Special Events

Sponsorship Opportunities: Keep recreation strong in Grover Beach by sponsoring one or more events or classes. Be a part of supporting public recreation and see the benefits of sponsorship in our  (PDF).

Special Event Permit Application:

The City of Grover Beach has prepared guidelines to assist in determining whether an event requires a Special Event Permit (i.e., for private parties planning a gathering or activity to be attended by 100 or more people requiring public resources beyond the normal pattern of traffic and travel or general calls for service). For more information, please view the following - Guidelines (PDF), Flow Chart Overview (PDF), Application for a Special Event Permit (PDF), or contact the Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (805) 473-4580.


The following is a list of City-sponsored events through the Parks and Recreation Department throughout the calendar year:

  • Volunteer Recognition Dinner (February) 

  • Arbor Day Celebration (April) 

  • Mother Son Dance (May)  

  • Garden Tour (May) 

  • Summer Concert Series (June/July August) 

  • Dune Run (September) 

  • Pumpkin Carving (October) 

  • Thanksgiving Thankfulness Virtual Competition (November) 

  • Holiday of Lights Decorating Contest (December)  

  • Grover Beach Holiday Parade (December) 

  • Tree Lighting Celebration (December) 

  • Santa’s Workshop (December) 


 

 Volunteer Recognition Dinner 

February | Ramona Garden Park 

Let's give a round of applause for all the volunteers in the Grover Beach community! 

Every February, we hold a Volunteer Recognition Dinner to celebrate and honor those who have dedicated their time and resources to making our community a better place. 

If you have volunteered with the Parks and Recreation department, we invite you to attend this special event. We will be recognizing and thanking all of our amazing volunteers who have contributed to the success of our events throughout the year. 

We cannot express how grateful we are for all the hard work and dedication that our volunteers have put in. From organizing events to helping with clean-up, every single volunteer plays an important role in making Grover Beach a wonderful place to live and visit. 

If you have not yet volunteered with us but are interested in doing so, we welcome you to join our team! We have a variety of opportunities available for all ages and skill levels. To learn more about volunteering and the Volunteer Recognition Dinner, please email us at gbparks@groverbeach.org.  



Arbor Day Celebration 

April 28, 2023 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

Ramona Garden Park 

Celebrate Arbor Day and the importance of trees in our community! Join us on Friday, April 28th, 2023, from 3 - 5 p.m. at the 16th Street Park for a special event that the whole family will enjoy. 

This free event will have plenty of activities for children ages 5 to 12, including seed planting, crafts, and educational games. For more information about the Arbor Day Celebration, email gbparks@groverbeach.org. Don't miss out on this fun and educational event that celebrates the natural beauty of our community! 

 

Mother Son Dance

May 12, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

Grover Beach Community Center

Are you looking for a fun night out with your special little man? Join us for the 20th Annual Mother Son Dance in Grover Beach! This year's Luau-themed event promises to be a night to remember. 

The dance will take place on Friday, May 12th, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Grover Beach Community Center, located at 1230 Trouville Ave, Grover Beach. The cost is $59 per couple, with an additional $25 for each additional son. So bring a mom, grandmother, aunt, or other special female guest to enjoy the festivities with you. 

The night will include drinks, a catered dinner by a local business, a DJ to get you dancing, and even a photobooth to capture those special moments. Registration is available online at www.groverbeach.org/parks, but space is limited to 50 couples, so make sure to register early. 


Spring Garden Tour 

May 21, 2023 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

All Around Grover Beach!

Spring is a time when gardens are in full bloom, and what better way to celebrate the beauty of nature than by taking a tour of some of the most spectacular gardens in the city? Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the Spring Garden Tour, scheduled for Sunday, May 21, 2023, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. 

The tour will feature a selection of residential and commercial gardens, carefully chosen to showcase the best of Grover Beach's flora and fauna. To nominate a garden for consideration, please email gbparks@groverbeach.org by Friday, May 12, 2023. The deadline for nominations is firm, so make sure to get your entries in on time. 

The Spring Garden Tour is a self-guided tour, and admission is free for all. Once the gardens are selected, a map will be made available on the City of Grover Beach website after Friday, May 19th. You can download the map from the city's website at www.groverbeach.org. The map will help you navigate the gardens and ensure that you don't miss out on any of the beautiful displays. 


