Old Spanish Days Fiesta is a beloved Santa Barbara tradition that has continued for nearly 100 years. It fosters a unique spirit among locals as an important coming together which encourages community cooperation, celebration, and growth. The festival has grown due to the overwhelming interest of many different organizations to develop and maintain it as an extension and expression of their place in the community.

Schedule:
Pre-Fiesta Events
July 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!

Sunday, July 30, 2023
5:00pm - 10:00pm: La Recepción del Presidente
The oldest club in town welcomes you for a phenomenal evening where history meets fun, and where an outstanding meal starts off this year’s Fiesta week.

This is the place where, in 1924, the idea began of incorporating Old Spanish Days as a non-profit organization promoting our culture and history.

Location: The Santa Barbara Club

Click here for Tickets

Wednesday, August 2, 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!

10:30am and 3:30pm: Courthouse Fiesta Tours
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

11am - 10pm: El Mercado De La Guerra
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.

8pm - 10pm: La Fiesta Pequeña - Old Mission Santa Barbara
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.

Thursday, August 3, 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!

10:30am and 3:30pm: Courthouse Fiesta Tours
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

11am - 10pm: El Mercado De La Guerra
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.

10am: La Misa del Presidente
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.

12pm - 10pm: El Mercado de la Playa
(Formerly Mercado del Norte)
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College

5pm - 10pm: DIGS! (Celebración de los Dignatarios)
Proceeds benefit the SB Zoo and Fiesta

8pm: Las Noches de Ronda
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! 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!

10:30am and 3:30pm: Courthouse Fiesta Tours
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

11am - 10pm: El Mercado De La Guerra
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.

12pm - 10pm: El Mercado de la Playa
(Formerly Mercado del Norte)
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College

8pm: Las Noches de Ronda
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)
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 Nativeamericans, Spanish Pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations all reenact historical scenes.

Location: Along Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Puerto Vallarta (Santa Barbara Chromatic Gate)

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Flor y Canto
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.

Location: Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens

Saturday, August 5, 2023
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
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!

10:30am and 3:30pm: Courthouse Fiesta Tours
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

11am - 10pm: El Mercado De La Guerra
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.

12pm - 10pm: El Mercado de la Playa
(Formerly Mercado del Norte)
La Playa Stadium parking lot at City College

8pm: Las Noches de Ronda
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.

9am - 6pm: Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show
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.

10:00am: El Desfile de los Niños (Children's Parade)
The 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.

Location: Cabrillo Blvd, Garden Street to Calle Cesar Chavez

Tours of the San Salvador Tallship
Tour the historical replica of the 1542 Galleon San Salvador, flagship for explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo.

Location: Santa Barbara Harbor

1pm - 5pm: Tardes de Ronda

6:30 - 9:30pm: Courthouse Legacy Foundation Fiesta Party
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! 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!

10:30am and 3:30pm: Courthouse Fiesta Tours
Free one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish Historic Landmark. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

11am - 6pm: El Mercado de la Playa
(Formerly Mercado del Norte)

Location: 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.

Location: Santa Barbara Harbor

9am - 5pm: Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show
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.

Date: August 2 - 6, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Santa Barbara, CA

Click here for more information