Good morning, Santa Barbara.

A new mini farmers market has set up on the corner of W.

Mission and Modoc, where vendors now display fruits, vegetables, and honey daily. Local residents are questioning if this expanded setup meets food cart regulations + sparking a community discussion about proper sidewalk use.

SpaceX is targeting Saturday evening for a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base that will deploy 27 Starlink satellites and land the booster (its ninth flight) on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean, with takeoff between 9:20 p.m. Saturday and 1:20 a.m. Sunday.

The Channing Peake Gallery, located in the County Administration Building, hosts Form and Frame — Abstraction, Community and the Language of Art, an exhibit that highlights Santa Barbara’s art history with works by local artists and is open to the public Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will host local historian Tom Modugno as he presents the layered history of Coal Oil Point on Thursday, Jan.

15 at 7:00 p.m.—SBMM members may join a pre-lecture reception from 6:15 p.m. — 6:45 p.m.

Ocean Vuong, best-selling novelist and poet, spoke about hard work and stillness at UCSB’s Campbell Hall on Dec.

3. Hosted by UCSB Arts and Lectures, his talk on language and creativity highlighted the significance of effort + the value of reflection.

Kerfuffle Theatre’s original comedy play WHODUNIT? runs at CAW from December 28-31.

Set in wartime England, the production parodies period stereotypes — it also honors longtime supporter Kenji Fukudome.

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will host a talk on Coal Oil Point’s history by Goleta historian Tom Modugno at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan.

15 at 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190 (pre-lecture reception 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.), where he will use photos, maps and records to explain the site's evolution.

Allan Hancock College’s SkillsUSA students are collecting new and gently used blankets this holiday season to help individuals and families in need along the Central Coast.

Donation bins are in the Mechanics Bank Student Center (bldg. G) at the Santa Maria campus and will accept items through Dec. 19.

Santa Barbara city officials released the Draft Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan today, opening a public comment period until Feb.

10. The plan details measures to update sewer infrastructure & protect water systems from flooding and sea level rise.

Construction on the three-mile San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path will begin Dec.

15 in Goleta, linking Calle Real with Old Town and connecting to UCSB, the Atascadero Creek Bikeway, and Goleta Beach Park. Work will pause for winter and resume in spring as crews clear vegetation and build new infrastructure.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Karapetian was named Attorney of the Year by Santa Barbara Women Lawyers on Dec.

11, recognizing her 15 years of service prosecuting major cases + mentoring junior attorneys. This award highlights her skill, integrity, and community commitment.

NIH awarded a $3.8M grant to UCSB researchers to bring group virtual reality sessions to older adults aging in place.

The study partners with Right at Home to help clients connect via VR after initial Zoom meetings with newfound friends (aiming to boost social bonds and ease dementia challenges).

The Housing Authority will host a groundbreaking for Jacaranda Court, a 63-unit rental project for workforce and moderate-income residents, at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec.

15 at 400 W. Carrillo St. The project repurposes a parking lot and is financed with $44.8 million (including a $3.5 million city contribution).

Santa Barbara Community Rowing earned medals at the Christmas Regatta in Long Beach last weekend; junior rower Jaci Dingman won gold in the U19 Women’s Single and the U15 team secured first place + other strong medals, setting up a promising season ahead.

Sounds and Stories of Greek Christmas

The program includes traditional Christmas music, rarely performed Byzantine hymns, and Greek holiday carols. Performing will be Opera Santa Barbara director Kostis Protopapas; Santa Barbara-born mezzo-soprano Xeni Tziouvaras who returns home from Florence, Italy for this festive holiday concert and acclaimed soprano Anastasia Malliaras who recently performed at the Granada Theater with the Santa Barbara Philharmonic.

8th Annual Winter Music Showcase

6:00-7:30 p.m. — The Granada Theatre — Tickets available — Celebrate the winter season with an evening of live musical performances.

Introduction to Spring 6, Spring Boot 3, and Spring REST Class

December 15th - 19th — GSA Training, Santa Barbara, CA — Call for pricing — Enhance your programming skills with comprehensive training on Spring technologies.

3rd Friday’s Lunch Hang

12-1:30 p.m. — The Cruisery, 501 State St, Santa Barbara, CA — Free entry — Meet locals in your 20s and 30s for lunch and great conversation while making new friends.

Christmas Day Buffet

12-7 p.m. — Finch & Fork — Reservations recommended — Celebrate the season with a lavish buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, and delectable desserts.

The Gift of Christmas Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket pricing varies — Experience an unforgettable evening with Jim Brickman featuring holiday classics and heartwarming stories.

New Year's Eve Celebration in Santa Barbara 2025-2026

3:15-5:15 p.m. — Celebration Cruises — $110 admission — Enjoy a Champagne Cruise with breathtaking views as you toast to the New Year.