Fishbon Launches Two-Day Alt-Holiday Market

Whether you’ve never participated in one of Fishbon’s events or you’re a lifelong lover of their wacky soirees, this weekend, we’ve got a party for you. The Helena Street collective, long known for its eccentric mix of art, dance, theater, music, and celebration, is hosting the first-ever Fishmas Bizarre/Block Party this Saturday and Sunday on the streets of S.B.’s Funk Zone. And the festivities are already shaping up to be quite the spectacle. During the day, families are encouraged to bring the kids, rub elbows with Santa and his elves, get hands-on with Fishbon-certified craft workshops, and purchase some one-of-a-kind, locally made gifts. And on Saturday night (9pm-2am), long after the kiddies get tucked in, the Fishbon folks will do what they do best: throw a bass-filled afterparty, complete with drinks, dancing, and costumed chaos. Fishmas Bizarre/Block Party will be held on the 100 block of Helena Street from noon-8 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, December 12. For info on the Fishmas Bizarre, visit fishmasbizarre.com. And for some extra-fun event highlights, check out our list of reasons to attend below.

1] ’Tis the Season: In addition to supporting your neighborhood craftsmen (and women), this weekend’s festivities are doling out the charity lovin’. Proceeds from gift sales, food and drink purchases, and tickets to Saturday night’s party will benefit Santa Barbara’s sister city, Kotor, Montenegro, and its Children’s Theatre Festival, which will host a collective of Santa Barbara youths next summer.

2] Greening Your Tree: Environmental awareness is nothing new to the Fishbon crew, and the Fishmas Bizarre is proudly representing this cause. In addition to locally made crafts, the two-day block party will offer a reusable Christmas tree lot. There, folks in search of an alternative to their yearly living conifer can find beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind trees, all created specifically for the event by area artists. More than 50 Santa Barbara artists have been hard at work for weeks now on their contributions, and we’re betting each will be a visually dazzling, everlasting addition to your Christmas decoration collection.

3] Not-So-Silent Night: For those looking to attend a holiday party with pizzazz, Saturday’s nighttime festivities are a can’t-miss. With the holiday theme to guide them, the Fishbon folks will transform their Helena Street haunt into a winter wonderland unlike any other. Expect costumes, fire-spinning, deejays, libations, and live theater performances of the alternative variety. The holidays never looked so fringy.