Old Spanish Days – Fiesta

Santa Barbara, CA. July 30 - August 3, 2025

Announcing the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020

Posted Jun 15, 2020
Announcing the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020

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. 

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Commemorative Fiesta 2020 Poster and Pin Unveiled

Posted May 21, 2020
Commemorative Fiesta 2020 Poster and Pin Unveiled

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. 

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Fiesta to be Reimagined for 2020

Posted May 21, 2020

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.



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A Message from El Presidente Erik Davis

Posted Apr 02, 2020

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

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Proclamación del Presidente

Posted Feb 21, 2020
Proclamación del Presidente

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, 

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Old Spanish Days Announces Fiesta 2020 Theme

Posted Feb 21, 2020
Old Spanish Days Announces Fiesta 2020 Theme

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.

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Pre-Auditions for Old Spanish Days Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta 2020 Announced

Posted Nov 05, 2019

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

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2020 Leadership Team Announced

Posted Oct 10, 2019
2020 Leadership Team Announced

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.

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La Presidenta’s Thank You

Posted Aug 05, 2019
La Presidenta’s Thank You

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. 

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2019 Poster and Pin Unveiled

Posted May 30, 2019
2019 Poster and Pin Unveiled
The Fiesta pin depicts one of the most iconic images of Fiesta, the Fiesta dancers. “For the pin design I knew I wanted to use the dancing couple from many of our past Fiesta posters,” said Carroll. “It’s an image that is well-known in our community, and, in addition to the parade, it’s the other image that everyone recognizes and can connect with.” La Presidenta Carroll concluded “I hope both the poster and pin are images that resonate as quintessentially Fiesta and stir happy memories.”
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Old Spanish Days Announces Honorary El Presidentes & La Presidentas

Posted May 21, 2019
Old Spanish Days Announces Honorary El Presidentes & La Presidentas
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that Dacia and Riley Harwood and Tom and Denise Peterson have been named honorary El Presidentes & La Presidentas for the 95th annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta. They will be in attendance at the La Primavera event on Saturday, May 25, 2019. Tickets available at online at sbfiest.org.
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Spirit of Fiesta Auditions mark the kick off of the 2019 Old Spanish Days Fiesta Season

Posted Mar 26, 2019
 Spirit of Fiesta Auditions mark the kick off of the 2019 Old Spanish Days Fiesta Season

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.

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Old Spanish Days Announces 2019 Fiesta Theme

Posted Feb 21, 2019
Each year, the Presidente of Fiesta chooses a theme that will set the tone for the coming year. La Presidenta Barbara Carroll, who has been a Fiesta volunteer since 1986 and has served on the board of directors since 2006, was inspired by the way the Santa Barbara community comes together to appreciate our shared history and culture and participate in the annual celebration.
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Old Spanish Days Announces 2019 Leadership Team for 95th Fiesta

Posted Oct 19, 2018
Old Spanish Days Announces 2019 Leadership Team for 95th Fiesta
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the leadership team for Fiesta 2019. The elected team includes: La Presidenta Barbara Carroll; El Primer Vice Presidente Erik Davis; La Segunda Vice Presidenta Stephanie Petlow; El Secretario David Bolton; El Teserero Alex Castellanos; Division Chief of Celebrations Michelle Bischoff; Division Chief of Dance & Entertainment Andrea Caplan; Division Chief of External Relations Angelique Davis; Division Chief of Marketplaces Angela Miller-Bevan; and Division Chief of Pageantry Will Powers.
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Thanks for a Great Fiesta 2018!

Posted Aug 15, 2018
Thanks for a Great Fiesta 2018!
I want to thank the Santa Barbara community, sponsors, collaborative partners, City and County of Santa Barbara and Old Mission Santa Barbara for participating and supporting our successful 94th year of celebrating our tradition of Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
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2018 OSD Fiesta Poster and Commemorative Pin Unveiled at La Primavera

Posted May 21, 2018
2018 OSD Fiesta Poster and Commemorative Pin Unveiled at La Primavera
During a spectacular Fiesta kick off event, 2018 La Presidenta Denise Sanford unveiled this year’s official Fiesta Poster and Commemorative Pin before a large crowd at La Primavera.
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2018 Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit

Posted Apr 20, 2018
2018 Spirit of Fiesta and Junior Spirit
A Santa Barbara tradition continued Saturday April 14th as a boisterous crowd of nearly 600 people packed the auditorium of La Cumbre Junior High School for the Spirit of Fiesta Auditions. The crowd was treated to astounding performances by the 11 finalists for the Spirit of Fiesta and the 9 finalist for the Junior Spirit of Fiesta.
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Proclamación de la Presidenta 2018

Posted Mar 05, 2018
Proclamación de la Presidenta 2018
In searching for the inspiration for this year’s theme I spent a lot of time contemplating the special connection that Old Spanish Days Fiesta has with our community. The mission of Old Spanish Days is to celebrate and perpetuate the rich history of our beautiful city and its traditions; which born from necessity grew into a way of life which makes Santa Barbara distinctively unique among all of California’s coastal cities.
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Old Spanish Days Announces 2018 Fiesta Theme

Posted Feb 21, 2018
Old Spanish Days Announces 2018 Fiesta Theme
Surrounded by members of the extended Fiesta Family, 2018 Old Spanish Days La Presidenta Denise Sanford unveiled this year’s Fiesta theme – Celebrate Traditions – words that will set the tone for this summer’s celebrations.
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¡Viva la Fiesta - Viva la Comunidad!

Posted Oct 13, 2017
¡Viva la Fiesta - Viva la Comunidad!
A big thank you to our community for participating in a very successful Old Spanish Days Fiesta. To serve as La Presidente for our 93rd annual celebration was a truly humbling experience that I will never forget.
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