Santa
Barbara is nationally known for its commitment to sustainability, its eclectic local
culture, and its temperate coastal climate. With a community that places an
emphasis on public support for art, the city is a prime location for
celebrations of creativity and environmental mindfulness. It’s not surprising then
to find out that Santa Barbara plays host to some of California’s most lively and
entertaining yearly festivals.
For
residents and visitors alike, the following events are worth a visit:
1. Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Although
it was originally settled by the Chumash Indians thousands of years ago, Santa
Barbara’s history is largely colored by the influence of Spanish, Mexican, and
early American settlers, whose beliefs and customs blended to give the city its
diverse, multicultural heritage. The Old Spanish Days Fiesta, a week-long celebration
of Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage, also provides spectators with many
opportunities to learn about the individual groups that settled the area. Among
the fiesta’s attractions are numerous flamenco dance performances, open-air
Mexican markets, a professional rodeo, and a special exhibit hosted by the
Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
For more than 90 years, the highlight of the festival has been its Fiesta Historical Parade. The parade features local civic groups, antique carriages, more than 600 horses, and vibrantly-colored floats that depict scenes from history. The parade is also known for its promotion of “cascarones,” which are hollowed-out eggs filled with paper confetti that guests good-naturedly crack open over the heads of friends and family.
2. Summer
Solstice Celebration
Held
every June since 1974, the Summer Solstice Celebration, aims to bring people
together to celebrate the arts. The event is reminiscent of a mild Mardi Gras
celebration, though special areas are designed specifically with children in
mind. Each year, more than 100,000 visitors from around the world come to enjoy
the event’s live music, dance performances, and art exhibitions.
On
the longest day of the year, more than 1,000 people don elaborate costumes to
take part in the Summer Solstice Parade, in which dancers, costumed figures,
and floats journey through the streets of downtown Santa Barbara. Local artists
also submit art work to the event in order to compete for a chance to be
featured on the festival’s yearly Summer Solstice Celebration shirt. The art
work is centered on the festival’s theme, which changes each year. Themes from
past years include “jungle,” “fantasy,” and “circus.”
3. Harbor and Seafood
Festival
Santa
Barbara’s proximity to the coast means ample access to fresh seafood. To
support local fisherman while also drawing attention to the care and protection
of marine life, the city presents a Harbor and Seafood Festival at the
beginning of lobster season in October. In addition to hundreds of vendors
selling a variety of fresh seafood, the festival also includes boating
demonstrations, dockside tours of ships, live music performances, and many
other nautical activities for the whole family, such as tours of the Santa
Barbara Maritime Museum’s Tall Ship and a sea creature petting zoo.
4. Santa Barbara
International Film Festival
In the spring, nearly 100,000 film industry professionals and aficionados from across the globe flock to Santa Barbara in order to take part in the city’s International Film Festival. The 11-day event showcases more than 200 qualifying films from different categories, including full-length features, shorts, documentaries, fiction films, and local pieces. Each year, the festival begins with an Opening Night Gala—a public function where guests dance, eat, and enjoy live entertainment at the Spanish Paseo Nuevo, which is intricately decorated for the occasion.
In
addition to film showings, guests can observe industry panels with renowned
writers, directors, and producers. Parents and their children can attend the
AppleBox presentation of family-oriented films, complete with complimentary
popcorn and refreshments.
The
Santa Barbara International Film Festival is also known for its prestigious award presentations,
such as the David Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, the
Montecito Award, and the Maltin Modern Master Award, which is the festival’s
most prestigious honor. Past recipients of the Maltin Modern Master Award
include Christopher Plummer, Clint Eastwood, Cate Blanchett, and James Cameron.
5. Santa Barbara Earth Day
Festival
The
city’s commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in its yearly
Earth Day celebration. Held in the expansive Alameda Park, the two-day festival
highlights the importance of green living through an eco-marketplace, filled
with vendors that promote different forms of sustainability. Kids can join
Snook, the giant sloth, as he leads the Children’s Climate March, which ends at
the festival’s main stage. Activities and speakers help teach people of all
ages the importance of caring for the planet.
Adults
may be interested in attending the event’s green car show, or learning about
the area’s local food movement, which seeks to help Santa Barbara residents
incorporate farm-to-table practices into their own lives. Additionally, the
festival presents its Environmental Hero Award to an environmental conservation
innovator. Previous winners include Bill Nye and Elon Musk.
