January in Santa Barbara presents visitors with the opportunity to ditch the chill of winter and embrace a season filled with afternoons of epic outdoor excursions and performances that light up the night. Ring in the new year with these noteworthy recommendations for a wide variety of wellness-centered activities that invite you to treat yourself in more ways than one.
Explore the Santa Barbara South Coast at your leisure and choose from these local accommodations offering a third night free when you book a two-night stay. With so many shows to attend, shops to enjoy and outdoor excursions to be had, do yourself a favor and add on an extra night.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Start 2026 off in luxury by treating yourself to a day at one of these spas to soothe your soul or by setting off on the ultimate wellness journey with one (or all!) of these 26 ways to achieve wellness in the new year.
Participate in some New Year’s Day kayaking with Channel Islands Expeditions or Santa Barbara Adventure Company at Channel Islands National Park and find bountiful wildlife, beautiful waters and impressive sea caves. If you’re looking to relax and venture inland, these wine tours with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, Rooted Vine Tours or Sustainable Wine Tours takes guests through several vineyards and tasting rooms; all you have to do is sit back and cheers to the new year.
LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS
Lions, tigers and bears — oh my! Pay a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo before ZooLights comes to a close on Jan. 11 and watch the zoo grounds come to life with illuminating lanterns that represent the zoo’s residents.
Performances at Lobero Theatre don’t fall short in the new year, either, boasting an unforgettable performance from Mania: The ABBA Tribute (Jan. 29). At the Arlington Theatre, catch a live performance from Anne Wilson (Jan. 10).
Jan. 25, 2026 is the last day to see Santa Barbara Museum of Art‘s exhibit, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse. And Seaside Sock Skating at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is available to experience through Feb. 1, 2026.
Jan. 27, catch world-class soccer on The American Riviera® as the U.S. Women’s National Team faces Chile at Harder Stadium — a rare chance to see elite international play at UC Santa Barbara’s iconic “Soccer Heaven” on the Central Coast.
WELLNESS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Jumpstart your fitness after the holiday season and take advantage of the fresh air and ocean breeze that blows through the epic landscape of the Santa Barbara South Coast. Bust out your hiking boots and explore the best hikes in Santa Barbara, like Santa Barbara Botanic Garden‘s new hiking trail, the Tipton Trail, for scenic views of the city and the Pacific. If biking is more your speed, the coastal enclave boasts a number of popular bike trails that range from beginner to intermediate and offer sweeping vistas from various lookouts. Hit the trails with local cycling companies, like Santa Barbara BCycle and Cal Coast Adventures. Santa Barbara is home to a wide array of yoga studios for you to get your om on in the new year, as well as being an excellent place to practice overall mindfulness activities.
Other ways to get outside involve a bit of walking, like this self-guided Santa Barbara Courthouse tour or a stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Montecito’s stunning Lotusland or a tranquil visit to The Sacred Space. And finally, dive into that new hobby you’ve always wanted to try with stand-up paddleboard lessons with Paddle Sports Center, sailing lessons with Santa Barbara Sailing Center or surfing lessons with Surf Happens Premier Surf School.
