Santa Barbara Events

Most major hotels present entertainment nightly during the summer season and on weekends all year. State Street has a good jazz scene. Santa Barbara supports a professional symphony and a chamber orchestra. The proximity to the University of California at Santa Barbara assures an endless stream of visiting artists and performers. To see what's scheduled around town pick up a copy of the free weekly Santa Barbara Independent newspaper.

Harbor Parade of Lights
A lovely sight as boats decorated with holiday lights cruise around Stearn's Wharf and the Harbor.

First Night Santa Barbara
December 31
(805) 892-2250
First Night Santa Barbara will take place on December 31st from 12 noon to 12 midnight. In the afternoon, children will be treated to child friendly activities that embrace arts and crafts, music and theater. In addition to the children's program, local cultural centers will offer special admission to First Night revelers throughout the day.
At dusk, Santa Barbara will transform into a spectacle of light and color, revealing outdoor concerts, viewings of specially commissioned art installations, gallery tours, musical programs, street corner musicians, staged theater productions, multimedia displays, dances, street performers and a spectacular midnight fireworks display. Admission to all events is granted to visitors displaying a commemorative First Night Santa Barbara button. First Night event held in cities across the country and world. The theme is "The Santa Barbara Family" and the city-wide events emphasize the arts, culture, and entertainment; beginning at 1pm and ending at midnight with a fireworks show.

Hanggliding and Paragliding Festival
Jan 1
(805) 965-3733
Fly-in at Elings Park in Santa Barbara from 11am to dusk. Festival will include traditional favorites of hang gliders flying from the mountains, paragliding and hang gliding spot landings, and other contests. Also may be featuring kites, hot air balloons, and gliders, plus music and lots of fun.

Orchid Fair
Late March
Held at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (off Patterson in Goleta). More than 50 growers from around the world participate. Highlights include demonstrations of orchid care and culture and a large area of beautiful flower arrangements. Items for sale include corsages, plants, supplies, pins and posters.

Whale Festival
March
This March festival in honor of the whale includes a Street Faire, storytelling, whale watching and diving excursions, and arts and crafts. Get the facts from "official whale information stations".

International Film Festival
March
Drawing celebrities, press, film buffs, and regular folks to town every March, the SBIFF showcases American and international independent films. At their site you can find a schedule of films and competitions, seminars and symposiums, lists of winners from years past, and other events sponsored by SBIFF.

Botanical Garden's Easter Egg Hunt
April
Similar to the Easter egg hunt at the White House, children bring baskets and hunt for eggs. Refreshments are served.
Jewish Festival
April
At Oak Park in April, there's entertainment throughout the day celebrating Jewish culture and traditions. Israeli dancing, klezmer bands, storytelling, arts, crafts, and food.