CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Category: Cultural
Oct. 26 — Día de los Muertos Festival at Strathearn Park, Simi Valley
The Simi Valley Historical Society invites you to their 11th Annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival at Strathearn Historical Park & Museum.
Event to include music, entertainment, craft vendors, crafts for kids, face painting, food and more. Costumes encouraged. New in 2025: Chips & Salsa Competition!
Oct. 30 — Oxnard College will present its ‘Día De Los Muertos’ celebration
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present its ‘Día De Los Muertos’ celebration from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in front of the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
This is a vibrant community and campus celebration honoring the cultural tradition of creating colorful altars for loved ones who have passed.
The event brings together local schools, non-profits, the OC Foundation, and the Port of Hueneme in a meaningful collaboration featuring Latino culture, music, and family-friendly activities.
Oct. 30 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the 30th anniversary of Itzhak Perlman In the Fiddler’s House at The Granada Theatre
Nov. 1 — The Latino Outreach Council will present a ‘Día de los Muertos 2025’ celebration at Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo
SANTA LUIS OBISPO — The Latino Outreach Council will present a ‘Día de los Muertos 2025’ celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Mission Plaza, downtown San Luis Obispo.
Dancers, mariachis, costume contest, face-painting, Latin dance, food, vendors and more!
Nov. 1 — The Festival de los Muertos will be held in Newbury Park
Join us for an unforgettable celebration at our Festival de los Muertos event- a first of its kind for CRPD! This vibrant and free event is perfect for the whole family. Enjoy engaging crafts, live music, a variety of vendors to explore, and mouthwatering food to savor. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 1, from 4:00-9:00pm and immerse yourself in this joyous cultural experience. Don’t miss out on the festivities!
Nov. 1 — Día de los Muertos in Downtown Ventura
VENTURA — The Día De Los Muertos Downtown Ventura street festival is a lively, engaging events that offers a rich blend of the cultural practices, artistic expressions and community spirit. Attendees can immerse themselves in the traditions, various activities and honor the memory of those who have passed away.
Join us for another year of community, culture and celebration! This year means more than ever for the Downtown Ventura community and businesses.
Nov. 1 — Ventura Day of The Dead Bar Crawl – Día De Muertos
Celebrate Día de Muertos with an extraordinary Day of the Dead Bar Crawl on Saturday, November 1, 2025! This iconic event blends the vibrant traditions of Día de Muertos with the electric energy of the cities nightlife, creating an unforgettable cultural experience.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of this cherished Mexican tradition, honoring loved ones and celebrating life with colorful decor, lively music, and festive camaraderie. Wear your most creative Day of the Dead attire—think bold face paint, intricate skull designs, and dazzling costumes—and let the festivities begin!
Bilingual report — Through Nov. 2 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Free Family Days ‘Día de los Muertos’
For the 36th year, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a display of altars created by students in the Museum’s school and outreach programs and local community groups. Día de los Muertos inspired art activities for all ages will be offered in the Art Learning Lab.
Nov. 3 — Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation to present ‘Día de los Muertos Craft Day’
What to Expect:
– Free arts & crafts and family-friendly activities in the Presidio Orchard (12–4 PM)
– 70+ local vendors through Mujeres Makers Market (10 AM–4 PM)
– Face painting, workshops, and dance performances
– DJ, Lotería, photo booth, and a Catrina Contest
– A community ofrenda (altar) to honor loved ones—bring a photo or memento to contribute
Through Nov. 3 — The Camarillo Public Library will present a Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration to remember family and friends who have passed away. Join us in creating a community ofrenda, which is an offering place to remember past loved ones. Bring in copies of pictures to the 2nd Floor Reference Desk between October 13 and November 1.
Nov. 3 — Oxnard Film Society to present AN OFFICER AND A SPY (J’ACCUSE)
Nov. 5 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the West Coast Premiere of Ballet Preljocaj, Gravity at The Granada Theatre
Bilingual report — Nov. 7, 8, 9 — Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara presents Gaby Moreno
SANTA BARBARA — Join ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) for four free community performances by Gaby Moreno.
Armed with a warm, soulful sound, the Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated artist Gaby Moreno creates music that offers an intoxicating invitation into her musical world for English and Spanish speakers alike.
