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.
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.
April 15Spirit & Jr. Spirit of Fiesta Audition - Watch the Live Stream on YouTube May 13La Primavera - SOLD OUT June 15 Fiesta Ranchera - SOLD OUT July 8Fiesta 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.