Calendar of Events
JANUARY
31 Mission San Antonio de Padua
Annual Cutting of the Roses. Begins with Mass at 9am and followed by the Annual Cutting of the Roses (in the Padre's Garden) allowing visitors the opportunity to receive rose cuttings from the Mission roses for their own personal gardens for a nominal donation. Crafts, face-painting and a delightful assortment of Gifts from the Garden are also available for sale. These gifts range from dried mint leaves, home-preserved fruit to a variety of herbed salt scrubs and more. Meet with many of our talented artists that consign their artwork and crafts to our fabulous Gift Shop. The Brunch (Sunday January 31, 2016), serves from 10am to 2:00pm. Meal tickets are $10/person. Come enjoy a festive brunch. Maybe add a luscious dessert for a sweet ending to a lovely Mission experience.
FEBRUARY
12-14 33rd Annual California Missions Conference
Mission San Juan Bautista
Speakers, tours, social gatherings and an awards banquet. Open to everyone, but registration is required.
MARCH
19 Mission San Juan Capistrano
St. Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows Celebration is a world-renowned tradition celebrating the annual return of the famous swallows to Capistrano. This tradition was started by Father O’Sullivan in the 1920’s at Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic California landmark and home of the swallows, and is carried each year on March 19th.
APRIL
2 Mission San Antonio de Padua
Mission Days will be held on Saturday April 2, 2016 from 11 am to 3 pm. Come enjoy a step backward in time to the real Mission Days. There will be re-enactors in costume portraying soldiers, artisans and vaqueros on horseback. Demonstrations will include adobe brick making, acorn grinding, tortilla making, weaving, the making of beaded bracelets and necklaces, face painting, rope making, bell ringing, panning for gold and more. In the historic church, the New World Baroque Orchestra and Choir will play original music composed at Mission San Antonio by Fray Juan Bautista Sancho in the early 1800's. Parking/Admission fee is $10. Mission era food will be offered for $10/plate with water and soft drinks also available. Mission Days is a family event: no alcoholic beverages please.
24 El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Founding Day, including soldiers, speeches, food and fun
MAY
3 Mission San Buenaventura
May Procession with Holy Mass at the Serra Cross at Serra Park-Grant Park.
Join us as we make the short pilgrimage from the Mission garden up to the Cross in Grant Park. We depart at 7:30 a.m. from the Mission on the first Saturday in May to commemorate the Feast of the Holy Cross (formerly observed on May 3). Outdoor Mass is celebrated at the Cross with a spectacular view of San Buenaventura and the coastline. Following Mass refreshments are served compliments of the Guadalupaña Society.
14 Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano presents the Twelfth Annual Battle of the Mariachis Festival on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Join us in the beautiful Mission Courtyard for this highly-anticipated celebration of talent, interpretation and inspiration of Mariachi music.
JUNE
12 Mission San Antonio de Padua
Mission’s Annual Fiesta (Sunday June 12, 2016) is a fun filled day for all! Beginning with our special Fiesta Mass at 11:00 am followed by a traditional oak-fired barbeque offering your choice of half-chicken or top sirloin dinners. Dance to music provided by local bluegrass and Mariachi bands. Buy a homemade dessert, enjoy a glass of beer or wine, or visit with local artisans whose wares will be on display. Your children will have a great time winning prizes at the game booths. This is a real community-oriented family event that’s not to be missed! This event is a Mission fundraiser - please NO personal coolers permitted.
Mission San Luis Rey
Founders Day Open House
Early in the summer Old Mission celebrates its anniversary with an open house, dates will be announced. Founders Day is an opportunity to explore the museum, experience the private inner gardens of the Old Mission, and enjoy live entertainment, all at no charge. Details will be posted on this website.
JULY
4 Mission San Buenaventura
San Buenaventura Downtown Street Fair
July 4th
The annual Downtown Ventura Street Fair is a must...come and join in the fun with thousands of your closest friends! San Buenaventura Mission sponsors food and game booths in its lower parking lot on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the Street Fair, Downtown Main Street is closed for six blocks to host a variety of arts and crafts, food and beverage booths.
Be sure to COME to the Mission parking lot on Main Street for the best food and prices! BBQ and tamales served with rice and beans, and hot dogs are favorites. The Rosary-Altar Society serves a delicious variety of baked goods. Soft drinks, water, beer, and wine are the best prices of all venues. Music and dancing is the highlight in addition to game booths for children. All proceeds help support Holy Cross School, a school with a Mission!
15 Mission San Buenaventura
San Buenaventura Feast Day, Patronal feast day is July 15. When this feast day falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday) a special Mass is observed at 7:00 p.m. followed by a reception in the Mission Gardens. When the feast day falls on a weekend the Sunday Mass schedule is observed with refreshments served after each Mass in the Mission Gardens. For the Sunday observance, parishioners are encouraged to bring a plate of their favorite home baked treats to share with the community following Mass. To read more about St. Bonaventure see our "History" section on this website. All are welcome to join the parish community of San Buenaventura Mission as we celebrate this solemn day.
AUGUST
5 Mission Santa Barbara
La Fiesta Pequeña, music and dancers, part of Santa Barbara’s shitoric Old Spanish Days citywide celebration
30 Mission San Gabriel
Annual Fiesta, Parish Grounds
OCTOBER
2 Mission San Luis Rey
St. Francis Festival & Blessing of the Animals
Join us for our annual blessing of the animals and St. Francis Festival. Local not-for-profit animal rescue groups will be present, bring pet food to donate, enjoy retail & food booths and dress up your pet for our fun animal costume contest! First Saturday in October from 10am – 3pm. Free Admission; parking $5 per car.
Mission San Luis Rey
Dia de los Muertos.
The Day of the Dead is a festive and multicultural event for the entire family, featuring traditional altars and ofrendas, vendors, artisans, dancers, musicians and a special classic car show with trunk altar displays put on by the Por Siempre Car Club. Last Sunday in October from 10am – 5pm. Free admission, parking $5 per car and free shuttle buses available.
31 Mission San Luis Obispo
Night tour of the historic cemetery. Contact the Mission for details.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
2 Mission San Buenaventura
Christmas Tree Lighting.
First Friday after Thanksgiving Weekend. An annual MUST ATTEND family tradition event for more than 70 years. The two historic Norfolk Pine Trees come alive with festive lights while carolers sing and entertain the 800+ people who gather in front of the Mission. Main Street is closed between Ventura Avenue and Palm Street. The festivities begin at 4 PM. A live Nativity under the 130' trees is sponsored by Holy Cross School. At 6 PM our Mayor and the Pastor of the Mission welcome Santa Claus. When Santa lights the trees the magic begins with snow and festive music. Activities for children of all ages are sponsored by the businesses of the Downtown District.
2 Mission San Luis Rey
Christmas Concert and Dessert Reception
Enjoy an evening of Christmas Music inside the Historic Church followed by a dessert reception in the Sacred Garden surrounded by thousands of lights. First Friday of December, ticket prices vary. Details will be posted on this website.
21 El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Sunrise viewing of the winter solstice
24 Alta California Missions except La Purísima and Sonoma
Christmas Eve Mass
Keep us posted
If you would like to add a Mission or other historic site event on the CMF Calendar of Events, please email info@californiamissionsfoundation.org
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