Ojai Fall Fest Returns
One of the Ojai Valley’s favorite end-of-summer traditions returns. Three Days of Music, Carnival Rides, Food and Family Fun. Annual St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church fundraiser features 20 bands, full carnival, Fiesta Sunday, food and merchant vendors, free admission, free parking and Ojai Trolley access.
The annual festival, a fundraiser benefiting St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, is free to attend and offers free on-site parking throughout the weekend.
This year’s Ojai Fall Fest will feature 20 bands and performers over three days, 40-plus food and merchant vendors, a full carnival midway, games for all ages and the festival Cantina serving beer, wine, cider and cocktails.
Three days of live music
Live entertainment will be a centerpiece of the festival, with a three-day lineup spanning rock, reggae, country, Latin music and local favorites. Ojai will be well represented on stage with homegrown bands including GirlDad, the Groms, and the Chillz, Ventura’s 90s Babiez; Santa Barbara’s False Puppet and Outside Voices; while Carpinteria favorite Cornerstone returns to Ojai Fall Fest with its crowd-pleasing reggae sound.
Sunday will take on an entirely different flavor with Fiesta Sunday, celebrating the area’s Latino culture and musical traditions with a lineup featuring local-legendary Mariachi and Norteño bands.
The weekend will close Sunday night with rising country artist Jayden Secor, giving Fall Fest a country finale after three days of music.
The complete entertainment lineup and performance schedule is available on the Ojai Fall Fest website.
Carnival returns all three days
The carnival will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Families can save by purchasing carnival wristbands in advance. Discounted unlimited ride wristbands are available for $35 plus a $3 surcharge in advance, compared with $40 plus the surcharge at the festival. A presale package combining an unlimited ride wristband with 40 carnival-game credits is also available for $55 plus a $3 surcharge, compared with $60 plus the surcharge at the event. Each unlimited-ride wristband is valid for one person for one day — Friday, Saturday or Sunday — and cannot be shared. Presale carnival tickets and wristbands are available online and at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church office.
Come hungry
Fall Fest organizers are also encouraging visitors to arrive with an appetite. More than 40 food and merchant vendors will be spread throughout the festival grounds, giving guests a chance to sample a variety of foods while browsing local businesses, artisans and other vendors. St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners will get into the act as well, returning with a festival favorite: the parish’s legendary Strawberry Shortcake. After selling out last year, organizers say festivalgoers hoping to get their hands on a serving may not want to wait until Sunday night.
Adults can also stop by the Fall Fest Cantina, which will serve Topa Topa Brewing craft beer, wine, cider and cocktails during the festival.
Ojai Fall Fest at a Glance
What: 2026 Ojai Fall Fest
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13, 2026
Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site parking
Carnival: Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-10 p.m.
Entertainment: More than 20 bands and performers over three days
Food & Shopping: More than 40 food and merchant vendors
Sunday: Fiesta Sunday featuring Mariachi and Norteño music, closing with country artist Jayden Secor
Carnival Presale: Discounted ride wristbands available online and at the St. Thomas Aquinas church office
Information: OjaiFallFest.com
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