January
January 1 Hang Gliding and Paragliding Festival
January 2 Santa Barbara Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count
Whale Watching (through March): boat tours in the Santa Barbara Channel
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
March
Santa Barbara International Orchid Show: a blooming horticultural happening.
Santa Barbara Whale Festival: celebrate cetaceans of all shapes and sizes.
April
Santa Barbara Arts Festival: two weeks of art exhibitions, music, theatre and dance.
Santa Barbara Kite Festival: Fly high on blustery March winds at beautiful Shoreline Park
Lompoc Spring Arts Festival: enjoy antique vehicles, great entertainment, inspired art and add a little spice with a sanctioned chili cookoff.
Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Festival: enjoy the fruit of the vine in nearby Santa Ynez Valley.
Earth Day Celebration: festivities at the courthouse, learn how to help the environment.
Presidio Days: Celebrate Santa Barbara’s birthday and multi-ethnic origins at his El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
Santa Barbara County Fair & Expo: Ranch, farm, commercial and education exhibits, plus an amusement park with all the rides and attractions at Earl Warren Showgrounds
May
Santa Barbara Cinco de Mayo Festival: mariachi music, folk dancing, food and fun.
I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival: chalk paintings on the pavement in front of Santa Barbara’s Old Mission, Memorial Day Weekend
Children’s Festival: A day of family fun at Alameda Park, complete with sports, crafts, bounce houses, food, music and entertainment.
June
Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade: party every minute of the longest day of the year with whimsical costumes, music and dance, a post-parade gathering at Alameda Park, plus an evening event at the Sunken Gardens.
Semana Nautica: Santa Barbara’s summer festival of sports—on land and in the water.
July
Santa Barbara French Festival: Francophiles revel in two days devoted to the far-reaching culture of France. Enjoy everything from French bread to a French poodle parade.
Independence Day Parade and Concert: show your patriotic spirit at the parade in the morning, then head over to the Sunken Garden at the County Courthouse for the Santa Barbara Symphony’s musical salute to America. Finish the day with fireworks at East Beach.
Santa Barbara Greek Festival: Be Greek for a weekend with food, music and dancing.
August
Old Spanish Days (Fiesta): Five-day festival celebrating Santa Barbara’s heritage. Parades, dancing, concerts, costume parties and more authentic food that you can imagine!
September
West Beach Music & Arts Festival
October
California Avocado Festival: Holy guacamole! Carpinteria serves up an awesome assemblage of avocado appetizers and more.
California Lemon Festival: it’s a sweet weekend dedicated to the lovely lemon; music, entertainment and every lemon concoction under the sun. Artwalk: Annual festival of art featuring the work of ourstanding regional artists, along with food, entertainment and artist demonstrations at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival Meet local fishermen, enjoy fresh lobster, crab, prawns and sea bass; cooking demonstrations and live musical entertainment.
December
Christmas Parade: celebrate the holidays with local bands, floats and a special appearance by you-know-who…
Yuletide Boat Parade: Local sailors decorate their watercraft for holiday fun
