A new event has been added to the 2026 Old Spanish Days event calendar placing furry friends at the forefront of the inaugural Fiesta Dog Parade and Costume Contest, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 16 in downtown Santa Barbara.

Inspired by Old Spanish Days Fiesta, the pup parade brings together locals, businesses, nonprofits, and pet lovers for a colorful, creative event.

The parade is a collaboration between Old Spanish Days, the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Humane, and Paseo Nuevo.

The day will be a celebration of Santa Barbara’s culture, community spirit, and love of dogs, according to Colin Hayward, 2026 el presidente.

“The Fiesta Dog Parade for Old Spanish Days 2026 is really about bringing new parts of our community into the Fiesta family,” said Hayward, whose vision of a Fiesta Dog Parade created this year’s event.

“We want to give more people a reason to feel connected to Fiesta in 2026.

“Santa Barbara has an incredible community of dog lovers; people who enjoy costume contests and folks who simply want to be downtown on State Street enjoying a fun, festive parade. This event brings all of that together,” he said.

With costumes, Spanish-inspired flair, and plenty of wagging tails, participants will parade down the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street before making their way through Paseo Nuevo.

A post-parade gathering, including music, vendors and awards, will take place at the parade’s conclusion in Paseo Nuevo.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants and attendees, organizers said participation in the Dog Parade is limited and available by advance registration only.

Every pre-registered pup will get a special commemorative Fiesta bandana. Costume contest winners will receive prizes from Paseo Nuevo retailers.

To register, and for more information, visit Fiesta Dog Parade Details & Registration. Fiesta 2026 runs Aug. 5-9. Learn more at sbfiesta.org.