Courtesy photos.
LOMPOC — A new year brings new opportunities. And in Lompoc, there’s always something exciting, engaging, and new to discover and experience.
From heavenly cuisine to cursed pirates. From colorful days in flower fields to electric nights in downtown Lompoc. From winemakers to trendsetters. From now through December 31, 2023, you’ll find all of this and more right here in the Lompoc Valley. All year long.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the top Lompoc events of 2023…
Boscutti Ballet Theatre Presents “Pirates! The Curse of the Shadow Stones”
Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
The stage: Lompoc Civic Auditorium in downtown Lompoc. The players: Boscutti Ballet Theatre’s ensemble cast. The show: The 21st Anniversary Production of “Pirates! The Curse of the Shadow Stones”. The date and time: Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. The fare: $20 a head. Arrrrr! Do ye want to learn…more?!
Lompoc Valley Restaurant Week 2023
Monday, Feb. 20–Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023
How about a whole week of fantastic food and wine adventures to really kick the new year off right? The 8th annual Lompoc Valley Restaurant Week offers foodies of all ages a seven-day celebration of libation and culinary creativity—all presented by Lompoc Valley restaurant owners.
Attendees can enjoy a prix-fixe meal, a two-for-one dining option, and a special event or wine/beer flight with food pairings at participating restaurants and tasting rooms. All for just $20.23 (plus tax and tip). It’s your best chance to try new restaurants throughout the Lompoc Valley!
Lompoc Valley Flower Festival
Thursday, June 22–Sunday, June 25
Spend an extended and magical late-spring weekend exploring the flower fields of Lompoc and enjoying the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival. Lompoc’s hometown tradition celebrates the valley’s agricultural heritage with 3 days of fun that include a carnival, live music, food and vendor booths, a parade and more!
Old Town Market
Friday Evenings, from July 7–Aug. 11
Every Friday evening from July 9 through August 11, 2023, the 100 block of South H Street will come to vibrant life from 5 to 8 p.m., thanks to the Old Town Market. Each of the six evenings will feature its own unique theme and include food booths, regional vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and of course, a farmers market.
Sta. Rita Wine and Fire Weekend
August, Dates TBA
Hosted by the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance, the Sta. Rita Wine and Fire Weekend offers wine lovers a bounty of intoxicating activities and experiences. This four-day celebration features an open-door, open-pour policy at participating wineries and tasting rooms—and will include a celebration of the 2023 Vintner of the Year. Tickets to this popular and exclusive event are limited.
La Purisma Mission Historic Park 2023 Events:
Founded in 1787, La Purísima Mission has served as a proud home to both the Chumash people and Spanish settlers during its fascinating history. Nestled between the Santa Maria River and the Gaviota coastline, the mission and its people were renowned for their production of hearty hides and blankets.
The mission’s population peaked at 2,000 people and 24,000 cattle and sheep. Today, La Purísima Mission State Historic Park welcomes more than 200,000 visitors every year. The park often provides immersive, fascinating recreations of mission life during the 1820s—complete with blacksmithing, pottery and candle making, leatherwork, and more. Here’s a closer look at some of their activities planned for 2023…
American Mountain Men at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
Friday, March 17–Saturday, March 18, 2023
Step back in history to a time when manly mountain men wore buckskin clothes—and hear them tell tall tales and share stories of superior skills over a crackling campfire. This unique and intriguing weekend event at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park features everything but the cabin sink—including hide preparation and tanning, leather working, blacksmithing and more. Be sure to bring your man card and a healthy, hearty appetite.
Founding Day at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
Friday, Dec. 8, 2023
Every year, rain or shine, people gather to celebrate the founding of La Purísima Mission, which was christened on Dec. 8, 1787. A noon mass in the beautiful main church will be followed by a 7 p.m. candle-lit concert in the historic venue. After the musical performance, guests are invited to enjoy connection and refreshments at nearby La Sala. Seating is limited.
ABOUT LOMPOC
Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting,
surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and explore what’s around the bend.
Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding, and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach. It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored
and furnished of the 21 California missions, and adjacent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by such entities as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, to name a
few.
Lompoc has 12 hotels to welcome visitors. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and other things to see and do, visit: www.explorelompoc.com.