Viva La Fiesta!

Old Spanish Days Fiesta Santa Barbara is here! This year's theme is "A Tribute to Tradition". A most appropriate theme as Old Spanish Days Fiesta is an eighty-five year old tradition established by the founding families and business leaders of Santa Barbara.


This year's El Presidente, Anthony Borgatello a native Santa Barbaran and member of a longtime Santa Barbara business family, proclaimed that he was inspired to choose this theme by the different ways Santa Barbarans love to appreciate this history and participate in the celebration. Fiesta attire is encouraged all week
Wednesday, August 5th

The five-day festival celebrates the traditions handed down from Spain, Mexico and the California Rancho period. The entire community comes together to participate in this colorful celebration beginning with the opening of Fiesta at La Fiesta Pequena (little Fiesta), on the steps of Santa Barbara's Historic Old Mission. This event is free to the public and features traditional songs and dances: tunes of the Californios, Flamenco, Spanish classical and Mexican folklorico dances. 8 pm - Free
El Mercado de la Guerra and Mercado del Norte - free
Open every day of Fiesta beginning Wednesday at noon, till Saturday at 10:30pm, The Mercados offer food, live bands and entertainment. Vendors operating wonderful food and refreshment stands, many manned by local non-profits. Both Mercados invite all ages, however Mercado del Norte offers rides and events for youngsters and their families.

Thursday, August 6th

La Misa Del Presidente is El Presidente's Mass at the Old Mission followed by a Garden Reception, Thursday, August 5th at 10 am - Free

Celebration de los Dignatarious 5pm - 10pm - $85/per person (in advance)
Open to the public, this event is held at the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens., includes appetizers, wines and dancing. Tickets available online at Albertsons, the Zoo, and
www.brown papertickets.com/event/70512

Friday, August 7th

El Desfile Historico (Parade), 12 noon - Free
The Fiesta Historical Parade is one of the largest equestrian parades in the US. The parade starts at the west end of Cabrillo Blvd., proceeds east along the beach, to State St., then up State St. to Sola St. Grand Stand seating is available on Cabrillo Blvd. (As a parade announcer for many years myself, this event is very special to me. Many of the riders in the parade have participated for decades beginning as children).

Flor y Canto - 7 pm free
See original Spanish California dances and songs of the 19th century performed by local residents wearing traditional costumes. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the show in the Courthouse sunken Garden.

Saturday, August 8th

79th Annual El Desfile de Los Ninos 10 am - Free
This is the most delightfull event of the entire Fiesta in my humble estimation! Young people of Santa Barbara, their parents and community participants, often including pets, don traditional costumes and ride bikes, in carts or walk the parade route down State St from Victoria to Ortega Streets. This event is a MUST for all!

Tardes De Ronda 1 pm - 5pm - Free
Held in the beautiful Sunken Gardens at the County Courthouse, this is a Children's Variety Show. Costumed children from the Santa Barbara area demonstrate their talents and multi-cultural heritage.

Wine Tasting at the Sunken Gardens 4 - 7 pm - $45/ticket, $60/ticket day of event
40 wineries , gourmet food and live music. Tickets http://www.elementsrestaurantandbar.com/, or http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and Arlington Ticket Agency 963-4408

Sunday, August 9th
West Coast Symphony 42 Annual Fiesta Concert - 3:30 pm Free
Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Bring the family for an afternoon of beautiful music conducted by christopher Story VI

Stock and Rodeo held at the Earl Warren Show Grounds beginning August 6th with last event August 9th. Daily events include free events and ticketed events. Call (805) 967-6331 for tickets and information

For more detailed information on all Fiesta Events: http://www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org/

The above Fiesta schedule also includes the Saturday special Art & Crafts show along Cabrillo Boulevard. The weekly Sabado Domingo Arts & Crafts show on Sundays will be going on as usual. Both these shows feature hundreds of local artists with a variety of arts, including some very well known artists.

Santa Barbara residents extend their hospitality and invite you all to come and join in our celebration! Viva La Fiesta!