Ventura Defense Industry Forum: Strategic Alliance

About: On April 7 – 8, 2026, the Ventura Defense Industry Forum will host its annual Strategic Alliance at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, convening senior defense leaders, operators, industry executives, innovators, and regional partners for two focused days centered on one critical question:

Are we prepared to field, sustain, and adapt capability at the speed the future fight will demand?

VDIF 2026 Agenda: Winning the Future Fight is not a traditional conference built around marketing presentations or theoretical panels. It is designed around alignment, realism, and execution. At this event, attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate directly with government leaders from Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, and Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare, as well as acquisition professionals, while also connecting with industry partners across the defense ecosystem.

Date: Tuesday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Place: Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC)
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030
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Explore all the best places to go, and things to do while on your visit to Ventura County Coast.

Eat & Drink

Oxnard Performing Arts Center is located near a wide variety of dining options just a few minutes away. Whether you’re looking for authentic regional cuisine, familiar favorites, or fine dining options, our food and drink guide will show you the best places to try during your visit.

Nearby Dining Hotspots

Historic Downtown Oxnard: 5 Minute Drive
Features a wide variety of regional taquerias, cantinas, cafes, full service restaurants and fast casual dining. Learn More

Heritage Square: 5 Minute Drive
Heritage square offers is set in a Victorian era setting featuring a fine dining restaurant, coffee shop, and outdoor venue options to plan your next meeting or gathering. Learn More

The Collection Riverpark: 10 minute drive
A central hub for familiar favorites, fine dining, and evening entertainment. Learn More

Regional Hotspots

Downtown Ventura: 20 minute drive
Great selection of breweries, restaurants, bars, lounges, and meetings spaces in a historic district. Learn More

Ventura Harbor: 20 minute drive
A scenic harbor with waterfront dining options ranging from fresh seafood, international fare, bars, and activities with wildlife tours, and fishing charters. Learn More

Old Town Camarillo: 25 minute drive
A historic downtown area with an assorted collection of full service restaurants, fast casual options, breweries, and pubs. Learn More

Eat & Drink

Activities & Attractions

Whether you’re into leisurely activities, outdoor adventure, family fun, or coastal vibes, we have fun experiences for all ages. Read on to start planning your California adventure in Ventura County Coast.

Things to Do

Upcoming Events

July 29 – August 18, 2026

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp is back for the summer. Get ready for some football!

August 15, 2026

2026 ichigoCon

Experience the ultimate celebration of Anime, Cosplay, and Gaming at ichigoCon! Join us for Oxnard’s third annual anime convention, featuring a thrilling lineup of events, special guests, and immersive experiences that will leave fans of all ages and interests in awe.

August 15, 2026

Cool Breeze Century Ride

COOL ROUTES, COOL RIDERS AND A COOL BREEZE! All routes start and end at Mission Park, Downtown Ventura. Registration Check-in is at the Museum of Ventura County Pavilion, which is adjacent to the Mission Park.

August 15 – 16, 2026

Wings Over Camarillo

Watch spectacular aviation performances and more! Wings Over Camarillo Air Show returns to Camarillo Airport with more G’s than ever before.

August 20, 2026

TBT Food Truck Festival at the Camarillo Ranch

Official Event Information For more event information, please visit the official event website by clicking the button below. About Camarillo An hour north of Los Angeles, Camarillo is nestled at the base of the Conejo foothills surrounded by verdant green fields and cool ocean breezes. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, enjoy…

August 16, 2026

Walk to End Lupus Now

Unite with family, friends, and co-workers at the Walk to End Lupus Now event in Oxnard California.

August 22, 2026

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival returns in 2026 with compelling films, with amazing food and drink.

August 22, 2026

Seaside Movie Nights at Ventura Harbor: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Join us for an evening of kettle corn, giveaways, and cinema by the sea as we celebrate Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Ventura Harbor Village.

August 20, 2026

Totally Local VC’s Farm to Fork Dinner Series

Experience Agritourism at its finest with an elevated dining experience at Camarillo’s historic McCormick Ranch.

August 24 – 29, 2026

International PAL Boxing Tournament

Oxnard’s Police Activities League is proud to host the 2024 International PAL Boxing Tournament.

August 29 – 30, 2026

Dirt Expo Ventura

Arizona’s #1 OHV show is debuting at Ventura County Fairgrounds with an exciting weekend of off-road innovations, giveaways, and industry innovations.

August 21 – 23, 2026

The Throw Down Cornhole Festival

Join us for seaside fun and the chance to win huge cash prizes at the 2026 Throw Down Cornhole Festival in Ventura California.

