What Events are Coming to Ventura in 2024?

What events are coming to Ventura this year? Here you go. Because while it’s important to live in the moment, it’s also good fun to look ahead too. You know what they say — anticipation is half the fun.

And the upcoming months in Ventura will have you counting down the days for the next fun events coming to Ventura in 2024.

This, of course, isn’t everything. Please check our Visit Ventura Events Page for upcoming events. And if you are putting on a Ventura event, please feel free to post your event on our Events page. Our website Events page reaches thousands of followers every month. And it’s so easy to post your event — plus, it’s free.

So keep reading to find out what events are coming to Ventura this year. We can’t wait to see you!

Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair

Saturday, December 7

Who says a Southern California beach town can’t do Winter? Ventura’s downtown Main Street is closed to traffic and bands play and elves dance and vendors sell their wares and, yes, over 80 tasting sites pour wine, sparkling wine, and craft beer. Note to self — most of the pours are local, and some you won’t find outside Ventura. Additional note to self — several Ventura wineries and breweries have won national and international awards. And then, as the evening deepens, it’s time to hold your face up to the snowfall. Yep, snowfall. Turn your face to the sky and watch the flakes swirl against the night sky. Ventura’s winter might be the best kind. No shoveling the driveway the next morning.

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights

Friday & Saturday, December 13-14

There’s magic in lights (and fireworks) mirrored in the water. Boaters deck their boats to the nines, then parade their shimmering creations on Friday and Saturday night, the visual extravaganza capped by fireworks. There’s child-like magic in the spectacularly decorated boats throwing their lights across the water. On dry land, small-town magic in kiddie rides, sweet treats, and cozy-warm drinks are all about the small Ventura Harbor Village. Cost? Keeping in the spirit, the event and parking are free. This year’s theme CANDYLAND brings all the sweetness of the season!

Past 2024 Events

2024 Seaside Marathon

Sunday, January 28

Can it get any more Ventura than the 10th Annual Seaside Marathon? Starting at Emma Wood Group Campground, runners will receive all the swag you can dream of plus all runners will be awarded a free glass of beer and a plate of street tacos at post race expo. And yes, it is a Boston Marathon Qualifier to add to the fun. Register here.

Ventura Marathon

Sunday, February 25

In its 11th year, the Ventura Marathon returns to our shores as another Boston Qualifier marathon in town. Created from a dream of embracing Ventura’s large community in a fun and fast event, thousands have run the course which starts in Ojai and ends in Ventura. Runners breathe in the fresh air and take in the beautiful views along the Ojai Valley Trail all the way to the Ventura River Trail. Run the full marathon or the half— your choice! Register here.

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Saturday, March 16

Ventura celebrates Irish in style, with big time, small-town flair. High school bands, hometown floats, local Irish dancers from the nationally acclaimed Claddagh Dance Company, and a local personage/Grand Marshall waving and overseeing it all. The Ventura Saint Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 10 am. Still running along Main Street, the 2024 parade will begin at Lincoln Drive and run west to Fir Street, ending around noon. Pubs downtown will celebrate too. This year’s theme is “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” — there’s sure to be plenty of good-natured leprechaun mischief in town!

Spring Wine Walk & Street Fair

Saturday, March 23

Ventura’s annual Spring Wine Walk & Street Fair is a pretty straightforward — and hugely popular — affair. First, the free Street Fair (starting at 11am) on Main Street, with vendors and live entertainment. Then (3pm to 6pm) wine and craft beer tasting: champagne, wine, and craft beer samplings at over fifty tasting locations in downtown Ventura, all within easy walking distance of each other. Buy your tasting ticket, receive a Wine Walk wristband, a tasting cup, and a map of the participating tasting sites throughout downtown Ventura — and head off for a memorable afternoon of palate-pleasing fun. 

2024 Cal Tri Ventura

Sunday, May 5

All kinds of endurance fun. Take a deep breath – there are seven Olympic distance events (Triathlon, Triathlon Relay, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 1640 Yard Swim & 10K Run) and seven Sprint distance events (Triathlon, Triathlon Relay, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400 yard Swim & 5K Run). Just as good, Cal Tri Ventura is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Events begin at Harbor Cove Beach. 

Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and Half Marathon

Sunday, April 28

The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and Half Marathon has been a Ventura community fixture since 2011. It’s also become something of a local hero, raising thousands for local schools, hospitals, and land trusts. What can you do? Sign up for the marathon, the half marathon, or the 5K. The marathon starts in Ojai and heads on a slight downhill to finish near the Ventura Pier. Making it fast. And yep, it’s a Boston Marathon qualifier.  

California Strawberry Festival

Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19

Enjoy strawberry-inspired fun like build-your-own strawberry shortcake and feast on chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry beer, and more. Enjoy over 40 food vendors, a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course, live music, and over a hundred arts and crafts booths to check out. You can’t miss out on The California Strawberry Festival!

Bike MS

Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2

Ventura is always proud to welcome Bike MS. This year’s two-day ride will start in Santa Monica and ride up the coast, overnighting in Ventura before cyclists mount up to pedal through the lovely Ventura County seaside or countryside on rides of either 30 or 50 miles. More beauty – the largest fundraising cycling series in the world, each year Bike MS sees nearly 75,000 cyclists around the country ride to raise money to combat multiple sclerosis. 

4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade

Tuesday, July 4, 2024

Here comes one of the community’s favorite holiday events: the 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade! This year’s event starts at 10 am and ends at 4 pm in Downtown Ventura. Enjoy an artisan street fair with over 100 vendors, a car exhibit, food trucks, public art display, and live entertainment — all within walking of the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. Come to visit Ventura and join in the celebrations of the 2024 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade.

Tequila & Taco Music Festival

Saturday, July 13 & Sunday, July 14

California’s largest traveling Tequila & Taco Music Festival returns to the Ventura County Fairgrounds courtesy of Surfer’s Point LIVE. Top-shelf tequila sampling, gourmet street tacos, craft beer, award-winning margaritas, arts & crafts vendors, and live music all day (headliners will be announced in May). Pretty hard to think of anything more summertime happy. Get your tickets here.

Ventura County Fair

Wednesday, July 31–Sunday, August 11

Carousel kisses, exhibits (art to agriculture), outdoor concerts, professional rodeo, 4-H livestock, rainbow fireworks, the smells of fried dough and cinnamon, hand-holding under the stars, happy shrieks, and memories made on the sea breeze. The Ventura County Fair is back. And the musical lineup? Never disappoints. Check back here later for an updated musical line up for 2024. Yep, the concerts are free with admission. Parking at the Fairgrounds is limited. Free shuttle buses are provided from off-Fairground sites located around Ventura. Find everything you need to know about off-site parking here.

Cool Breeze Century Ride

Saturday, August 17

The aptly named Cool Breeze Century ride is actually five rides, giving everyone an option. There’s the Classic Century (100 miles, with just the right amount of hills, and a whole lot of cool ocean), the Hilly Century (yep, more hills), the Double Century (yes, there are hills and twice the distance, but still cool and reasonable), the Metric Century (fairly flat and a bit short of 100 miles) and the Mini (just a fun 30-mile jaunt, mostly beside the ocean). A delicious Peirano’s after–ride buffet is included in the entry fee. Registration opens after April 1.

Throw Down Cornhole Festival

Friday, August 23–Sunday, August 25

You can’t miss the largest cornhole festival in the world! That’s right, you read it. The largest cornhole festival in the entire world right here at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. 1,280 teams battle for over $300,000 in cash payouts each year. Sign up yourself or watch the tournament as a spectator. You can expect great food, live music, and other games during this popular summer event.

Aloha Beach Festival

Saturday, August 31- Sunday, September 1

Aloha returns to Ventura. To be precise, the Aloha Beach Festival will spread its booths, music, tasty food and beverages, and good vibes along the promenade at Surfer’s Point and Promenade Park once again this year. The Festival will have entertainment by local Hawaiian dancers, local surf reggae, and, just plain and lovely, really cool vibes. The Festival is one of the last free festivals in Southern California. Additional cool, this year’s festival will directly benefit the MERITO Foundation. Nonstop stoke from 10 am to 9 pm both days.

