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
Thursday May 23, 2013
- May 23, 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 23, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: 8PM
- Location: Comedy Hideaway Showroom (Inside of Goleta Petrini's)
- Address: 5711 Calle Real, Goleta, CA, CA 93117
- Phone: 805-636-1495
Comedy Hideaway is Santa Barbara's most celebrated weekly comedy show, with headliners from HBO, Comedy Central, and NBC. Experience a professional show rarely seen outside of New York or Los Angeles. Use the code SBCA for an exclusive discount when pre-ordering tickets at SBcomedy.com."
- May 23, 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 23, 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 23, 2013
- Times: 5:30-9:30PM
- Location: Downtown Santa Barbara Various Locations
- Address: 27B E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: (805) 962-2098 x22
- Venue: Santa Barbara Downtown Organization
Participants enjoy a self guided tour of downtown venues prepared with a logo wine glass in hand for tasting wines and sampling delicious foods at every stop.
- May 23, 2013 - December 26, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring every 2 weeks on Thursday
- Times: 10AM-2:30PM, actual times may vary, subject to availability
- Phone: 877-885-9283
- Venue: Adventure Company of Santa Barbara
Sample scrumptious, wine-infused cupcakes paired with some of the best wines in Santa Ynez! Lunch is also included with this unique and tasty tour. Actual dates may vary, minimum numbers required on all tours. Perfect for special occasions and group rates are available!
- May 23, 2013
- Times: 7-9PM
- Location: Pollock Theater, UCSB
- Address: Ocean Road (off the central bus loop), Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Phone: 805-893-4585
The screening of GOMORRAH is part of the series Matteo Garrone: The Dark Side of Italian Cinema, which features three films by award winning Italian filmmaker, Matteo Garrone. Gomorrah deals with the Casalesi clan, a crime syndicate within the Camorra, a traditional criminal organization.
- May 23, 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 23, 2013 - September 05, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: 4-6PM
- Location: Pali Wine Co. Tasting Room
- Address: 116 Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-560-7254
Enjoy a glass of one of four wines featured in the tasting room’s kegs, including wines from Pali’s sister winery, Tower 15. Current selections include Tower 15 Petite Sirah, Tower 15 Sauvignon Blanc, Tower 15 “Sunset” Rosé and Tower 15 Grenache Blanc. Price:$5 per glass
- May 23, 2013
- Times: 5:30-8PM, Gallery Tours 7:30-9:30 and Final Party at SB Historical Museum
- Location: 33 Jewels @ El paseo
- Address: De La Guerra and State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
This annual event offers guests a rare opportunity to stroll between downtown venues which are each paired with a downtown restaurant and a winery. This year, Grassini Family Vineyards is thrilled to be paired with Julienne Restaurant and 33 Jewels! This popular event is a community favorite and is sure to sell-out to 500 people! The May 23rd tour will feature venues south of Carrillo Street with the final party to be hosted at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (SBHM.) Check in at the Santa B... Details
- May 23, 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 23, 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 23, 2013 - May 30, 2013
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
- Times: 12-5PM
- Location: Divine Inspiration Gallery of Fine Arts
- Address: 1528 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-962-6444
The colorful & diverse paintings of seven Central Coast artists are combined in a new art exhibit at Divine Inspiration Gallery in Santa Barbara. Show runs from April 4 through May 31, 2013. The public is invited to join the artists for a reception on Thursday, April 4 from 5-8pm. Closed Mon/Tue.
- May 23, 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 23, 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.
