Image this: first-rate red wines in hand as a Pacific breeze brings soulful tunes from the famous Santa Barbara Bowl … This is the American Riviera at its finest! From star-studded summer season shows under the stars to centuries-old Old Spanish Days Feast, we’ve handpicked every can’t-miss out on experience from July through December. Here is our guide to the top Santa Barbara events occurring all year around!
Pro Tip: Set these epic events with a CuddlyNest remain steps from the action!
| Month | Occasion | Dates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | Santa Barbara Bowl Concerts | Different dates | Music enthusiasts |
| Thursday Night Markets | Every Thursday | Foodies & buyers | |
| Wine Nation Festival | July 18-19 | White wine enthusiasts | |
| August | Old Spanish Days Fiesta | July 30-Aug 3 | Culture hunters |
| Music Academy Summertime Celebration | June 15-Aug 9 | Symphonic music fans | |
| September | Autumn Arts Festival | Sept 13-14 | Art appreciators |
| October | Harbor & Seafood Celebration | October 18 | Seafood fans |
| November | Día de los Muertos | Nov 1-2 | Cultural explorers |
| Thanksgiving Art Walk | Nov 22 | Art collectors | |
| December | Harbor Parade of Lights | Dec 7 | Households & couples |
| Holiday Art Walk | Dec 4 | Vacation enthusiasts |
Pro Idea: Schedule lodgings early for August Fiesta and October white wine occasions!
Why Santa Barbara’s Event Calendar is Pure Magic
The appeal of Santa Barbara lies not simply in its spectacular coastline and Spanish colonial architecture, but in its lively cultural scene that genuinely comes alive during the 2nd half of the year. As we step into July 2025, the city’s event calendar changes into a treasure trove of experiences that deal with every taste and interest.
What makes Santa Barbara’s upcoming events so special?
- Perfect Weather: The Mediterranean environment supplies perfect conditions for outside festivals and performances
- First-rate Places: From the historical Granada Theatre to the spectacular Santa Barbara Bowl amphitheater
- Diverse Programming: Everything from classical music academy performances to cutting-edge contemporary art exhibits
- Intimate Setting: Unlike huge metropolitan areas, Santa Barbara uses a more personal, available occasion experience
July 2025: Summer Season Kicks Into High Equipment
1. Santa Barbara Bowl Summer Performance Series
⏰ When: Throughout July (see star-studded lineup below)
Where: Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N Milpas St
The famous Santa Barbara Bowl provides an extraordinary summer season performance series under the stars, including:
July 11: Dwight Yoakam with The Mavericks and Ben Haggard (Country royalty!)
July 15: Alison Krauss & Union Station accomplishment. Jerry Douglas + Willie Watson (Bluegrass quality)
July 18: CAAMP with Whitney (Indie-folk magic)
July 19: The Marias with julie (Dreamy Latin alt-pop)
July 24: Daddy John Misty with Lucinda Williams & Hamilton Leithauser (Seriously adored storytelling)
The Santa Barbara Bowl continues its famous summer season performance series with performances that cover every category possible. To protect your spot at these world class efficiencies, you’ll wish to create an account on their main site early, as tickets sell out quickly. The location’s natural amphitheater setting provides an acoustic experience that measures up to any significant auditorium on the west coast.
Pro Tip: To validate your ticket purchase, make sure to submit your info entirely before continuing with checkout. The step-by-step process is simple, but don’t avoid any information!
2. Thursday Night Markets in Downtown ⏰ When: Every Thursday,
5:00 PM– 8:00 PM Where: State Street, Downtown Santa Barbara These weekly markets include regional artisans, food suppliers, and live music performances. It’s the perfect method to start your night while supporting local businesses and experiencing the community spirit that makes Santa Barbara so unique.
3. Shows in the Park Series
⏰ When: Numerous Sundays in July, 2:00 PM– 4:00 PM
Where: Alameda Park
Free outside concerts including regional and touring artists supply family-friendly entertainment in one of Santa Barbara’s many gorgeous parks. From timeless rock to folk music, these performances display the location’s extraordinary musical talent.
4. Santa Barbara White Wine Nation Festival
⏰ When: July 18-19, 2025
Where: Various wineries in Santa Barbara County
This three-day event showcases the area’s world-class red wines with tastings, vineyard tours, and premium food pairings. Transport is usually supplied in between taking part wineries, making it easy to explore numerous locations securely.
August 2025: Culture and Festivities Abound
1. Old Spanish Days Fiesta (Early August)
⏰ When: July 30– August 3, 2025
Where: Different locations throughout Santa Barbara
This iconic five-day event honors Santa Barbara’s Spanish and Mexican heritage with parades, dancing, food, and standard crafts. The event transforms the whole city into a vibrant celebration ground, making it one of the most expected upcoming occasions of the summertime.
