Old Spanish Days Santa Barbara - Fiesta

La Primavera 2023- Old Spanish Days’ Biggest Fundraiser Ever

Posted May 15, 2023
La Primavera was an exciting and memorable night of history, dance and community, that raised more than $40,000, making it the most successful fundraiser the organization has ever organized.  
The amazing evening started at the historic Casa De La Guerra where guests were treated to folklórico regional dances of Mexico as well as early California dance with live musicians. The reception culminated with a tableau vivant of the historic Theodore Van Cina painting Fandango, which portrays a festive dance scene that took place during the three-day wedding of Don Jose De La Guerra’s daughter, Anita, to Alfred Robinson. The wedding was featured in the popular book Two Years Before the Mast.
Guests then made their way into the historic El Paseo Restaurant where a fiery flamenco show awaited.
TourSpain was the evening’s title sponsor and with the support from community members in attendance will help fund the free Fiesta events like La Fiesta Pequeña, Las Noches de Ronda and El Desfile Histórico (the historic Fiesta Parade) that take place in August.  Money raised covers event expenses like insurance coverage, equipment rental, venue costs, and other fees. Over half of the funds necessary to put on our annual Fiesta Celebrations are generated from official Old Spanish Days parties. 
Read More 

2023 Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal

Posted May 10, 2023
2023 Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal

For the first time ever, an elder of the Chumash community has been selected as the Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal. Ernestine De Soto, whose ancestors have been a part of the Santa Barbara community for generations, will have a prominent position in this year’s El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade) as it travels along Cabrillo Boulevard and passes her ancestral village, Syuxtun (also known as Ambassador Park), and known to be one of the largest Chumash villages on the South Coast. 

In announcing his selection of Ms. De Soto, 2023 El Presidente David Bolton said that honoring history, culture and traditions was fundamental in the Parade Grand Marshal selection. The announcement took place at the site where the important Chumash village Syuxtun meets the modern-day parade route on Cabrillo Boulevard at Ambassador Park.

Read More 

2023 Pre-Fiesta Events

April 15 Spirit & Jr. Spirit of Fiesta Audition - Watch the Live Stream on YouTube
May 13 La Primavera - SOLD OUT
June 15 Fiesta Ranchera - Get Tickets
July 8 Fiesta Fashion Sale (Formerly known as the Costume Sale)
July 30 La Recepción del Presidente - Get Tickets

2023 Fiesta Events

Wednesday, August 2
La Fiesta Pequeña, 8 p.m.
Mercado De La Guerra, 11 a.m.

Thursday, August 3
La Misa del Presidente, 10 a.m.
Las Noches de Ronda, 8 p.m.
DIGS, 6 p.m.
Mercado De La Guerra, 11 a.m.
Mercado de la Playa, 11 a.m.

Friday, August 4
El Desfile Histórico (Parade), noon
Flor y Canto, 7 p.m.
Las Noches de Ronda, 8 p.m.
Mercado De La Guerra, 11 a.m.
Mercado de la Playa, 11 a.m.

Saturday, August 5
Children's Parade, 10 a.m.
Arts & Crafts Show, 9 a.m.
Tardes de Ronda, 1 p.m.
Las Noches de Ronda, 8 p.m.
Mercado De La Guerra, 11 a.m.
Mercado de la Playa, 11 a.m.

Sunday, August 6
Arts & Crafts Show, 9 a.m.
Mercado de la Playa, 11 a.m

A Message from the Board

As we emerge from almost three years of COVID restrictions, Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is committed to returning to Fiesta events as we knew them before the pandemic, while putting the health and the safety of our community first.  We continue to work with the City of Santa Barbara in areas such as parade route planning and venue locations.  The schedule and nature of Fiesta events as presented here are to the best of our knowledge but are subject to change due to uncertainties that are beyond our control.

A Special Thank You to our Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2022 Sponsors:

The City and County of Santa Barbara, Jordanos, Giffen, MarBorg, WWW Foundation, KEYT, Lobero Theatre, Albertsons, American Riviera Bank, Bartlett, Pringle and Wolf, LLP, Community West Bank, EdHat, FLIR, Home Improvement Center, Montecito Bank and Trust, Noozhawk, Santa Barbara County Bowl Foundation, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, The VoiceSB, TourSpain, Union Bank. 

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

Please consider supporting Old Spanish Days by purchasing items from our online store. 

Get Connected to Fiesta

Sponsor

Learn how you and your organization can get involved and be part of this wonderful tradition.

Volunteer

Old Spanish Days seeks volunteers to assist with the many community events during Fiesta.

Donate

With you donation, you can help ensure that the Old Spanish Days traditions continue.