Saturday’s Fiesta Guide

Photo by Fritz Olenberger
 
It’s the Saturday of Fiesta and there’s a lot happening around town. Here’s your cheat sheet for the day:

10 a.m.: Annual El Desfile De Los Niños (Children’s Parade)

The charming Children’s Parade is organized by the City Parks and Recreation Department. Young people of Santa Barbara, their parents, and other parade participants don traditional costumes and celebrate the rich culture of the area. The parade proceeds down State Street, from Victoria Street to Ortega Street. Viewing the parade is free.

10:30 a.m. & 2:00 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 take place every half hour. Meet in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show

Stroll along the beautiful beachfront Cabrillo Boulevard just West of Stearns Wharf and browse for handmade treasures created by local artisans. The Arts and Crafts show is an all-day event. Enjoy the arts and crafts while you take in Santa Barbara’s beautiful marina and a spectacular view of our coastal mountains. 

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.

After 4 p.m. on Saturday the Cantina is a 21 and over only event.

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. General Admission fee required, free admission for SBTHP members.

This is a twenty-one and over event – ID required.

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Tardes de Ronda

Held in the historical Sunken Gardens on Saturday afternoon, the always highly attended “Afternoon of Gaiety” features the talents of performers under the age of sixteen. The Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens are located at 1100 Anacapa Street.

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.

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!

Viva la Fiesta – Viva la Comunidad!

Edhat Staff

Written by Edhat Staff

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