This summer, as live events make up for lost time, local residents can visit a Viking village, pan for gold and attend an outdoor concert or 10, all in their own backyard. Here we highlight a sampling of activities popping up across the county to enjoy with friends and family of all ages. An added bonus is knowing that many of these events’ proceeds benefit nonprofits that enrich and uplift our communities and help those in need.
29th Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival
Sunday, June 5, 1-5 p.m.
Cal State University Channel Islands
Sample scrumptious small bites from area eateries and palette-pleasing fine wines, smooth brews, spirits and specialty beverages from throughout the region at Casa Pacifica’s annual fundraiser, voted the Best Charity Event and Best Food & Drink Festival by VC Reporter nine years running. All proceeds benefit Casa Pacifica—also a VC Reporter winner of Best Nonprofit for the past nine years. Guests can also bid on gift baskets and experiences at the silent auction, watch the crowning of the winners in the “Best in Fest” brewery competition and the Yummie Top Chef contest, plus dance to live entertainment throughout the afternoon. CPWineFoodBrewFest.com
34th Annual Ojai Wine Festival
Saturday, June 18, 12-4 p.m.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura
This Rotary Club of Ojai-West fundraiser includes wine and beer tasting, food, live music and dancing, arts and crafts vendors, free boat rides, a VIP lounge and a silent wine auction. Enjoy a beautiful day at Lake Casitas with friends and family. Children 12 and under accompanied by paid adult receive free admission and discounted tickets ($25) are available for nondrinkers. Parking is $10. OjaiWineFestival.com
Annual Pioneer Jamboree
Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park
Bring the whole family to pan for gold, lasso like a cowgirl or cowboy, see a blacksmith fire-up the forge and play pioneer games. Guests are invited to dress in Western attire and join the fun! Activities include storytelling, cursive writing, fossil digging, rock painting, giant bubble making and more! You can even try your hand at using a washboard…for laundry or for making music! Parking next to the Museum on Ventu Park Road or behind the Museum on Susan Drive. Admission is $30/family; $7/adults, teens and seniors; and $5/children ages 3-12. 805.498.9441| StageCoachInnMuseum.org
Boogie Nights Summer Run Series
Wednesdays, June 1-July 20, 6-8 p.m.
San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro Street, Ventura
Come have some fun while getting fit and raising money for local high school cross country teams Wednesday evenings at the Boogie Nights Summer Run Series presented by the Ventura Running Club. Races (1K and 5K) start in front of Aloha Steakhouse and the Crowne Plaza at the Ventura Promenade and include a light meal from Aloha Steakhouse or a beer from Firestone (must be 21+ years old). The races are chip timed and include a unique theme each week—examples include Heroes vs. Villains Night, Pajama Night and Toga Night, to name a few! $20/race; all ages welcome! runsignup.com/Race/Events/CA/Ventura/BoogieNightsSummerRunSeriesVentura
Conejo Food & Wine Fest
Sunday, June 26, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
St. Paschal Baylon School, 155 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
Discover a new favorite restaurant or winery at Conejo Food and Wine Fest, where smaller local establishments will be serving up delicious food, wine, beer and desserts. Enjoy live music and great food while also benefiting Food Share and Many Mansions. Now in its eighth year, the event has raised nearly $100,000 for multiple charities over the past seven years. Open to everyone 21 years and older! ConejoFoodandWine.com
Conejo Valley Days
June 16-19 & June 23-26
Conejo Creek Park South (Janss Road at the 23 Freeway)
Celebrate the community’s diverse heritage and volunteer spirit while supporting local nonprofits at Conejo Valley Days, where the whole family will enjoy the fun. From diverse performers, a wide variety of fair food and unique arts and crafts vendors to world-class carnival rides and a classic car show, this event is not to be missed! ConejoValleyDays.US
Fairy Tales in the Park
June 4-Sept. 3
Ventura County parks
