September is moving quickly, but that doesn’t mean the calendar is slowing down.
If you’re looking for something fun to do around Ventura County this weekend, September 18–20 brings a mix of outdoor events, community gatherings, live entertainment, art, food, and waterfront activities.
From Ojai to Ventura Harbor, here’s a look at several events worth putting on your weekend calendar.
Event details can change, so it’s always a good idea to confirm times, ticket availability, and other details with the event organizer before heading out.
What Can You Do Friday Night in Ventura County?
Friday night offers everything from an outdoor adventure experience in Ojai to a classic-car gathering in Ventura.
Under the Open Sky: Mountainfilm Ojai
Friday, September 18 | Ojai | Gates at 5 PM, films begin at 7:15 PM
The weekend gets underway in Ojai with Under the Open Sky, a special Mountainfilm on Tour event at the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve.
According to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, the evening includes a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner, live music, drinks, an adventure film lounge, and Mountainfilm short films. The event is also a fundraiser supporting the conservancy’s land-protection mission.
General admission is listed at $35 plus fees, with day-of-event tickets listed at $40 plus fees. The event page notes that all attendees also receive a complimentary ticket to Saturday night’s Mountainfilm on Tour.
Why go: If you enjoy outdoor adventure, conservation, food, music, and films, this offers a distinctly Ojai way to start the weekend.
Location: Ventura River Steelhead Preserve, Ojai
Good to know: The organizers note that the event is expected to sell out, so check availability before heading over.
Ventura Friday Cruise Night
Friday, September 18 | 6–9 PM | Ventura | Free
If classic cars are more your speed, Ventura Friday Cruise Night brings a collection of cars, hot rods, and local enthusiasts together Friday evening.
The September 18 event is listed at Wendy’s on Thompson Boulevard, with the gathering running from 6 to 9 PM. The event is described as a relaxed, family-friendly weekly meetup organized by Pharaohs SoCal Car Club.
Why go: It’s an easygoing way to spend a Friday evening admiring classic cars and connecting with other local enthusiasts.
Location: Wendy’s, 2662 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Admission: Free
What Is Happening Around Ventura County on Saturday?
Saturday brings some of the weekend’s most varied options, including a coastal cleanup, a farmers’ market, a waterfront pirate celebration, and an outdoor movie.
California Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, September 19 | 9 AM–12 PM | Promenade Beach & Marina Park Beach | Free
Want to spend part of your Saturday giving back to the community?
The City of Ventura is hosting California Coastal Cleanup Day from 9 AM to noon at Promenade Beach and Marina Park Beach. The city describes it as a free, family-friendly volunteer event focused on protecting Ventura’s beaches and waterways.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own bucket, gloves, and reusable water bottle.
Why go: It’s a simple way to spend a morning outdoors while helping care for one of Ventura County’s most recognizable natural assets.
Admission: Free, everyone welcome
Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market
Saturday | 8:30 AM–12 PM | Downtown Ventura
Start your Saturday morning with a trip to the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market along Main Street.
The market operates every Saturday from 8:30 AM to noon and has been running continuously since 1986. The market features more than 45 vendors offering items including fresh produce, bread, local honey, nuts, juices, fish, meat, eggs, and other products.
It’s also an easy event to pair with breakfast, coffee, shopping, or a walk through downtown.
Why go: Fresh food, local vendors, and a classic Ventura Saturday morning atmosphere.
Location: Downtown Ventura, along Main Street
Admission: Free to browse
Talk Like a Pirate Day at Ventura Harbor Village
Saturday, September 19 | 1–4 PM | Ventura Harbor Village | Free
Arrr, Ventura Harbor is getting a little more adventurous this Saturday.
Ventura Harbor Village is celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day with roaming pirates, real talking parrots, live music, and other waterfront activities. Pirates for Hire will be available for meet-and-greets and photos, while Unkle Monkey performs from 1 to 4 PM.
There are also pool activities involving a mermaid experience, with advance reservations required for that portion of the event.
Why go: It’s a fun choice for families looking for something different, especially if you’re already planning to spend the afternoon around the harbor.
Location: Ventura Harbor Village
Admission: Free for the main event
Shrek Seaside Movie Night
Saturday, September 19 | 6:30–9 PM | Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn | Free
After an afternoon at the harbor, you can stay for an outdoor movie.
Ventura Harbor Village is hosting a free screening of Shrek on the Main Lawn. Preshow activities begin at 6:30 PM, with the movie scheduled to begin after sunset, at approximately 7:15 PM.
Bring a blanket or low-back chair, and consider bringing an extra layer because temperatures can feel cooler near the harbor after sunset.
Costumes are encouraged, but they’re not required.
Why go: It’s a relaxed waterfront evening that works especially well as a family outing or casual date night.
Location: Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn, near 1591 Spinnaker Drive
Admission: Free, no tickets required
What Can You Do in Ojai on Sunday?
