Viva La Fiesta!

Betsey Gooch Stewart
9 hours ago
2 min read

Updated: 1 hour ago

A Celebration of Fun, Food & Santa Barbara History

for the Whole Family

Viva La Fiesta!

August brought one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved traditions back to life—the 103rd Annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta! For a few glorious days, Santa Barbara came alive with colorful costumes, music, dancing, delicious food, horses, parades, and the rich history that makes this beautiful coastal town so special.

We especially loved the Fiesta Children’s Parade, where young Santa Barbarans dressed in traditional costumes and celebrated the culture and heritage of their hometown. The parade was held Saturday morning, August 8, along Cabrillo Boulevard.

The festivities also included the Fiesta Historical Parade—on Friday, August 7. Beginning at noon along Cabrillo Boulevard, this spectacular parade is one of the largest equestrian parades in the country, with horses, historical floats, antique coaches, and groups recreating scenes from Santa Barbara’s colorful past.

And oh, those horses! They were absolutely amazing.

We also enjoyed seeing the dancers and experiencing the wonderful music and traditions that make Fiesta so much more than a parade. It truly is a celebration of Santa Barbara’s heritage—and a joyful reminder of the generations who have called this beautiful place home.

As Paul Sweetser wrote in History of Fiesta Backgrounds:

“Santa Barbarans have long been proud of their city’s heritage…”

That heritage reaches back through Spanish, Mexican, and North American history, woven together through music, dance, song, friendship, hospitality, and community.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta exists to preserve and celebrate that heritage. And perhaps that is what we love most about Fiesta.

It brings history to life.

Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage can be felt throughout the town, from the beautiful Old Mission Santa Barbara to the architecture, traditions, ocean breezes, and unmistakable California sunshine. Add wonderful food, colorful celebrations, dancing, horses, children, and happy families—and you have a pretty wonderful recipe for summer fun!

Even Mayor Randy Rowse joined in the celebration, leading the parade dressed in traditional Fiesta colors. It was a beautiful weekend filled with history, laughter, music, dancing, and plenty of reasons to smile.

Enjoy the videos below—and especially the wonderful dancers at the Mission!