meditation centered on Reiki practice, welcoming practitioners at any level of attunement, initiation, or technique. It takes place each month on the second Saturday. The cost is $20 per month, or $220 for a full year, which includes a $20 discount. Payments are transferable but not refundable.

She Wants Revenge performs at Ventura Music Hall alongside Rosegarden Funeral Party. Presented by the venue, this concert brings both acts to the stage for a live music event.

Ponies by the Sea showcases Ventura County’s longest running celebration of Mustangs and Ford vehicles, hosted by the Tri-County Mustang Club. The event features a wide array of classic and modern models, food trucks, vendors, raffles, and event merchandise. Spectator entry is free, which makes it welcoming for families. Net proceeds benefit Guide Dogs of America, supporting service dogs for people with visual impairments and for veterans. Details and registration are available through the Tri-County Mustang Club.

Jacob Collier performs at Libbey Bowl in Ojai, California. The program spans rock, pop rock, soft rock, arena rock, heartland rock, rock blues, and blues.

A vegan comfort food pop-up showcases the barbecue spot recognized by VegNews and USA TODAY as the number one vegan BBQ joint in the country. The lineup centers on Southern staples and sandwich specials, including fried chickun, smoked meats, mac n cheeze, Beyond Burgers in a beer cheeze batter, jambalaya, po boy sandwiches, Cajun corn, totchos, and other selections. The menu is entirely nut free, with gluten free options available.

Presented by Ventura Music Festival, Take3 performs live at Ventura Music Hall. Tickets are available.

This community walk brings people together for a shared journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It offers space to honor loved ones, reflect on personal experiences, and recognize how suicide and mental health conditions affect many lives. The program includes a check-in and resource fair, an opening ceremony with guest speakers and performers, and an approximately three mile walk through the downtown Ventura area. Supportive information and resources are available throughout the event.

Ventura Music Hall hosts Strangelove-The Depeche Mode Experience, a full production tribute devoted to recreating Depeche Mode’s music and stage energy with authenticity. Celebrated for meticulous detail and passionate performances, the group has built a following across Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The lineup unites veteran US artists and producers with numerous accolades and credits, including work with musicians from Depeche Mode, The Cure, David Bowie, Morrissey, Bauhaus, Love & Rockets, and Beck. In 2024, the band signed with Harmony Records in the United States to release original music as Strangelove, and its members continue to place tracks in television, film, and video games. On tour, they honor Depeche Mode’s catalog with the same intensity and spirit that first brought these songs to life.

Black Flag performs live at Ventura Music Hall in a concert presented by the venue.

This overnight charter from Channel Islands Sportfishing Center targets White Sea Bass and Halibut, with some freelance fishing. Participation is limited to 16 anglers. Bunks are included, and the fare is $350 per person.

Ventura Music Hall hosts TUSK, a classic tribute to Fleetwood Mac. The performance is dedicated to the band’s catalog and is presented by the venue.

Ventura Music Hall presents Dax performing live at Ventura Music Hall.

Presented in partnership with Desert Daze, The Black Angels perform at Ventura Music Hall as part of the Passover 2026 Tour.

And Then There Was...Phil spotlights Phil Collins’ first years leading Genesis, focusing on 1976 through 1980. The Musical Box presents an ambitious production that recreates the era’s sound and spectacle, from thunderous double-drum moments to the striking mirror tour visuals from 1978. The set draws from Genesis’ progressive rock catalog, featuring early favorites such as Follow You, Follow Me and selections from A Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, And Then There Were Three, and Duke. Known for meticulous period detail, the group delivers a live experience that welcomes devoted fans and curious listeners alike. Phil Collins has noted that their approach feels like a faithful theatrical re-creation rather than a standard tribute.

A live show at Ventura Music Hall features Plini, with Night Verses and Portraits also performing. This event brings these artists together for a night of live music.

Join History Curator of Emeritus of Anthropology Dr. John Johnson for a 45-minute talk on the 1826 Chumash petition for emancipation from the San Buenaventura Mission. This in-person lecture is part of the Parallel Histories Lecture Series and runs for about 2 hours total, with the presentation at the core of the program.

This relaxed midweek breather happens at a welcoming neighborhood gathering place, featuring live acoustic tunes. Pair the music with a bite to eat and drinks for a laid-back experience.

Presented by Sterling Venue Ventures, The Psychedelic Furs deliver a show that spans their journey from UK post-punk origins to modern-day acclaim. Led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler alongside his brother Tim on bass, the band became a staple of college and alternative radio with songs like Love My Way, Pretty In Pink, Heaven, The Ghost In You, and Heartbreak Beat. Across eight studio albums, compilations, and a live concert release, they have long paired gritty energy with a romantic sensibility. Their recent album Made Of Rain charted in multiple countries, achieved one of their strongest UK placements, and appeared on many year end best-of lists. Known for powerful performances, they have headlined Glastonbury and taken the stage at renowned venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Doc & Pete are at Fisherman’s Catch, featuring excellent acoustics, tasty fish, and a good time.

Marc Broussard appears in concert at Ventura Music Hall. The performance is hosted by Ventura Music Hall.

At Ventura Reiki Center, Munay-Ki 2026 unfolds as a guided journey through nine initiatory rites shared over a defined sequence. This gathering focuses on the Creator Rite, one of the transmissions within the Munay-Ki lineage. Inspired by ancestral prophecies from the Americas that describe an era of sweeping transformation and the rise of wise, courageous stewards of life, these rites are energetic blessings intended to repair karmic and ancestral patterns, clarify the luminous energy field, and recalibrate DNA. The work supports profound healing and a different relationship with aging, recovery, and life’s transitions, inviting participants to help imagine a renewed world. An ayni exchange is noted as $45 per gathering or $400 for the full series, which is listed as a $50 savings. The rites themselves are offered freely, and it is customary to bring a gift for the host or the person bestowing the rite.

Adam Carolla appears at Ventura Music Hall for a seated performance. The setup provides seats for all attendees. Hosted by Ventura Music Hall.

Sterling Venue Ventures presents Louie TheSinger at The Canyon at the Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center. Drawing on his Mexican American heritage and Fort Worth roots, he blends varied influences into country music that highlights perseverance and passion. His journey has included setbacks, including a 2018 prison sting, yet he stayed loyal to his voice and connected with a large online audience, earning millions of streams. With honest storytelling and a distinct sound, he continues to make his mark on the country scene. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.