The Santa Barbara Independent

Taking Día de los Muertos Calenda Culture to the Street, Again

Visual Arts By Josef Woodard

After being MIA last year, the ambitious MCASB-hosted Día de los Muertos Calenda returns to State Street.

How Will Money Influence the Santa Barbara Mayoral Election?

Election 2026 By Ryan P. Cruz

Eric Friedman leads all candidates in campaign funding, with Kristen Sneddon making a late fundraising push.

Montecito Water District to Sell Nearly Half of Its State Water Allotment to Solomon Hills Housing Project

Housing By Christina McDermott

The new 4,000-home community south of Orcutt would be supplied primarily by imported water, developers say.

Storm Brings Lightning, More than Three Inches of Rain to Parts of Santa Barbara County

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

County sees flood warnings, car crashes, a shipwreck, and downed powerlines during weekday downpour.

Goleta to Permanently Protect Mobile Home Park’s ‘Senior Housing’ Status

Housing By Christina McDermott

The City Council votes for a permanent ordinance blocking University Mobile Home Park’s management company from opening up the park to all ages.

Poetry Connection | Connecting with Fellow Poets Laureate at Hollister Ranch

Poetry By Melinda Palacio, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate 2023-2025

Beautiful scenery meets beautiful words at a special gathering.

Twenty Years on the Podium, on the Symphonic Case

Music By Josef Woodard

Santa Barbara Symphony, opening its season this weekend at the Granada Theatre, hosted a tribute to maestro Nir Kabaretti, embarking on his 20th year at the helm.

Solvang Haunted House and Street Fair

Fri, Oct 23 5:30 PM

Solvang

Beth Amine’s 20th Anniversary Wildcat Dance Variety Show

Fri, Oct 23 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

This & That Performs at Roy

Fri, Oct 23 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Casa de la Raza Fundraiser: Brasscals! with DJ Darla Bea

Fri, Oct 23 9:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Picnic in the Cemetery: A Live Historical Event

Sat, Oct 24 10:30 AM

Santa Barbara

2nd Annual Charger Cup to Benefit DP High Golfers

Sat, Oct 24 11:00 AM

Goleta

Makers Hive Market

Sat, Oct 24 12:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Japanese Sacred Architecture: Shinto and Buddhism

Sat, Oct 24 2:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Thriller 2026 – Get Scary for Charity!

Sat, Oct 24 2:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara Trick-or-Treat

Sat, Oct 24 3:00 PM

Santa Barbara

multimedia Stories

Music Academy Breaks Grounds on ‘The Muse’ in Downtown Santa Barbara

Photo

Former Forever 21 at 901 State Street starts its transformation into a music hall and education center at Thursday’s groundbreaking.

Dos Pueblos and Rio Mesa Get Down in Post-Game Dance Battle

Video

The two teams broke out into an impromptu dance battle in a show of sportsmanship after Dos Pueblos won the game 48-6.

Santa Barbara Students and Community Members Speak out Against Recent Blackface Incident

Video

Community members call for consequences for students involved in San Marcos blackface incident at October 13th school board meeting.

Larry Nimmer Throws a Dart at the Santa Barbara Studio Artists Tour

Video

Santa Barbara filmmaker’s new snstallment of D’Art series surveys a variety of artists in their studios.

‘Scream If You Love Raising Canes’

Video

Community members and protesters show up for the grand opening of Raising Cane’s in Goleta.

‘LA Times’ Star Mark Barabak Breaks Down Midterms State of Play: Dems Look Solid to Win House, Puncher’s Chance to Take Senate

Video

California’s top political columnist returns to “Newsmakers TV” for in-depth and detailed analysis of how Iran war and Trump’s unpopularity triggered a “red undertow” that may lead to “blue wave.”