Santa Barbara will celebrate this year’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta from Wednesday through Sunday, with five days of parades, music, dancing and cultural festivities.
The annual festival, which began in 1924, honors Santa Barbara’s history and traditions through a mix of free and ticketed events.
Organized by the nonprofit Old Spanish Days, Fiesta showcases the city’s cultural heritage and community spirit.
This year’s theme, “Capture the Spirit,” was chosen by Old Spanish Days El Presidente Fritz Olenberger to reflect his passion for photographing Fiesta dancers and the energy that fills the city during the celebration.
Organizers say the week promises something for all ages and highlights the sense of community at the heart of Fiesta.
“Everybody this time of year comes together as a community, which is one of the things I think is so special about Fiesta,” said David Bolton, Old Spanish Days historian and 2023 El Presidente.
“We’re so thankful to the sponsors and everyone in the community who help make it possible.”
Not One, But Two Rodeos
This year’s rodeo schedule reflects a major change following the end of the longtime partnership between Old Spanish Days and Earl Warren Showgrounds, which had hosted the event for decades.
After unsuccessful negoiations, Old Spanish Days moved its signature rodeo to the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, while the showgrounds created a new, PRCA-sanctioned rodeo of its own.
The free Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo at the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center will focus on youth and local participants, with events such as ribbon jerking, dummy roping, barrel racing and mutton bustin’, organizers said.
The rodeo events are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a ticketed barbecue with live music at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Olenberger said having the rodeo in the North County makes sense, since many of the young riders and families come from the area.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Santa Barbara Rodeo Days at Earl Warren Showgrounds runs Friday through Sunday, with a free-entry carnival and fiesta, food vendors, live music and a mercado.
A full range of professional rodeo events, under the sanction of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and produced by Flying U Rodeo Co., require paid admission and are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Click here to purchase tickets online.
Rodeo events featuring some of the top professional rodeo competitors in the country include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, breakaway roping and steer wrestling, along with mutton bustin’ for the kids.
Also on hand will be 2025 Miss Rodeo California Janae Wallace and the Borderline Bar Performance Dance Team, and the showgrounds will honor longtime Fiesta rodeo organizer Josiah Jenkins, and his parents, Karen and Si Jenkins.
Beyond the rodeo, Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague said the weekend will offer plenty of family fun, including a free carnival with entry, fiesta-themed food and drinks, live music and a celebratory atmosphere.
“One highlight we’re especially looking forward to is the line dancing with the Borderline Bar Performance Dance Team,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great time, and we can’t wait to share it all with the community.”
Below is the schedule for both rodeos:
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo
Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, 195 N. Refugio Road in Santa Ynez
Friday, Aug. 1
9 a.m. — Youth events, including ribbon jerking, barrel racing, pole bending and mutton bustin’
1 p.m. — Open roping events (ladies breakaway, team roping, memorial roping)
Saturday, Aug. 2
9 a.m. — Sorting and penning competitions (junior, open and Old Timers divisions)
5 p.m. — Mutton bustin’
5:30 p.m. — Barbecue dinner with live music; tickets available online
Saturday, Aug. 3
9 a.m. — Junior events, including goat tying, breakaway roping, team roping and mixed ribbon roping
Santa Barbara Rodeo Days
Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara
Carnival & Fiesta — Free Entry
Friday, Aug. 1 — 2 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2 — 2 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3 — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Presale tickets for 10 carnival rides are available through July 31 for $30.
Professional Rodeo Performances
Friday, Aug. 1 — 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2 — 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3 — 1 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets online.
In addition to the rodeos, Old Spanish Days Fiesta will feature parades, a mercado, live performances and other festivities throughout Santa Barbara during the week.
Multiday Events
Courthouse Fiesta Tours — Free (Wednesday-Sunday)
Visitors can take a free, one-hour docent-guided tour through Santa Barbara’s historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse, learning about its history and Spanish-Moorish architecture.
Tours are offered every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting in the Mural Room at 1100 Anacapa St.
El Mercado De la Guerra — Free (Wednesday-Saturday)
Stroll through a colorful Mexican market across from City Hall to enjoy Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and watch live entertainment throughout the day.
This year, the mercado will also expand into Casa De la Guerra, an event center at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. The mercado is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in De la Guerra Plaza. Casa De la Guerra and El Mercado De la Guerra are neighboring venues, each offering a full lineup of Fiesta events.
Click here for the full Mercado De la Guerra schedule.
Click here for the full Casa De la Guerra schedule.
Las Noches de Ronda — Free (Thursday-Saturday)
Las Noches de Ronda, or “Nights of Gaiety,” brings music and dance to the Sunken Garden at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The program features flamenco and folklórico performances, highlighting the traditions and energy of Fiesta. Shows run from 8 to 10 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta — Free (Friday-Sunday)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, at 227 N. Nopal St., hosts its annual fiesta from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The event features authentic Mexican food, live music, games for kids and a raffle drawing at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Arts & Crafts Show — Free
The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the beach side of East Cabrillo Boulevard between Stearns Wharf and Calle Cesar Chavez. It features handmade crafts and artwork from local artisans.
Wednesday, July 30
La Fiesta Pequeña — Free
The first day of Fiesta concludes with La Fiesta Pequeña, or Little Fiesta, a historical program featuring traditional Californio songs and dances at the historic Old Mission Santa Bárbara, 2201 Laguna St., from 8 to 10 p.m.
Thursday, July 31
La Misa del Presidente — Free
This Roman Catholic Mass at the Mission Santa Bárbara has been part of Fiesta since 1936 and is followed by a festive reception in the mission’s Sacred Garden. The service begins at 10 a.m. at the mission, 2201 Laguna St.
Las Noches de Ronda — Free
Las Noches de Ronda begins at the Courthouse Sunken Garden, 1100 Anacapa St., with evening performances of music and dance from 8 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1
El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) — Free + Reserved Seating Available
One of the largest equestrian parades in the country, El Desfile Histórico features floats, riders and re-enactments of California and Santa Barbara history.
The parade starts at noon on Cabrillo Boulevard, from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez. While viewing is free, Old Spanish Days offers reserved seating along the beach side of Cabrillo between Anacapa and Garden streets.
Flor y Canto — Free
Flor y Canto offers a unique chance to experience 19th-century Spanish California music and dance, blending historic narration with performances on replica acoustic instruments. The event runs from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Courthouse Sunken Garden, 1100 Anacapa St.
Saturday, Aug. 2
El Desfile de los Niños (Children’s Parade) — Free
The Children’s Parade, organized by the Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department, begins at 10 a.m. on East Cabrillo Boulevard and runs from Garden Street to Calle Cesar Chavez. Local children, families and groups dress in festive costumes to celebrate the region’s culture.
Tarde de Ronda — Free
Tarde de Ronda, or Afternoon of Gaiety, is a special dance program featuring Fiesta’s youngest performers, under age 13. It takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Courthouse Sunken Garden, 1100 Anacapa St.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Arts & Crafts Show — Free
The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show continues along East Cabrillo Boulevard between Stearns Wharf and Calle Cesar Chavez. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., it features handmade crafts and artwork from local artisans.