August brings some of the best weather (and events) to the Santa Barbara South Coast. Start the month off strong with one of the Santa Barbara South Coast’s most popular festivals, Old Spanish Days Fiesta, for five days of live performances, authentic food, local artisans and more. Santa Barbara celebrates Pride far beyond the month of June, so we invite you to join the Pacific Pride Foundation for its annual beachside Pride Festival. The American Riviera® is teeming with activities during the month of August, so we’re here to help you plan in advance for a perfect stay.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
The event locals and visitors wait all year for — Old Spanish Days Fiesta, celebrating its 102nd anniversary this year — will host a five-day lineup from Aug. 5-9, featuring multiple days of mercados (markets), live music, dancing and the highly anticipated El Desfile Histórico (historical parade) featuring hundreds of horses, floats and bands along the scenic Cabrillo Boulevard.
Free Summer Cinema, a program presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, is one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved summertime traditions — catch the last four films of this series before August comes to a close! See “Love & Basketball” (Aug. 14), “Napoleon Dynamite” (Aug. 21) and “Hairspray” (Aug. 28).
Santa Barbara’s craft beverage scene meets the open water during Sipping on the Sea, a monthly tasting cruise aboard the Double Dolphin. Aug. 20, Topa Topa Brewing Co. comes aboard with a curated selection of local beers to sip as the coastline drifts by at sunset.
The Pacific Pride Foundation hosts its annual Pacific Pride Festival on Aug. 22 — which is Santa Barbara’s official Pride Month — featuring an all-day event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community of Santa Barbara and beyond, at Chase Palm Park. With roughly 30 vendors in attendance, explore booths featuring local food, artisans and organizations championing LGBTQ+ rights at this popular Santa Barbara Pride celebration.
Aug. 29, the Santa Barbara Triathlon returns. Revered as one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the country, the Santa Barbara Long Course race begins with a swim at East Beach, followed by a bike course overlooking Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria and finishing with a run that takes triathletes through the beachfront.
Aug. 29-30, celebrate independent cinema at the fourth annual Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest, held at the historic Alhecama Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. The weekend showcases a diverse lineup of films from independent and youth filmmakers, offering a fresh look at Santa Barbara’s creative spirit and vibrant arts scene.
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
In Santa Barbara, the average temperature in August is 77 degrees, providing optimal weather to get out and enjoy the elements. And what better place for you and the family to experience an outdoor adventure playground than one of the most unique enclaves of California? For inspiration for your next vacation, look to this three-day Santa Barbara guide curated specifically for families.
Dive into a thrilling surf session (or lesson with Santa Barbara Surf School or Surf Happens Premier Surf School). Enjoy a leisurely beach picnic at one of these popular beaches with loved ones. Lace up your hiking boots and conquer scenic trails offering panoramic views of the coastline. Or, just enjoy a meal along the shore at these Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach. For more ways to enjoy some fun in the sun, explore this guide to family-friendly outdoor activities in Santa Barbara.
Walk through a beautiful garden inside the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around you. Butterflies Alive! features a dazzling variety of butterflies including local favorites and exotic tropical species. Learn about the life cycle and behavior of these spectacular invertebrates while observing them up close. The exhibit is included in museum admission and is open through Sept. 7.
To make the planning process a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top family-friendly hotels and resorts in Santa Barbara during your next stay.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
There’s no shortage of exhilarating concerts to attend in August—especially at the Santa Barbara Bowl, a 4,500-seat, open-air amphitheater nestled in a picturesque hillside of east Santa Barbara, renowned for hosting a wide range of concerts in its scenic, outdoor setting. Here, you can enjoy live music and comedy underneath the twinkling night sky with Trevor Noah (Aug. 1-2), Sierra Ferrell (Aug. 6), Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival (Aug. 8), Tedeschi Trucks Band (Aug. 13), 311 & Dirty Heads (Aug. 16), Train (Aug. 22) and Thee Sacred Souls (Aug. 30).
Granada Theatre and Lobero Theatre have great shows to attend in August, too. Granada Theatre presents shows like Academy Festival Orchestra’s Samuel Adams & Sibelius (Aug. 1) and Mozart & Rachmaninoff (Aug. 8), while Lobero Theatre boasts the Flamenco Arts Festival Gala featuring Siudy Garrido Flamenco Company (Aug. 7), Shawn Colvin (Aug. 9) and Journey USA: Tribute Band (Aug. 15).
Both theaters reign as historic landmarks that double as breathtakingly beautiful venues — take a step inside to see for yourself.
