Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara School Supply Drive will aim to raise $5,000 and provide free backpacks and school supplies to local students before the school year.

The event will take place on August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ortega Park—student volunteers are invited to join this community effort.

Blind Fitness will host its free Annual Surf Clinic on Saturday, Aug.

16 at Santa Claus Lane Beach in Carpinteria from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event offers professional surf instruction, water safety guidance, and a beachside lunch provided by local partners – all to help blind and low-vision participants safely enjoy the ocean.

Local nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws began fundraising on July 25 to build an anonymous pet refuge for families in crisis from issues such as domestic violence, deportation and displacement.

The refuge will open this fall at a secret site and offer indoor kennels and a separate area for cats—donations are needed to meet its $150,000 goal.

Iraq-born artist Vian Sora opens her first U.S. museum show Outerworlds at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art—her colorful work mixes ancient history with modern themes and is on view until September 7.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opened its new permanent exhibit, Our Cosmic Coast, last Friday to let visitors explore space with touchable meteorites and peanut cans that mimic gravity—vivid painted scale-model planets and interactive panels add fun details for all ages. The exhibit was developed in-house with help from local businesses, experts, and NASA, offering a fresh way to learn about outer space.

On July 24th, more than 250 elementary school students in United Way’s Fun in the Sun program joined a bilingual performance of Peter and the Wolf at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara—sponsored by the Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara Symphony, Montecito Bank & Trust, and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation. The event also featured interactive music stations provided by the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Music Van.

Gateway Educational Services will host the 2025 Black Youth Leadership Summit on August 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Santa Barbara City College’s West Campus at 721 Cliff Drive, where over 150 Black/African American students, parents and educators will join free leadership workshops and cultural arts sessions (including West African drumming, dance and poetry).

Santa Barbara City Fire Department put its newest ladder truck into service Friday—featuring a 107-foot ladder and a cost of $1.67 million.

Ordered in 2022 to meet future needs, the truck will handle fire calls for mid- and high-rise buildings in Santa Barbara and provide mutual aid to Montecito and Carpinteria.

The Santa Barbara Police Department is asking everyone to follow safety rules during Fiesta and Old Spanish Days events starting today; extra officers + traffic patrols are ready to keep the celebrations safe.

City staff remind visitors not to leave personal items unattended, to follow parking and seating guidelines, and to report any suspicious activity via the non-emergency line.

Santa Barbara officials and police today remind residents about safety measures for Old Spanish Days Fiesta—street closures, extra patrols, and strict rules on unattended items are in place to keep the celebration safe.

Herbs for Common Health Conditions

12-2 p.m. — Ema's Herbs — Check website for cost — Explore herbal remedies for everyday health issues with expert guidance from local herbalist Emily Watson.

El Mercado De La Guerra

11 AM – 10 PM — De La Guerra Plaza — Free entry — Stroll through a vibrant Mexican market with food, crafts, and live entertainment.

Old Spanish Days Santa Barbara - Fiesta

All day — Hotel Californian — Varies by event — Celebrate Santa Barbara's rich history and cultural heritage during this vibrant local fiesta.

The Historic Parade

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Old Spanish Days - Fiesta — Free entry — Experience the vibrant re-enactment of Santa Barbara’s history through an impressive display of floats and equestrian events.

Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival

5:00-6:30 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — Tickets vary — Celebrate the rich tradition of mariachi music while supporting local scholarships.

Maren Morris Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Santa Barbara Bowl — Tickets Required — Experience an electrifying performance from country sensation Maren Morris in a picturesque outdoor setting.

2025 Nite Moves Aquathlon and 5K Run

6:00 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Various entry fees — Experience thrilling aquathlon and running events in a stunning seaside setting.

Gem Faire

12-6 p.m. — Earl Warren Showgrounds — $7 weekend pass — Explore an array of gems, jewelry, and crafts in a vibrant market atmosphere.

Robert Glasper at Lobero Theatre

7-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets required — Experience the genre-defying brilliance of Grammy-winning artist Robert Glasper live in concert.

Slightly Stoopid Concert

6-10 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — $56.50 - $82.50 — Experience the reggae-rock vibes of Slightly Stoopid in a dynamic live performance.