Summer 2025 Events
July 9-13
Santa Barbara County Fair
Come on out to the Santa Maria Fairpark for the annual Santa Barbara County Fair July 9 through 13. Headlining this year are some great acts, like Los Lonely Boys and Larry Fleet. But the live music is only part of the fun — check out the carnival, the 4H animals, and so much great fair food, too!
For more: santamariafairpark.com
July 12-13
Hueneme Beach Festival
Bring the whole family out for some summer fun at the Hueneme Beach Festival. You’ll find live bands and kid-friendly entertainment — both onstage and at the carnival, where they can choose from a selection of rides and games. You’ll also enjoy interactive booths, food, drink, and of course, fantastic vendors. Be sure to plan your visit around some of the weekend’s highlights, like the high school marching band competition and wrestling tournament.
For more: huenemebeachfestival.org
July 16-27
California Mid-State Fair
Every year the Mid-State Fair brings some of the biggest names in music to Paso Robles. This year’s lineup is no exception, with a little something for
everyone: Keith Urban, 311, David Lee Roth, and tons more entertainment on multiple stages. You’ll also find all the classic fair favorites, from livestock exhibits to rides to deep-fried everything. What sets this fair apart is its distinctive Central California vibe. Be sure to scope out all the local food and drink — including local beer and wine tasting! — as well as exhibits that show off the true character or the region.
For more: midstatefair.com
July 16-20
Camarillo Old Town Heritage Days Fiesta
Come out to Camarillo Old Town and celebrate the unique history of the community at the Heritage Days Fiesta. Get some thrills at the carnival, chow down at the food trucks, get a brew in the beer and wine zone, shop the street fair vendors, and cap your evening dancing under the stars! There’s so much going on here, you’ll want to spend more than just one day taking in all the fun.
For more: camarilloheritagedays.org
July 19-20
Tequila & Taco Festival
How can you possibly improve upon margaritas and tacos? Add some great live music and ocean breezes, of course! The Tequila & Taco Festival comes back to the Ventura County Fairgrounds July 19 and 20. Sample a wide selection of margaritas, tequilas, and tacos with a great musical lineup throughout the weekend — with Lil’ Kim headlining the first night! Customize your experience with options like welcome margs at the front gate, VIP tastings, and even top-shelf cabanas.
For more: tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com/ventura
July 19-20
Central Coast Renaissance Festival
Don thy best Renaissance attire and gather your most worthy knights, because the Central Coast Renaissance Festival is galloping back to SLO’s Laguna Lake Park July 19 and 20! Watch live armored battles, dance to Renaissance era music, shop a huge selection of vendors, and immerse yourself in the days of yore.
For more: ccrenfaire.com
July 26-27
Oxnard Salsa Festival
Get ready to get spicy at the Oxnard Salsa Festival July 26 and 27. This festival celebrates all things salsa — both the food and the dance! With incredible live music, excellent food, great beers and margaritas, and tons of fun activities, games, and rides for the kids, this one promises fun for the whole family.
For more: oxnardsalsafestival.com
July 27
A Taste of Camarillo
Sample the cream of the Camarillo crop at A Taste of Camarillo, returning to Camarillo Ranch July 27! Find your new local favorite beers, wines, spirits, and cuisine, as well as some regional treats, too. Need to work off some of the calories? Explore the vendors fair, groove to your favorite tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s with Bad Habit, and take a line-dancing lesson with Kristal Lynn Dance. Proceeds from the event go to the Meadowlark Service League, which provides scholarships for graduating high school seniors and continuing college students.
For more: tasteofcamarillo.com
July 30-Aug. 10
Ventura County Fair
The Ventura County Fair will light up Seaside Park in Ventura July 30-Aug. 10. Enjoy fair classics — like deep-fried food, massive exhibit halls, hundreds of vendors, and wild rides — as you enjoy the ocean breeze rolling in from the beach just a few hundred yards away. Live music and entertainment stages dot the fairgrounds, with the headliners taking center stage in the Ventura Raceway arena. On the lineup this year are names like Diplo, Dirty Heads, Flo Rida, and Lee Brice!
