What’s Happening in Ventura in September

by Visit Ventura

The world has (rightly) slowed, but it hasn’t stopped. With mask-wearing (thank you) and social distancing (thank you) factored in, there’s still plenty to do in Ventura in September. Ventura has — deep breath — concerts, movies, and live musicals beside the sea, Farmers Markets heavy with local largesse, a fish market heavy with, you guessed it, and the chance to see the largest creature on the planet. All this fun, while still doing the right thing for all of us. And heartfelt thank you for that.

Summer Whale Watching (and the possible appearance of the largest creature on Earth) Date: Anytime you want to come aboard Island Packers

No guarantees of a Blue Whale sighting, of course, but so worth the roll of the dice. For when anticipation collides with realization and the largest creature on this planet roils to the surface, the result is as stunning as a glimpse of Hollywood humility and as subtle as already disappearing blowhole mists. And while Blue Whales are the biggest (sorry) lure, there’s no telling what you’ll see. From roughly June through mid-September, Blue Whales are also joined by Humpback Whales — and in any season, there’s the chance of Orca Whale sightings and the high likelihood of a variety of species of dolphins (on a single August day Island Packers saw some 9,000 Common Dolphins — no, that is not a typo). What has Island Packers been seeing lately? Have a look here.

Concerts (and The Rocky Horror Picture Show) in Your Car Dates: Please see below

Sweeping lights, thundering drums, strutting singers, screaming guitars… yep, live music still lives when drive-in morphs with live concert; the experience enhanced by huge screens, booming sound systems, live aerial drone footage, and a sense of, well, wholly unconventional fun. This summer CBF Productions has already brought Super Duper Kyle, Randy Houser, Fishbone, Ozomatli and Rey Fresco, Third Eye Blind, Sublime, and Fitz and the Tantrums (among others) to the Ventura County Fairgrounds beside the sea; with hundreds of fans enjoying the thrill from their cars. On the September docket, music by Tower of Power and Los Lobos (Sunday, September 6th, 1 pm and 8 pm), Metalachi (Saturday, September 12th, 8 pm), Robbie Krieger (yep, The Doors; Thursday, September 17th, 8 pm), Cypress Hill (Friday, September 25th, 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm), the Dirty Heads (Saturday, September 26th, 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm), and — get ready to shout it out — a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Wednesday, September 23rd, 8 pm) For social distancing rules, ticket prices, and more, please click here.

Show Tunes by the Sea Dates: September 7th, 8th, and 9th. All shows start at 8 pm.

Ventura’s treasured Rubicon Theatre Company has stepped up to become the first regional theatre company in the nation to offer safe-distance live music performances. Again at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, September 7th, 8th, and 9th (all shows at 8 pm), Rubicon presents “Music of the Knights,” featuring the songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. Again, the joy lovely music (you may know a few of these tunes) — with safety in mind. For ticket prices and more information, please click here.

The Ventura Music Festival at the Drive-In presents Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band Date: September 24th at 8 pm

J2B2 at the VMF Drive In from Ventura Music Festival on Vimeo. In July the Ventura Music Festival brought hometown hero John Jorgenson and the remarkable bluegrass of J2B2 to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. On September 24th at 8 pm, VMF presents Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band. Goodwin is a legendary composer, pianist, and sax player, and his fellow band members are some of the best in the business. Swing, funk, Latin, pop; good luck sitting still during this one. For more info and ticket prices, please click here.

California Coastal Cleanup — every Saturday in September.

This year marks the 36th annual California Coastal Cleanup — and, yes, this year things are different. Instead of public events throughout California on a single day, you now have more of a chance to help. Though the self-done cleanups officially take place each Saturday throughout the month, you can do the right thing for our beaches any day you like. For more info, please click here.

Farmers Market(s) Date: Wednesdays and Saturdays

Local farmers bring the freshest fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, eggs, nuts, cheese, olive oil, fruit juices, jams and jellies (among other items) you ever laid taste buds on. Oh, right. Also freshly baked bread and tasty ethnic foods, ready to go. The Midtown Ventura Farmers Market is held Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm at the Pacific View Mall (3301 North Main Street, West parking lot, near Red Robin Restaurant). The Downtown Ventura Market — part of Ventura since 1986 (running without interruption) — is open Saturdays from 8:30 am to noon at the corner of Santa Clara and Palm Streets. More info here. And yes, they have modified their operations for your safety. Please click here.

Fisherman’s Market, Ventura Harbor Village Date: Saturdays, 7:30 am to 11 am (weather dependent)

You won’t find fresher seafood because it comes right off the boat to the small pier behind Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market (1449 Spinnaker Drive) in the Ventura Harbor Village. The official word is the Market runs from 7:30 am to 11 am, but the unofficial word is to get there early — because they often sell out. Inside tip; you can also order the catch online ahead of time. Learn about online ordering — and Ventura’s hardworking fisherfolk — here. Shopping, dining, hiking, beach-going, beer-quaffing, wine-tasting, and all manner of fun in the sun (because that’s what Ventura does best). Want to know (almost) everything about Ventura? Please order our FREE Ventura Inspiration Guide here.