Nov. 7 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents ‘An Evening with David Sedaris’ at the Arlington Theatre
Nov. 8, 9 — Ventura County Potters’ Guild presents 4th annual Ventura Pottery Market & Bowl of Thanks at Ventura Harbor Village
Nov. 8 — Social Justice Fund for Ventura County to present ‘Justice in Motion – Celebrating Our Fellows’
Nov. 9 — Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo announces Concerts in the Gallery
Nov. 19 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents bestselling author Colm Tóibín in Conversation with Pico Iyer at UCSB Campbell Hall
Through Nov. 24 — Santa Barbara’s Sullivan Goss Gallery to present fourth solo exhibition for Nathan Huff
Nov. 25 — Community Interfaith Thanksgiving to benefit La Casa de La Raza
Nov. 28 — 75th annual Santa Paula holiday parade celebrates town’s history
Nov. 29 — Museum of Ventura County — You’re Invited to Sip ‘n Shop
Dec. 1 — Oxnard Film Society to present IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
Bilingual report — Dec. 2 — City of Santa Paula Hosts Pavement Management Plan — Cycle II Presentation & Community Workshop
Dec. 3 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents An Evening with Ocean Vuong at UCSB Campbell Hall
Bilingual report — Dec. 3 — Sweet conversations brew at Cocoa with a Cop
VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department invites community members to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or cocoa and casual conversation at Cocoa with a Cop on Wednesday, December 3, from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at Frontside Cafe, located at 1070 East Front Street.
The holiday season is a time for connection, and this event offers a relaxed way for residents to meet the officers who serve Ventura, ask questions, and share ideas about community safety.
Bilingual report — Through Dec. 4 — Allan Hancock College’s Ann Foxworthy Gallery exhibit ‘Dreams and Revelations’
Through Dec. 5 — New Atrium Gallery exhibition: ‘Journey Through the Mind’ by Andrew Rodriguez at Ventura County Government Center
Dec. 6 — 4th Annual Holidays In The Village, A European Marketplace in Thousand Oaks
Dec. 9, more — CLU Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship announces upcoming events
Dec. 13, 14 — Santa Barbara Festival Ballet celebrates the 50th production of The Nutcracker
Dec. 13 — Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara invites you to our Posada Holiday Party, more news
Dec. 15 — Oxnard Film Society to present KOLN 75
Dec. 19, 20, 21 — State Street Ballet’s beloved Nutcracker returns with live orchestra and record-breaking cast
Dec. 21 — First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara invites community to annual recreation of the Holy Night
Bilingual report — Mayor Pedro Chavez and Vice Mayor Carlos Juarez Assume Prominent Roles in Santa Paula City Council
SANTA PAULA — In a ceremonial meeting held on the evening of Dec. 11, 2024, the City of Santa Paula celebrated the appointment of Pedro Chavez as the City’s 123rd Mayor and Carlos Juarez as Vice Mayor. The meeting also marked the swearing-in of newly elected Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas, the election of Councilmember and former Mayor, Leslie Cornejo, and a heartfelt recognition of outgoing Councilmember and former Mayor Andy Sobel for his six years of dedicated service.
Well-known for his service to the city and his ties to the community, Mayor Chavez, who was appointed Vice Mayor in 2023, expressed his gratitude and vision for the future:
“Thank you to the People of Santa Paula for allowing me to serve as a Member of the Santa Paula City Council these past two years and my sincerest gratitude to my Council colleagues for electing me as the 123rd Mayor of this extraordinary City. My leadership, skills, and talents are built upon the foundation of thirty years of experience working in both the public and private sector and my journey as an immigrant in search of the American dream, so I’m deeply honored – as a public servant – to work collectively to revitalize Santa Paula and build its future through shared governance and community engagement.”
Bilingual commentary — The Devastating Costs of Mass Deportations
One of the factors that swept Donald Trump back into power and onto the world stage was his inexhaustible and malicious exaggeration of the “immigrant problem.” Images of immigrants eating pets and walking into kitchens and slitting our throats danced in his supporters’ heads as they marked their ballots last month.
Many of us realize, intuitively, that “mass deportation” of “all the illegals” is hardly possible without great damage to the American economy and to our personal lives.
Not wanting to rely on my “intuition,” I searched online for some hard numbers. The information I uncovered was shocking. A “special report” by the American Immigration Council (AIC) laid out the devastating consequences of such a massive operation.
Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration
Biden makes critical last-minute change to help combat USCIS backlogs. More options available. Immigrant farmworkers make our holiday meals possible
***
President Biden has just over one month left in office. He can still take decisive action to protect people at risk of indiscriminate immigration enforcement.
Among other priorities, the Council encourages the administration to protect DACA recipients; extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status for certain countries; and rescind remaining Trump-era immigration regulations.
Read more: Urgent Last Requests for the Biden Administration
Bilingual report — Kaiser Permanente: Feeling Stressed This Holiday Season? You’re Not Alone
There’s a common perception that the holiday season is a time for joy and happiness. After all, as the saying goes, ‘It’s the best time of the year.’
But for many people, the holidays actually present themselves to be a very stressful time that may cause anxiety and depression for a variety of reasons.
“Feeling lonely and stressed during the holidays is a common experience for many,” said Dr. Neel Doshi, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “The stress is often triggered by factors like the absence of loved ones, social isolation, unmet expectations around the festive season, comparisons to idealized holiday portrayals, and the added pressure of family gatherings and gift-giving.