Updated September 2026
Malibu hosts a genuine calendar of art and culture year-round, and these events say a lot about the community beyond the beaches, from a two-day arts festival with 200 exhibiting artists to a powwow honoring the region's Chumash history. Brian Merrick, who has lived in Malibu his entire life, points to five events in particular that give both residents and prospective buyers a real sense of what the community values beyond real estate.
Key Takeaways
- The Malibu Arts Festival draws over 200 painters, sculptors, and other artisans to the Malibu Civic Center each year.
- The Chumash Day Powwow honors the region's indigenous history with traditional songs, dances, and storytelling.
- Several of these events, including the Artists of Malibu Art Walk, happen multiple times a year rather than as one-off dates.
At a Glance
Event | Typical Timing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Malibu Arts Festival | Annual, two days | Art collectors, families |
Malibu International Film Festival | Annual | Film enthusiasts |
Malibu Guitar Festival | Annual | Music fans |
Artists of Malibu Art Walk | Multiple times per year | Casual visitors, repeat attendees |
Chumash Day Powwow | Annual, two days | History and culture |
Malibu Chili Cook Off | Labor Day weekend | Families, food lovers |
Malibu Arts Festival
Held annually at the Malibu Civic Center, this two-day event brings together more than 200 award-winning painters, sculptors, photographers, and jewelers. Live music, children's workshops, and food trucks round out the weekend. The Malibu Chamber of Commerce organizes the festival, and it draws visitors from across Los Angeles County, not just locals.
Malibu International Film Festival
This annual festival celebrates new films and emerging filmmakers from around the world, with a lineup that spans short films, documentaries, and feature-length work. Filmmaker panels and Q&A sessions give the event a working, hands-on feel rather than a straight screening series.
Malibu Guitar Festival
Guitarists across rock, blues, and folk take the stage for this festival, which combines concerts, workshops, and exhibitions while raising money for local charities. It's grown into one of the more musically serious events on Malibu's calendar, drawing performers well beyond the local scene.
Artists of Malibu Art Walk
Held multiple times a year at the Malibu Country Mart, this open-air event lets visitors buy directly from local artists rather than through a gallery. Its recurring schedule makes it one of the easier ways to get a regular read on Malibu's working art community throughout the year.
Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering
This two-day event honors the Chumash people, the region's original inhabitants, through traditional songs, dances, crafts, and storytelling. It's one of the more educational entries on this list, offering real insight into Malibu's history well before Pacific Coast Highway or any of its current neighborhoods existed.
Local Tip: The Annual Malibu Chili Cook Off over Labor Day weekend has become another local favorite worth planning around, with a chili competition, local restaurant booths, live DJ sets, and even a mini-ramp skate competition alongside a 21-and-up craft beverage lounge.
These events reflect a side of Malibu that doesn't always come through in listing photos, but it shapes what daily life here actually feels like. Buyers curious about which neighborhoods put them closest to this calendar of events, or looking for more of Malibu's outdoor life, can reach out to Brian Merrick for guidance on the local market and insight into finding a property near the heart of it all.
