Live-streamed summer concert series will provide a venue to bring music and dance to the community in a safe way.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – June 30, 2020 – Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara announced today the lineup for Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays, a live-streamed concert series.

Audiences can watch a great lineup of popular local bands from anywhere in the world streamed to a Smart TV or on any internet-connected device, such as a phone, tablet or computer. Scheduled acts include: Area 51, Spencer the Gardner, False Puppet, King Bee and Mezcal Martini. In between sets, Old Spanish Days will bring forward local dance acts and history segments. Every Friday in July, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays will be streamed for free to the Santa Barbara community and beyond.

Alena Velasco earns 2020 Spirit of Fiesta title and Alexandra Nocker earns Junior Spirit title

SANTA BARBARA, CA – June 15, 2020 – Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that Alena Velasco is the Spirit of Fiesta 2020 and Alexandra Nocker the Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020.

The tradition of the Spirit of Fiesta started in 1949 and embodies the joy and vitality of Santa Barbara's beloved annual summer festival.  The Spirits are goodwill ambassadors to local residents and visitors alike and represent the charm, grace and beauty of Old Spanish Days. 

Iconic scenes from Santa Barbara and dancing couple featured

During a live television appearance, El Presidente Erik Davis unveiled this year’s official Commemorative Fiesta poster and pin.

The poster and pin are both original graphic designs by local Santa Barbara artist Andrew Leonard. The poster captures iconic scenes of Santa Barbara like the Santa Barbara Mission and the waterfront and prominently features a dancing couple. The couple depicted were inspired by famous posters from Seville, Spain and are evocative of this year’s Fiesta Theme,“¡Vamos a Bailar!”, in English, “Let’s Dance!”. The pin also features the dancing couple and the Mission while drawing inspiration from past pin designs. 

Historic festival to focus on staying together, while staying apart

Putting the health and safety of the community first, the Old Spanish Days board of directors has made the decision to reimagine Fiesta for 2020 by holding many of its signature events online, on television or in ways that adhere to physical distancing practices, all while promoting and encouraging community-wide participation.

To protect audiences, dancers, musicians, volunteers and the community from the spread of COVID-19 and in response to guidance from elected and health officials, no Fiesta events will be held where large crowds could gather.

On behalf of the Old Spanish Days Board of Directors, please know that we are thinking of you and our Santa Barbara community during this time of uncertainty.

Our hearts go out to those in our region and those around the world who have been impacted financially, emotionally and physically by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Old Spanish Days Board of Directors is closely monitoring the situation with the Coronavirus and is meeting with government officials, sponsors, and collaborative partners to plan for a wide-variety of scenarios. We have rescheduled Fiesta events that were planned for April and May and we are working hard to find creative ways to honor our rich traditions.

Watch a 2 minute video message from El Presidente Erik Davis

Welcome Friends, Bienvenidos Amigos

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, it is my honor to welcome you to the 96th Fiesta celebration!

~ The rhythm of life in Santa Barbara is measured from one Fiesta to another: Families gather together, making memories, forming traditions, sharing the pride we all feel in our community.

For five enchanted days under the warm summer sun, and during the full of the August moon, Fiesta lifts our spirits and delights our senses. In a kaleidoscope of activity, 

At a lively reception at the El Paseo last night, El Presidente Erik Davis announced the theme and proclamation for Fiesta 2020!

Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara announced that the official theme of this year’s Fiesta will be “¡Vamos a Bailar!”, in English, “Let’s Dance!”.

Each year, the Presidente of Fiesta chooses a theme that will set the tone for the coming year. El Presidente Erik Davis was inspired by the way dance is so deeply connected to all aspects of Fiesta.

The pre-auditions will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020. The Pre-Audition is an “OPEN CALL” to any dancer interested in auditioning for Spirit or Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020. Pre-Audition participants will be selected for the Audition Finals that will be held on April 18, 2020.

Download Spirit Pre-Audition Forms

El Presidente Erik Davis to lead historic organization

Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the leadership team for Fiesta 2020. The elected team includes the Executive Committee comprised of: El Presidente, Erik Davis; La Primera Vice Presidente, Stephanie Petlow; El Segundo Vice Presidente, Alex Castellanos; El Secretario, David Bolton; and La Tesorera, Maria Cabrera.

I would like to sincerely thank all that participated in our 95th year and enjoyed Fiesta 2019. We had a wonderful year, with terrific events all summer long.

I started my year with a proclamation describing how Fiesta represents the “Spirit of Community.” As happens every year, thousands again participated in our events as volunteers, performers, equestrians and spectators. Our community came alive with volunteers working hard and celebrating with good food, songs and dance. 

SANTA BARBARA, CA – March 25, 2019 – The pageantry of Old Spanish Days Fiesta will be on full display April 13, 2019, at 12:00 p.m., when 21 talented young dancers step on the stage at the La Cumbre Junior High School Auditorium to perform at the Spirit and Jr. Spirit of Fiesta Live Auditions! This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Spirit of Fiesta. Don’t miss one of Santa Barbara’s best live performance events.