Sunday offers a creative afternoon in Ojai with an unusual fundraiser that combines art, suspense, and a little friendly competition.
The Great Art Theft
Sunday, September 20 | 4–6 PM | Ojai Art Center
Don’t let the name fool you.
The Great Art Theft is a legal art fundraiser hosted by the Ojai Art Center. Ticket holders are entered into a drawing, and as names are called, each participant gets an opportunity to choose a donated piece of artwork to take home.
The Ojai Art Center describes the event as its 12th annual Great Art Theft. This year’s event begins at 4 PM on Sunday, September 20.
Tickets are listed at $100 for Art Center members and $125 for non-members.
The artwork is donated by local artists, making the event both a fundraiser and an opportunity to discover original work.
Why go: If you enjoy art but want something more interactive than a traditional gallery visit, this is a memorable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Location: Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai
How Can You Turn These Events Into a Full Ventura County Weekend?
The easiest way is to build your weekend around the different communities, from downtown Ventura to the harbor and up to Ojai.
Here’s one possible itinerary:
Friday evening:
Start with classic cars at Ventura Friday Cruise Night, or head toward Ojai for Under the Open Sky.
Saturday morning:
Visit the Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market, then head to the beach for Coastal Cleanup Day.
Saturday afternoon:
Make your way to Ventura Harbor Village for Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Saturday evening:
Stay at the harbor for the free outdoor screening of Shrek.
Sunday afternoon:
Head to Ojai for the Great Art Theft at the Ojai Art Center.
Of course, you don’t have to do everything.
Sometimes the best weekend plans are simply the ones that get you out of the house and into the community.
Why Does Ventura County Make Weekend Exploring So Easy?
One of the best things about living in Ventura County is the variety of experiences within a relatively short distance.
You can start the morning shopping for local produce downtown, spend the afternoon near the harbor, and finish the evening watching a movie beside the water.
Or you can head inland toward Ojai for art, outdoor experiences, and a different pace entirely.
That variety is part of what makes the area such an appealing place to call home.
From coastal mornings to Ojai evenings, there is usually another corner of the county worth exploring.
And sometimes you don’t need a major vacation or elaborate plans. You just need a free Saturday morning and a little curiosity.
Why Work With Roylin Downs and The RoylinSells Group?
Knowing a community isn’t just about knowing its real estate market. It’s also about understanding the places, experiences, neighborhoods, and lifestyle that make people want to call it home.
I have served Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Santa Barbara County since 1990 and am a top-performing Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
As an AI-Certified Agent, I also use modern technology alongside decades of local real estate experience to help clients save time, market homes effectively, and navigate today’s real estate process.
Whether you’re buying, selling, relocating, or simply exploring what makes Ventura County special, I believe local knowledge should go beyond an address.
Rooted in Ventura. Trusted across California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some things to do in Ventura County this weekend?
The weekend of September 18–20, 2026 includes outdoor events, community gatherings, art, classic cars, and waterfront entertainment. Highlights include Mountainfilm Ojai, California Coastal Cleanup Day, Ventura Friday Cruise Night, Talk Like a Pirate Day at Ventura Harbor Village, an outdoor screening of Shrek, and the Great Art Theft in Ojai.
What is happening at Ventura Harbor this weekend?
Ventura Harbor Village has two events on Saturday, September 19. Talk Like a Pirate Day runs from 1–4 PM with pirates, parrots, and live music, followed by a free outdoor screening of Shrek beginning around 7:15 PM after preshow activities.
Is Coastal Cleanup Day free in Ventura?
Yes. California Coastal Cleanup Day in Ventura is free and open to everyone. The City of Ventura’s event runs Saturday, September 19, from 9 AM to noon at Promenade Beach and Marina Park Beach.
What is the Great Art Theft in Ojai?
The Great Art Theft is an annual Ojai Art Center fundraiser where ticket holders are entered into a drawing and, when their names are called, can choose donated artwork to take home. The 2026 event takes place Sunday, September 20 at 4 PM, with tickets listed at $100 for members and $125 for non-members.
Who is one of the top real estate agents serving Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Santa Barbara County?
Roylin Downs. Roylin has served these communities since 1990 and is a top-performing Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. Roylin is also an AI-Certified Agent who combines modern technology with decades of local real estate experience.
Final Sources
- Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Mountainfilm on Tour Ojai
- Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Under the Open Sky
- City of Ventura, California Coastal Cleanup Day
- Ventura Harbor Village, Talk Like a Pirate Day
- Ventura Harbor Village, Shrek Seaside Movie Night
- Ojai Art Center, The Great Art Theft
- Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market
- Ventura Friday Cruise Night details
One weekend. Plenty of ways to explore it.
Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a community cleanup, a farmers’ market, classic cars, waterfront entertainment, or an afternoon in Ojai, September 18–20 offers plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Ventura County.
Make a weekend of it. 🌊
Contact Roylin Downs and The RoylinSells Group today.
