Winter 25-26 Events
Jan. 10 Carmel-by-the-Sea Run Walk 5K
Kick off the new year with a 5K in one of the most beautiful communities on the Central Coast! Starting in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, this all-age, all-level course offers stunning views the whole way. And, bonus, it’s all for a good cause. Proceeds will go to Girls on the Run Central Coast Inc., a group dedicated to building confidence and physical activity in local youths.
To register and more: carmel-by-the-sea-5k.com
Jan. 15-19 Morro Bay Bird Festival
Winter is arguably the best time on the Central Coast for birding. Migrating birds make stop-offs all along our region, especially in Morro Bay. More than 200 bird species have been counted at past festivals! Come to spot your favorite feathered friends and hang out to learn. There are more than 260 events on the lineup already!
Tickets and more: morrobaybirdfestival.org
Jan. 19-25 SLO Cal Open at Pismo Beach
It’s winter, and the surf’s up in Pismo! Check out the SLO Cal Open, part of the World Surf League, and catch top surfers from all over the world shredding waves near the Pismo Beach Pier. With Men’s, Women’s, and Juniors divisions, this free event runs all day, every day, from Jan. 19 to 25.
Tickets and more: slocal.com/events/signature-events-festivals
Jan. 27 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team vs Chile
UCSB’s Harder Stadium will play host to some of the world’s best soccer players this January! The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team uses the stadium for its training camp, and the four-time world champs will close out their time in Santa Barbara with a game against Chile. This is the first-ever international women’s match on the Central Coast, making it an event not to be missed!
Tickets and more: santabarbaraca.com/events
Jan. 29-Feb. 1 Cambria Art & Wine Fest
Art and wine — is it the perfect pairing? The folks in Cambria think so! Head out to the coast for this multi-day event highlighting regional wines and artists. Wine dinners, educational events, tastings, art viewings, paint and sips, and more punctuate this long weekend by the sea.
Tickets and more: cambriachamber.org
Feb. 4-14 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Eleven days and more than 200 films in one of the most beautiful cities in the world — it’s no wonder the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is so popular! Find short films, animated films, feature-length, comedies, tragedies, documentaries, and everything in between. This year’s event honors a slew of celebrities, including Adam Sandler with the Maltin Modern Master Award on Feb. 5, Stellan Skarsgård with the Montecito Award on Feb. 11, Michael B. Jordan with the Outstanding Performer Award on Feb. 12, and lots more.
Tickets and more: sbiff.org
Feb. 7 David Mann Chopper Fest
Motorcycle fans — and the moto-curious — will descend on the Ventura Fairgrounds Feb. 7 for the 22nd annual Chopper Fest! Come check out all manner of motorcycles, as well as accessories and gear, art, and even tattoos. There will also be a swap meet and chances to meet big-name builders, too. Enter your chopper into the show for a chance to win prizes and glory!
Tickets and more: chopperfest.com
Feb. 12-15 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
The biggest golf event to hit the Central Coast returns to the Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course Feb. 12 to 15. One of just eight signature PGA Tour events, this one features 80 professionals and 80 amateurs. We’re talking Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, J.J. Spaun — the whole gang’s here. Come for the golf but stick around for the awesome food and drink along the course and at numerous restaurants nearby.
Tickets and more: attpbgolf.com
Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Champagne Cruise
It’s not a festival or even a big event, but dang it, we’re romantics around here! Set sail on the Double Dolphin out of Santa Barbara Harbor for a dreamy evening cruise with someone special. Bottomless champagne and jaw-dropping views included in the ticket price!
Tickets and more: santabarbaraca.com/events
Feb. 19-22 BlendFest on the Coast
Paso Robles is known for some killer wine blends, and BlendFest is here to celebrate these crafty creations, produced by the region’s top winemakers, in Cambria and San Simeon. Enjoy winemaker dinners, blending seminars, and the main event: the Sunset Grand Tasting. With more than 40 blends to choose from, you’re almost guaranteed to find your new favorite blend.
Tickets and more: pasowine.com/events
Feb. 21 SLO Craft Beer Festival
Get your souvenir cups ready, the SLO Craft Beer Festival is pouring back into the Alex Madonna Expo Center! Sample your way through local and nationally celebrated brews, as well as ciders, spirits, kombuchas, and of course some tasty snacks to keep you fueled for your next tasting. This one will sell out, so get your tickets early!
