SPECIAL EVENTS 2023

RIVERSIDE DICKENS FESTIVAL Costumed Dickens characters descend upon downtown Riverside. Festivities include a fashion show, parade, street entertainment and Oliver’s Alley for children. February 25-26 dickensfest.com

RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIFF) Enjoy the best of comedy, mystery, science fiction and horror. Filmmakers and actors attend to present their films, interact with audiences and participate in workshops and forums. April 20-24 riversidefilmfestival.org

RAMONA OUTDOOR PLAY Playing since 1923, this tragic romance about the Ponca Indians is America’s longest running drama and California’s Official Outdoor Play. April 22, 23, 29, 30, May 6 and 7 ramonabowl.com

TEMECULA ROD RUN Roaring hot rods descend upon Old Town Temecula. May 5-6 temeculaca.gov/991/temecula-rod-run

TEMECULA VALLEY BALLOON & WINE FESTIVAL This festival features hot-air balloon rides, wine and craft beer tastings, gourmet food, live music and more on Lake Skinner. May 18-21 tvbwf.com

ROUTE 66 CRUISIN’ REUNION Classic 20th-century cars roam Ontario’s historic downtown in a tribute to the legendary Mother Road, which runs through Rancho Cucamonga just to the north. Contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry make it a fun-filled jamboree. Sept. 15-16 gocvb.org/route-66-cruisin-reunion

BIG BEAR LAKE & LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE OKTOBERFESTS These events feature bands, beer and brats at a 7,000-foot elevation. Weekends, Sept. 30-Nov 4 at Big Bear Lake, Sept. 16-Oct. 29 at Lake Arrowhead Village. bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest, lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com