The people of Santa Barbara have always been proud of the city’s rich history, which dates back to its Spanish founders. Santa Barbara was founded by Spanish pioneers, and later settlers from Mexico and North America helped to build it up The city has always been a beautiful and welcoming place to live, and its citizens are some of the most friendly and hospitable people you’ll ever meet.

The Fiesta “Old Spanish Days In Santa Barbara” is a tradition that celebrates the colorful music, dance, and songs of Spanish heritage. The festival includes many different events that aim to educate people about the history and culture of Santa Barbara. One of the most popular aspects of the festival is the daily parade which features traditional Spanish dress and dancing.

The cancellation of last year’s Old Spanish Days, which would normally have included live events, mercados (markets), and parades was a major blow to the Santa Barbara community. The event is one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions, and its loss was felt by many businesses that rely on the influx of visitors it brings.

Santa Barbara Fiesta is one of the longest running traditions in the city, having been held annually for 98 years. This year, the beloved event is back with all of its classic activities that have made it a favorite among residents. The five-day festival dubbed “Fiesta” by Santa Barbara locals took place from August 3rd to 7th, 2022.

Events & Activities

The Santa Barbara Fiesta is a huge celebration that features all sorts of fun and exciting events and activities for people of all ages. Of course, there are the parades – including one of the world’s largest equestrian parades. But that’s not all! There are also carnivals, rodeos, music and dance performances, and so much more. Whether you’re looking for high-energy fun or simply want to take in the sights and sounds of the festival, there’s something for everyone at the Santa Barbara Fiesta.

The Santa Barbara Fiesta is an annual event that takes place all around the city of Santa Barbara. These places include the Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, De La Guerra Plaza, and Casa De La Guerra, among others. During the Fiesta, there are live music and dance performances, as well as a variety of events held at historic venues, parks and recreation spaces, as well as white-washed paseos.

At the Mercados

There were two Mexican markets open, El Mercado De La Guerra and El Mercado Viejo, both of which had free admission. El Mercado De La Guerra, located across from City Hall, was a barrage of nonstop entertainment, arts and crafts, as well as authentic Mexican cuisine.

El Mercado del Norte is the perfect place to take your family for a fun day out. Not only does it have all the traditional market stalls that you would expect to find, but it also has carnival rides and kid attractions (additional costs apply).

At the Crazy Horse Cantina, you could enjoy margaritas and beer while listening to live music all day. In the evenings, the dance floor came alive with people dancing the night away.

Earl Warren Showgrounds

There were a variety of events going on throughout the day at the Fiesta Rodeo, and they were all free of charge. The fun began early in the day on Friday, with events for young cowpokes (those under 17) starting as early as 8 a.m. These events also included roping, calf tying, and barrel racing, among others.

The rodeo performances conducted by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association were all held on both Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. The crowd was entertained and amazed by the skills of the cowboys and cowgirls.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

The Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”) attracted more than 200 performers who provided free entertainment in the Sunken Gardens. This was a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy an evening of music, dance, and merriment.

The event featured a variety of spectacular dances and songs, ranging from the fire of flamenco to the Mexican folklórico’s charm. The sheer variety and range of these performances was amazing, and left the audience truly spellbound.

Along Cabrillo Boulevard

The Santa Barbara Fiesta parades returned this year, but with new routes. The State Street had been closed to auto traffic since May 2020 and it was no longer feasible for the parades to continue using the same route.

The Children’s Parade on Saturday started at 10 a.m., running along Cabrillo Boulevard from Garden Street all the way to Calle Cesar Chavez. It was delightful to see the local kids in their homemade traditional attires, and there were some wonderful floats in sight as well.

Additionally, this year’s Fiesta Arts and Crafts Show, which was held on Saturday, was located along the Cabrillo Blvd. near the West Beach. The show featured arts and crafts by many local artisans in the Santa Barbara County. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving people plenty of time to browse the selection of items on display.

Historical Museum

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum hosted their annual Project Fiesta event, located just one block away from the downtown mercado. Admission to the Project Fiesta event was free, and it ran from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Project Fiesta honors the Old Spanish Days traditions by showcasing beautifully-restored artifacts, historical photographs, costumes, traditional clothing, shawls, posters, and many more artworks. Although the exhibit is small, it is still a significant fraction of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s extensive collection of Fiesta items. The exhibit provides visitors with a glimpse into the rich history and culture surrounding the Fiesta celebration.

The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts was responsible for several new, handcrafted masks made out of cloth and papier-mâché being on view this year. These masks were used in various performances during the Fiesta celebrations around the 1950s and 60s. Their addition to this year’s exhibition was thanks to the foundation.

Moreover, the project was conceived as a way to bring people together to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the Santa Barbara community. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum hopes that through this exhibit, it will educate the public about the rich history and traditions of the Old Spanish Days festival.

The Santa Barbara Fiesta is something that everyone should experience. It features a variety of activities, including a grand parade and a reenactment of the battle that led to the city’s founding. So if you find yourself in the area, be sure to check it out.