Mermaid Month 2023
Let’s shell-a-brate! The 8th Annual Mermaid Month is back at Ventura Harbor Village. Although our big special event days have passed, there are still some special activations and mer-mazing fun you can find all month-long.
A Kid’s Free Scavenger Hunt is available throughout March at the Mermaid Gallery, which houses original mermaid art and tons of mermaid merchandise in Ventura Harbor Village. Voyage around the Village to find the items listed on the scavenger sheet and return to the gallery (during business hours) for special prizes. Participants are encouraged to dress in festive mermaid attire! NOTE – MERMAID GALLERY TEMPORARILY CLOSED LATE MARCH DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.
All month long, visitors can also engage in seaside selfie stations, including a large sparkly mermaid shell & coral backdrop (near Coastal Cone and Boatyard Pub) and the 20-foot long sign feature that reads “I ? THE SEA” on Ventura Harbor Village’s Promenade. Don’t forget to share your experience and tag @VenturaHarbor for a chance to be featured!
Bask in the sunshine with the melodic & tropical tunes of steel drums every Saturday in March (March 4, 11, 18th and 25 from noon – 3pm) along the Village’s Seaside Promenade.
In a salute to the sea, Ventura Harbor Village’s bars and restaurants are serving an array of “sea-sonal” cocktails, regional wines from Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, freshly-caught seafood, tasty clam chowders, mouthwatering oysters, savory calamari, appetizing salmon, and flavorful fish tacos. Take some sustainable fresh fish home with a stop at Wild Local Seafood or purchase the weekly catch at Andria’s Seafood Market. To cap off the perfect meal, diners delight in specialty mermaid sweet treats from Top This Chocolate, Sugar Lab Bake Shop, and Coastal Cone Ice Cream.
Revel in a daily Springtime shopping for unique mermaid-themed merchandise: bath and body, fashion, accessories, mermaid socks, ocean-inspired accessories for the beach, hats, coastal decor, artwork, pottery, and jewelry. Also, uncover a treasure trove of mermaid and nautical themed retail merchandise from the popular Mermaid Gallery – for mermaid art, mermaid gifts, toys, and shells. Seek out original mermaid-inspired artwork from pottery to fine paintings.
Get a glimpse of fantastic wildlife by booking an Island Packers Whale Watching trip to view these magnificent animals. For tickets and dates, visit islandpackers.com. A Must-SEA is the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center (free admission) to visit the tide pool, exhibits, viewing tower, gift/book store and the theater that is open daily. Parking is available at the end of Spinnaker Dr. or visitors can opt to take a 8-10 minute leisurely walk from Ventura Harbor Village.
Those sea goers who wish to “make waves” by gliding over the water with ease in search of fins and flippers can rent a kayak, SUP paddle board, electric boat or a one of the new colorful pink flamingo or dragon pedal boats along with other swan and duck character boasts offered by Ventura Boat Rentals. During a visit, water enthusiasts can catch a mermaids favorite meal, fresh fish, by jumping aboard a vessel from Ventura Sportfishing or get a possible glimpse of the illusive mermaid swimming with the whales.
A crowd favorite is always the mermaid meet and greets & this year they are scheduled for both Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19 from noon to 3pm. Bring your own camera to snap a picture with these magical mermaids on the Seaside Promenade Stage in Ventura Harbor Village.
DJ Darla Bea will put her own spin on Mermaid Month with a lively dance party in Channel Islands Courtyard (near Hats Unlimited) on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19. Get dressed up in sea-inspired attire for a family-fun dance party. Show off fin-tastic moves for a chance to win bubble wands and more! A walking mermaid will lead kids in fun activities from noon- 3pm.
Kids have the opportunity to get creative with a free mermaid craft station on both on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19 from noon to 3pm, presented by Las Posas Children’s Center (LPCC) Inc. LPCC operates school aged childcare centers on six campuses in Ventura Unified School District, creating a joyous atmosphere for children.
Members of Surfrider Foundation Ventura Chapter will be present at an interactive booth on both Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19 from noon to 3pm to share tips and information about keeping the oceans clean.
Vendors will showcase their skills for visitors and make memorable mermaid experiences with face painting and tropical bird photo ops on March 4 and March 19, and a new mermaid slime vendor, RoknSlime on March 19 only.
Sway to the live tropical tunes of Anacapa Ukulele, local ukulele musicians who will perform in front of Anja’s Boutique near Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room on both Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19 from noon to 3pm.
Kids can go in search of sirens (aka mermaids) in the sea! Climb aboard the pirate ship to look for mermaids below and then slide down to climb up again! Free kid’s activity on the Village Main Lawn on Saturday, March 4 from noon – 3 pm, next to Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room. And again, on Sunday, March 19 from noon to 3pm (weather pending).
Visitors can view the wonderful artistry of Lysa Ashley as she creates mesmerizing mermaid art on Sunday, March 19 only.
Participating Village creatives will display handmade mermaid items and ocean-themed MERchandise outdoors from noon to 3pm on Sunday, March 19th! Stop by their booths along the promenade and meet the local makers. Mermaid bath bombs, soaps, sea glass jewelry, key chains, whimsical pottery, and more on display. Support small harbor business owners and pick out a treasure to take home!
Come see Ventura Pottery Gallery artist, Roe Estep, create ocean inspired ceramics at the Gallery! Clay demonstration will be right outside their shop. Visitors will also have a change to win a beautiful ocean mug donated by gallery artist, Ellen Wohlstadter. No purchase necessary. Click here for info >
