Fiesta Forever has been chosen as the theme for this year’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, which will include several new events for Santa Barbara’s premiere festival.

Details for Fiesta 2026 were unveiled Friday, April 10 by El Presidente Colin Hayward during a morning media conference on the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall.

“Fiesta Forever means continuously celebrating the history and traditions of Santa Barbara’s Fiesta celebrations,” said Hayward. “We need to continually fan the flames of the original inspiration the founders had more than 100 years ago.”

Joined by OSD Board members, past presidentes and Santa Barbara city officials, Hayward revealed several new Fiesta events that will be held this year in addition to the traditional Old Spanish Days events like the Historical Parade, Fiesta Pequeña, Noches de Ronda, Digs at the Zoo, Fiesta Ranchera in Goleta, and Mercado De La Guerra.

“I am honored to announce this year we will be staging the inaugural Fiesta Dog Parade on State Street and culminating at Paseo Nuevo,” said Hayward. “We are also pleased to be announce two other the first-ever events: a community-wide Fiesta Photo Contest and a Fiesta Poetry Contest with Father Larry Gosselin chosen as our poet laureate.”

“I’m pleased to say Fiesta 2026 will feel much like the Fiestas we all know and love, while also bringing in new elements to make this year especially memorable,” said Hayward.

“Fiesta is about tradition. Fiesta is about history, and most importantly, Fiesta is about community.”

“As el presidente, I am committed to strengthening our connection to this community — through our events, our partnerships with sponsors, and our collaboration with local cultural and historic organizations,” he said. “I can assure you, Fiesta 2026 will be something special for everyone.”

Fiesta 2026 runs Aug. 5-9. Learn more at sbfiesta.org.