Discover the Biggest Summer Festivals, Concerts, Fairs, Fireworks, and Family Activities Across Ventura County in 2026
Summer in Ventura County, California is packed with major festivals, outdoor concerts, beach events, food celebrations, and family-friendly entertainment that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
From the coastline of Ventura and Oxnard to the scenic valleys of Ojai, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, the 805 region of California becomes one of Southern California’s top destinations for summer fun. Residents and tourists alike enjoy warm coastal weather, live music, local culture, and some of the largest annual events in California.
Whether you are looking for county fairs, classic car shows, wine festivals, art walks, fireworks displays, rodeos, beach concerts, or community celebrations, Ventura County offers something for every age and interest.
Cities including Camarillo, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Santa Paula, and nearby Agoura Hills host popular events throughout the summer season that support local tourism, entertainment, dining, and community engagement.
Ventura County Fair
The Ventura County Fair is the largest annual summer event in Ventura County and one of the biggest county fairs in California. Held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds along the beach, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year with carnival rides, concerts, livestock exhibits, food vendors, games, and family entertainment.
The fair features nationally recognized music acts, rodeo events, agriculture displays, youth competitions, shopping vendors, and nightly entertainment overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Popular fair foods include barbecue, funnel cakes, giant turkey legs, fried treats, and fresh lemonade.
Dates: July 29 – August 9, 2026
Location: Ventura
Cost: Admission ticket required; parking and concert upgrades may cost extra.
California Strawberry Festival
The California Strawberry Festival is one of the most famous food festivals in California and a signature event for Ventura County. Celebrating Ventura County’s agricultural heritage, the festival draws massive crowds for strawberry-themed foods, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and family attractions.
Visitors can enjoy strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry nachos, smoothies, strawberry beer, and dozens of unique creations while exploring music stages and vendor booths.
Dates: May 16 – 17, 2026
Location: Ventura
Cost: Paid admission.
Images provided by California Strawberry Festival Media Photos
Conejo Valley Days
Conejo Valley Days is a long-running Ventura County tradition held in Thousand Oaks featuring carnival rides, games, food vendors, live entertainment, and community exhibits.
The event is especially popular with families throughout Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Moorpark, and Agoura Hills. Guests enjoy fair-style attractions, local performances, and classic summer festival food.
Dates: June 18 – 21, 2026 (Expected)
Location: Thousand Oaks
Cost: Admission ticket required; ride wristbands available.
Photo provided by and approval by Rumbaugh Public Relations for Conejo Valley Days
Ventura Music Festival
The Ventura Music Festival is one of Ventura County’s premier cultural and performing arts events. Held throughout Ventura during the summer, the festival features internationally recognized musicians, orchestras, jazz artists, and classical performers.
Concerts take place at multiple venues and include indoor and outdoor performances that attract music lovers from throughout Southern California.
Dates: July 2026
Location: Ventura
Cost: Ticket prices vary by performance.
Ojai Music Festival
The Ojai Music Festival is an internationally recognized arts and music event hosted in the scenic city of Ojai. The festival is known for innovative programming and acclaimed guest artists performing classical, experimental, and contemporary music.
Visitors enjoy world-class performances along with Ojai’s boutique hotels, restaurants, spas, hiking, and mountain scenery.
Dates: June 4 – 7, 2026 (Expected)
Location: Ojai
Cost: Ticketed performances; pricing varies.
Fourth of July Fireworks & Summer Celebrations
Major Independence Day celebrations take place throughout Ventura County including Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Moorpark.
Events include fireworks shows, parades, concerts, food trucks, patriotic ceremonies, family activities, and beach celebrations. Harbor-area fireworks in Oxnard and Port Hueneme are among the county’s most popular summer traditions.
Dates: July 4, 2026
Location: Ventura County
Cost: Many events are free.
Heritage Valley Scottish Games
The Heritage Valley Scottish Games celebrate Scottish culture with Highland athletic competitions, bagpipe performances, Scottish dancing, live Celtic music, clan gatherings, and traditional food and drinks.
Popular attractions include caber toss competitions, historical reenactments, artisan vendors, and family-friendly entertainment.
Dates: April 25 – 26, 2026
Location: Moorpark
Cost: Paid admission.
Ojai Wine Festival
The Ojai Wine Festival is one of Ventura County’s top wine tasting events featuring wineries, craft breweries, live music, gourmet food, and artisan vendors. Held near scenic Lake Casitas, the event attracts wine enthusiasts from throughout California.
Guests can sample regional wines and enjoy live entertainment in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Dates: June 20, 2026
Location: Ojai / Lake Casitas
Cost: Paid admission with tasting packages available.
Camarillo Fiesta & Street Fair
The Camarillo Fiesta and Street Fair is a family-friendly community celebration featuring live music, local vendors, food booths, entertainment, and activities for children.
The event highlights local businesses and organizations while offering classic fair food, games, and community entertainment.
Dates: July 2026 (Expected)
Location: Camarillo
Cost: Free admission; some activities require tickets.
Oxnard Salsa Festival
The Oxnard Salsa Festival celebrates food, music, dance, and culture with salsa tasting competitions, live Latin music, dancing, and entertainment.
Visitors can sample dozens of salsa recipes while enjoying performances, vendors, and family-friendly activities in a lively festival atmosphere.
Dates: July 25 – 26, 2026 (Expected)
Location: Oxnard
Cost: Generally free admission.
Image source: Oxnard Salsa Festival Press Center
Santa Paula Citrus Festival
The Santa Paula Citrus Festival celebrates the city’s agricultural history and citrus industry with carnival rides, entertainment, food vendors, and family activities.
The event features arts and crafts booths, community exhibits, live performances, and small-town Ventura County charm.
Dates: July 2026 (Expected)
Location: Santa Paula
Cost: Free admission; rides and food sold separately.
Fillmore Summer Train Events
Fillmore hosts seasonal train rides and themed railroad events during the summer months featuring vintage railcars, entertainment, historical experiences, and scenic Heritage Valley views.
Popular excursions include dinner trains, family rides, and themed events that attract visitors from across Southern California.
Dates: Various Dates Throughout Summer 2026
Location: Fillmore
Cost: Ticket prices vary by event.
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival combines live blues music, Cajun cuisine, dancing, craft vendors, and family entertainment.
Festivalgoers enjoy authentic Southern food, outdoor concerts, and cultural entertainment in one of Simi Valley’s most popular annual events.
Dates: May 23 – 24, 2026 (Expected)
Location: Simi Valley
Cost: Paid admission.
Concerts in the Park Series
Cities across Ventura County including Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Ventura, Moorpark, Oak Park, Newbury Park, and nearby Agoura Hills host free summer concert series throughout the season.
These events feature tribute bands, local musicians, food trucks, family entertainment, and outdoor community gatherings.
Dates: June – August 2026
Location: Ventura County Cities
Cost: Most concerts are free.
Find Events, Tickets and Venues
Find events, concerts, festivals, nightlife, venues, and tickets throughout Ventura County and the 805 area using In 805’s events section.