Throughout September 2026, Ventura Harbor Village is hosting free concerts, a chalk art festival, pirate and mermaid activities, a coastal cleanup and an outdoor showing of Shrek. Most of the events are free, which makes Ventura a great weekend getaway option.
Highlights:
- Seaside swashbuckling and parrot encounters: Trade everyday life for the waterfront as real talking parrots land right on your arm and pirates roam the promenade during September’s free harbor events.
- A full day of coastal adventure: Turn a single trip into an all-day getaway—start with a beach cleanup, splash into a mermaid swim and cap off the night with an outdoor showing of Shrek on the lawn.
- The ultimate summer extension: Beat the crowds with breezy yacht rock concerts, vibrant chalk art and live salsa music all month long while enjoying Ventura Harbor’s cool coastal evenings.
September is one of those months when I’m not quite ready to give up summer, but I’m also very ready for fewer crowds, cooler evenings and an excuse for a California weekend away.
Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire your next family vacation!
Dance to Yacht Rock on the Waterfront, September
Every Thursday in September, Ventura Harbor Village is hosting a free Yacht Rock Concert from 4 to 7 p.m. The idea is exactly what it sounds like: waterfront views, live music and an excellent excuse to put on something nautical. There’s even a best-dressed yacht-style contest.
The 2026 concert schedule:
- September 3: Nautical Thrust
- September 10: Do No Harm Band
- September 17: Hot Yacht
- September 24: Nautical Thrust
- Time: 4–7 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free weekday parking
Ventura Art & Chalk Festival, Sept 12 & 13
Artists create large-scale chalk works right along the promenade, while local and regional artists display and sell their work nearby. There are also craft vendors, hands-on art activities, family entertainment and live music throughout the day.
Festival highlights include:
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Live chalk-art demonstrations
- Fine-art exhibits
- Local makers and craft vendors
- Interactive art activities
- Family entertainment
- Live music from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
California Coastal Cleanup, September 19
If you like working a little purpose into your travels, California Coastal Cleanup Day is September 19.
Volunteers will be cleaning Harbor Cove Beach and Surfers Knoll Beach from 9 a.m. to noon. Individuals, families and groups can participate, and advance registration isn’t required. Volunteers do need to sign a waiver, and anyone younger than 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian.
Pirates, Parrots and a Mermaid, September 19
From 1 to 4 p.m., costumed pirates will be roaming the promenade for meet-and-greets and photos. The Bird’s Nest will bring along real talking parrots, and Unkle Monkey will perform live music on the Promenade Stage. Pirate costumes are encouraged.
But here’s the part kids will love: It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day, and they can also Swim with a Mermaid.
Ventura Dive & Sport is hosting pirate story time, mermaid swims and photos in its heated pool at noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are required, and families need to contact Ventura Dive & Sport directly for pricing and age requirements.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If the mermaid swim is the reason your child wants to go, reserve that first. The rest of the pirate festivities are much easier to build around it.
Shrek Under the Stars, September 19
Ventura Harbor Village is showing Shrek outside on the Village Main Lawn that night in honor of the movie’s 25th anniversary.
Pre-show activities begin at 6:30 p.m., with the movie expected to start around 7:15 p.m. after sunset. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and pick up dinner before claiming your spot on the lawn.
Costumes are encouraged here, too — this time Shrek, fantasy or Renaissance-themed.
There will also be trivia, music, giveaways and a chance to win a Shrek Movie Night prize pack before the film.
This could easily become an all-day family outing:
- Morning coastal cleanup
- Lunch at the harbor
- Pirates and parrots in the afternoon
- Mermaid swim if you reserve ahead
- Dinner
- Shrek on the lawn
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, September 26
September’s events wrap up on September 26 with a Hispanic Heritage Month performance by Caliente Band 805.
The local band will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Channel Islands Courtyard, with a mix of oldies, funk, cumbias and salsa.
FAQs
Many are. The Yacht Rock concerts, Ventura Art & Chalk Festival, pirate activities, outdoor Shrek screening and Hispanic Heritage Month concert are advertised as free events. Some individual activities, including the mermaid swim, may charge a fee.
The festival runs Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The celebration is Saturday, September 19, 2026. Pirate meet-and-greets, parrots and live music are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.
Yes. The outdoor screening is scheduled for September 19 on the Village Main Lawn, with pre-show activities at 6:30 p.m. and the movie beginning after sunset at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Bring a blanket or low-back chair. You can also pick up dinner at Ventura Harbor Village before settling onto the lawn for the movie.
Read More on SheBuysTravel:
- Hidden Gems in Southern California – A Local’s Guide
- Best Beaches in California for Families: Fun in the Sand, Surf and Sun
- 10 Festive Things to Do Near Los Angeles
- Summer Vacation Ideas in SoCal by Age for 2026
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