Calendar of Events

Santa Barbara offers many events throughout the year.  Or Santa Barbara County is an extraordinarily lively, vibrant region whose diverse cities and communities host an almost unimaginable selection of annual and special events--from parades, fairs, and festivals to celebrations of the area's many unique qualities and characteristics. In Santa Barbara County, something wonderful is always happening.

Old Spanish Days in Downtown Santa Barbara, CA

Fiesta is an important Santa Barbara tradition that has continued for over 75 years for a number of important reasons.  The annual event provides an education of the history, customs, and traditions of the American Indian, Spanish, Mexican, and early American settlers that comprise the rich cultural heritage of Santa Barbara.  Fiesta is a unique forum for the cultural expression of our diversity.  Old Spanish Days Fiesta has grown in stature and reputation to become one of the five best regional festivals in the United States. Fiesta performers come from around the nation and Mexico to participate.  For more information about Santa Barbara Fiesta visit  www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org

California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria, CA
This is the South Coast's largest free festival located in downtown Carpinteria.  Live music, recipe contests and exhibitors provide plenty for everybody to do.  The festival is three days of fabulous food, terrific music, and great safe family fun. For more information about the California Festival visit www.avofest.com

California Lemon Festival in Goleta, CA
This is the most anticipated event in the Valley!  The event offers pie-eating contests, arts and crafts vendors, and an array of lemon treats.  A petting zoo and amusement park rides just add to the many things that make the California Lemon Festival fun for the whole family.  For more information about the California Lemon Festival visit www.lemonfestival.com

Harvest Festival in Santa Ynez Valley, CA
Food, wine & entertainment. The Harvest Festival is brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Vintner's Association and is held on the third weekend of October each year.  For information about Santa Barbara County Vintner's Association visit www.sbcountywines.com

I Madonnari
Italian street painting festival at the Old Santa Barbara Mission showcasing sponsored, large-scale street paintings for charity.  The festival also features live music on the Mission lawn and free evening concerts in the church, authentic Italian cuisine, and a special street painting area for children.
For more information about I Madonnari visit: www.imadonnarifestival.com
 
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International film festival showcases talents of both award-winning and emerging screenwriters, directors, producers and actors from around the world with film screenings, special events and seminars offered throughout the ten-day festival.  For more information about the Santa Barbara International Film Festival visit www.sbfilmfestival.org

Santa Barbara's Summer Solstice Parade
The Parade is the largest, single-day arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world.
For more information of the Santa Barbara Summer Soltice Parade visit: www.solsticeparade.com

Vintner's Festival in Santa Ynez Valley, CA
Food, wine & entertainment. The Vintner's Festival is brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Vintner's Association and is held on the third weekend of May each year.

If you are still looking for more information about Santa Barbara, please visit the Santa Barbara Visitor's Bureau  http://www.santabarbaraca.com/index.html  They offer a great calendar of events.