Santa Barbara Events & Festivals
Whatever time of year you visit Santa Barbara, you might want to make your to-do lists in pencil rather than pen. Year-round sunshine, ocean views and laid-back luxury set the stage for an abundance of festivals, concerts and special events.
Starting with the star-studded Santa Barbara International Film Festival (January/February), the calendar of The American Riviera® overflows with culture, color, food and fun. Signature events include Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Summer Solstice Parade, Harbor & Seafood Festival, Vintners' Festival, epicure.sb: a month to savor santa barbara, Earth Day Festival and more.
And those are just the special events (though Santa Barbara does have a way of making almost any event special). Live music fills the air above the Santa Barbara Bowl from spring to fall. Local artisans share their work at arts and crafts shows every Sunday and 1st Thursday celebrations every month. Farmers markets, writing conferences, art exhibits, theater performances, lectures - whatever your passion, you'll find something wonderful during your stay. In fact, many somethings. So do bring you planner - just remember that pencil.
Featured Partner
Wednesday May 22, 2013
- May 22, 2013 - September 03, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: 10:30AM-4:30PM
- Address: 27 W Anapamu, Suite #226, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-705-0562
- Venue: Adventure Hummer and Backroads Wine Tours
Nestled between lakes, forest and the ocean are over 150 vineyards that beckon to travelers to taste some of the finest wines in the country. Our daily tour is aboard a fleet of open air and enclosed luxury Hummers. Tours include tasting fees, souvenir wine glass and a delicious lunch.
- May 22, 2013 - May 31, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Various days and times
- Phone: 805-963-SAVE
Celebrate all things cycling! Featuring daily events such as: bike challenges, classes, fashion, music, rides, time trials, bike to work breakfasts, kids activities, movies and so much more! Please visit the website for a complete list of daily events and activities.
- May 22, 2013 - October 07, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Guided Tours Available Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00PM, Museum Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday Noon-5:00PM
- Address: 136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-966-1601
- Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum
The exhibit will feature works from the museum's collection by renowned artists such as Alexander Harmer, Ludmilla Welch, A.M. Podchernikoff, Charles Rollo Peters, and Henry Chapman Ford.
- May 22, 2013
- Times: 6PM
- Location: Multicultural Center @ UCSB
- Address: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Venue: University of California Santa Barbara-University Center
Revealing the direct connection between the history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the current immigration crisis, this film based on Juan González's book by the same title, provides a powerful glimpse into the sacrifices and triumphs of the growing Latino communities, putting a human face on issues that are often reduced to stereotyping. The film features immigrant stories as well as interviews with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, Pulitzer Prize-winning wr... Details
- May 22, 2013
- Times: 8:30PM
- Address: 1221 State Street, Ste 205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-962-7776
- Venue: SOhO Restaurant and Music Club
This is a 21+ event. Dinner reservations are available by calling or visiting the website.
- May 22, 2013
- Times: 7PM
- Address: 420 Second Street, Solvang, CA 93464
- Phone: 805-686-1789
- Venue: Solvang Festival Theatre and Gardens
Arts Outreach Annual Benefit show with this country music superstar! Call for tickets!
- May 22, 2013 - May 24, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Times: Monday through Friday. Call 805-897-1982 for viewing times.
- Location: Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center
- Address: 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-897-1982
New Views 2013 is a unique and diverse exhibit of contemporary wall quilts created by Fibervision. The exhibit is at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center from may 1 through May 24. A reception with the artists will be held on Wednesday, May 8 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm.
- May 22, 2013 - May 31, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Various times and dates for tours and events
- Location: Various Gardens and Historic Homes in Santa Barbara
- Phone: 805-682-4726
Throughout the month of May enjoy free docent-led tours, garden lovers tours, free garden talk lectures, free admission to some participating venues, garden teas at luxury hotels, special events, exhibits and book signings, free carousel rides and so much more.
- May 22, 2013 - June 16, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Opening Reception: 4/13 6-8PM
- Address: 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-966-5375
- Venue: Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
This exhibition brings together seven artists from Santa Barbara whose practices share a curiosity about human behavior, technology, and language.
- May 22, 2013 - June 14, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: 6PM
- Location: Multicultural Center @ UCSB
- Address: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Phone: 805-893-8000
- Venue: University of California Santa Barbara-University Center
In honor of National Poetry Month, award-winning Irish-American poet Ethna McKiernan will not only share her poetry, but will focus on "the largest leap of imagination there is in poetry, writing from the perspective of the 'other'."
- May 22, 2013 - June 14, 2013
- Times: Conversation and Opening reception: April 25th, 6:30PM
- Location: Multicultural Center @ UCSB
- Address: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Venue: University of California Santa Barbara-University Center
Oakland-based artists and activists Jesus Barraza and Melanie Cervantes boldly partner their social and creative work, spreading knowledge on the artform of silkscreen printing and fostering an awareness of social justice issues worldwide. Signs of Solidarity showcases a selection of portraits and posters that they have created to reflect political and cultural struggles and visions.
- May 22, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Wednesday
- Times: 5:30-7PM
- Address: 705 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Venue: Pacific Crepes
Bonjour! Practice your French. Meet new friends. All levels welcome. Visitors welcome. 20% off food at meetings. Merci et a bientot!
- May 22, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Saturday
- Times: 90 minute tours begin at 10AM and 2PM, by advance reservation only.
- Location: Casa del Herrero
- Address: 1387 East Valley Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
- Phone: 805-565-5653
- Venue: Casa Del Herrero
The Casa del Herrero offers a glimpse of life in Montecito in the 1930’s. Moorish style gardens, covering most of the 11 acre. In 2009 the Casa was designated a National Historic Landmark.
- May 22, 2013 - June 26, 2013
- Times: Reception: 4-6PM, Thurs May 16th
- Location: Ridley Tree Museum
- Address: 955 La Paz Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108
- Phone: 805-565-6051
- Venue: Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
Westmont's annual juried art exhibition features 44 works created by Tri-County artists May 16-June 22 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum. A free, public reception for "Confluence" is Thursday, May 16, from 4-6 p.m. All works in the exhibition will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the artists and museum. Peter Frank, Los Angeles-based art critic, curator and poet, juried the show. Cash awards, determined by Frank, will be given to the artists at the opening reception.
- May 22, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Wednesday
- Times: 6PM
- Location: Leadbetter Beach
- Address: Shoreline Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Phone: 805-564-8879
Every Wednesday night, beginning May 4th, take part in swimming, running, and biathlon events along one of the most scenic coastlines in the country. Each week features a different sponsor, buffet host and local Santa Barbara entertainment.
