Calendar of Events
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.
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Thursday Sep 02, 2010
- September 02, 2010 - May 03, 2012
- Recurrence: Recurring monthly on the 1st Thursday
- Times: 5-8pm
- Location: Downtown Santa Barbara
- Phone: 805-962-2098
1st Thursday is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and art-related venues offer free access to visual and performing art in a fun and social environment from 5-8 p.m. 1st Thursday venues feature attractions, such as art openings, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings and hands-on activities. Expect something special in art and culture on the first Thursday of every month!
- September 02, 2010
- Times: 8PM
- Address: 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
- Phone: 1-800-585-3737
- Venue: Chumash Casino Resort
Popular female vocal ensemble Celtic Woman performs a mix of Celtic, New Age and adult contemporary music. Celtic Woman also features an energetic stage show similar to Riverdance. Don't miss them live in concert!
- September 02, 2010 - September 16, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: Thursdays at Sunset, August 26-September 16
- Location: Stearns Wharf
- Address: 230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-962-2526
Enjoy classic family films out on Stearns Wharf while the stars shine on screen and in the water! Dress warmly, bring your blankets and beach chairs and enjoy Thursday night movies!
- September 02, 2010
- Times: 5-8PM
- Location: Downtown Santa Barbara
- Address: State Street and surrounding areas, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-962-2098 x 22
Visit Downtown Santa Barbara for an evening filled with FREE art, culture, music and fun! 1st Thursday on September 2nd will include more than 35 cultural art venues eager to show off exciting new exhibits, welcoming artist receptions, intriguing demonstrations and energetic live music.
- September 02, 2010
- Times: 4-8PM
- Address: 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-966-5373
- Venue: Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
Artist James Gilbert will set up a temporary sewing shop in the CAF gallery and sew several hundred real size pairs of unique clear industrial plastic see-through underpants, which will accumulate in huge sculptural piles around him.
- September 02, 2010
- Times: 5PM
- Location: Paseo Nuevo Center Court
- Address: 651 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-845-6658
- Venue: Paseo Nuevo
Twiin Productions Inc. proudly presents a kick-off to this year's West Beach Music Festival with a FREE live concert.
- September 02, 2010 - February 15, 2011
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Most venues are open daily 11 am-4 pm
- Location: Ten Venues in Los Olivos - Call for more information
- Phone: 888-273-2838
“Sunlight and Water” will transform eight tasting rooms, a restaurant, and a hotel in downtown Los Olivos into a Meandering Gallery experience showcasing Mark Robert Halper's portraits of Santa Barbara County winemakers. The six month photographic exhibition will open to coincide with release of the book, “Sunlight and Water: Celebrating the Winemakers of Santa Barbara County.” Wine and art related events will continue through February of 2011. The intimate portraits of ... Details
- September 02, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: 7-10PM
- Address: 1316 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-963-0242
- Venue: Cafe Buenos Aires
Come enjoy a fun exhibition of Brazilian Carnival dancing. The beautiful dancers perform 3 sets with different costumes. We also offer Brazilian food and drink specials.
- September 02, 2010 - October 03, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Tue.-Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5
- Address: 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Venue: Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
The Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum is pleased to announce Call For Entries ‘09 -’10 featuring new work of area artists Graham Bury, Alejandro Casazi, Madelaine Frezza, Laura Krifka, Christine Morla, and Shane Tolbert. Opening Reception: August 7, 7PM
- September 02, 2010 - January 28, 2011
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: 10:30AM - 4:30PM
- Location: El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
- Address: 123 E. Cannon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-965-0093
- Venue: El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP & Casa De La Guerra ~ Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
Discover how ceramics were made, used and traded in early California with the newest exhibit at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, "Ceramics Rediscovered: Science Reshapes Understanding of Hispanic Life in Early California." Featuring period artifacts and reproduction pottery, this groundbreaking exhibit traces the evolution of California’s earliest potters and the material culture they helped shape.
- September 02, 2010 - September 19, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Closed Monday.
- Address: 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-963-4364
- Venue: Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Chaotic Harmony: Contemporary Korean Photography July 3 - September 19, 2010 The first major exhibition in the United States of photographs made by contemporary Korean artists presently living in Korea, Chaotic Harmony: Contemporary Korean Photography opens a window into the rapidly expanding field of photographic practice in the Republic of Korea, known in the West as South Korea. Bringing together work by 40 contemporary photographers, this exhibition surveys the range of contemporary issues ... Details
- September 02, 2010 - October 28, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: 5-7PM
- Address: 121 S. Hope Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Phone: 805-963-7147
- Venue: La Cumbre Plaza
Enjoy complimentary music from renowned local musicians every Thursday night and get a jump start on your weekend. Santa Barbara County Vintners will be presenting a special wine tasting each week. Outside chairs and food are welcome.
- September 02, 2010 - October 03, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Tue.-Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5
- Address: 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Venue: Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
Santa Barbara-based Keith Puccinelli uses an irreverent quick wit, modest materials, and tableaux to broach the conflict between the preciousness of life and man’s disregard for life during times of war, to create a kind of carnival of sorrow. Opening reception: August 7, 7PM
- September 02, 2010 - October 08, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM and Sunday 12-5PM
- Address: 136 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-966-1601
- Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Paintings by one of America’s most important Impressionist artists will be featured in a major exhibition at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum beginning Thursday, June 24.
- September 02, 2010 - October 03, 2010
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Tuesday-Sunday 12-5PM, 1st Thursday to 8PM by appointment
- Location: Artamo Gallery
- Address: 11 West Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-568-1400
A selection of black-and-white photographs by Teri Blodgett, juxtaposed with a painting and prints of the limited edition "A 5" series by D. A. Metrov who blends known comic figures into his twisted compositions.
