Looking for something to do this solstice weekend? The Summer Solstice Celebration Parade and Festival is the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County. The Summer Solstice Music Festival is sponsored by The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, staged at the Sunken Gardens to celebrate the longest day of year.  

The Parade and Festival is the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world. The Alameda Park festival grew from the earlier gatherings at the sunken gardens of the County Courthouse. When the number of people outgrew the size of the courthouse the event was moved to Alameda Park. Alameda Park is where everyone can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music including famous local groups, food, arts and crafts.  

Saturday has a special free children’s festival and a DJ area for dancing and enjoying techno music and a large drum circle keeps the beat going all afternoon. The festival opens on Friday. The celebration has evolved into a creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants, of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. There is dancing, music, drumming and drama that enthralls the spectators.  

Featured Events

Flights of Fancy

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Downtown, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Visit a dozen local participating businesses and get a taste of what this year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is all about! On Thursday, June 20, 5-8 PM, local restaurants and retailers will have special offers* for Solstice Volunteers and Staff who show their yellow Solstice wristband. Also, get a sneak peek into what the festivities will bring over the weekend!

Music Performances for the Festival

For Performance schedule click here.

All performances are free and open to the public, so come on down and join us and this amazing group of musicians for a little folk, reggae, pop, soul, rock, metal, and progressive electronica that is sure to get you in the summer solstice celebration groove! 

Each year there is an annual artistic competition for the Solstice T-shirt and Poster design that is sold as a fundraising vehicle for the event. Visit the Solstice Store today to purchase T-shirts and posters. 

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