Get ready, Ventura County families — one of the most beloved local traditions is back, and we're making it even sweeter! The 40th Annual California Strawberry Festival returns to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on May 16 and 17, 2026, and Macaroni KID is partnering with the festival to give one lucky family a 4-pack of tickets!
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🍓 Why Your Family Will Love It
Whether your kids are tiny strawberry fans or full-blown foodies in training, this festival delivers big on fun and flavor. We're talking chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry funnel cakes, strawberry pizza, strawberry tacos, deep-fried strawberries, and even strawberry nachos. Yes, strawberry nachos are a thing — and yes, they're as amazing as they sound.
One of the most popular stops is Mama Carol's Kitchen, a festival staple for over 25 years. Carol Maldonado and her family serve up strawberry beignets (the top seller last year!), sweet strawberry tamales, and strawberry-topped treats that keep families coming back year after year. "It's always been a family event," Carol says. "We love to see so many happy people."
Don't miss the Kabob Shack, where strawberry, banana, and brownie kabobs are drizzled with milk and white chocolate — the team goes through over 100 pounds of chocolate each weekend. And be sure to stop at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple booth, where volunteers hand-dip around 20,000 giant chocolate-covered strawberries over the two days. They sell out fast, so go early!
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📅 Festival Details
- Dates: Saturday & Sunday, May 16–17, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. both days
- Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
Tickets:
- Adults: $15
- Active military (with ID) & seniors 62+: $10
- Youth ages 5–12: $8
- Children 4 & under: FREE
Tickets are available in advance at www.CAStrawberryFestival.org or at the gate.
Getting There: Parking on-site is $30 per vehicle, but free shuttles run every 15 minutes from nearby locations in Oxnard and Ventura. You can also hop on Metrolink or Amtrak's Surfliner — the train station is just steps from the fairgrounds, and discounted fares are available during festival weekend!
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🎉 Win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets!
We're so excited to partner with the California Strawberry Festival to give one Macaroni KID family 4 free tickets to enjoy a day of strawberry-filled fun! That's a savings of up to $60 — perfect for a spontaneous spring family day out.
Enter the giveaway here by May 10th:
Good luck, and we'll see you at the festival! 🍓
For more information about the California Strawberry Festival, visit www.CAStrawberryFestival.org or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
