Langhorne Group | 5/23/2022

One of the best things about living in Santa Barbara is the amazing festivals throughout the year. There's something for everyone, from arts and culture festivals to food and wine events. So whether you're a local or just visiting, check out some of Santa Barbara's amazing festivals. Read on to see the celebrations of the upcoming months. 

June Events

Wharf Wednesday Concert featuring Tequila Mockbird

June 1, 2022 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoo Brew at Santa Barbara Zoo

June 4, 2022 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Ceylon International Film Festival at Lobero Theatre

June 10-12, 2022 | 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Drinks At Dusk at Old Mission Santa Barbara

June 16, 2022 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Juneteenth Block Party | Funk Zone at Shalhoob’s Patio

June 19, 2022 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Summer Solstice Celebration

The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is a community event on the first day of summer. The event dates back to 1974, when a group of residents decided to hold a parade to celebrate the longest day of the year. Since then, the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration has grown into one of the city's largest and most popular festivals. Thousands of people enjoy the parade, which features floats, music, and dance every year. The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the summer days and nights and experience the unique culture of Santa Barbara. The celebration's highlight is the procession of giant papier-mache puppets through the streets.

Festival: June 24th and 25th. 

The parade begins at the corner of Santa Barbara St. & Ortega on June 25 at Noon.

Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival

Santa Barbara is well-known for its wine and food, so it's no surprise that the Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival is a popular event. This yearly Festival features over a hundred local wineries, breweries, restaurants, and a variety of live music and entertainment. Attendees can stroll through the various stalls, sampling the wares of Santa Barbara's best purveyors of food and drink. There's also a wide selection of seminars and workshops on offer, giving visitors the chance to learn more about the local wine and food scene. 

Festival: June 25, 2022 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Museum and Grounds

Watch this video for more events of this month:

July Events

California Wine Festival

This wine festival is a yearly event that celebrates the best of California wines. This is a way to showcase the many different types of wines produced in the state and has grown into one of the largest outdoor wine festivals. Every year, over 100 wineries from all over California come to Santa Barbara to participate in the Festival. Visitors can sample wines and enjoy live music, food, and art. Thousands of wine lovers flock together at this event while enjoying the beauty of the city. 

Festival: July 15, 2022 | 6:30PM - 9:00PM

             Chase Palm Park Carousel House

             July 16, 2022 | 1:00PM - 4:00PM

             Chase Palm Park Oceanside

California Brew & BBQ Festival

Santa Barbara's California Brew & BBQ Festival is an annual event that celebrates two of the state's most beloved pastimes: craft beer and barbecue. The Festival features Santa Barbara's best breweries, cideries, wineries, and a variety of local food vendors and live music. 

Festival: July 16, 2022 | 1:00PM - 4:00PM

             Chase Palm Park

August Events

Old Spanish Days Fiesta

Every year in Santa Barbara, the Old Spanish Days Fiesta kicks off with a bang. The streets are filled with people celebrating the local culture and heritage, and the air is thick with the scent of grilled meats and spices. For many Santa Barbarians, the Fiesta is an annual tradition that dates back generations.

The origins of this Fiesta can be traced back to 1786 when Spanish soldiers and missionaries first arrived in Santa Barbara. The Festival first started in 1924. Over time, the Fiesta evolved into a more inclusive celebration of Santa Barbara's diverse history and culture. Today, the Fiesta features a wide range of events, from traditional folk dancing to festive parades. It's an event that you won't soon forget!

Festival: Details are yet to be announced | August 3-7, 2022

September Events

Santa Barbara Studio Artists' Open Studios Tour

Santa Barbara is known for its art scene, a thriving art community. Santa Barbara Studio Artists' Open Studios Tour is an annual event that showcases the work of local artists. It began in 2000 as a way to promote Santa Barbara as an art destination and raise money for local charities. The tour has grown significantly over the years and now features hundreds of artist studios. Santa Barbara Studio Artists' Open Studios Tour is a great way to support local artists and learn about Santa Barbara's vibrant art scene.

Festival: September 3-5, 2022

October Events

Vintners Festival

Santa Barbara's Vintners Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events. The event celebrates the local wine industry with a wide array of activities, including tastings, dinners, and seminars. There is also a strong focus on local food and culture, with many Santa Barbara chefs and restaurateurs participating. The first Vintners Festival was held in 1981, and it has since grown into one of the biggest and most popular events in Santa Barbara. Each year, the Festival attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, making it a truly international event. With its beautiful location, delicious food and wine, and vibrant atmosphere, it is no wonder that Santa Barbara's Vintners Festival is such a cherished tradition.

Festival: October 8, 2022

Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

Santa Barbara's Harbor and Seafood Festival is a yearly event that celebrates the best of Santa Barbara's seafood culture. The Festival features live music, local vendors selling seafood-themed wares, and of course, plenty of delicious seafood to eat. 

The Festival traces its roots back to the early days of Santa Barbara's fishing industry. In the late 19th century, Santa Barbara was one of the largest fishing ports on the West Coast. The Santa Barbara Channel boasted an abundance of fish, and Santa Barbara's fleet of boats brought in tons of seafood each day. The Santa Barbara Fish Market was the busiest in California, and the town's canneries were constantly humming with activity.

Santa Barbara's fishing industry began to decline in the early 20th century as overfishing and pollution took their toll. However, Santa Barbara's love for seafood remained strong. When it was reinvented in 2002, they centered the event on the local fisheries as a tribute to their hard work. Visitors can interact with fishermen at this event and dig into freshly caught seafood such as lobsters, crabs, prawns, and sea urchins.  

Festival: October 15, 2022 | Santa Barbara Waterfront

November Events

Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival

Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival is one of the oldest and most well-respected film festivals globally. Founded to showcase the best and brightest in Jewish cinema and has been taking place for over twenty years. The Festival offers a wide range of films, from documentaries to feature films, which are meant to educate and entertain. In addition to screenings, the Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival also features panels and discussions with filmmakers, scholars, and other experts. With a wide variety of films on offer, it continues to grow in popularity each year.

Festival: November 3-6, 2022

Santa Barbara Half Marathon

Santa Barbara also hosts various events throughout the year, including the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. The Santa Barbara Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile race that takes runners through the streets of Santa Barbara. It is one of the most popular races in Santa Barbara, and it attracts runners from all over the world. The Santa Barbara Half Marathon is also one of the most scenic races, and it offers runners breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Barbara Half Marathon is an annual event that helps raise money for local charities.

Festival: November 6, 2022

December Events

Annual Downtown Holiday Parade

Santa Barbara's Annual Downtown Holiday Parade is a cherished local tradition of the community. The parade features Santa Claus, marching bands, floats, and local dignitaries and is one of the largest and most festive in the country. Thousands of people line the streets to watch the parade, featuring more than 100 floats, marching bands, and other attractions every year. Santa Claus himself always makes an appearance, bringing holiday cheer to everyone who watches. This local tradition has delighted residents and visitors alike for many decades. 

Parade of Lights

Santa Barbara's Parade of Lights is a local holiday tradition that celebrates the city's rich history. The city's beautiful waterfront is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. The boat parade attracts thousands of spectators enjoying the festive display each year by the dozens of paddlers and kayakers in festive attire. The parade route through the Ledbetter beach, culminating in a grand finale back to Stearns Wharf, lighting up more of the night with a short fireworks show. This has become one of the most beloved holiday events in Southern California.

Festival: December 11, 2022

If you have any questions about our beautiful community, don't hesitate to connect with us. We love helping people fall in love with Santa Barbara!