Events in Ventura today

This ceremony centers on a despacho, a prayer bundle created to cultivate right relationship, or Ayni, with personal dreams and prayers through offerings to Pachamama and the Apus. Intentions are aligned with Uhupacha, Kaypacha, and Hanapacha through Yanqui, Munay, and Yanchii, while love, breath, and prayerful purpose guide each step. The Four Corners, the elementals, and the many ingredients of life are acknowledged to support harmony and well-being with the ancestors, the ancient ones, those here now, and those yet to be born. The despacho is then placed into a fire ceremony for pure and rapid transformation, held with deep gratitude and love.

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.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can bring deep emotions, including grief that begins while a person is still present but changed in memory or mood. This free support group focuses on that experience, offering a welcoming place to talk openly, relate with others who understand, and learn practical ways to manage the feelings that come with anticipatory grief. Attendees can share their stories, feel supported, and take away tools to help navigate this complex journey.

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.

A welcoming community soundbath offers a calm space to rest and feel supported. It is free to attend, and donations are optional, with participation open to everyone regardless of ability to pay. Arrive in comfortable layers and, if you prefer, bring a blanket or pillow for extra coziness. Blankets, mats, pillows, and eye masks are also provided so you can settle in with ease.

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.

Experience a live show in downtown Ventura featuring Operation 90s. This event offers another opportunity to see the band perform in downtown Ventura.

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

Special guest troupes from throughout Ventura County come together for a jam filled with spur-of-the-moment laughs and standout moments. With a rotating lineup every month, each show offers a fresh mix of talent and a new experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, making it easy to connect with other comedy fans while supporting local artists. Concessions and drinks are available.

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.

Unwind with a calming open-air painting class at Port Hueneme Beach, guided by California-based abstract figurative painter Ane Howard. Adults of all experience levels, including complete beginners, will explore expressive techniques outside while learning how to transform emotions and the surrounding scenery into vibrant artwork using confident strokes and striking color contrasts. All essentials are provided, including painting surfaces, brushes, and paints, along with step-by-step instruction in a welcoming, community-minded setting. For this session, plan to meet at the Port Hueneme Pier entrance. A recommended contribution of $35 covers materials and instruction, and advance registration and a contribution are required so supplies can be prepared. Comfortable clothes that can handle a bit of paint, sunglasses, and a bottle of water are suggested. Space is limited to allow for individualized attention. Ane Howard paints full time, with work in private collections across the United States, Canada, and Germany, and her background includes exhibitions with the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco, and the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance in San Diego. She is a member of American Women Artists and is active with regional groups including the Buenaventura Art Association, Studio Channel Islands, and the Ojai Ivy Gallery. These outdoor classes take place at thoughtfully chosen locations around Ventura County, and the series runs weekly with changing spots. Beginners are always welcome.

Try improv in a friendly class at The Bunker Theater in Ventura. You choose how much to participate, whether stepping into scenes or taking it slower from the audience. Masks and distancing are welcome while you watch. If you perform a scene, please plan to remove your mask. Class begins with quick introductions where people can share names, optional pronouns, and a recent positive update. If pronouns are not part of how you identify or you cannot think of something to share, offering anything you feel comfortable with is fine. The atmosphere centers on respect and positivity, and participants are asked to honor others’ pronouns and beliefs. This Jest Improv session is intended for adults, since scenes may include mature themes. A minimum of four participants is required for the class to take place.

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.