Santa Barbara is preparing for its first-ever furry twist of the traditional Old Spanish Days Fiesta this year.
The inaugural edition of the Fiesta Dog Parade & Costume Contest will bring together dogs, humans, locals, and several businesses and nonprofits.
The dog parade is part of the pre-Fiesta lineup leading up to the main event in August.
The Fiesta Dog Parade serves as an opportunity for pet parents to show off their pets’ personalities by dressing them up in their best and most creative, Spanish-inspired festive costumes.
Scheduled on May 16, 2026, the family-friendly event is inspired by the Old Spanish Days Fiesta and will see the four-legged participants parading down State Street.
The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m., with participants gathering at the De La Guerra Plaza.
The parade is expected to begin at 11 a.m., with the little participants beginning to walk up State Street up to Canon Perdido and return to State Street to enter Paseo Nuevo Mall.
The festivities will end with music from DJ Darla Bea, local vendor tables, and a red carpet experience for the costume contest winners.
Pets can participate in the following contests:
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Best in Show: For the most creative, eye-catching costume.
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Most Fiesta Spirit: For the pup that best captures the energy, vibrancy, color, and tradition of the Fiesta.
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Best Group Entry: Awarding the group that shows the most creativity and coordination in their theme.
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Best Wagon or Stroller Decoration: Honoring the most beautifully decorated stroller or wagon.
Contest winners will be honored with awards at the parade’s finale.
Participation is limited and available only by advance registration. Since the spots are limited, organizers encouraged pet parents to secure their places early in the event.
Pricing for the event is available in two categories: $45 for the first dog and $15 for every additional dog (up to three dogs in total).
Registration includes entry for up to four persons and a special, commemorative bandana for each dog.
All dogs must be friendly and comfortable in the presence of other dogs and people.
Pet owners must ensure that their pups are kept on leash at all times throughout the event.
Organizers encourage everyone to join in the fun and soak in the festivities, whether they have a shih-tzu who looks great dressed as a flamenco dancer or if they just want to stand by and watch the adorable pups take center stage during the march.
About the Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta traces its roots back to 1924, when the city’s merchants got together for two main reasons.
The businessmen felt the city needed an annual summer event to attract visitors.
The community was also looking for a celebration to mark the opening of the revamped Lobero Theatre, which was remodeled and built under the Spanish-California architectural plans of George Washington Smith.
What began as a celebration to mark a new theater in the city quickly grew into an annual tradition of parades with floats with music and food.
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Participation is limited and available only by advance registration. Since the spots are limited, organizers encouraged pet parents to secure their places early in the event.
**Limited to what? We have an entire street that can be filled with dogs….
Pricing for the event is available in two categories: $45 for the first dog and $15 for every additional dog (up to three dogs in total).
**so we have to Pay someone to walk our dog down the road for a block and through the mall? uh…that is not what a parade is about. Typical Santa Barbara, trying to squeeze more money out of us for nonsense. My taxes pay their salaries and for the roads, why are we paying them when they need our dogs for THEIR parade? Sorry, but that’s just ridiculous.
must clarify something,
so we have to pay someone for us to walk our dogs in their parade, which takes place on our street and in our mall (that we already pay for with taxes), just so OUR dog(s) can be in THEIR parade? Seems this should be the other way around, they need dogs for their half baked idea of a dog parade (1 block? LOL).