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Stan's Favorites:
Festivals & Events |
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No matter what month of the year, you'll surely find enough galas, fund raisers, benefits, festivals, parades and celebrations to keep you busy every weekend. Many of these have become Santa Barbara favorites over the years, mostly because they are fun, free and usually offer a fabulous food. In general, nobody dresses up for any of the listed events (unless you want to go in costume), so casual dress is acceptable anywhere. Just have fun! |
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Santa Barbara Hang Gliding & Paragliding Festival |
 Weather permitting, foot-launched pilots flying Hang Gliders and Paragliders will fly from La Cumbre Peak in the Santa Barbara Mountains to Elings Park at the West end of the City of Santa Barbara, or land on Arroyo Burro Beach! |
 Pilots fly over the ocean bluff sand demonstrate precision flying. Usually held on New Years Day at Elings Park at the Cliff Drive entrance. |
 Kick off the New Year with a great trip to the Dutch Community of Solvang in Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy the Blues Festival at the Royal Scandinavian Inn @ (800) 624-5572. Usually held in the second week of January. |
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Santa Barbara Whale Festival |
 Since Santa Barbara is a natural place for excellent whale watching, it only makes sense that we would celebrate our whales in the midst of their Northern migration though the Santa Barbara Channel. This two day festival features live entertainment, marine education stations, a children's carnival, food booths and an arts & craft show. An entertaining event for the entire family. Usually held in February or March at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. |
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Santa Barbara International Film Festival |
 Join hundreds of filmmakers and thousands of film enthusiasts as Santa Barbara welcomes the best of new and unique cinema which usually includes a Premier of a major motion picture. Held in late January and early February. (805)963-0023 |
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Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
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 This annual Santa Barbara event is known internationally and comes at the perfect time of the year as the Santa Barbara foothills turn green. The orchids are the stars of the show and are awe inspiring. Held at Santa Barbara Earl Warren Showgrounds. |
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Santa Barbara Kite Festival |
 This Santa Barbara family style event attracts fliers of all abilities. The sites chosen are absolutely beautiful and overlook the Santa Barbara Marina and the entire coastline. Great wind and good people. Categories include sport, kite fighting, highest flying, most beautiful, largest/smallest and a kids tail chase. Prizes awarded in all categories. No entry fee, free admission and parking. |
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Santa Barbara Presidio Days |
 Located in and around one of the most historically significant buildings in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Presidio Days is a three day event celebrating Santa Barbara's birthday and multi-ethnic heritage. Held at El Presidio de Santa Barbara. |
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Santa Barbara County Vintner's Festival |
 If you enjoy tasting good wine and food, the Santa Barbara County Vintner's Festival in the Santa Ynez Valley is the place to be. Sample wine from 30+ Santa Barbara County wineries plus food from many of the areas top restaurants. This event sells out, so book early at (805) 688-0881. Usually held on the third weekend of April. |
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Santa Barbara Fair & Expo |
 The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo is a five day event organized to showcase the creative talent of people of all ages though livestock, agricultural, commercial and educational exhibits. A full on amusement park, including a kid's section, compliments this popular event from Wednesday though Sunday at Earl Warren Showgrounds. |
 Every year thousands of locals and tourists descend on De La Guerra Plaza for Santa Barbara's Cinco de Mayo festival. Enjoy great Mexican food from the vendors in the Plaza in front of Santa Barbara City Hall and a full stage of live music all weekend. Held on the closest weekend to May 5th. |
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Santa Barbara Children's Festival |
 Thousands of enthusiastic children and families come together at Alameda Park near Downtown Santa Barbara to make this a special day for all. With pony rides, creative crafts, clowns, carnival games, magicians, face painting, music and much more, this event is a fundraiser for the Santa Barbara Family Service Agency @ (805) 965-1001. Usually held on a Saturday in mid-May. |
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Santa Barbara I Madonnari |
 Santa Barbara celebrates the arts using centuries old street painting as a medium on at the Old Santa Barbara Mission Plaza. Over 200 artists are invited to get on their knees to fill their pavement canvases with their own unique inspirations and the results are truly astonishing. |
 The Plaza is transformed into a color-splashed event that should not be missed. Usually held in late May. |
