Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SANTA BARBARA: Join other lads and ladies for the third annual Santa Barbara Renaissance Festival next weekend, Sept. 19-20. Live Oak Camp at Lake Cachuma will be transformed into a 16th century English town, made merry with juggling, dance, music, theater and children’s activities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Live Oak Camp, off California 154. $8, $6 students, seniors and children under 12. Parking $2. (805) 682-0310.

BIG BEAR LAKE: Oktoberfest celebrates its 28th year with German food and music, free polka lessons, sawing contests and carnival booths for six weekends beginning Saturday. Noon-midnight Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Also Friday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.-midnight. Ends Oct. 25. Big Bear Convention Center. $6, $2 children ages 3-12, free for children under 3 on Saturdays. $3, free for children 12 and under on Sundays. (909) 585-3000.

SOLVANG: Say “Velkommen” to the 62nd celebration of Danish Days next weekend, Sept. 18-20, when Solvang will be filled with costumed folk dancers, storytellers performing Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, woodcarving demonstrations and all the traditional Danish fare you can sink your teeth into. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Solvang. Free admission. (800) 468-6765.

JULIAN: At the 28th annual Julian Banjo Fiddle Contest & Bluegrass Festival Sept. 19-20 there will be banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin contests; songwriters’ performances and contests; clogging competitions; guitar workshops and more. Gates open at 9 a.m. daily; entertainment, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Frank Lane Park. Free admission. (760) 765-1857.

VENTURA: At the California Beach Festival next weekend, Sept. 19-20, visitors can dance to the surf sounds of the ‘50s and ‘60s, watch a surfing competition, visit a classic car show and sample seafood and wine. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Beachfront Promenade, U.S. 101 and Harbor Blvd. $6, $4 seniors, free for children 12 and under. (805) 658-4726.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.