51st Annual Summer Solstice Celebration Begins Friday!

The 51st annual Summer Solstice, themed Wild World, is an extraordinary celebration of the arts, community, and the year’s longest day. Proudly sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, the festival runs from June 20 to 22 and offers an array of musical performances, diverse food, and merchant vendors. Immerse yourself in Santa Barbara’s creative spirit, enjoy the diverse musical acts, and celebrate the solstice in style.

The festival is free and open to the public. It features a full musical lineup and various food and merchant vendors on all three days. A beer and wine garden will be open to those 21 and over, with IDs checked at the entrance and strict security enforced.

The Solstice Parade on June 21 travels from Santa Barbara Street to Ortega Street to Sola Street and ends at Alameda Park at the Solstice Festival. Floats will be displayed on Sola Street until 3 p.m. The festivities continue until 8 p.m.

Chairs and blankets can go out along the parade route after 6:00 pm on Friday, June 20, but no earlier. Keep all chairs and blankets on the sidewalks, not in the street.

The FUNTopia Zone and an expanded Kids Zone—open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. in Alameda East—featuring interactive activities for the whole family.

Festival Kick-Off Party

Friday, June 20, 2025
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara St.)

Solstice Parade

Saturday, June 21, 2025
Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Festival Saturday

Saturday, June 21, 2025
Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara St.)

Reggae Sunday

Sunday, June 22, 2025
Noon to 7:00 p.m.
Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara St.)

Parade Road Closures

View the Parade Route and Road Closure Google Map

Accessible Parking Information

The City of Santa Barbara has reserved on-street parking along the West bound lane of Mitcheltorena St., between Garden St. and Santa Barbara St., to increase accessible parking options adjacent to Alameda Park. Parking is available on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis. Vehicles are advised to approach this parking area from Garden Street.

Safety

Expect traffic delays in this area during that time. Instruct your children to go to a police officer if they become lost. If you or someone in your group needs non-life-threatening medical attention, go to the medical tent near the center of the park.

There will be a large MEDICAL sign on the tent. In an emergency, call 9-1-1, Non-Emergency Dispatch (police) at 805-882-8900.

“If You See Something, Say Something!” Report suspicious activities and packages to parade monitors in Lime Green Solstice T-Shirts or police along the parade route.

For more event information, visit Solstice: What to know before you go.