 Since Santa Barbara is known as the birthplace of modern environmental consciousness, it is both educational and enjoyable to visit this Celebration. |
 Learn how you can help the environment locally and globally while enjoying food, song and dance. Held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens. |
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Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade |
 Always an excuse for a wonderful time, the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade is very popular and on the "must do" list. Let your imagination run wild and that is just the type of parade you will see! |
 Every year there is a theme and anybody who can wiggle their way into the theme can participate. You will be amazed at the creativity displayed during this parade. |
 The most unique of Santa Barbara events, the Parade travels up State Street and is held on the closest Saturday to the Summer Solstice. |
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Fourth of July Independence Day |
 The non-profit organization SPARKLE is focused on raising funds for this traditional family-oriented Fourth of July celebration culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. It is truly electrifying to be on the beach with the awesome fireworks exploding in the night sky above you. Held at Santa Barbara's West Beach. Earlier in the afternoon there is a Parade down State Street. |
 The air is filled with music, laughter and the tempting aromas of French cuisine prepared by dozens of French chefs. Enjoy French beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks. Wandering mimes, jugglers and accordion players perform though out the crowd. Puppet shows and storytellers for kids of all ages. Usually held in mid-July at Oak Park. |
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Santa Barbara National Horse & Flower Show |
 For more than 80 years the Santa Barbara National Horse Show has been a grand tradition. The quality of horses and riders make for stiff competition. Paired with the Santa Barbara National Flower Show, this dual event is both fun and exciting. Usually held during the first half of July at the Earl Warren Show Grounds. |
 Organizers say it's your chance to "be Greek for the weekend." Without going to Greece every year, this is one way to get your annual quota of elaborate costumes, authentic musicians & dances, spanakopita, baklava and gyros. Be ready for joyful cries of "opa!" Usually held in late July at Oak Park. |
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Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days |
 The biggest event and party of the year in Santa Barbara is known as FIESTA! It is a Santa Barbara City wide event five day celebration of Santa Barbara's Spanish heritage. Tasty food, music of the mariachis, costumes and numerous festivities make this one event not to miss. |
 The main Parade on Friday, billed as one of the largest equestrian parades in the United States, travels up State Street from West Beach to Sola Street. The Children's Parade on Saturday is fun for young and old alike. |
 Add to this schedule so many parties, marketplaces (Mercados), music, dancing and carnivals that it might be hard to remember what day it is! By far the most popular event of the year, Fiesta is held during the first week of August. |
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Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival |
 Santa Barbara premier literary event includes presentations by top authors, celebration of Poetry, exhibitors from throughout the State, panel discussions, author readings and awards. Usually held in the heart of downtown's cultural district in late September. |
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California Avocado Festival |
 Billed as the Santa Barbara South Coast's largest festival, this three day event is held Friday though Sunday on Linden Avenue in Carpinteria. With three entertainment stages with over 40 acts, 70+ arts and crafts vendors and 30+ food booths and a dedicated "Kid's block", that billing is probably true. Plan to come early and stay a while, there is a lot to see and do! Be prepared for big crowds, so bringing you dog is not a good idea. |
 The Avocado Expo Tent offers an educational slant on the avocado industry (avocado the competition for the year's largest avocado), but the real treats involve everything from the everything largest vat of guacamole, Avocado Ice Cream and the Avocado Climb. Held in early October on Linden Avenue in Carpinteria. |
 You will not want to miss Goleta Valley's biggest celebration of the year held at Girsh Park. The Goleta Lemon Festival has something for everyone with live bluegrass, country, folk & pop bands, blacksmith demonstrations, arts & craft booths, lemon based treats, the world's best lemon meringue pie and an awesome car show on Saturday. The pie eating contest tops it all off in Goleta style. Held in mid-October. |
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Santa Barbara Holiday Parade |
 A short parade to get everyone in the spirit of the spirit! Travels down State Street from Victoria to de la Guerra Plaza. Usually held in the evening on the first Friday of December. |
 Enjoy Santa Barbara only Boat Parade of Lights held at the Santa Barbara Harbor entrance. You will be amazed at the Holiday decorations and lighting of the boats as they pass by. Best viewed from Stearn's Wharf. Usually held in the evening in mid-December. |
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