Events

Solstice Parade and Festival this Weekend!

06/16 Parade Noon, Festival: Fri.Sat.Sun Parade State and Cota, Festival in Alameda Park

The 40th Annual Summer Solstice Festival officially opens on Friday, June 20 at 4pm, with musical entertainment non-stop until 9pm. Local favorite “Raw Silk” with Leslie Lembo kicks off their soul/funk/jazz set at 7pm.

“It’s a weekend of outstanding entertainment for the community, and it’s free,” says Claudia Bratton, Executive Director of Solstice. “The lineup covers a wide range of tastes, from Gypsy to pop, reggae, rock, hip hop, surf grunge, Macedonian folk, and alternative music. There is something for everyone to enjoy and remember for a lifetime.”

The Saturday Festival kicks off at noon with a drum circle is open to anyone who cares to join, and entertainment on the main stage until 8pm. Thanks to generous funding from the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, the Children’s Stage is a “Mini Bowl” providing young performers with a professional stage experience. Among the acts are the SB Youth Music Academy, McKensie Violin Studio, SB Cheer & Elite, RemJ Michael Jackson Tribute, Zela & The Dragon Dreamers, Collective Rhythms, Orange County School of the Arts, and Classical Voice Conservatory Touring Ensemble.

On Sunday, the Festival opens at noon with live entertainment on the main stage, DJ stage and children’s Mini Bowl, from 1:30 to 6pm. Taking the main stage at 4pm is Ambrosia, the Southern California rock band with five Top Forty hit singles between 1975 and 1980, including “Holdin’ On To Yesterday.”

Feel like electronic dance music? The DJ Stage is active on Saturday and Sunday with many upgrades to the area.

The Solstice Children’s Festival is open Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, noon-6pm, offering a variety of family and children’s activities including: face painting, storytellers, juggling, bounce house, craft and food booths, and free art projects.

The arts and crafts booths, food booths, and beer and wine garden are open all three days of the Festival. Vive Solstice!

For a list of performers, visit:Festival Schedule.