Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara will celebrate Old Spanish Days Fiesta from July 30 through Aug.

3 with parades, music, dancing and rodeos—some events free and others ticketed—as organizers plan new rodeo venues and expanded cultural activities for all ages.

The Santa Barbara Symphony and State Street Ballet will launch their 2025/26 seasons with a performance of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet A Ballet in One Act at The Granada Theatre with shows scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct.18 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.19—featuring symphonic works by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff and original choreography by Megan Philipp and Nilas Martins.

Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery in Santa Barbara has opened a new space showcasing French-Caribbean artist Ricardo Ozier-Lafontaine with his first U.S. solo exhibit, Fertilum.

The free exhibit runs at 33 W. Anapamu St. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday until Oct. 5.

More than 250 elementary students in United Way of Santa Barbara County's summer program attended a live bilingual performance of Peter and the Wolf at the Lobero Theatre, organized by Music Academy of the West and the Santa Barbara Symphony.

The event also featured an educational visit from the Symphony's Music Van—allowing students to explore orchestral instruments—and was sponsored by Montecito Bank and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation.

Acton Academy Santa Barbara opens this fall for children ages 5-7 and uses a learner-driven model that swaps worksheets for real-world challenges (guides ask open-ended questions).

Founded by local Marine Corps veteran Max Peck, the school is part of a global network that redefines education.

UCSB researchers used AI and satellite data to show that marine protected areas with full industrial fishing bans have nearly no fishing vessels, averaging one vessel per 20,000 square kilometers—findings that counter the idea of paper parks and support using strict boundaries to protect ocean life.

The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department announced that 21 Teen CERT students from local high schools graduated on July 17th at Fire Station 1 after completing hands-on disaster preparedness and emergency response training.

The program included a full-scale disaster simulation—helping the graduates gain essential skills to support the community in emergencies.

Santa Barbara will begin construction in 2027 on the Cliff Drive Vision Zero Project to boost safety and ease traffic along the three-mile stretch from Arroyo Burro County Park to Castillo Street.

The city secured $27 million from the California Active Transportation Program—funding new bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and tree replantings after several public meetings.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service north of Goleta will be suspended from August 1 through August 16 due to replacement work on the 127-year-old La Cañada Honda Bridge over Honda Creek — passengers will transfer to buses as all trains terminate at Goleta during that period.

The Santa Barbara Foresters beat the BTL Hornets 10-0 on Saturday in Wichita during the NBC World Series—Easton Moomau had three hits and AJ Krodel pitched five scoreless innings.

The team will play pool play on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. PST and will clinch a bye into the quarterfinals with a win.

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.

2025 Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series

6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Participation fees apply — Enjoy an exciting evening of swimming and running events against a stunning beach backdrop.