Summer Concert Series 

Every Sunday in June, July and August from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Ramona Garden Park

Get ready for another amazing summer of music, food, and good company! The 22nd Annual Grover Beach Summer Concert Series is back and better than ever. 

Starting in June and running through August, the concerts will take place every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ramona Garden Park, located at 993 Ramona Avenue. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and enjoy the sounds of some of the best musicians in the area. 

This year's lineup is sure to please, with a variety of musical styles and genres. Admission is free, and there will be delicious food and beverages available for purchase. 

Don't miss out on this fantastic community event that's been entertaining locals and visitors for over 20 years! Join us at the Grover Beach Summer Concert Series for a summer of music, food, and fun. 

Dune Run 5k, 10k, 5k Walk 

September 17 at 9:00 a.m. 

Beach Plaza at End of Grand Avenue

The annual Grover Beach Dune Run is a highly anticipated event that draws runners and walkers from all over California. The event, which takes place on September 17th, is a celebration of fitness, community, and the natural beauty of Grover Beach. 

Participants in the Grover Beach Dune Run have three options to choose from: a 5k run, a 5k walk, and a 10k run. Regardless of which option they choose, all participants will enjoy a scenic route that takes them over the dunes and boardwalks of Grover Beach. 

The race starts at 9 a.m. and is located at the Beach Plaza at the end of Grand Avenue. This location provides runners and walkers with stunning views of the beach, dunes, and the Pacific Ocean. It is also conveniently located near parking, restrooms, and other amenities. 

After the race, there will be an awards ceremony where 1st and 2nd place medals will be awarded for all age and gender categories. This is a great opportunity for participants to celebrate their achievements and meet other runners and walkers from the community. 

If you're interested in participating in the Grover Beach Dune Run, be sure to keep an eye out for more information and registration details as the event draws closer. This is an event you won't want to miss, so start training now and get ready to hit the dunes! 

 

Annual Pumpkin Carving and Trunk of Treat  

October 

Ramona Garden Park

If you're looking for a fun and family-friendly way to get into the Halloween spirit, look no further than the Grover Beach Annual Pumpkin Carving Competition. This beloved event takes place every October at Ramona Garden Park and offers a day of pumpkin-filled fun for people of all ages. 

The competition is open to everyone and there are great prizes to be won. Whether you're a seasoned pumpkin carver or just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, this event has something for everyone.  

Participants can bring an already decorated or carved pumpkin, but only decorated pumpkins are allowed for children ages 6 and under. This is a great opportunity to get the little ones involved and show off their creativity. Businesses are also allowed to enter the competition, so this is a great chance to show off your company's fun and creative side. 

In addition to the pumpkin carving competition, there will also be a trunk or treat event for families to enjoy. This is a great opportunity to get into the Halloween spirit and enjoy some fun and safe trick-or-treating. It's a great way to spend an afternoon with the whole family and create some great memories. 

If you're interested in participating in the Grover Beach Annual Pumpkin Carving Competition, be sure to mark your calendars for October and keep an eye out for more information as the event draws closer. This is a beloved community event that you won't want to miss! 

 

Thanksgiving Thankfulness Virtual Competition

November 

Virtual Event

 

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for in our lives. This year, the Grover Beach community is coming together to celebrate the spirit of thankfulness with a unique virtual event: the Grover Beach Thanksgiving Thankfulness Competition. 

The competition, which takes place every November, is open to anyone in the community who wants to share what they are thankful for. To enter, simply send an email to gbparks@groverbeach.org with a message explaining what you're thankful for and any accompanying photos you'd like to include. 

It's important to note that this is not a traditional competition where one person or group is declared the winner. Instead, our city council will work together to select three entries that truly capture the spirit of thankfulness. The winning entries will receive Thanksgiving-themed dishes from local businesses. 

While it may be hard to judge thankfulness, we're excited to see what our community comes up with. This is a great opportunity to share what we're grateful for and spread positivity during a time when it's needed most. 

So whether you're thankful for family, friends, health, or something else entirely, we encourage you to enter the Grover Beach Thanksgiving Thankfulness Competition. Let's come together as a community and celebrate all the things we have to be grateful for! 
 

Grover Beach Holiday Parade

December 2nd, 2023

West Grand Avenue 

The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to kick off the festivities than by attending the Grover Beach Holiday Parade? This beloved community event takes place every year on the first Saturday in December and is a highlight of the holiday season in Grover Beach. 

