Most major hotels present entertainment nightly during the summer season and on weekends all year. State Street has a good jazz scene. Santa Barbara supports a professional symphony and a chamber orchestra. The proximity to the University of California at Santa Barbara assures an endless stream of visiting artists and performers. To see what's scheduled around town pick up a copy of the free weekly Santa Barbara Independent newspaper.

Harbor Parade of Lights
A lovely sight as boats decorated with holiday lights cruise around Stearn's Wharf and the Harbor.

First Night Santa Barbara
December 31
(805) 892-2250
First Night Santa Barbara will take place on December 31st from 12 noon to 12 midnight. In the afternoon, children will be treated to child friendly activities that embrace arts and crafts, music and theater. In addition to the children's program, local cultural centers will offer special admission to First Night revelers throughout the day.
At dusk, Santa Barbara will transform into a spectacle of light and color, revealing outdoor concerts, viewings of specially commissioned art installations, gallery tours, musical programs, street corner musicians, staged theater productions, multimedia displays, dances, street performers and a spectacular midnight fireworks display. Admission to all events is granted to visitors displaying a commemorative First Night Santa Barbara button. First Night event held in cities across the country and world. The theme is "The Santa Barbara Family" and the city-wide events emphasize the arts, culture, and entertainment; beginning at 1pm and ending at midnight with a fireworks show.

Hanggliding and Paragliding Festival
Jan 1
(805) 965-3733
Fly-in at Elings Park in Santa Barbara from 11am to dusk. Festival will include traditional favorites of hang gliders flying from the mountains, paragliding and hang gliding spot landings, and other contests. Also may be featuring kites, hot air balloons, and gliders, plus music and lots of fun.

Orchid Fair
Late March
Held at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (off Patterson in Goleta). More than 50 growers from around the world participate. Highlights include demonstrations of orchid care and culture and a large area of beautiful flower arrangements. Items for sale include corsages, plants, supplies, pins and posters.

Whale Festival
March
This March festival in honor of the whale includes a Street Faire, storytelling, whale watching and diving excursions, and arts and crafts. Get the facts from "official whale information stations".

International Film Festival
March
Drawing celebrities, press, film buffs, and regular folks to town every March, the SBIFF showcases American and international independent films. At their site you can find a schedule of films and competitions, seminars and symposiums, lists of winners from years past, and other events sponsored by SBIFF.

Botanical Garden's Easter Egg Hunt
April
Similar to the Easter egg hunt at the White House, children bring baskets and hunt for eggs. Refreshments are served.

Jewish Festival
April
At Oak Park in April, there's entertainment throughout the day celebrating Jewish culture and traditions. Israeli dancing, klezmer bands, storytelling, arts, crafts, and food.

Bike Week
May
The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition coordinates events. There is a bike Expo, Bike to Work Day, races, tours, and school activities.

Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale
Native plants--"a great selection of Santa Barbara native cultivars, including verbena, iris, and heuchera"--are for sale, along with an assortment of used books from the Botanical Garden's Library.

Earth Day
Earth Day was born in Santa Barbara--first celebrated there in 1970--in response to the massive oil spill of 1969. Thirty plus years later, it's a major event

I Madonnari
Late May
Come celebrate the arts and help the Children's Creative Project paint the streets Italian Style. The old Mission Santa Barbara will be transformed into the color-splashed site of Santa Barbara's 14th I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival. Engage your senses with live music and an authentic Italian market. Enjoy a fabulous array of Italian cuisine and specialty items.

Big Dog Parade & Block Party
June
State Street goes to the dogs!

Lompoc Flower Festival
June
49th Annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival
"A New Beginning" Featuring a parade at 10am Saturday with bands, equestrian units, drill teams, clowns, and floats made of flowers and other organic materials grown in the valley. Additional highlights include a carnival, commercial center, self guided tours of the flower fields, and over 30 food booths run by local non-profit agencies. Admission to the event and stage performances are free. For further information call the Festival Office at (805) 735-8511.

National Horse Show
July 2001
One of the nation's top equestrian events. Takes place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

County Fair
July
Held in Santa Maria, the July Fair focuses on local agriculture, youth programs, and local community efforts.

French Festival
Mid-July.
Bastille Day weekend, a celebration of French culture at Oak Park. Food, music, entertainment--c'est magnifique!

Clown Theatre Institute
end of July-end of August
At the Lobero Theatre from the end of July through the end of August, a four-week intensive course in creating and performing theatre, including dance, mime, and movement.

Mariachi Festival
August
Takes place at the County Bowl and benefits K-12 educational programs throughout Santa Barbara.

Renaissance Faire and Midsummer Market
August
For two weekends in mid-August, 16th century life is re-created in Oak Park.

International Jazz Festival & World Music Beach Party
September 2001
In September, three days of jazz performed at East Beach by world-renowned musicians. For further information call (805) 966-3000.

Celtic Arts and Music Festival
October 2001
Celebrate Celtic music, arts and crafts at the Earl Warren Showground at the end of October.

Celebration of Harvest
October
Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association in October. Silent auction, live music, food, and wine.

Harvest Moon Festival
Mid-November, 2001
Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Dance Society. Call (805) 893-3535.

Artwalk
The annual fundraiser to benefit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Annual Artwalk is an exciting weekend of art and music, with both indoor and outdoor shows. Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. For additional information call (805) 682-4711 x344.

National Amateur Horse Show
November
Where else but at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. An important November training show for future Olympian equestrians.