Santa Barbara is just days away from celebrating the 103rd Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
From Aug. 5 to Aug. 9, the city will be filled with live music, markets, parades and events.
This year’s theme is Fiesta Forever, chosen to continuously celebrate the history and traditions of the city’s Fiesta celebrations, Presidente Colin Hayward said in April.
The first Fiesta was celebrated in 1924. It was created, in part, to help bring in tourists to Santa Barbara during the summer months.
Last year, some festivities were canceled and organizations pulled out of events over growing fears of federal immigration enforcement activity after the July Glass House Farms immigration raid.
This year, the city of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Police Department reassured residents that they do not assist with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
“Our officers are trained to verify credentials and protect the rights of all individuals, especially in public high-traffic areas,” a city spokesperson said in a press release sent out ahead of the Fiesta festivities.
Here’s where to participate this year.
Multi-Day Events
Free Santa Barbara County Courthouse Docent Tours
An hour-long guided tour of the historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse at 1100 Anacapa St. will run every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday.
Those interested should meet in the courthouse’s mural room.
El Mercado De La Guerra
This annual market is known as the heart of Fiesta. This year, it will expand onto the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street between Canon Perdido and Ortega streets.
The market is set up across from Santa Barbara City Hall, and features live entertainment, various food stands and artisanal vendors from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday.
For the first time, a beer garden will be added to the center of De La Guerra Plaza.
Some streets will be closed while the market is open.
De la Guerra Loop Road is closed from 5 a.m. on Aug. 2 through 7 p.m. on Aug. 9. East De la Guerra Street between State Street and Anacapa Street will be closed from 5 a.m. on Aug. 4 through 7 p.m. on Aug. 9.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Hosts Live Music, Games
Our Lady of Guadalupe will host its own celebration with music, food and games at Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood at 227 N. Nopal St., Aug. 7-9. Find the full schedule here.
Las Noches de Ronda
The dance performances during the Nights of Gaiety or Las Noches de Ronda, are held annually in the Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
More than 200 performers will dance to flamenco and Mexican folklórico songs from Thursday to Saturday, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., at 1100 Anacapa St.
Blankets and chairs may be set up at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Event organizers warned that anything made of plastic or nylon material will be removed.
Fiesta Arts and Crafts Show
Check out locally made art at the Fiesta Arts and Crafts Show from Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Saturday market will be located east of the Dolphin Fountain to the pathway at the east end of Skater’s Point.
The Sunday market will be at its regular location along Cabrillo Boulevard.
Mujeres Makers Market
The pop-up at 123 E. Canon Perdido St. will host a two-day market during Fiesta weekend featuring local vendors and live performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 8-9.
Dance Performances at Paseo Nuevo
Paseo Nuevo is hosting its own Fiesta events with dance performances from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8.
The flamenco, folklórico and fusion dance performances will occur daily at Center Court from noon to 7 p.m. with live music and food.
For a full schedule of the dance performances, click here.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
La Fiesta Pequeña
This free and historical program officially kicks off Old Spanish Days Fiesta each year.
It features traditional songs and dance from Californios Spirit from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
Event organizers warn that blankets, chairs, or anything left to reserve seating for the event will not be allowed until Wednesday at 6 a.m. Items placed before then will be confiscated.
There is limited parking and street closures planned during the event.
Street closures will begin in the area surrounding the Old Mission Santa Barbara at 6 p.m.
From 6:30 to 10 p.m., Los Olivos Street between Laguna Street and Alameda Padre Serra, and Laguna Street between Padre Street and Los Olivos Street, will be closed.
Roads will begin to reopen at 10 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6
La Misa del Presidente
Following the night program to kick off Fiesta at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, the church will host high mass on the second day of Old Spanish Days.
The mass, La Misa del Presidente, honors El Presidente and the Old Spanish Days Board and the relationship the Old Mission has with the Fiesta festivities and the community.
After the Roman Catholic Mass, a reception is hosted in the Sacred Garden.
Celebración de los Dignatarios
Marketed as Fiesta’s “wildest party,” this adults-only and now sold-out event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
It features local food, drinks and music on the Zoo’s hilltop.
The Santa Barbara Zoo will close at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday for the event.
Friday, Aug. 7
El Desfile Histórico
The historical parade is one of the largest equestrian parades, according to event organizers. It is free to watch; it begins at noon and will end around 2 p.m.
The parade features floats depicting California and Santa Barbara history. It runs along Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez.
People can set out chairs as early as 5 p.m. the day before.
Find the parade route in Google Maps here.
Attendees can purchase tickets to sit in a shaded section for about $50 (after fees and tax). Tickets must be purchased before the event.
The parade will also result in some temporary street and parking closures, according to the city.
At 6 a.m., Cabrillo Boulevard, from Harbor Way to Chapala Street, will be closed. Castillo Street, from West Yanonali Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, and Shoreline Drive, from Harbor Way to Castillo Street, will also be closed. East Beach back-in parking on Cabrillo Boulevard will be restricted.
At 8 a.m., Cabrillo Boulevard, from Chapala Street to Milpas Street, will be closed. Garden Street from East Yanonali Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, Calle Cesar Chavez from Cabrillo Boulevard to East Yanonali Street, and Stearns Wharf will also be closed.
At 9:30 a.m., Cabrillo Boulevard’s eastbound lanes from Milpas Street to Los Patos Way will be closed. Access to the East Beach Volleyball Courts will be unavailable.
At approximately 4 p.m., roads will begin to reopen.
Flor y Canto Presents Musical Performances
Flor y Canto will feature free musical numbers with original 19th-century Spanish California dances and songs at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens from 7 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8
El Desfile de los Niños
The annual free Children’s Parade will run along Cabrillo Boulevard from Calle Puerto Vallarta to Casa Las Palmas beginning at 10 a.m. until about 1 p.m.
The parade begins at 721 E. Cabrillo St. and ends at 323 E. Cabrillo St. Participants will wear “traditional costumes and celebrate the rich culture of the area,” organizers said.
The detailed parade route in Google Maps can be found here.
The Carousel House and Plaza area will be closed to the public.
From 6 to 7 a.m., Cabrillo Boulevard, Helena/Cabrillo east to end of Skater’s Point, will be designated as a loading-only area.
Additional road closures will be in effect at 6:30 a.m., including intersections leading to Cabrillo Boulevard, Cabrillo Boulevard from Chapala Street to Milpas Street, and the area surrounding the ball field and Calle Cesar Chavez to East Cabrillo Boulevard. Milpas from Calle Puerto Vallarta to Cabrillo East will remain open.
At 9:30 a.m., Yanonali Street and access to both the Garden Street and Palm Park lots will be closed at Cabrillo Boulevard at Anacapa Street. Helena Avenue will also divert vehicles north to avoid the Garden Street intersection.
To view the full schedule of events, visit sbfiesta.org.
Know of an event not listed here? Email news@noozhawk.com.