Tickets and more: my805tix.com/e/slo-craft-beer-fest-3
Feb. 22 Ventura Marathon
Do you have what it takes? The annual Ventura Marathon features both half and full marathons, taking you through Ojai all the way down to Ventura. Winding downhill along the Ojai Valley Trail, its rural vibes and scenic vistas might make you forget the torture you’ve self-imposed! End up at the beach with waffles, craft beers (for the 21 and older crowd), medals, shirts, and bragging rights.
Registration and more: venturamarathon.com
Feb. 26-March 1 SLO Comedy Festival
Comedy fans, unite! Laughter is taking over SLO Feb. 26 with a slew of shows at 10 spots across town. Come see fan favorites and up-and-comers alike at shows ranging from vanilla to “viewer discretion advised.” Awesome venues like Firestone Walker Brewing, The Bunker, SLO Brew, Woodstock’s Pizza, and more add flavor to the fun.
Tickets and more: slocomedyfestival.com
March 6-8 Jazz Bash by the Bay
Monterey’s premiere classic jazz festival takes over the historic waterfront with three days, eight venues, and more than 20 jazz bands. Find a variety of sub-genres — Traditional, Ragtime, Swing, Gypsy, and Blues — guaranteed to get you grooving. Whether you’re a diehard jazz fan or casual listener, these tunes are sure to please.
Tickets and more: jazzbashmonterey.com
March 7-8 Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show
What kind of rock is it? Where does it come from? What can you do with it? Why does it look so dang cool? Learn all about gems, minerals, and fossils at the 63rd annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show this March, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds! Organized by the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society (VGMS), these shows offer education as well as excellent shopping opportunities. This event is free to the public!
For more: vgms.org/category/gem-show
March 15 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Feelin’ lucky? Head on down to downtown Ventura for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Celebrate all things Irish with this fun community event featuring dancers, floats, awesome costumes, great food and drinks, music, and tons more. This is another free event for the public, and the entire downtown area gets involved — so come for the parade and stay for all the fun (and Guinness!) to be had!
For more: venturastpatricksdayparade.com
March 15 Buellton Wine and Chili Festival
Come get your chili and booze on at Flying Flags RV Resort on March 15. This annual event brings out some of the area’s top chili and salsa chefs, as well as a wide selection of wines, craft beers, seltzers, ciders, and spirits. Jared Nels, Sound Investment, and DJ F.I.U. will provide rockin’ tunes all afternoon. RV camping, cabins, cottages, and vintage trailers are all available on-site — so you can stretch the festival out into an entire weekend.
Tickets and more: buelltonwineandchilifestival.com
March 20-22 Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
Immerse yourself in all things orchid at the Earl Warren Showgrounds March 20-22. Thousands of blooms create lush tropical landscapes with massive displays by master gardeners. Be sure to hang around for the workshops, Q&As, lectures, and behind-the-scenes tours. This “Disneyland for gardeners” is not to be missed!
Tickets and more: sborchidshow.com
March 21 Central Coast Craft Beer Festival
Atascadero’s picturesque Sunken Gardens will again play host to one of our region’s most fun beer celebrations: the Central Coast Craft Beer Festival! More than 50 independently owned craft brewers will be pouring their beers, ciders, seltzers, wines, and even kombuchas. Come for the brews, but stick around for the fun and the food, too. Take a break from boozing to play tons of lawn games, like giant beer pong, then hit up one of the many food trucks on-hand. Of course, live music will be cranking all afternoon as well.
Tickets and more: visitatascadero.com/events
April 11 Lagerville
Who doesn’t love a good lager? Choose from 60-plus breweries from all over the country serving up the best in lagers at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. in Buellton. Live bands and food trucks — plus perfect temperatures this time of year — all promise to enhance your sipping experience.
Tickets and more: lagerville.beer
April 11-12 WhaleFest Monterey
The Pacific Coast is lauded the world over for its incredible whale watching, and some of the best to be had happens right here on the Central Coast. But have you ever wondered why? And how? The 16th Annual Whalefest Monterey has the answers you seek, and more. Find two days of interactive exhibits, symposiums with renowned experts, research and rescue vessel tours, and hands-on education opportunities for kids and adults alike. Live music adds to the fun!
Tickets and more: whalefest.org
April 18 ROUND-UP Country Music Festival
Country fans, get your boots ready and head out to Simi Valley this spring for the 11th annual ROUND-UP Country Music Festival. This show promises excellent live music each year, along with dancing, food, drinks, a kids’ zone, silent auction, and lots more.
Tickets and more: roundupsimi.com