» SPECIAL EVENTS 2019
RIVERSIDE DICKENS FESTIVAL Costumed Dickens characters descend upon downtown Riverside. Festivities include a Steampunk fashion show, a Victorian tea room with music hall performances, parasol dueling and Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Ball in full Victorian regalia. February 23-24 dickensfest.com
TEMECULA ROD RUN Roaring hot rods descend upon Old Town Temecula. March 1-2 temeculaca.gov/rodrun
RAMONA OUTDOOR PLAY Playing since 1926, this tragic romance about the Ponca Indians is America’s longest running drama and California’s Official Outdoor Play. April 13-14, 27-28, May 4-5, ramonabowl.com
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 31-June 2, 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. Sept. 20-21. route66cruisinreunion.com
LAKE ARROWHEAD ANNUAL ANTIQUE & CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT SHOW
Rare antique and classic wooden boats gather in Lake Arrowhead Village. June; check website for specific dates. lakearrowheadchamber.com
BIG BEAR LAKE & LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE OKTOBERFESTS These events feature bands, beer and brats at a 7,000-foot elevation. Weekends, Sept. 7-Nov. 2 at Big Bear Lake, Sept. 21-Oct. 27 at Lake Arrowhead Village. bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest, lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com