Fiesta Events
Thu., Aug. 2
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo: Horse riders from the tri-counties compete in the Alisal Ranch Horse class, Fiesta Ranch Horse class, Buckaroo class, Old Timers team roping, and steer stopping. Begins at 8am. Earl Warren Showgrounds. Free.
La Misa de la Presidenta:
La Presidenta’s Mass at the Old Mission, followed by a garden reception. Fiesta attire encouraged. Open to the public. 10am. Free. For information, call 682-4713.
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Guided tours every half hour. 10am-3:30pm. Free.
El Mercado de la Guerra: Marketplace with Spanish and Mexican-American foods, crafts and souvenirs, and live entertainment all day and into the early evening. The evening’s entertainment starts at 5pm. Includes performance by Banda Azteca de Oro. Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall). Free.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages, carnival rides and attractions, beer garden, and entertainment including traditional Spanish dance performances and Latin music. 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, 3098 Las Positas Rd. Free.
Casa Cantina : ¡Andale todo a la Casa Cantina! The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosts the annual Casa Cantina with a Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and refreshments at the historic Casa De la Guerra. Fee for public; free for members. Proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Noon-midnight. Courtyard of Casa De la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza.
Celebraci³n de los Dignatarios: Greet the mayor, members of the City Council, and other dignitaries while dancing to the music of Soul City Survivors. Appetizers and wines presented by area restaurants and wineries. 5-10pm. The hilltop of the Santa Barbara Zoo. Tickets: $75 per person in advance, $100 at the gate; available at the Arlington Ticket Agency at 963-4408.
Fiesta at La Cumbre Plaza: Stop by La Cumbre Plaza near Macy’s for flamenco dancing performed by the Linda Vega Dance Studio. 5-7pm. Free.
Professional Bull Riders Tour: The professional bull riding competition. 7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Las Noches de Ronda: The Nights of Gaiety presents a variety show of music, singing, flamenco from Spain, and folkl³rico dances from many regions of Mexico. Elements Restaurant will feature savory food and beverages. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating under the stars in the Sunken Gardens of the County Courthouse. 8pm. Free.
Fri., Aug. 3
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo: Horse riders from the tri-counties compete in breakaway roping, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, open stock horse, hackamore class eliminations, and Buckaroo class. 8am-noon. Earl Warren Showgrounds. Free.
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Guided tours every half hour. 10am-3:30pm. Free.
El Mercado de la Guerra: Marketplace with Spanish and Mexican-American foods, crafts and souvenirs, and live entertainment all day and into the early evening. The evening’s entertainment starts at 5pm. Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall). Free.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages, carnival rides and attractions, beer gardens, and entertainment including traditional Spanish dance performances and Latin music. 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, 3098 Las Positas Rd. Free.
Casa Cantina: ¡Andale todo a la Casa Cantina! The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosts the annual Casa Cantina with a Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and refreshments at the historic Casa de la Guerra. Fee for public; free for members. Proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Noon-midnight. Courtyard of Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza.
El Desfile Hist³rico: The Fiesta Historical Parade is one of the largest equestrian parades in the United States. The parade starts at the west end of Cabrillo Boulevard, proceeds east along the beach to State Street, then up State Street to Sola Street. Noon. Televised live by KEYT Channel 3.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado: Homemade Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. Noon-11pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.
Flor y Canto: Check out original Spanish-California dances and music of the 19th century, performed much as they would have been 150 years ago, including many authentic costumes. 7pm. Free. Courthouse Sunken Gardens.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo: Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) events, including bareback riding, tie-down roping,steer stopping, mutton bustin’, saddle bronc riding, PRCA team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. 7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds. Call 967-6331 for tickets or visit the showground’s box office during Fiesta.
Las Noches de Ronda: An evening of traditional Spanish music, dancing, and singing. Elements Restaurant will feature savory food and beverages for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating under the stars in the Sunken Gardens of the County Courthouse. 8pm. Free.
