Your Guide to Downtown Ventura Harvest Days 2026

Fall has officially landed in Downtown Ventura with the beach just a few blocks away.

In its first year, Downtown Ventura Harvest Days is taking over Downtown Ventura October 1–31, 2026, with a month of fall flavors, scarecrows, pumpkins, live music, and special weekend events. Month-long means you have 31 days to try all the fall specials at local Downtown restaurants, five weekends to look forward to for some family-friendly fun to keep the spooky spirit alive, and photo ops across all five blocks to record all of your memories.

Take the Downtown Ventura Scarecrow Stroll

Keep your eyes open while you walk Main Street — you might make a few new straw-filled friends.

The Scarecrow Stroll runs throughout October, with one-of-a-kind and handmade scarecrows created by local schools, businesses, and community organizations popping up all around Main Street. The stroll is free, and photos are absolutely encouraged.

The heart of Downtown Harvest Days? The Fall Flavor Trail. Come hungry, and probably thirsty, too!

More than 50 Downtown Ventura businesses are participating in the Fall Flavor Trail, serving everything from pumpkin espresso martinis and Black Cat Chai to pumpkin milkshakes and seasonal risotto. At retailers, you can find fall candles and even autumn-inspired shopping specials.

Pick up a free passport at any participating business and earn a stamp when you purchase a featured offering. Once you’ve collected five stamps, you can enter a drawing for a Downtown Ventura gift card!

Plan Around a Harvest Days Weekend Event

Harvest Days keeps the fall fun going all month, with something different happening nearly every weekend:

October 10 — Taste the Season: Spend the day eating, drinking, and shopping your way through Downtown Ventura before the Fall Pub Crawl takes over that evening.

October 17 — Harvest Hootenanny: Country, folk, and Americana vibes hit California and Main from 11 AM–5 PM, including line dancing with the Ventucky Stompers.

October 24 — Harvest After Dark: Head to the 200 block near the Mission for tarot, seasonal bites, and outdoor screenings of Coco, Hocus Pocus, and Practical Magic.

October 29 — Costume Contest + Trick or Treat: Families can trick-or-treat throughout downtown from 4–7 PM, plus catch the Scarecrow Stroll winner announcement.

October 31 — Halloween on Main: Wrap up the month with costumes, festive dining, seasonal shopping, and Día de los Muertos weekend celebrations.

Make a Whole Day of It in Downtown Ventura

There’s a lot going on up and down Main Street, but don’t be afraid to let your Ventura adventure take you where spontaneity is calling.

Head up towards the Ventura hills and explore the Ventura Botanical Gardens for a gorgeous nature walk with ocean views. Fridays are free, and Wednesdays and Fridays you can bring your leashed pup along with you! Totally on theme is the garden’s current exhibition, Nature’s Spirits: Flight of Our Ancestors. The exhibit showcases gorgeous and larger-than-life silhouettes, autumn blooms, and giant decorative calaveras to honor Día de los Muertos. The exhibit runs now until November 1, 2026.

Between fall festivities, go treasure hunting through Ventura’s vintage and thrift shops, make custom jewelry at Brooklyn Charm, browse local finds at Findings Market or Tiki Girl, or challenge your crew to a board game at Punchboard Cathedral.

And you’re still just blocks from some of Ventura’s biggest must-sees. Walk through the historic Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, explore the Museum of Ventura County, or head toward the ocean for a walk along the promenade and Ventura Pier. Downtown Ventura makes it pretty easy to go from pumpkin patch to beach walk in the same afternoon.

Downtown Ventura Harvest Days runs October 1–31, 2026 throughout Downtown Ventura. The festivities are free to explore, and all ages are welcome. Downtown is also a short walk from the Ventura train station, so you can even leave the car keys at home.

Things to Do

Family Fun

Ventura Shopping

Music & Nightlife

Arts, Culture & History

Pet Friendly

Parking

Outdoors

Beaches & Surfing

Biking & Hiking Trails

Food & Drink

Restaurants