One of Santa Barbara County’s largest annual community events takes place this weekend.
Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Celebration is underway, with more than 100,000 people expected to attend its parade and festival. It’s music, costumes, and performance art all wrapped up in one weekend, in a creative ode to the start of summer.
Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Parade is a cross between a Disney parade, and a Mardi Gras celebration, with artists and members of the community working for days, weeks, and even months on colorful floats, and costumes. This year’s event starts at noon on State Street, in downtown Santa Barbara, with the theme of legends.
But, another part of the celebration is already underway.
The three day long Summer Solstice Festival, with music, food, and performances runs through 9 p.m. Friday at Alameda Park, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.