Saddle Up for the 22nd Annual David Mann Chopper Fest

February 7, 2026 | Ventura County Fairgrounds | 8AM–4PM

If you've got chrome in your blood and paint on your soul, mark your calendar. The 22nd Annual David Mann Chopper Fest is rolling into the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Whether you're trailering down from NorCal or ripping up the coast from SoCal, this is the one event every chopper enthusiast, Harley rider, and motorcycle culture devotee needs to experience at least once. And this year, they're bringing some serious heat.

What Is Chopper Fest?

The David Mann Chopper Fest is one of the longest-running and most respected chopper and custom motorcycle events on the West Coast. For over two decades, thousands of riders, builders, artists, and fans have gathered in Ventura to celebrate the freedom, creativity, and brotherhood that define the motorcycle lifestyle. All of it under the banner of the man whose art shaped how the world sees chopper culture.

This year's event is packed with new additions alongside the classics:

• Jacquie Mann's Private Archives — For the first time ever in Ventura, attendees will get an up-close look at early David Mann sketches, paintings, photos, and even his personal painting supplies straight from Jacquie Mann's private collection.
• David Mann and Friends Motorcycle Art Exhibit — A stunning showcase of Mann's iconic work alongside pieces from artists inspired by his legacy.
• Three Bike Shows — The Choppers Magazine All-Brand Antique and Custom Motorcycle Show, the Thrashin' Supply Co. Performance Show, and the brand-new Lowrider/Vicla Show.
• First-Ever Chopper Fest Tattoo Convention — Ten hand-picked shops bringing their best artists to sunny Ventura.
• Loside Rodeo Ruckus — Classic motorcycle rodeo games with a twist, brought to you by the crew at Loside.
• Hundreds of Vendors — Motorcycle and culture vendors, a new and used parts swap meet, live music, food, and cold beer.

Tickets are $15 early bird ($20 at the door), kids 12 and under get in free, and military with ID is $15. There's also a VIP experience for $100 that gets you into the 805 VIP Lounge with free food, drinks, shaded seating, and a limited-edition VIP tee. If you want to enter your bike in the ride-in show, registration is $50 and includes admission, a bike show tee, and the commemorative David Mann "Fat George" event poster.

The Legend of David Mann

You can't talk about Chopper Fest without talking about the man behind it all.

David Mann (September 10, 1940 – September 11, 2004) was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up drawing and painting from an early age. After a trip to California where he discovered chopped motorcycles for the first time, he returned to Kansas City, bought his first bike, a 1948 Harley-Davidson, and painted his first motorcycle artwork, a watercolor called Hollywood Run.

In 1963, Mann entered his custom bike at the Kansas City Custom Car Show. His was the only motorcycle entry, and the judges created a special class and trophy just for him. It was there that biker and artist Tom Fugle noticed his work and connected him with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, who was publishing one of the first custom motorcycle magazines. Roth commissioned a series of original posters that would become legendary in the biker world.

In 1965, Mann joined Fugle's El Forastero Motorcycle Club as a founding member of the Kansas City charter. But the real turning point came in 1971 when he answered a small ad in the back of a brand-new magazine called Easyriders. They were looking for artists who "are hip and can draw choppers." Mann got the job, and his first centerfold painting appeared in the magazine's third issue in October 1971. From that point on, he produced artwork for virtually every issue, centerfold paintings, story illustrations, and advertisements, until his retirement in 2003.

Mann's paintings became the visual soul of the biker world. His choppers were set against surreal, dreamlike backdrops with distorted skylines, vivid sunsets, and open highways that captured everything riders felt but couldn't always put into words. He painted bikers alongside ghostly cowboys and medieval knights, showing that the freedom of the chopper rider was the same freedom that ran through every generation of American outcasts and trailblazers. He also painted the everyday reality: getting pulled over by cops, cruising down the highway with a buddy, or a woman watching a lone rider disappear down the road.

His images became ubiquitous. Plastered on clubhouse walls, painted on gas tanks, inked into tattoos, and printed on T-shirts across the globe. Builders even constructed choppers based entirely on bikes that first existed only in a David Mann painting.

Mann was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2004, shortly before he passed away on September 11, 2004, just one day after his 64th birthday. His final painting, Sunset, appeared in the May 2004 issue of Easyriders. One last ride into the horizon.

The Chopper Fest exists to keep that flame burning. Every year, it reminds us that the culture Mann painted into existence is alive, loud, and rolling on two wheels.

Getting There: Scenic Routes for the Ride Down (or Up)

Half the fun of Chopper Fest is the ride itself. Ventura sits right on the coast about 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and there are some incredible routes to get there no matter which direction you're coming from.