The younger set (ages 3 to 10) will delight in the live theatrical performances of Fairy Tales in the Park, and parents will love the price—free! Co-founded by John and Roxanne Diesel, Gypsies in a Trunk is an all-volunteer troupe of actors performing free fairy tales for the young and young at heart. The troupe’s love of children’s theatre has led them to perform every May through September since 1995 throughout Ventura County. Held outdoors in a variety of venues, the performances are always free of charge, though the players pass the hat to help cover costuming and travel costs, donations are always voluntary. Bring your chairs and snacks and enjoy the 45-minute performances. The Westlake Village shows take place monthly at Foxfield Park. The 2022 lineup includes “Zorro Meets Merida” (June 4), “The Princess & The Pirate” (July 2), “The Adventures of Hansel & Gretel” (August 6) and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Sept. 3). FairyTalesInThePark.com
Ojai Valley Lavender Festival
Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Libbey Park, Ojai
This annual family friendly event includes free admission and free parking so guests can spend their dough on a lavender treasure from more than 100 vendors. With the mission to demonstrate and promote the many uses of lavender, to broaden public awareness and to educate potential growers/farmers about the benefits of plants that celebrate the Ojai Valley’s Mediterranean climate, the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival offers a great line up of entertainment, small make-and-take workshops, food, local artisans and more. As in the past, through the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival, Blissful Boutiques will continue the tradition of giving back to the Ojai community in various ways. OjaiValleyLavenderFestival.org
Old Boney Mountain Hot Summer Night Festival
Thursday, July 14, 2022, 5:30-9 p.m.
The Gardens at Los Robles Golf Course, 299 S Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
Enjoy unlimited craft beer, wine, spirits, hot sauce and food tastings at this year's Old Boney Mountain Hot Summer Night Festival, themed “Bringing People Together.” More than 100 small-batch hot sauce companies from around the world participate in the pre-judged event. Sample sauces and local cuisine while enjoying live music by singer/songwriter Wais. Attendees can also vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for their favorite culinary experience and best hot sauce label, plus participate in a silent auction. The festival benefits the Ventura County Fire Department Widows, Orphans & Assistance Fund and the Old Boney Mountain Foundation For Kids, an organization that aims to encourage inspired underprivileged youth to reach their full potential. $60. 805.807.2600 | OldBoneyMtnHotSummerNight.com
Scandinavian Festival
Sunday, June 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road
Visit an authentic Viking Village, a Saami sliddastallan (community gathering), frolic with the lovable Norwegian Elkhounds and decorate head wreaths with flowers and ribbon at the 45th festival of Nordic cultures. Produced by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation, the event features music, dancing, cooking and craft demonstrations, specialty Nordic craft vendors and activities for all ages. Younger Vikings can enjoy the Hans Christian Andersen puppet shows and make free, Scandinavian craft souvenirs. Young and old will want to taste delicious lefse, Viking Dogs, Scandinavian pastries and “world famous” Æbleskivers. The main stage features live music by Scandia and Swedish dance groups, musical guests and a headline performance by ABBAFAB, a tribute to the Swedish pop group ABBA. Admission: $15/adults; free/12 and under. ScandinavianFest.org
Swedish American Central Association of Southern California's 101st Midsummer Festival
Sunday, June 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vasa Park, 2854 Triunfo Canyon Road, Agoura Hills
Bring the whole family to the 101st Midsummer Festival to enjoy a lively day of fun activities. Ride an Alpine tube slide and slide down a huge waterslide, and enjoy swimming, folk dancing, live performances, food, Scandinavian vendors and more. Admission: $5/13 and up; free/12 and under. Free parking.VasaPark.org
Music
Camarillo Community Band Free Summer Concert
Thursdays, June 30-July 28, 7-9 p.m.