The parade is held on Grand Avenue and is a wonderful way to bring the community together to celebrate the season. What's more, the parade theme changes each year, so there's always something new and exciting to look forward to. Make sure to check for updates and when next year's theme is announced, so you can start planning your decorations and costumes. 

The Grover Beach Holiday Parade is a big event for the city, and everyone is welcome to participate. Parade entry forms are posted online starting in September, so there's plenty of time to get involved. We welcome a wide range of entries, from musical groups to marching units, motor vehicles to equestrian entries, and of course, floats. 

Participating in the parade is a fantastic way to get involved in the community and spread some holiday cheer. It's also an opportunity to showcase your creativity and show off your festive spirit. So why not gather your friends, family, or co-workers and start planning your parade entry today? 

Be sure to check back starting in the fall for more details on this year's Grover Beach Holiday Parade. We can't wait to see what the community comes up with this year! 

Tree Lighting Celebration 

December 2023

Ramona Garden Park 


The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by attending the Grover Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony? This annual event takes place at Ramona Garden Park and is the perfect way to kick off the season with your community. 

The tree lighting ceremony is held on the same day as Santa's Workshop, so you can stop by and finish your holiday shopping before heading to the tree lighting event. At Santa's Workshop, kids can visit with Santa Claus, take photos, and participate in festive activities. It's the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. 

After you've finished your shopping, head over to the tree lighting ceremony at Ramona Garden Park. The mayor will light up the beautiful holiday tree, and the event will feature music, hot chocolate, and singing holiday songs. It's a magical moment that's sure to fill you with holiday cheer. 

This event is free and open to everyone in the community. So, gather your family and friends and come out to celebrate the start of the holiday season with us! 

More information about the Grover Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony will be released as it gets closer to the event. So, be sure to mark your calendars and keep an eye out for updates. We can't wait to see you at the tree lighting event! 

Santa's Workshop

December 2023

Ramona Garden Park

Ho, ho, ho! Are you looking for unique and special gifts to give to your loved ones this holiday season? Look no further than Santa's Workshop! 

Santa's Workshop is an exciting event that takes place in December, right after the Grover Beach Holiday Parade. This year, Santa's Workshop is transforming into a holiday market featuring all things handmade and homemade. We are inviting vendors to join us and showcase their unique and one-of-a-kind products. 

If you are a vendor who creates handmade or homemade goods, we invite you to fill out our vendor application, which will be posted in September. This is a great opportunity to showcase your products and share your talents with the community. Plus, it's the perfect chance for holiday shoppers to find unique and special gifts for their loved ones. 

At Santa's Workshop, you'll find a wide variety of handmade and homemade goods, including jewelry, home decor, accessories, and more. And, of course, you can still visit with Santa Claus, take pictures, and participate in arts and crafts. 

We can't wait for you to join us at Santa's Workshop! More information about this event will be released as we get closer to December. So, stay tuned and get ready to shop for unique and special gifts for your loved ones. Happy holidays! 

Holiday of Lights Decorating Contest

December 2023

Virtual Event 

Get ready to light up your holiday season with the Grover Beach Holiday of Lights Decoration Competition! 

The event takes place in December and invites Grover Beach residents to decorate their homes or businesses with holiday lights and decorations. You can even nominate your neighbors, yourself, or your favorite local business to participate in the fun! 

Not only will you get into the holiday spirit, but you also have the chance to win some fantastic prizes and earn major bragging rights. All you have to do is nominate and submit photos or videos of your decorated home or business to gbparks@groverbeach.org. 

We welcome all types of holiday decor and creativity, from traditional to unique and innovative. We can't wait to see how you light up the night and bring joy to the community with your festive spirit. 

Stay tuned for more information about specific deadlines for nominations and submissions, which will be posted closer to the event. Let's make this holiday season brighter and more cheerful than ever before with the Grover Beach Holiday of Lights Decoration Competition! 

Business Award Categories 

  • Best Business Award- Best Overall Business Display 

  • Lights Award - Best Use of Lights in Display 

  • Windows Award - Best Use of Window Painting and Decorations  

Residential Award Categories 

  • Mayor's Award - Best Overall in Originality  
     

  • City Council Award - Best Use of Animation and/or Craftmanship 

  • Commissioner's Award - Best Use of Lights 

  • Clark Griswold Award - Extraordinary Display of Decoration and Lights