Key Emphasizes:
- Historical Parade down State Street
- Standard Mexican folk dancing
- Genuine food suppliers
- Arts and crafts marketplace
- Live mariachi performances
2. Music Academy of the
West Summertime Festival ⏰ When: June 15 to August 9 Where: Numerous locations consisting of Granada Theatre and Music Academy school The Music Academy of the West presents some of the most prestigious symphonic music performances on the west coast. Young artists from worldwide concerned study and perform, developing an atmosphere of musical quality that’s truly motivating. To contact the box workplace for tickets, visit their website or call their devoted line.
September 2025: Harvest Season Celebrations
1. Autumn Arts Celebration
⏰ When: September 13 and 14, 2025
Where: Downtown Santa Barbara and surrounding locations
Local galleries, studios, and performance areas open their doors for this city-wide celebration of visual and carrying out arts. It’s an outstanding opportunity to find emerging artists and purchase distinct pieces directly from developers.
October 2025: Fall Celebrations and Cultural Events
1. Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival
⏰ When: October 18, 2025
Where: Santa Barbara Harbor
This waterside celebration commemorates the region’s maritime heritage with fresh seafood, live music, and family activities. The event typically features cooking demonstrations, boat tours, and magnificent sunset views over the Pacific Ocean.
November 2025: White Wine Country Satisfies Ocean Views
1. Dia de los Muertos Celebration
⏰ When: November 1-2, 2025
Where: Different areas, mainly El Presidio de Santa Barbara
This beautiful event of Mexican culture honors deceased enjoyed ones with vibrant altars, standard music, and genuine food. The event provides deep cultural insight while developing a warm, welcoming environment for all attendees.
2. Thanksgiving Weekend Art Stroll
⏰ When: November 22, 2025
Where: Funk Zone and downtown galleries
Numerous galleries extend their hours and use special exhibitions during this holiday weekend, making it perfect for visitors and locals alike to check out Santa Barbara’s successful art scene.
December 2025
: Holiday Magic and Year-End Celebrations Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights ⏰ When: December 7, 2025 Where: Santa Barbara Harbor Decorated boats parade through the harbor in this wonderful vacation tradition. The very best viewing areas fill up rapidly, so arrive early to secure a prime location along the waterfront.
Initially Thursday Art Walk (Vacation Edition)
⏰ When: December 4, 2025, 5:00 PM– 8:00 PM
Where: Downtown Santa Barbara galleries
The month-to-month art walk handles unique vacation flair in December, with many galleries featuring holiday-themed exhibitions and unique beverages.
Where to Stay: Perfect Hotels Near Santa Barbara’s Leading Occasion Venues
Finding the best accommodation can make or break your Santa Barbara occasion experience. The beauty of this compact coastal city is that most hotels put you within strolling range of significant locations, however picking the right location can enhance your whole stay.
Downtown Santa Barbara Hotels
Perfect for: Granada Theatre events, First Thursday Art Walks, and downtown celebrations
< img width="1030" height="713" src="https://www.cuddlynest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/avania-inn-santa-barbara-1030x713.png" alt="Hotel Avania Inn"/ > Avania Inn Waterside & Harbor Location Hotels
Perfect for: Harbor celebrations, Seafood Celebration, and Parade of Lights
Near Music Academy & Bowl
Perfect for: Santa Barbara Bowl performances and Music Academy efficiencies
Pro Idea: Reserve early throughout peak occasion seasons (August-October) as accommodations fill up quickly, specifically during Old Spanish Days Carnival and white wine festival weekends.
Prepared to Experience Santa Barbara’s Incredible Events?
Do not let the ideal accommodation slip away! Schedule your Santa Barbara stay today on CuddlyNest and secure your area near all the action. With CuddlyNest’s curated choice of hotels, getaway rentals, and unique stays, you’ll discover the perfect online for your Santa Barbara event experience.
Why book with CuddlyNest?
Carefully picked accommodations near significant event locations
Best cost warranty for Santa Barbara remains
24/7 consumer support for your comfort
Easy booking process with instant verification
Reserve Your Santa Barbara Stay on CuddlyNest Now →
Your ideal Santa Barbara event experience is just one click away!
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Barbara Occasions 2025
1. What’s the very best way to get around Santa Barbara during significant occasions?
The Downtown-Waterfront Electric Shuttle (complimentary) and rideshares are perfect– parking fills quick! For red wine festivals, book shuttle services through participating vineyards.
2. Are Santa Barbara events pet-friendly?
Outdoor festivals (like Shows in the Park) frequently allow leashed family pets, however music locations and indoor occasions usually do not. Constantly check occasion sites for policies.
3. What should I pack for summertime evening occasions?
Layers! Coastal nights get cold– bring a light coat even in July. For Santa Barbara Bowl shows, include comfortable shoes (it’s a hillside place).
4. Can I buy occasion tickets last-minute?
High-demand events (like Daddy John Misty at the Bowl) offer out months ahead. Reserve tickets early, however inspect SB’s official Visitor Center for same-day releases.
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