For tickets and more: venturacountyfair.org
Aug. 9
Surf ‘N’ Suds
Get your brew on at the annual Surf ‘N’ Suds Festival, splashing down on Carpinteria State Park Aug. 9. Taste the goods from more than 75 craft breweries and cider, seltzer, wine, and kombucha brewers. And what goes good with a high-quality beer? Live music and lawn games of course! Surf ‘N’ Suds has you covered with tunes from DJ Marco and fun games like giant sized beer pong, cornhole, and more. You’ll also find a selection of vendors and food options. Proceeds go to the Young and Brave Foundation. For more: surfbeerfest.com
Aug. 16-17
Wings Over Camarillo Airshow
Take flight! The Wings Over Camarillo Airshowan event we’re excited for every summer. The quality of airplanes — from historic to experimental, in the air and on the ground — far surpasses what you might expect at a small regional airport. Watch jaw-dropping stunt flying, meet real-life fighter pilots, and get up close (and inside!) some amazing airplanes. There’s also an exciting, hands-on STEM pavilion. If you prefer wheels to wings, there’s an incredible car show, too.
For more: wingsovercamarillo.com
Aug. 22-24
Throwdown Cornhole Festival
For 15 years, Throwdown has sold out at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and for good reason. It’s billed as the world’s biggest cornhole festival, so you know there’ll be some great beanbag action (and some all-star athletes competing for some big prizes!), but that’s just the beginning. Experience an MMA fight, Nitro Circus motocross stunts, axe throwing, a truck show, live music, and so much more. Snag an RV space early, because you’re gonna want to spend more than just one day at this one!
For more: thethrowdowncornholetournament.com
Aug. 23
Central Coast Cider Festival
If you’ve never been to Atascadero’s stunning Sunken Gardens, we’ve got an excellent excuse for you to make the trip: the Central Coast Cider Festival! Cider fans and casual sippers alike will find more than 30 cider producers as well as food and merchant vendors at this sixth annual event. Take your experience to another level with a connoisseur ticket, which grants entry to the Friday night event featuring a deep dive into cider-making, guided tastings with experts, and a pig roast.
For more: centralcoastciderfestival.com
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Santa Barbara Studio Artists Tour
Love Santa Barbara? Love art? Have we got the event for you! The Santa Barbara Studio Artists Tour returns Aug. 30 with a chance to see some of the region’s most stunning art and meet some of its top artists in their private studios! These artists specialize in a variety of mediums — textiles, oil paintings, photography, sculpture, and so much more. Go at your own pace on this self-guided tour, with stops at studios from Montecito north to Goleta.
For more: santabarbarastudioartists.com/tour/
Sept. 13-14
Ventura Art & Chalk Festival
Need a weekend activity to do with the kids now that they’re back in school? Check out the Ventura Art & Chalk Festival, returning to the Ventura Harbor Village Sept. 13 and 14. When you think of chalk and sidewalks, you might think of Bert from “Mary Poppins.” While you might not be able jump into these drawings the way the Banks kids did, you will feel transported to another place when you see the incredible detail found in every one of these epic (and temporary) works of art. Chat with the artists as you explore the exhibits, then spend some time in the Village. Proceeds from this Rotary Club of Ventura event are donated to local charities.
For more: venturaartandchalkfestival.com
Sept. 13-14
Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival
I love picking up sea glass when I go to the beach. I often dream of the crafts I’ll make with these little frosted gems, but I never seem to have the time. But that’s why I’m looking forward to the Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival. Artists from across Central and Southern California come to Santa Barbara each September with myriad works of art, from jewelry to wind chimes to sculptures and more. Find treasures that pay tribute to the sea, and sea glass, at this unique festival.
For more: santabarbaraseaglass andoceanartsfestival.com
Sept. 20
IchigoCon
Gamers and anime fans, unite! Get ready for IchigoCon, taking over the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Sept. 20. Whether you’re ready to compete for the $1,000 prize in the Super Smash Bros. Tournament, want to meet your favorite anime voice actors or score some sweet merch, or just want to show off your ultimate cosplay costume, this is the place for you! Be sure to also check out the live performances, workshops, silent disco, and tons more.
For more: theopac.org/ichigocon
Sept. 27
Macaroni and Cheese Festival
You ready to get cheesy? Head on out to Avila Beach for the annual Macaroni and Cheese Festival on Sept. 27! This event pits more than two dozen area chefs against one another for the ultimate mac ‘n’ cheese recipe. Enjoy the fruits (mac?) of their labors, then grab yourself a sample or two of local beer or wine. Who says mac ‘n’ cheese is a kid’s food? Not these folks — this is a 21-and-over only event!
For more: themacandcheesefest.com