Old Spanish Days Fiesta: August 2-6
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Wed, Aug 02 All day
Thu, Aug 03 All day
Fri, Aug 04 All day
Sat, Aug 05 All day
Sun, Aug 06 All day
Address (map)
Various locations
Santa Barbarans have long been proud of their city’s heritage from Spanish founders and from the Spanish, Mexican and North American pioneers who first settled here and built the city. The tradition of colorful music, dance, and song together with a spirit of friendliness, hospitality and tolerance are part of this heritage which the Fiesta “Old Spanish Days In Santa Barbara” seeks to preserve and perpetuate.
Fiesta Events Calendar 2023
Pre-Fiesta Events
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Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
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La Recepción del Presidente
La Recepción del Presidente – The Santa Barbara Club
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
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Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
-
Courthouse Fiesta Tours/ Wednesday-Sunday
COMMUNITY EVENTFREE
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark take place every hour between 10: 30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
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El Mercado De La Guerra/ 11am to 10pm/ Wednesday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
Stroll through a colorful Mexican market (across from City Hall) to feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the early evening.
-
La Fiesta Pequeña
COMMUNITY EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
La Fiesta Pequeña, “Little Fiesta”, is a colorful, historical program which includes traditional songs and dance from Californios Spirit. This event is free to the public.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Old Mission Santa Barbara
8 PM – 10 PM
Thursday, August 3, 2023
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Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
-
Courthouse Fiesta Tours/ Wednesday-Sunday
COMMUNITY EVENTFREE
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark take place every hour between 10: 30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
-
El Mercado De La Guerra/ 11am to 10pm/ Wednesday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
Stroll through a colorful Mexican market (across from City Hall) to feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the early evening.
-
La Misa del Presidente/ 10am / Thursday
OSD EVENTFREE
This Roman Catholic Mass dates back to the first day of Fiesta in 1936 and today is followed by a festive reception in the Mission’s Sacred Garden.
-
El Mercado de la Playa/ Thursday-Sunday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
El Mercado de la Playa (Formerly Mercado del Norte)
Open Thursday-Saturday 12pm -10pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College -
DIGS! (Celebración de los Dignatarios)/ 5–10pm/ Thursday, August 3
OSD EVENTYESFOODDANCEMUSIC
DIGS! (Celebración de los Dignatarios)
Thursday, August 3, 2023 (Proceeds benefit the SB Zoo and Fiesta) -
Las Noches de Ronda/ 8pm/ Thursday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
Las Noches de Ronda, “Nights of Gaiety,” is held in the famous Sunken Gardens of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The evening performances feature spectacular dances and songs from the fire of flamenco to the charm of Mexican folklórico dances.
Friday, August 4, 2023
-
Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
-
Courthouse Fiesta Tours/ Wednesday-Sunday
COMMUNITY EVENTFREE
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark take place every hour between 10: 30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
-
El Mercado De La Guerra/ 11am to 10pm/ Wednesday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
Stroll through a colorful Mexican market (across from City Hall) to feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the early evening.
-
El Mercado de la Playa/ Thursday-Sunday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
El Mercado de la Playa (Formerly Mercado del Norte)
Open Thursday-Saturday 12pm -10pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College -
Las Noches de Ronda/ 8pm/ Thursday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
Las Noches de Ronda, “Nights of Gaiety,” is held in the famous Sunken Gardens of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The evening performances feature spectacular dances and songs from the fire of flamenco to the charm of Mexican folklórico dances.
-
The Historical Parade (El Desfile Histórico)
OSD EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
One of the largest equestrian parades in the country, the Fiesta Historical Parade is unique to Santa Barbara and features floats depicting episodes from the history of the state and city. Descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish Pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations all reenact historical scenes.
Along Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Puerto Vallarta (Santa Barbara Chromatic Gate)
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Flor y Canto
OSD EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
Here is a rare opportunity to see the original Spanish California dances & songs of the 19th century. Interwoven with historic narration, the musical numbers are accompanied on replica acoustic instruments.
Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens
Friday, August 4, 2023
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 5, 2023
-
Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
-
Courthouse Fiesta Tours/ Wednesday-Sunday
COMMUNITY EVENTFREE
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark take place every hour between 10: 30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
-
El Mercado De La Guerra/ 11am to 10pm/ Wednesday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
Stroll through a colorful Mexican market (across from City Hall) to feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the early evening.
-
El Mercado de la Playa/ Thursday-Sunday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
El Mercado de la Playa (Formerly Mercado del Norte)
Open Thursday-Saturday 12pm -10pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College -
Las Noches de Ronda/ 8pm/ Thursday-Saturday
OSD EVENTFREEDANCEMUSIC
Las Noches de Ronda, “Nights of Gaiety,” is held in the famous Sunken Gardens of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The evening performances feature spectacular dances and songs from the fire of flamenco to the charm of Mexican folklórico dances.
-
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show/ Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 9am–5pm
OSD EVENTFREEFOOD
Stroll along the beautiful beachfront Cabrillo Boulevard just West of Stearns Wharf and browse for handmade treasures created by local artisans. The Arts and Crafts show is an all-day event on both Saturday and Sunday of Fiesta week.
-
El Desfile de los Niños (Children’s Parade)
Cabrillo Blvd, Garden Street to Calle Cesar Chavez
10:00 AMThe charming Children’s Parade is organized by the City Parks and Recreation Department. Young people of Santa Barbara, their parents, and other parade participants don traditional costumes and celebrate the rich culture of the area.
-
Tours of the San Salvador Tallship
Tour the historical replica of the 1542 Galleon San Salvador, flagship for explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo.
Santa Barbara Harbor
August 5-6, 2023. -
Courthouse Legacy Foundation Fiesta Party / 6:30-9:30pm/ Saturday
COMMUNITY EVENTYESFOODDANCEMUSIC
View Las Noches de Ronda festivities from the Courthouse’s 2nd Floor Loggia and Mural Room. You can also take in the breathtaking, sweeping city views from the Clock Tower. This is an exclusive annual fundraiser for the Courthouse Legacy Foundation. Your finest Fiesta attire is strongly encouraged. No tickets will be sold at the door. Must be 21 to attend.
Sunday, August 6, 2023
-
Santa Barbara Historical Museum – Project Fiesta!
Project Fiesta! A History of Old Spanish Days will be held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Celebrate the pageantry, fashion and traditions of our city’s most cherished cultural festival – Fiesta! Opens July 6, 2023
-
Courthouse Fiesta Tours/ Wednesday-Sunday
COMMUNITY EVENTFREE
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark take place every hour between 10: 30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
-
El Mercado de la Playa/ Thursday-Sunday
OSD EVENTFREEFOODDANCEMUSIC
El Mercado de la Playa (Formerly Mercado del Norte)
Open Thursday-Saturday 12pm -10pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College -
Tours of the San Salvador Tallship
Tour the historical replica of the 1542 Galleon San Salvador, flagship for explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo.
Santa Barbara Harbor
August 5-6, 2023. -
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show/ Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 9am–5pm
OSD EVENTFREEFOOD
Stroll along the beautiful beachfront Cabrillo Boulevard just West of Stearns Wharf and browse for handmade treasures created by local artisans. The Arts and Crafts show is an all-day event on both Saturday and Sunday of Fiesta week.