Old Spanish Days Fiesta

August 3-7, 2022

Santa Barbara is one of the most authentic and historic tourist destinations maintaining its Spanish roots from the Mission Days. Reflected in an annual celebration, Old Spanish Days Fiesta held annually in the summer.

Tuesday July 30, 2019
Wednesday July 31, 2019
Thursday August 1, 2019
Friday August 2, 2019
Saturday August 3, 20198
Sunday August 4, 2019
 

THE BEGINNING IN 1924

In the year 1924 business people felt Santa Barbara should have an annual summer event to attract and entertain visitors. Community Arts Association opened the new Lobero Theatre, as well.

TRADITIONS La Fiesta Pequeña

Fiestas in the Spanish and Mexican tradition have always been closely connected with church celebrations so historic Old Mission Santa Barbara hosted a sunset service for the festival in 1926. An Ecclesiastical Procession along the Mission corridor up to the steps of the Mission with addresses by dignitaries, music, dancing and ending with a reception has continued to open with this program since 1927 and is called Fiesta Pequena, Little Fiesta.

LAST YEAR'S SCHEDULE

Wednesday

• Santa Barbara Mission Docent Tours; 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Location: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA. Call: (805) 682-4713.
• Santa Barbara County Courthouse Fiesta Tours 10 a.m. -3 p.m. 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, free.
• El Mercado de la Guerra 11 a.m. -11 p.m. Mexican market with food courts, shopping and carnival rides on the first block of East De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara
• El Mercado del Norte Mackenzie Park at the corner of State Street and Las Positas Street 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Casa Cantina; 12 noon-12 midnight in the courtyard of the historic Casa de la Guerra, admission fee call (805) 965-0093.
• La Fiesta Pequeña; 8 p.m. Traditional songs and dances: tunes of the Californios, Flamenco, Spanish classical and Mexican folklórico dances. Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, free.

Thursday

• Santa Barbara Mission & Courthouse Docent Tours 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., El Mercado 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. and Casa Cantina Noon - Midnight
• La Misa del Presidente 10 a.m. The Mass of the President at Old Mission Santa Barbara is free
• Celebración de los Dignatarios 5-10 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Niños Drive, Santa Barbara, CA $110 pre, $120 door.
• Las Noches de Ronda 8 p.m. at Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street, free.
• Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo with Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Tour at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, sbfiestarodeo.com.

Friday

• Fiesta Carnival, Mercado and daily dining & shopping
• Fiesta Historical Parade El Desfile Histórico 12 noon starts at the west end of Cabrillo Boulevard, proceeds east along the beach, to State Street, then up State Street to Sola Street. One of the nation's largest equestrian parades features over 600 horses, many antique carriages, coaches and wagons.
• Flor y Canto 7 p.m. original Spanish California dances & songs of the 19th century. Interwoven with historic narration, the musical numbers are accompanied on replica acoustic instruments. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the show. Held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street, free.
• Las Noches de Ronda Nights of Gaiety 8 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, free.
• Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo sbfiestarodeo.com

Saturday

• Santa Barbara Mission Tours 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Courthouse Tours, Mercado
• Kiwanis Fiesta Pancake Breakfast in Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara Street, call (805) 896-9083. 7 a.m. - Noon.
• Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo sbfiestarodeo.com
• El Desfile De Los Niños (Children's Parade); 10 a.m. proceeds down State Street, from Victoria Street to Ortega Street.
• Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show; Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. , Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Cabrillo Boulevard, west of Stearns Wharf.
• Tardes de Ronda 1 p.m. -5 p.m. free Children's Variety Show at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street,
• Mariachi bands and singers Ana Barbara, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Ballet Folklorico, Mariachi Garibaldi at Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 North Milpas Street. 5:30 p.m. $45-90
• Flamenco from Spain, and vivid Folklórico dances at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street, free.

Sunday

• Santa Barbara Mission Tours 1:30 p.m., Courthouse Tours, Mercado
• Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo sbfiestarodeo.com
• Courthouse Tours, El Mercado, etc.
• Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Cabrillo Boulevard, west of Stearns Wharf.
• West Coast Symphony 45th Annual Free Fiesta Concert 3:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.