Events in Ventura

There is always something going on in the City of Good Fortune, San Buenaventura or as we fondly know this beach town- Ventura. With plenty of things to see and do, lots of festival and events, there's never a bad time to visit and become part of the local scene. These events were supplied courtesy of Ventura CVB! Thanks. Here are other California city events.

Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 17, 10 a.m.

The Ventura St. Patrick's Day Parade starts on East Main Street in front of the San Buenaventura Mission and makes its way up East Main Street. The reviewing stage is located at N. Chestnut Street and East Main Street. The parade continues up Main Street and ends at the corner of North Ann Street and East Main Street. The participants showing the most Irish pride in front of the judges will win a trophy from one of the many categories. After the parade, revelers can raise pints of green beer at restaurants and bars in Downtown Ventura offering St. Patrick's Day specials. Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day. venturastpatricksdayparade.com

Brings Cultural and Family Friendly Events to Ventura
With its beautiful beachside location and idyllic climate, Ventura beckons visitors to enjoy a weekend escape during the spring season. From a world renowned music festival to fun for the whole family at the Ventura Harbor Village, there's never a dull moment in Ventura.

Whale Watching Cruises
Every year Pacific Gray Whales migrates up to10,000 miles to secluded lagoons in Mexico to breed and bear their young and then journey back to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. Island Packers invites you to observe these magnificent animals as they pass through the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Cruises depart from Ventura Harbor, 1691 Spinnaker Dr. Ste 105B.
islandpackers.com

The Ventura Gem Show
The Ventura Golden Anniversary Gem Show: 51st annual Gem, Mineral, Lapidary & Fossil Show. Displays of gems, minerals, fossils and lapidary arts from the personal collections of VGMS members and guests, on-going demonstrations of lapidary arts and jewelry making, door prizes and silent auctions, a country store flea market and planet sale, dealers and children's activities. vgms.org (805) 648-3376

Ventura Music Festival presents the world-renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
The most famous, and most recorded, chamber orchestra in history, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields will perform with exciting international soloists Cellist Alyssa Weilerstein and Pianist Inon Barnaton. Tickets to at the performance at Ventura High School Theater on Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now at venturamusicfestival.org, or call (805) 648-3146.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will present the 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, having won a grant from Patagonia for the fourth year running. The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a national tour of independent short and feature films highlighting a celebration of human outdoor adventure and interactions with Earth's natural places and creatures. The festival will be held at Ventura's Poinsettia Pavilion over two evenings. Several short films will be screened with a different program each night. venturahillsides.org/events.shtml (805) 643-8044

From Shore to Sea Lecture Series
The From Shore to Sea lecture series in sponsored by Channel Islands National Park. The purpose of the series is to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding waters. 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura Harbor. nps.gov/chis

Ventura Flea Market & Swap Meet
March 31/May 5, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Ventura flea market is held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds near the ocean in Ventura and is a great place to shop. The event features antiques, used and new merchandise sold by hundreds of vendors with more than 6,000 buyers visiting each time the market is held. $5 admission. rgcshows.com (805) 648-3376

Paint Ventura

Paint Ventura April 27 - 28, 2013
A plein-air event, Paint Ventura incorporates a wide variety of art mediums and venues. Each day is free to the public and open to all ages. Paint Ventura invites the artistically curious to visually explore and interpret historic Downtown Ventura's art scene. On Saturday, April 27, the 300 block of Main St will be closed and the festival will be both in the street and as a part of the Downtown Artwalk. Entertainment by l local musicians and a wide variety of street performers will add to the ambiance. Plein Air painters will be participating in a Paint Out in the mini park in downtown, working to create paintings from scratch giving the public the opportunity to see who an artist beings a piece of work. Sunday's Unique Painting Party with allow the public to uncork their creative spirits as they try their own hand at painting. Free kids chalk drawing, painting, face painting and other activities all day.
paintventura.com or call (805) 643-6400

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY EXHIBITS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23

The Museum of Ventura County begins a year-long observance of its 100-year anniversary on Saturday, March 23 with the opening of two new exhibits, Prized Possessions: A Century of Collecting and Birthday Party! The festivities begin at 7 PM at the Museum's Ventura location at 100 E. Main Street. Community members are invited to celebrate the opening with an exclusive preview of the new exhibits, hor d'oeuvres, music and the unveiling of the new Museum cookbook. From 9 to midnight guests can enjoy dancing on the Plaza, adult crafts, signature cocktails, a nacho bar and birthday cake! Admission to the event is $50 per person for the entire evening's festivities or $20 per person from 9:00 - midnight. These events mark 100 years since the Museum first opened in 1913 in the newly built Ventura County Courthouse, now Ventura City Hall. Known then as the Pioneer Museum, its collection of artifacts and curios were the legacy of Dr. Cephas Bard, a Pennsylvania doctor who came to Ventura after the Civil War. A compassionate man with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Bard often accepted historical objects in lieu of cash payment for his services including priceless Chumash, Spanish and Mexican-American objects. Dr. Bard's collection formed the nucleus of the Museum's current collection. In 1977, the Museum moved to its present location on Ventura's Main Street, near historic Mission San Buenaventura. I The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more museum information go to venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Ventura is one of the Top Ten Happiest Cities in America. For information on Ventura accommodations and attractions, visit ventura-usa.com or phone 800-483-6215. A non-profit organization, the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau enhances tourism and the economy by positioning the City of Ventura as a visitor and conference destination. The Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.