From NorCal (San Francisco / Bay Area)

The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
If you have the time and the weather cooperates in early February, Highway 1 from San Francisco down through Big Sur is one of the most iconic motorcycle rides in the world. You'll carve through sweeping coastal curves with the Pacific crashing hundreds of feet below you, pass through charming towns like Cambria and San Luis Obispo, and eventually merge onto the 101 south into Ventura. This route is roughly 350 miles and can take 7 to 8 hours of riding time, but plan for a full day or even an overnight stop. You'll want to pull over more than once.

The Faster Route: I-5 to 101
If you need to get there without the sightseeing, take I-5 south through the Central Valley. It's flat, straight, and fast. Pick up the 46 West near Lost Hills to connect to Highway 101, then ride south through the rolling hills of the Central Coast into Ventura. From the Bay Area, this is about 5.5 to 6 hours of highway miles. Not as scenic, but it gets the job done.

The Hybrid: 101 the Whole Way
A solid middle ground. Take 101 south from San Francisco through Salinas, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo. You get wine country scenery, some nice twisties, and a more relaxed pace than the interstate. About 6 to 7 hours depending on your pace.

From SoCal (Los Angeles / San Diego / Inland Empire)

PCH North from LA
If you're in the LA area, the easiest and most enjoyable route is jumping on Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) heading north. You'll cruise through Malibu, past Point Mugu, and into Ventura. About an hour and a half of beautiful coastal riding from Santa Monica. Hit it early in the morning before traffic builds and you'll have the road practically to yourself.

The 101 Freeway
From central LA, the 101 North is the most direct shot. About 70 miles and roughly 1.5 hours depending on traffic. It's freeway riding, but it's quick and gets you to the fairgrounds without fuss. If you're coming from the Valley, this is your go-to.

From San Diego / Inland Empire
Take I-15 north to the 210 or 101, then head west and north along the coast. From San Diego, you're looking at about 3 to 3.5 hours. From the Inland Empire (Riverside / San Bernardino area), take the 210 west to the 118, then connect to the 101 north. About 2 to 2.5 hours. Another option is cutting over to PCH at Oxnard for a scenic finish to the ride.

Pro Tip: February weather in Ventura is generally mild (mid-60s during the day) but mornings can be chilly, especially if you're riding the coast. Layer up and pack a windproof outer shell. If you're coming down from NorCal, check conditions on Highway 1 because winter storms can occasionally close sections through Big Sur.

While You're in Ventura: Things to Check Out

Ventura is a laid-back California coastal town with a lot of character. If you're making a weekend out of Chopper Fest, here are some spots worth checking out.

The Ventura Pier & Promenade

Take a walk down the historic Ventura Pier. It's been a landmark since 1872 and offers solid views of the coastline and the Channel Islands in the distance. The surrounding promenade has shops, restaurants, and a mellow beach-town vibe.

Main Street Ventura

Downtown Ventura's Main Street is packed with independent shops, vintage stores, dive bars, and solid restaurants. It's a great place to grab a meal and a cold beer after the show. Check out some of the antique shops and thrift stores. You never know what old-school moto parts or vintage memorabilia you might dig up.

Channel Islands National Park

If you've got an extra day, the Channel Islands are right offshore and often called the "Galapagos of North America." Island Packers runs boats out of Ventura Harbor to Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands for hiking, kayaking, and some of the most untouched coastline in California.

Ventura Harbor Village

A short ride from downtown, Ventura Harbor has waterfront restaurants, fish markets, and boat tours. It's a chill spot to grab seafood and watch the boats come in.

The Brewery Trail

Ventura has a growing craft beer scene. Topa Topa Brewing, MadeWest Brewing, and Leashless Brewing are all worth a stop. Nothing like a cold local IPA after a day of looking at bikes.

Rincon Point

If you're into surfing, or just watching, Rincon Point is one of the most famous surf breaks in California, right on the border of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Even in February, you'll see riders out there chasing swells.

Don't Miss This One

The David Mann Chopper Fest isn't just another bike show. It's a living tribute to the artist who gave chopper culture its visual identity, and it's a gathering of people who live and breathe the motorcycle lifestyle. Whether you're rolling in on a rigid Shovelhead, a custom Dyna, or trailering your build to put on display, Chopper Fest is where the real ones show up.

Grab your tickets at chopperfest.com, plan your route, and we'll see you in Ventura on February 7th.

Ride safe. Ride loud. And never let the bastards get you down.

MOONSMC® - Lighting the way for Dyna, Softail & Touring riders. Shop motorcycle LED headlights and parts at moonsmc.com.