Santa Barbara’s ‘Old Spanish Days Fiesta’ July 30-August 3, 2025 * ¡VIVA LA FIESTA!

July 30 – August 3, 2025
Downtown Santa Barbara + various historical locations throughout the city

Santa Barbara’s largest annual event ‘Old Spanish Days Fiesta’ continues to offer a unique blend of Spanish and local traditions, showcasing a rich cultural heritage that spans more than a century. Celebrating over 100 years, Santa Barbara pays tribute to family, and founders and from Spanish, Mexican and North American pioneers through daily events focusing on a spirit of heritage, friendliness and hospitality with its ‘Capture the Spirit’ theme.

Santa Barbara Mission’s ‘La Fiesta Pequeña’. Mexican Folorico Dancers. Courtesy of the California Association of Boutique Breakfast Inns (CABBI).

Old Spanish Days kicks off their 4-day festival on Wednesday, July 30 at 8pm with ‘La Fiesta Pequeña’ on the steps of the historic Santa Barbara Mission offering passionate Flamenco dance, Spanish classical, and Mexican folklórico entertainment. Special performances will include Natalia Treviño and Victoria Plascencia, 2025 Spirit and Jr. Spirit winners and goodwill ambassadors of the Festival as a highlight of this showcase. This highly anticipated event is also filmed live through local television station KEYT-TV and simulcast live.

On Thursday, July 31 at 10:00 am, don’t miss La Misa del Presidente. All faiths are invited to a special Roman Catholic Mass dating back to the first day of Fiesta in 1936 and today is followed by a festive reception in the Mission’s Sacred Garden.

Continuing on Thursday, Festival attendees will enjoy an abundance of free daily family-friendly activities including the ‘El Mercado de la Guerra’ featuring Spanish and Mexican-American foods, crafts, souvenirs, and live entertainment (see schedule below), all while strolling through this colorful Mexican market.

Photo by Fritz Olenberger, ‘Noches de Ronda’

Photo by Fritz Olenberger

One of the historic centerpieces of this delightful city is the remarkable Santa Barbara Courthouse. The location offers a stellar backdrop for the first of three consecutive evenings, Thursday-Saturday of Las Noches de Ronda (Nights of Gaiety) starting at 8:00 pm. This popular event features a wide variety of Flamenco, Spanish dance and music entertainment. Offered free! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for seating at the Sunken Gardens.

On Friday, August 1 at 12 noon one of the largest equestrian parades in the country, the ‘Historic Parade’ (El Desfile Histórico) runs along Cabrillo Boulevard and features descendants of local Native Americans, Spanish Pioneers, Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and local service clubs and organizations. Delightful floats, horses, dancers, antique carriages, coaches, and wagons provide a unique display of Santa Barbara history and culture. This year, Fiesta is proud to honor long-established Santa Barbara residents Marta Holsman Babson (1965 Spirit of Fiesta winner) and sister, Henrietta Holsman Fore as Parade Grand Marshals.

The Santa Barbara Courthouse presents the second of three evenings of entertainment, Thursday-Saturday. On Friday, August 1 at 7:00 pm ‘Flor y Canta’ (Flower and Song) begins the evening with an exceptional display of early Spanish California dances, historic narration and musical numbers. Las Noches de Ronda’ (Nights of Gaiety) continues the evening at 8:00 pm with a wide variety of Flamenco, dance and music entertainment at 8:00pm. Both offered free! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs seating at the Sunken Gardens with a beautiful backdrop of this historic location.

Photo: Lauren McIntire

The Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center is the exciting new venue for the historic ‘Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show’ August 1-3. This thrilling display of California and the nation’s top riders and animals. This event also offers a BBQ on Saturday, August 2. Schedule of events, information and tickets: https://sbfiestarodeo.org/schedule-of-events/

FREE COURTHOUSE TOURS: In addition to the above festivities, visitors can enjoy free daily one-hour docent-guided tours of this beautiful Spanish-Moorish historic landmark which take place every hour between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday.

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Photo: Alex Navarro, Navarro Productions 805

This year’s highly respected ‘Old Spanish Days’ Leadership Team includes a cross section of community volunteers. 2025 El Presidente Fritz Olenberger will be joined on the Leadership Team by Primer Vice Presidente Colin Hayward, Segundo Vice Presidente Tony Miller, la Secretaria and Division Chief of Pageantry Casie Killgore, la Tesorera Denise Sanford, and four additional Division Chiefs: Christopher Gusman (Celebrations), Melissa (Missy) Robledo Pulido (Dance and Entertainment, David Bolton (External Relations and History), and Sean Malis (Marketplaces/Mercados).

Old Spanish Days organizers and the community of Santa Barbara are thrilled to offer this year’s celebration activities, emphasizing its importance as a unifying and joyful event. From El Presidente Fritz Olenberger, “this is about coming together as a community and celebrating the rich tradition of Old Spanish Days.” ¡VIVA LA FIESTA!

FULL FIESTA EVENT CALENDAR HERE! https://www.sbfiesta.org/events-calendar

Vida Flamenca extends our heartfelt thanks to ‘El Presidente’ Fritz Olenberger and the entire staff of Santa Barbara’s prestigious ‘Old Spanish Days Fiesta’.