Old Spanish Days Santa Barbara - Fiesta

San Salvador greeting ceremony at sea

Posted Jul 18, 2023
San Salvador greeting ceremony at sea
A Chumash tomol will greet the full-size replica of the San Salvador tallship, much like the events that happened when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into our local waters in 1542. The greeting ceremony at sea will kick off the Fiesta Friday events, including the historic parade, El Desfile Histórico, that will travel along Cabrillo Boulevard beginning at noon, Mercado de la Playa, also on Cabrillo, Mercado de la Guerra at De La Guerra plaza, Noches de Ronda at the Courthouse and more!
The historic reenactment at sea will take place just west of Stearns Wharf at 10:30 am on August 4. Come out and watch!
Free, public tours of the full sized replica of the San Salvador will be held on Saturday and Sunday of the Fiesta weekend beginning at 10 am.
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2023 Old Spanish Days Board of Directors

Posted Apr 25, 2023
2023 Old Spanish Days Board of Directors

The 2023 Old Spanish Days Board of Directors gathered on Cabrillo Boulevard
for an Iconic Photo.  Volunteers for the  99-year-old organization give their time and talent for the good of the community.  

Old Spanish Days (OSD) in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 50l(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara's history, spirit, culture, heritage, and traditions. The 99-year-old organization is unique among festivals in that it is run entirely by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by only one full-time staff member.

The Board of Directors represent a broad cross-section of the community and is responsible for planning and producing over a dozen major events during the week of Fiesta, several fundraising events leading up to the week and organizing over 500 other volunteers, participants, and performers.  

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2023 Pre-Fiesta Events

Download the Offical Guide to Fiesta (PDF)

April 15 Spirit & Jr. Spirit of Fiesta Audition - Watch the Live Stream on YouTube
May 13 La Primavera - SOLD OUT
June 15 Fiesta Ranchera - SOLD OUT
July 8 Fiesta Fashion Sale (Formerly known as the Costume Sale) 9am at Carriage Museum
July 30 La Recepción del Presidente -SOLD OUT

2023 Fiesta Events

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

Tune in to watch the Live Stream on August 2, 2023, 7:45pm

Thursday, August 3
La Misa del Presidente, 10 a.m. Live Stream
Las Noches de Ronda, 8 p.m.
DIGS, 5 p.m. SOLD OUT
Mercado De La Guerra, 11 a.m.
Mercado de la Playa, 12 p.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, 12 p.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, 12 p.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.


Please support Old Spanish Days by purchasing items from our online store or purchasing tickets to an official Fiesta fundraiser.

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.