September 19, 2026

 

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Preshow Fun: 6:30 PM
Movie Begins: After sunset, approx. 7:15 PM
Location: Ventura Harbor Village Main Lawn
Admission: No Tickets Required | Costumes Encouraged

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Shrek with a free outdoor screening at Ventura Harbor Village. Bring a blanket or low-back chair, grab dinner by the water and settle in on the Main Lawn for this larger-than-life favorite on the big screen.

Preshow Fun Starts at 6:30 PM

Head to the Main Lawn early for music, giveaways and Far Far Away fun before the movie. Rico from KBBY 95.1 will be onsite hosting the festivities and playing preshow tunes as everyone settles in.

Come early — and come dressed up!

– Preshow fun starts at 6:30 PM
– Music and annoucements from Rico from KBBY 95.1
– Trivia, giveaways, and more at the Village Visitor Booth
– Custom watercolor portraits with Lulu & Co.
– Facepainting by Happy Rainbow Facepainting
– Fun STEM crafts by STEMsGrow
– Fresh kettle corn & aguas frescas from King of Kettle Corn
– Coffee, tea, and more from Kate & Joe’s Coffee Co.

Come Dressed for Far Far Away

Costumes are highly encouraged — the more creative, the better!

Come as your favorite Shrek character, channel any fairy-tale or fantasy character you love, or dust off that Renaissance Faire outfit sitting in your closet. Ogres, princesses, knights, fairies, dragons and storybook creatures of all kinds are welcome.

And yes, we absolutely want to see mini Lord Farquaads running around the lawn.

Have fun with it! Shrek himself may even make an appearance, so you’ll be in good company.

Play Trivia + Enter to Win

Think you know your ogres, donkeys and fairy-tale creatures? Visit the blue Ventura Harbor Village Visitor Booth, scan the QR code and answer our Shrek trivia questions for a chance to win a Shrek Movie Night Prize Pack.

Submit your digital entry, then listen for Rico to call the lucky winner before the movie begins!

Grab a Green Finger Light

Let’s turn the Main Lawn into a glowing sea of green before Shrek begins!

Stop by the Ventura Harbor Village Visitor Booth and show us that you’ve signed up for the Ventura Harbor Village newsletter (subscribe) or follow @venturaharbor on social media (Instagram and/or Facebook) to collect a free green light-up finger, while supplies last.

Then, just before the movie starts, switch yours on and help us light the lawn green for Shrek!

Come Hungry

Make dinner by the water part of movie night.

Dine at one of Ventura Harbor Village’s waterfront restaurants before the show, or grab your favorites to-go and create a movie-night picnic on the lawn.

From seafood and fish & chips to tacos, burgers, pizza, pastries, boba, ice cream and more, there’s plenty to choose from just steps away.

EXPLORE HARBOR RESTAURANTS + PLAN DINNER ›

Popcorn, Drinks + Treats

Save room for the movie-night classics. Fresh-popped popcorn, refreshing drinks, coffee and hot cocoa will be available for purchase near the Main Lawn, with even more sweets and treats throughout the Village.

Make a Day of It

Why wait until movie time? September 19 is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and there’s more adventure happening around Ventura Harbor Village before your trip to Far Far Away.

Talk Like a Pirate, Swim with a Mermaid

Start the day with a little underwater magic at Ventura Dive & Sport! Young adventurers can swim with a real mermaid during special pool sessions at 12 PM and 2 PM. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

GET SWIM WITH A MERMAID DETAILS ›

Then spend the afternoon exploring the Village, grab dinner by the water, get those costumes ready and make your way to the Main Lawn for preshow fun beginning at 6:30 PM.

EXPLORE MORE THINGS TO DO AT VENTURA HARBOR VILLAGE ›

What to Bring

Blanket or low-back chair: Lawn seating is first come, first served. Arrive early to find your spot.

A warm layer: Harbor evenings can cool down after sunset, so a sweatshirt, jacket or extra blanket is a good idea.

Your movie-night appetite: Dine before the show or bring takeout to enjoy picnic-style on the lawn.

A costume: Go full Far Far Away, fantasy-inspired or Renaissance Faire-ready. Costumes aren’t required, but they’re definitely encouraged.

Community Contributors

Cumulus Media, Sunbelt Rentals, and The Vision Experience.