From strawberry fields to citrus groves — the festival calendar that punches above its weight
Here's something most people outside of California don't realize: Ventura County's festival scene is ridiculous for a mid-size county. We're talking nationally recognized music festivals, food events that draw tens of thousands, an air show, a county fair with nightly concerts, and enough niche celebrations to fill every weekend from March through December.
This isn't a complete list — that would take a book. These are the ones actually worth driving for.
April 18–19, 2026 • Ojai to Ventura
A net-downhill, Boston-qualifying course that starts in Ojai and finishes at Surfer's Point in Ventura. Even if you're not running, the finish line festival is worth showing up for — food vendors, live music, and the energy of a couple thousand people crossing the line with the Pacific Ocean behind them. Distances range from a Kids 1K to the full marathon.
May 16–17, 2026 • Ventura County Fairgrounds
This is the big one. One of California's largest food festivals, drawing tens of thousands of visitors over a single weekend. Oxnard's strawberry fields produce a staggering percentage of the state's commercial crop, and the festival celebrates that with 40+ food vendors, pie-eating contests, cooking demos, live music, and enough strawberry-themed everything to last you until next year. Tickets run about $15-20 for adults. Arrive early — parking fills up fast.
June 2026 • Libbey Bowl, Ojai
Running since 1947, this is the most prestigious event in the county. A nationally recognized classical and contemporary music festival that attracts serious music lovers from across the country. The setting — Libbey Bowl, an open-air amphitheater surrounded by mountains — is half the experience. Not cheap, but unforgettable if this is your thing.
July 2026 • Harding Park, Santa Paula
Our hometown event. Three days of live music, carnival rides, food vendors, and a Saturday car show — all organized by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Paula. Admission is $5 ($2 for kids). Every dollar raised goes to local youth programs. It's not the biggest festival on this list, but it might be the most genuine. The kind of event where the mayor knows the corn dog vendor by name and the volunteer parking lot crew has been doing it since 1987.
Check our visitor info for directions and shuttle details.
July 4, 2026 • Downtown Ventura
The Pushem-Pullem Parade is exactly what it sounds like — kids in costumes pulling decorated wagons down Main Street. It's adorable, it's chaotic, and it kicks off a full day of vendors, live entertainment, and food trucks. Fireworks over the coast that evening. Free admission. Bring sunscreen.
August 2026 • Seaside Park, Ventura
The biggest event by attendance in the county, hands down. Carnival rides, livestock shows, exhibit halls, fair food (the cinnamon rolls are legendary), and nightly concerts at the Grandstand Stage — they've booked legitimately famous acts in past years. The fairgrounds sit right on the beach, which gives the whole thing a unique coastal carnival feel you don't get at inland county fairs. Runs about 12 days.
August 2026 • Camarillo Airport
Vintage warbird flights, military aircraft displays, aerobatic performances, and static displays. One of the better free-admission air shows in Southern California. Get there early — parking fills up quickly, and shade is scarce.
July 2026 • Pierpont Beach, Ventura
Part surf competition, part beach party, part music festival. It's weird and wonderful in the way only Ventura can pull off. Costume surfing, live bands, beach activities, and a general vibe of "nobody takes this too seriously." Free to attend.
October 2026 • Ventura County Fairgrounds
Scottish culture celebration with traditional Highland athletics (caber toss, stone put), bagpipes, Celtic music, herding dog demonstrations, and a Scottish fashion show. Yes, a Scottish fashion show — in Ventura. It's unexpected and genuinely fun, even if you have zero Scottish heritage.
October 2026 • Downtown Ojai
Annual community celebration with a parade through downtown, live music, food vendors, and activities throughout the Arcade. Ojai's downtown is beautiful on a normal day; during Ojai Day, it's electric. Small-town festival energy at its best.
November 2026 • Oxnard and Ventura
Cultural events across the county celebrating the Day of the Dead with community altars (ofrendas), processions, live music, and traditional food. The Oxnard celebration tends to be larger, but both are moving and beautifully organized. These events reflect the deep Latin American roots of Ventura County's communities.
December 2026 • Ventura Harbor
Decorated boats cruise through Ventura Harbor on two evenings, lit up with holiday lights and competing for best display. Fireworks follow. Free viewing from the harbor promenade. Dress warm — December evenings on the coast hit different than summer. In a good way, mostly. Bring a blanket.
December 2026 • Main Street, Ventura
Main Street transforms into a holiday market with local vendors, crafts, gifts, food, and wine tastings inside downtown businesses. If you're looking for unique holiday gifts that aren't from Amazon, this is your spot. The wine walk includes tastings from local wineries and breweries.