Highlights Include the longest-running Green Car Show in the U.S., a plastics reduction discussion, Environmental Hero Awards, Poets for Climate Action and more
The Community Environmental Council and its long-time festival partner, CarpEvents, are thrilled to bring the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival back to Alameda Park on Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 2024. Now in its 54th year, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country, and is one of the largest on the West Coast. Spanish-speaking staff will be on-hand (identified with “Hablo Español” name badges) to provide information and resources on electric vehicles, home energy efficiency upgrades, how to become a climate activist, and more.
CEC’s Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is FREE for attendees. Detailed information including maps and stage schedules are available online at www.SBEarthDay.org or in the Santa Barbara Independent Earth Day Festival Guide to be published on Thursday, April 25.
Tens of thousands of community members are anticipated to attend to connect with climate-forward businesses and organizations, engage in climate-focused educational activities, hear from dozens of speakers on a variety of environmental topics, savor locally sourced, climate-friendly food and beverage, and enjoy live music.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S EVENT INCLUDE:
Environmental Hero Award: CEC’s Environmental Hero Award will take place on Sunday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m. on the Main Stage. This year’s award will be presented to Alejandra Warren, the co-founder and Executive Director of Plastic Free Future (PFF), a California-based nonprofit committed to the reduction and elimination of plastic pollution through promoting reusable alternatives, with a focus on outreach to underserved and systemically-excluded communities. Tracy Lehr, Anchor at KEYT TV, will emcee the ceremony.
The annual Explore Ecology Awards will round out our Environmental Hero Awards Ceremony. This year’s winners include: Clubs: Clean and Green Club at Vieja Valley and Ocean Guardians at Kellogg; Students, K to 6th: Margo Leven and Moxi McLeod; Students, 7th to 12th: Gio Alfaro and Ethan Maday; Teachers, K to 6th: Teri Briggs and Lori Leach; Teacher, 7th to 12th: Jennifer Rasmussen. These awards will be presented on the Main Stage during the noon ceremony, followed by a ceremony on the Kid’s Stage.
The longest running Green Car show in the United States, featuring the latest electric and hybrid vehicle technology. Location: Santa Barbara and Micheltorena Streets. Show highlights include:
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Test-drive event: The annual Ride & Drive is a first-hand opportunity for attendees to experience the look, feel, and performance of the latest electric vehicles and bikes, including from Rivian, Lucid, and Rad Power Bikes. Limited number of spaces available; sign up on site.
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Rebates and incentives: Get the latest information about California rebates, the federal tax credit, and other incentives that make purchasing or leasing a clean vehicle more affordable.
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Community Ambassadors: Talk one-on-one with community leaders who have made the transition to clean vehicles to learn how electric vehicles and other zero emission transportation options fit into their daily lives.
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Owners Corner: Meet owners, and their vehicles, to learn what clean vehicle ownership is really like.
Public Square and the Climate Action Stage, curated by CEC, is a place to connect and engage with organizations doing good work, spend time with your elected officials, and learn what government agencies and nonprofits are doing to help us all be more sustainable. Highlights on the Climate Action Stage include:
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An original play, “Drift”, presented by the Pesticide Free Soil Project at 2:00 p.m. Saturday
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Poets for Climate Action at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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Take Climate Action Mini Talks by CEC staff about CEC’s Electrify Your Life service, how to eat climate-smart, how to be a climate activist, and more at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Talks on home electrification and electric vehicles will be offered in Spanish.
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Plastics Reduction Discussion at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
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See complete lineup and schedule here: https://www.sbearthday.org/public-square
Location: Corner of Santa Barbara and Micheltorena Streets down to Sola Street.
Homegrown Roots Zone featuring local farmers and food producers, food and beverage artisans, small business owners, and non-profit organizations working in the food system. Location: Along Santa Barbara Street.
Eco-Marketplace exhibitors selling eco-friendly products and wares. Location: Along Anacapa Street.
Music on the Main Stage Enjoy two full days of music, dancing and fun! See lineup and schedule here: https://www.sbearthday.org/entertainment Location: Corner of Micheltorena and Anacapa Streets.
Free Bike Valet, with secure all-day parking facilitated by MOVE Santa Barbara County. Location: Corner of Micheltorena and Santa Barbara.
Food Court, featuring the best climate-friendly fare in the region! Offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for every type of eater.
Beer & Wine Garden featuring regional beer, wine, and other libations in front of the Main Stage, the perfect place to meet up with friends and chill. Must be 21+. Location: Adjacent to the Main Stage.
Kids Corner, organized by LearningDen Preschool, offers a space for families to enjoy arts and crafts, musical performances, storytelling, face painting, eco-activities, and a bilingual Family Passport that promotes kid-friendly activities throughout the park. The Kids Stage will host Explore Ecology’s Annual Environmental Stewardship Awards on Sunday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m. to recognize Santa Barbara County teachers, students, and schools who promote environmental stewardship through education and action. Location: Along Sola Street.
Community members can stay updated on details of CEC’s Earth Day at www.SBEarthDay.org
Follow on social media for updates: Like “Santa Barbara Earth Day” on Facebook.com/SBEarthDay, and Instagram @SB_EarthDay.
Thank you to our 2024 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Sponsors
Boone Graphics, Brander Winery and Vineyard, Bye Bye Mattress, Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition, Central Coast Community Energy, Channel Islands Restoration, Chargepoint, City of Santa Barbara, Edhat, e-bikery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company 805, Hammie’s, Juneshine, KJEE, Lucid Motors, MarBorg Industries, Matilija Pure Water Systems, Montecito Bank & Trust, Plug In America, The Port of Hueneme, Rad Power Bikes, Rivian, Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara Nissan, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians,Edison International, Super Bee Rescue, Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), TV Santa Barbara, Voice Magazine, World Animal Protection
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That will be a MAGA/Republican free zone. MAGAts and Republicans hate our natural resources and are slaves to corporations.
Actually, us MAGA republicans will be there in force. You just won’t recognize us because we won’t be wearing our red hats.
Hint: I’ll be the guy in front of you in the food line.
Olde Mann
https://www.edhat.com/news/how-information-disorder-shapes-global-politics/
April 16, 2026 at 10:49 am
“Like most good democrats, I voted for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries.”
While others moved out of Isla Vista decades ago, you were unable to leave. We get it.
…or the shortcut:
https://www.edhat.com/news/how-information-disorder-shapes-global-politics/#comment-217603
I see I was a tad slow, sorry.
Thank you!
Olde Manne – Will you be taking the bus from Isla Vista? Also funny, in your last post you claimed to be a democrat.
You have no sense of humor. I don’t even own a red hat.
And I’ll be driving my diesel F350 to the Earth Day celebration. Save me a parking spot.
We recognize a bad joke … like you.
You should be outside playing hackey sack Olde … it’s a beautiful day.
So, an elderly MAGAt living amongst college aged teens and young adults who cries about them making noise and drives a diesel F350 (where do you even park that Compensation-Truck?).
How often does your house get egged/TP’d?