Sat., Aug. 4
Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast: Fiesta music and costumed dancers, with a side of pancakes. Sausage, coffee, milk, orange juice, and all the pancakes you can eat! 7am-noon. Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St. $6.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo: Horse riders from the tri-counties compete in amateur steer stopping, team and tie-down roping, and open Ranch Horse Class. 8am. Earl Warren Showgrounds. Free.
77th Annual El Desfile de los Ni±os: Santa Barbara County kids and their parents, as well as other participants, dress up in traditional costumes and march down State Street in celebration of our rich culture. 10am. Parade route: Down State Street, from Victoria to Ortega streets.
Courthouse Fiesta Tours: Guided tours every half hour. 10am-3:30pm. Free.
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show: Artisans and craftspeople display paintings, carvings, pottery, and other handcrafted wares. 10am-7pm. Cabrillo Blvd., west of Stearns Wharf. Free.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum: Learn about the harbor’s role in Old Spanish Days and Fiesta. Tours run 10am-6pm; docent-guided tour at 3pm (included with admission). Adults $7; seniors, students with ID, and youth $4; kids 5 and younger, $2; free for members and infants. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Wy.
El Mercado de la Guerra: Marketplace with Spanish and Mexican-American foods, crafts and souvenirs, and live entertainment all day and into the early evening. The evening’s entertainment starts at 5pm and includes a performance by Spencer the Gardener. Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-11pm. De la Guerra Plaza (across from City Hall). Free.
El Mercado del Norte: Spanish-Mexican foods and beverages, carnival rides and attractions, beer gardens, and entertainment featuring chart-topper singer Mat Kearney. 11am-11pm. MacKenzie Park, 3098 Las Positas Rd. Free.
Casa Cantina: ¡Andale todo a la Casa Cantina! The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation hosts the annual Casa Cantina, with a Mexican-style cantina featuring beer and refreshments at the historic Casa de la Guerra. Fee for public; free for members. Proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Noon-1am. Courtyard of Casa de la Guerra in De la Guerra Plaza.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado: Homemade Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. Noon-11pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.
Tardes de Ronda: Children’s variety show, where kids dress up in colorful costumes and demonstrate their talents and multicultural heritage. 1-5pm. Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Free.
La Musica Antigua de Espa±a: Features vocal and instrumental music from Old Spain, Mexico, and early California. 3pm. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St. Free.
Mariachi Festival: This year is the 12th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival and features entertainment by Mercedes Castro, Amparo de la Jilguerillas, Mariachi Cobre, and Omar Arreola. 5:30pm. Santa Barbara Bowl. Tickets available at the Santa Barbara Bowl and Ticketmaster at 583-8700.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo: Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events. 7:30pm. Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Las Noches de Ronda: Final performance of traditional Spanish music, dancing, and singing. Elements Restaurant will feature savory food and beverages for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating under the stars in the Sunken Gardens of the County Courthouse. 8pm. Free.
Sun., Aug. 5
Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo Final Event: Riders compete in bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer stopping, team penning, mutton bustin’ and saddle bronco riding, plus Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association team roping, barrel-racing, and bull riding. Events begin at 8am. Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show: Artisans and craftspeople display paintings, carvings, pottery, and other handcrafted wares. 10am-7pm. Cabrillo Blvd., west of Stearns Wharf. Free.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado: Homemade Mexican food, games, live entertainment, and dancing. Noon-11pm. Corner of Montecito and Nopal sts. Free.
Fiesta Concert: The West Coast Symphony performs some of the world’s most famous music, conducted by Christopher Story VI. 2:30pm. Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Free.
Fiesta Finale Performance: Professional music and dance performances featuring State Street Ballet, opera, Latin music, and flamenco. 8-9:15pm. Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Free seating on the lawn Fiesta Finale Gala: Patron seating available. Includes cocktails, silent auction, dinner at the Sunken Gardens, dancing, and dessert by candlelight. 5pm. $200 per person. Tickets benefit scholarship program; call the Arlington Ticket Agency at 963-4408. For more information, call 682-8184 or email mprofant@aol.com.
For more detailed information, visit the Old Spanish Days Web site at oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.