Camarillo Ranch House & Constitution Park, Camarillo
Bring chairs, blankets and picnic dinners and enjoy the Camarillo Community Band’s free summer concerts. The volunteer instrumentalists are led by guest conductors at every concert, and adult musicians are welcome to join the band, founded by Kirk Raymond in 1986. CamarilloCommunityBand.com
City of Thousand Oaks Pop-Up Arts & Music Festival
Fridays & Saturdays, June 3-25, 7 p.m.
Various locations
Enjoy free “pop-up” public performances at venues throughout Thousand Oaks, designed to provide residents with an opportunity to actively participate in and enjoy the arts without having to attend the theatre. Bring chairs, blankets, food, drinks and the whole family to enjoy great entertainment on a summer evening. In partnership with local arts organizations, the performances include local and regional artistic talent, in addition to nationally recognized performing artists. Events are free and open to all. BAPACThousandOaks.com/PopUp
Friday, June 3 at El Parque de la Paz: New West Symphony: Opera Lite
Saturday, June 4 at Stagecoach Museum: Lawn Brynn Albanese, The Furious Seasons
Friday, June 10 at California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks: Kaki King
Saturday, June 11 at Northwood Park: Leftover Cuties
Friday, June 17 at Suburbia Park: California Dreamin’ With 5-Star Theatricals
Saturday, June 18 at Kimber Park: Movie Night Featuring “Brave” & Alehouse Fire
Friday, June 24 at Thousand Oaks Community Park: Mostly Kosher
Saturday, June 25 at Triunfo Park: Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar & Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles
Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park
July 4-Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m.
Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Avenue, Thousand Oaks
Sit back and relax or get up and dance to the sounds of summer with friends and family at CRPD’s annual Summer Concerts in the Park. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics while enjoying the music and fun. Free admission! CRPD.org/Events/Summer-Concerts-In-the-Park
Monday, July 4: The Troubadour Experience (George Strait tribute)
Sunday, July 24: Rod the Mod (Rod Stewart tribute)
Sunday, August 14: The Everly Brothers Experience
Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5: Fan Halen (Van Halen tribute)
Janss Marketplace Free Summer Concert Series
Wednesdays, June 15-July 27, 6-8 p.m.
Janss Marketplace, Moorpark Road & Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Music lovers of all ages will enjoy the free Janss Marketplace Summer Concert Series. JanssMarketplace.net
June 15: Ticket to Ride (Beatles Tribute)
June 22: Live From Earth (Pat Benatar Tribute and Ladies of Rock)
June 29: Hollywood U2 (U2 Tribute)
July 13: Rag Dolls (All Female Aerosmith Tribute)
July 20: Mirage (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
July 27: Journey USA (Journey Tribute)
Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District/City of Camarillo 2022 Summer Concert Series
Saturdays, 7 p.m.
Constitution Park, 601 Carmen Drive
Save your seat on the lawn as early as 8 a.m. on the day of the concert! Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner or choose from the tasty offerings available from onsite food trucks while enjoying live music and summer evenings. Free! PVRPD.org
June 25: The Tribe Band
July 16: Forever Rod
August 6: Twisted Gypsy
August 27: Country Nation
Tiny Porch Concerts 2022 Summer Series
June 5-Sept. 10, 4-8 p.m.
Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills
Support performing artists and the National Park Service by purchasing a $60 VIP ticket that includes extra perks—a beer, wine and cheese reception an hour before the music begins and a chair waiting for you in the theater! Tiny Porch Concerts are free and open to the public, however, a suggested $20 donation goes a long way to help support the great work of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. Tiny Porch Concerts is a nonprofit 501c3 dedicated to the local National Parks and the artists that perform. TinyPorchConcerts.com
Sunday, June 5: Patio Club With Albert and His Dreamboats
Sunday, July 10: Rachel Baiman With Victoria Biley
Sunday, August 7: Taylor Ashton With the Dales
Saturday, Sept. 10, 5-9 p.m.: Coffis Brothers With John Surge and the Haymakers