Ventura Art & Chalk Festival

Saturday, September 14-Sunday, September 15

The Summer Festival’s centerpiece is the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival – in short, the rare chance to see first-rate artists working outside of their studio; painters working in real-time right before your very eyes. Artists will showcase their bewitching works near the Fisherman’s Memorial between popular waterfront restaurants Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market and Brophy Bros Clam Bar & Restaurant. Vendors will also sell original paintings, pottery, photography, and jewelry, and sidewalks along the water’s edge Village Promenade will be the canvas for colorful street painters, creating lovely chalk pastel murals. Inspired children can join in and create their own art in the Children’s Chalk Area. Live music too. Admission & parking are free. Additional good – the event benefits local charity organizations.

ArtWalk Ventura

Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 22

Ventura’s beloved ArtWalk is BACK this year! Open to the public, spend the day going in and out of dozens of galleries, studios, Pop Up Gallery Locations in Ventura’s Westside Cultural District and Downtown in a self-guided tour. You’ll see art from local artists and get a taste of what Ventura’s culture is all about. Enjoy live performances as you walk through the vendors and of course, the ocean breeze. Now being run by an all-volunteer group, you won’t want to miss this year’s ArtWalk!

Pier Under the Stars

Saturday, October 5

The Ventura Pier is, in many ways, Ventura’s centerpiece; living history, front and center. And it is a fine thing to know where we came from. Pier into the Future helps preserve the Ventura Pier, and this annual fundraiser is a great way to contribute to the cause. Your ticket(s) help support pier preservation – and they buy you a lovely evening of food, drink, and dancing beside the Ventura Pier. Yes, under the stars (5 pm to 8 pm).

Seaside Highland Games

Saturday, October 12 – Sunday, October 13

Let’s start with this: there’s possibly no better party than a Scottish one. The music, the dancing, and the never-ending energy and laughter are the epitome of a Scottish ceilidh. Experience a true Scottish celebration without sitting through a 14-hour flight to the homeland by attending Ventura’s very own Seaside Highland Games, the premier Scottish festival on the Pacific Coast. The festival is returning to Ventura on October 12-13 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Expect delicious food, a Scottish fashion show, music, herding dogs, and of course, the traditional Highland games.

Movie Night Under the Stars: Halloweentown

Friday, October 18

Bring the crew to celebrate the spooky season for Portside Ventura Harbor’s Movie Night Under the Stars! Completely free to the public, settle with a blanket or chair and watch the Disney classic “Haloweentown” movie from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM this year. Wear your favorite costumes to get into the spirit.

Ventura Witches Paddle 2024

Friday, October 25

Swap your broom for a paddleboard and get ready to have fun on the water! A beloved community event, the Ventura Witches Paddle is one of the most anticipated Halloween events all year. Dress up in your best witchy outfit and enjoy the warm Ventura sunshine on your face and celebrate with fellow witches for this spooky event. Join in for a group photo in front of Coastal Cone and then head out on the water at 4:00 PM. Come early if you plan to rent a paddle board, kayak, electric boat, or cute character boat from Ventura Boat Rentals or bring your own.

HOWL-o-WEEN Dog Costume Contest

Saturday, October 26

Get ready for quite possibly the cutest costume contest in Ventura! Ventura Harbor’s annual HOWL-o-WEEN dog costume contest returns with tails wagging. The first 75 dogs can show off their stuff in this adorable Halloween event, perfect for families.

Kids Seaside Trick or Treat 2024

Sunday, October 27

Bring the kids out for a day of fun at Ventura Harbor Village! From 11 AM – 1 PM, kids can get candy at participating shops and enjoy face painting, games, and family fun.

Patchwork Show Ventura

Sunday, November 3

Calling all crafters! Get ready for this year’s Patchwork Show showcasing the work of local emerging artists, crafters, junior entrepreneurs and designers. Just in time for the holiday season, you never know what artisan made gift you’ll find for the people in your life. Completely free to attend and pet-friendly, head to Downtown Ventura for this afternoon of crafting!

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