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Final installment of beloved 25-year classic car series comes to a close on Historic Main Street
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Santa Paula, invites the community to celebrate the season finale of Cruise Night 2026 on Friday, October 2, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM on East Main Street in historic downtown Santa Paula. The fifth and final event of the 2026 season brings the curtain down on what has been an extraordinary year for one of Ventura County’s most beloved community traditions — and promises to send it off in style.
The 2026 season launched on May 1 with opening-night favorite band, Johnny and the Love Handles, gained momentum with a record-setting June 5 edition that drew more than 3,000 attendees to Main Street, and continued through August 7 and September 4.
Across five events, Cruise Night 2026 drew tens of thousands of visitors from Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties, energizing downtown businesses and reinforcing the event’s well-earned reputation as the Best Community Event, as recognized two years in a row by the Best of Heritage Valley Awards.
Season Finale Entertainment
This month’s featured live performance is by Beachnotes, taking the stage on Main Street below the iconic clock tower from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. As always, East Main Street will be transformed into a dazzling showcase of pre-1981 classic cars featuring hot rods, muscle cars, low-riders, customs, air-cooled VWs, and Rolls Royces…all free to view and on display. Hundreds of vehicles are expected as car enthusiasts, families and visitors arrive from across the region for the season send-off.
Community Booths
October’s Cruise Night features the following community information booths:
• Santa Paula Unified School District
• Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley
• Santa Paula Aviation Museum
• Ventura College East Campus
• City of Santa Paula — Water Division and Police Department
• Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, selling official Cruise Night T-Shirts and Stickers with special last Cruise Night 2026 discounts!
October 2 falls during Santa Paula Restaurant Week (September 25 – October 4), making it a perfect opportunity to dine at downtown Santa Paula’s favorite restaurants at special prices before or after enjoying the classic car showcase. Downtown shops and restaurants will stay open late for the Cruise Night crowd.
Deirdre Weaver, Interim Executive Director, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, offers, “What a season it has been. From our opening night on May 1 to this final celebration on October 2, Cruise Night 2026 has reminded us again and again why this 25-year tradition is so special to Santa Paula and to everyone who calls the Gold Coast home. We can’t wait to see you on October 2 for one final, unforgettable evening.”
25 Years in the Making
Founded more than 25 years ago by retired Santa Paula Police officers Dave Anderson and Henry Aguilar, Cruise Night has grown from a grassroots gathering into the most recognized automotive community event in Ventura County, drawing thousands of visitors each month from across Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Cruise Night is presented by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Santa Paula, with the generous support of community and local-business sponsors who help keep this long-standing tradition free and accessible for all.
About the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce:
The Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce has served as the voice of business in Santa Paula for over 100 years, supporting local economic development, advocating for the business community, and fostering connections that help businesses and the community thrive.
For more information on Cruise Night 2026 or to schedule an interview, contact Fiona Cherbak atfiona@themeparkstudios.com. For complete event details, visit santapaulachamber.com or follow the City of Santa Paula at spcity.org
