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
Sunday May 19, 2013
- May 19, 2013
- Times: 11AM-4PM
- Location: Santa Barbara'a Historic Downtown Neighborhood
- Address: Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-961-3938
The Pearl Chase Society invites you to visit six antique adobes and the Cowboy Artist, Ed Borein studio hidden in the heart of Santa Barbara's historic downtown neighborhood.
- May 19, 2013
- Times: 3-6PM
- Location: Montecito Country Club
- Address: 920 Summit Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
- Phone: 877-268-2783
Eat, drink and meet world class chefs from Santa Barbara County. All funds benefit the Santa Barbara Foodbank.
- May 19, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: Various event times and locations in Santa Barbara
- Phone: 805-966-9222
America's greatest bike race will finish in Santa Barbara, CA for the 2013 race. Come and be part of the action. Visit the website for more information.
- May 19, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
- Times: 10AM-6PM daily
- Address: 10620 SOuthern Highlands Pky, Las Vegas, CA 89141
- Phone: 805-895-6041
- Venue: Earl Warren Showgrounds
Come and see eighty of the west's finest dealers specializing in Antiques and Vintage Arts will be selling everything from period furniture, garden artifacts, decorative accessories, paintings estate jewelry, silver, textiles, linens, glassware, china, porcelain, and much more.
- May 19, 2013 - December 29, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
- Times: 10AM on Saturdays at De La Guerra Plaza and 10AM on Sundays at Public Library
- Location: Downtown Santa Barbara
- Address: De La Guerra St. (Sat) and Anapamu St. (Sun), Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-965-6307
Experience the significant architecture and history of Santa Barbara with walking tours of the downtown area. Join knowledgeable docents from the Architectural Foundation for an exploration of our architectural and landscape design heritage, and the events and people that shaped it.
- May 19, 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 19, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Sunday
- Times: 5PM-Close
- Address: 2879 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93441
- Phone: 805-688-7265
- Venue: Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant
Bring your family to dine with our family here at The Los Olivos Café. Every Sunday, Chef Shaun King will prepare a special and unique menu that is meant to share with your family tableside. Enjoy a 3-course meal served ‘family-style' that your whole family will enjoy! Every Sunday the menu will change, so you and your guests can enjoy a new family-dining experience every week! Reservations are not required for this special menu, but recommended. Please note that the wh... Details
- May 19, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
- Times: Fri and Sat: 7PM dinner 8PM show; Sun: 1PM lunch and 2PM show
- Address: 1800 Refugio Road, Goleta, CA 93117
- Phone: 805-968-1113
- Venue: Circle Bar B Guest Ranch and Stables
This ingenious comedy is comprised of three separate vignettes illustrating four couples in various states in their "relationship."
- May 19, 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 19, 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 19, 2013
- Times: 12-5PM
- Location: Tour Begins at the Goleta Valley Community Center
- Address: 304 N. Los Carneros Rd., Goleta, CA 93117
- Phone: 805-681-7216
- Venue: Rancho La Patera & Stow House
Enjoy an escorted "behind-the-gates" tour of some of the Goodland's natural and historical treasures including Arroyo Hondo Preserve (preserved by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County), Bragg Farms, Bishop Ranch, the nationally-recognized Sister Witness Tree and more. Reservations are required.
- May 19, 2013
- Times: 3PM
- Location: UCSB Pollock Theater
- Address: UCSB Campus, Pollock Theater, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Phone: 805-893-3535
- Venue: Alamar Motel
ART | ARCHITECTURE ON FILM Series Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner SUN, MAY 19 / 3 PM / POLLOCK THEATER $10 / $5 all students Reception follows / 21 years + Presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures Tickets: (805) 893-3535 or www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
- May 19, 2013
- Times: 4-7PM
- Address: 1387 East Valley Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-565-5653
Guests will enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, wine, and the estate itself. The event provides a rare opportunity to meet the artists directly, wander throughout the grounds and discover first-hand this hidden treasure of Santa Barbara. "Preserving Precious Spaces" is a bi-annual event limited to just 150 guests. Tickets are $125 each ($100 for members) and 50% of painting sales revenues benefit Casa del Herrero, with the remainder going directly to the artists. Advance reservations ar... Details
- May 19, 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 19, 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.
