Friday’s Fiesta Guide

11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.: Santa Barbara Mission Docent Tours

Come explore the Queen of the Missions during special docent led tours. This beautiful landmark is located at 2201 Laguna Street

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Courthouse Fiesta Tours

Free guided tours of this beautiful Moorish-Spanish building every half hour. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street.

12 p.m.: El Desfile Histórico (Historical Parade)

This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the Fiesta Historical Parade. It is unique to Santa Barbara and features floats depicting episodes from the history of our city. The parade is also one of the nation’s largest equestrian parades, featuring over 600 horses, as well as many antique carriages, coaches, and wagons. The show starts at the west end of Cabrillo Boulevard, and will proceed east along the beach to State Street, then up State Street to Sola Street.

8 a.m. & 12 p.m.: Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo (Competencia De Los Vaqueros)

Junior Tri-Counties riders compete in Breakaway Roping, Tie-down Roping, Team Roping and Barrel Racing. Riders compete in the Non-Pro Stock Horse Class and Buckaroo Class plus eliminations for the Open Stock Horse and Hackamore Classes.

11 a.m. – 11 p.m.: El Mercado de la Guerra

Stroll through a colorful Mexican market (across from City Hall) to feast on Spanish and Mexican-American foods, shop for crafts and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment all day and into the early evening. Mercado de la Guerra is located in De La Guerra Plaza, on the first block of East De la Guerra Street.

11 a.m. – 11 p.m.: El Mercado Del Norte

Come for the fun and the food, stay for the music and dancing. Check out our four distinct “neighborhoods” for all of the family: the food court where you can watch daily entertainment and enjoy Fiesta foods; the Fiesta Bazaar for souvenirs; Fiesta Carnival with rides and attractions for the kids; and the Crazy Horse Cantina for icy cold beer margaritas and live entertainment in the evening to get you out on the dance floor. Mercado Del Norte is located in Mackenzie Park at the corner of State Street and Las Positas Street in the San Roque area.

11 a.m. – 10: 30 p.m.: Crazy Horse Cantina

The Crazy Horse Cantina, inside Mercado Del Norte, features a beer garden with live entertainment and is a favorite gathering spot for locals during Fiesta. It is host during the day to Fiesta’s battle of the bands competition where aspiring new talent come to play. At night and all day Saturday the Cantina turns into a beer garden with entertainment from the top area bands.

11 a.m. – 9 p.m.: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado

Enjoy one of the best traditions of Fiesta. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado serves up a wide array of authentic Mexican cuisine and entertainment. Visit a local secret at 227 North Nopal Street and experience homemade goodness for the whole family!

12 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Casa Cantina

Celebrate Fiesta where it all began as Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation presents the 13th annual Casa Cantina in the courtyard of the historic Casa de la Guerra. Part of the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebration, locals and visitors alike are invited to relax, sip a cold drink, and celebrate at the home of Fiesta! Held at Casa de la Guerra, 15 East De la Guerra Street.

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Courthouse Legacy Foundation’s Fiesta Party Overlooking Las Noches De Ronda

View Las Noches festivities from  the Courthouse’s 2nd Floor Loggia and Mural Room.  You can also get up close and personal with VIP on-stage seats, if desired,  or take in the breathtaking sweeping city views from the Clock Tower. This event is not to be missed! Food and beverages included.  Reserve your tickets now!  No tickets sold at door.  Must be 21 to attend. Tickets are available by phone at (805) 770-7222 or at www.sbclf.org.

7 p.m.: Flor y Canto

Here is a rare opportunity to see the original Spanish California dances & songs of the 19th century. Interwoven with historic narration, the musical numbers are accompanied on replica acoustic instruments. These unique songs & dances are performed by local residents in authentic costumes much as they would have been 150 years ago. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the show! Held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, 1100 Anacapa Street.

7:30 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo Performance (Competencia De Los Vaqueros)

Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events, including Bareback Riding, Tie down Roping, Steer Stopping, Mutton Bustin’, Saddle Bronc Riding, PRCA Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.  Bareback Riding, Tie down Roping, Steer Stopping, Mutton Bustin’, Saddle Bronc Riding, PRCA Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. 

8 p.m.: Las Noches De Ronda

Las Noches de Ronda, “Nights of Gaiety” is held in the famous Sunken Gardens of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The evening performances feature spectacular dances and songs from the fire of flamenco to the charm of Mexican folklórico dances. Over 200 performers entertain nightly and donate their time to this wonderful event. Admission is free to the public. Blankets and chairs can be set up no earlier than 9 AM on the day of the event – please note that anything of plastic or nylon material will be removed.

Viva la Fiesta – Viva la Comunidad!