September 5 – 6, 2026

C Street Classic Surf Contest

Bring your camera and witness some of the best surfers on the coast show off their amazing skills.

September 5 – 6, 2026

Aloha Beach Festival

The Aloha Beach Festival hosts a fun aloha-style surfing event, paddle-board race, outrigger canoes, along with local Hawaiian dancers, local surf, reggae, and really cool vibes.

September 12 – 13, 2026

Ventura Art & Chalk Festival

Celebrate street art, crafts, and live music at Ventura Harbor Village.

September 11 – 13, 2026

Ventura Harvest Festival

Spend the day, seaside for original art, crafts, live entertainment, and a special appearance with Lilo and Stitch.

September 19, 2026

Chowderfest

Sip, savor, and celebrate artisan chowders from the region’s top eateries while sipping craft brews and wines.

September 19, 2026

Seaside Movie Nights: Shrek

More Information For more event information, please visit the official event website by clicking the button below. About Ventura A place that embodies a casual soul and unexpected allure, Ventura is a vibrant town that checks stress and pretense at the door. Its artistic culture, enduring history and privileged locale is inviting, very much alive,…

September 20, 2026

Boots & Brews Country Music Festival 2026

2026 Boots and Brews Country Music Festival is back in Ventura with Bailey Zimmerman and Rodney Atkins.

September 26, 2026

Banana Festival

Go Bananas at the Port with tasty banana treats, local bands, and the cool ocean breezes!

September 26 – 27, 2026

ArtWalk Ventura

Celebrate the region’s visual and performing arts at ArtWalk Ventura with live music, popup art displays, dance, and theater.

September 26 – October 31, 2026

28th Annual Fall Harvest Festival

Official Event Information For more event information, please visit the official event website by clicking the button below.

September 27, 2026

Adolfo Camarillo Birthday Celebration

Celebrate history and culture at Camarillo Ranch with festive performances, birthday cake, and fun for all ages.

October 2 – 4, 2026

Oktoberfest at Ventura County Fairgrounds

Experience a weekend of craft brews, Bevarian fare, and live entertainment at Ventura County Fairground’s first Oktoberfest!

October 3, 2026

29th Annual Multicultural Festival

Join us in Downtown Oxnard to celebrate the city’s diverse culture and heritage.

October 10 – 11, 2026

Seaside Highland Games Scottish Festival

Celebrate Scottish heritage with festivities, folk dance, bag pipes, and highland games.

October 15 – 18, 2026

Ventura Music Festival

The mission of the Ventura Music Festival is to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse offerings for all ages.

October 17, 2026

El Panteón – Celebrating Dia de los Muertos

Journey through Mexican culture, community, and family ties with festivities, performing arts, and colorful displays!

October 24, 2026

Bloodsuckers Ball at The Majestic Ventura Theater

Enjoy an evening of “bloodlust and gothic elegance” with a bloodthirsty cast of performers, dark displays, cocktails, and photo ops.

October 24, 2026

2026 Parade of Frights

A spooky good event with a Halloween twist to our traditional Parade of Lights events. Bring the kiddos for scavenger hunts and activities!

October 24 – 25, 2026

Brick Convention Ventura: Lego Fan Event

Calling all Lego lovers and collectors far and wide. “The Greatest Lego Event on Earth” is coming to Ventura!

November 27 – 28, 2026

85th Turkey Night Grand Prix

Join us for one of the nation’s longest running Thanksgiving traditions, at the 84th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix.

December 5, 2026

Winter Wine Walk

California’s largest Wine Walk and Street Fair returns! Sip, sing, and shop your way through a Holiday spirit-filled Downtown Ventura! Snowfall transforms Main St. into a Winter Wonderland.

December 11 – 14, 2026

Zoppe, an Italian Family Circus

Get ready for high flying acrobatics, dramatic story telling with a family tradition that spans two centuries and two continents.

December 13, 2026

Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

Get into Christmas Spirit at the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon in Oxnard.

February 21, 2027

2027 Ventura Marathon

Qualify for the Boston Marathon on a fast, mostly downhill course running from the Ojai Valley down to the Ventura Coast.

April 30 – May 1, 2027

JACKALOPE BLOCK PARTY Ventura

Watch world class skaters compete at the JACKALOPE Block Party in Downtown Ventura.

May 2027 (TBA)

California Strawberry Festival

The California Strawberry Festival is back in 2026 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

June 6, 2027

Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food, & Brew Festival

Indulge in flavorful delicacies and sweet treats at Ventura County’s premier Food, Wine, and Brew Festivals located at Cal State University Channel Islands.

Events

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