Always on the weekend of Summer Solstice or before
State Street & Alameda Park, Santa Barbara, CA
What Is the Summer Solstice Celebration?
The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is the city’s most colorful weekend of the year — a three-day festival and a massive handmade parade that marks the official start of summer. The event began in 1974 as a birthday party for a local artist and has grown into one of the largest arts celebrations on the Central Coast, drawing crowds of more than 100,000 people.
In 2025, festivities ran June 20–22 at Alameda Park, with live music, food vendors, an all-ages “Kids Zone,” and a themed parade featuring dancers, giant puppets, drummers, stilt walkers, and floats created in the community Solstice Workshop.
The Parade
The Solstice Parade stepped off at noon on Saturday, June 21, 2025, starting at Ortega and Santa Barbara Streets and traveling up Santa Barbara Street before ending at the festival grounds in Alameda Park. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Unlike many parades, there are no cars, no corporate banners — it’s all human-powered art. The look changes every year based on a new theme, and spectators are encouraged to dress up and join the vibe.
Festival in Alameda Park
After the parade, the party continues in Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara St.) with multiple stages of live music, food and drink vendors (including a beer & wine garden), local artists, and interactive activities for kids and families. Festival hours in 2025 were Friday 4–9 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, and Sunday 12–7 PM.
Good to Know
- Cost: The parade is free to watch. The park festival is open to the public.
- Family-friendly: There is a dedicated Kids Zone and hands-on art areas.
- What to bring: Sunscreen, hat, water, comfortable walking shoes. Street parking fills quickly — consider rideshare or walking from downtown hotels.
Official Info
Event Website: solsticeparade.com
Category: Events
Tags: Parade, Family-Friendly, Free, Summer