Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade

Founded in 1974, this all art parade celebrates the beginning of summer with a parade and festival in downtown Santa Barbara.

Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974, as a birthday celebration for a popular artist and mime named Michael Gonzales. In subsequent years, their parade joined forces with a Summer Solstice Music Festival coordinated by Michael Felcher, sponsored by The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, staged at the Sunken Gardens to celebrate the longest day of year. The Parade and Festival is the largest arts event i

n Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world. From these humble beginnings arose a celebration of life which, is like no other. Today, the Summer Solstice Celebration has evolved into creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants, of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. There is dancing, music, drumming and drama that enthralls the spectators. Each year there is an annual artistic competition for the Solstice T-shirt and Poster design that is sold as a fundraising vehicle for the event. Visit our Solstice Store or Poster Gallery today to purchase T-shirts and posters. The Festival in Alameda Park grew from the earlier gatherings at the sunken gardens of the County Courthouse. When the number of people outgrew the size of the courthouse the event was moved to Alameda Park. The Alameda Park is where everyone can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music including famous local groups, food, arts and crafts. On Saturday only is a special free children’s festival and a DJ area for dancing and enjoying techno music and a large drum circle keeps the beat going all afternoon. The festival now opens on Friday afternoon, which is like the “evening events of years past.” It’s a special evening, showcasing local talents with music, dance, performances. Some of the parade ensembles are featured as well as all of the food booths, arts and crafts vendors. As a 501(c)3, nonprofit, community organization, the Summer Solstice Celebration group is responsible for carrying on Michael’s delightful, multicultural performing arts celebration, and ensuring an extravagant celebration of life through art for many years to come.

10/22/2024

Artist Larry Vigon gave Summer Solstice Celebration new lettering for our Solstice Celebration logo! Check him out. He's done album covers for your favorite artists! Fleetwood Mac, Counting Crows, Eric Clapton, Missing Persons, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Ho**er, Lois Mahalia, and so many more! https://www.larryvigon.com/album-covers

02/05/2024

It’s the I LOVE Solstice Party! Bring your fabulousness to 1230 State Street, Fat Tuesday Fundraiser, pre-valentines wine & sweets mixer at Legacy ArtFebruary 13, 5 to 9 pm.

Wine, Sweets, Music, Dance, Fun, Connection!

The event will feature wine from Solvang's Rideau Vineyards and sweets from your favorite local restaurants, local artisans and vendors. Guests may find some special Valentine gifts for their loved ones in the Silent Auction. Participate in Vox Pop In the Street "Why I Love Solstice" interviews, Music by George Quirin, Love Lightning, Crispin Barrymore & MORE!.

02/01/2024

Vote for your favorite artwork for the Poster Art Contest -- Keep in mind that this will be for a t-shirt for a man and a woman, our poster, and our 50th anniversary marketing campaigns

Poster Contest Ballots 2024 Please click the link to complete this form.

Poster contest underway for the 50th Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration | News Channel 3-12

01/26/2024

Solstice in the News! Poster Arts Closing Reception upcoming Tuesday, January 30, 5-8 pm at Legacy Art SB, 1230 State Street

Poster contest underway for the 50th Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration | News Channel 3-12 The poster contest for the 50th Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is underway.

06/22/2019

Good morning SB! We have an amazing parade for you today at noon, but need 8 extra float pushers to get the floats up the street! The sun is out -come get your Solstice workout! Text me at 805-216-1223 if you can do it! Beer on us at the park!

06/21/2019

THE 45th ANNUAL SOLSTICE PARADE IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 22nd at NOON. STARTING AT STATE AND COTA. The ****Children's Parade**** is at 3 PM at Alameda Park on SUNDAY, JUNE 23. (not to be confused with what the News-Press Printed accidentally)
Download the whole weekend schedule athttps://solsticeparade.com/images/downloads/Festival-Guide-2019_Special-45th-Annual-Edition.pdf

Photos from Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade's post

06/19/2019

The 45th Annual Summer Solstice Special Edition Festival Activity Guide is Ready!

The 37 page digital guide Includes:
☀ Festival Entertainment line up June 21-23
☀ Parade Highlights - you won’t want to miss these!
☀ Meet the Solstice Team
☀ Board members
☀ Photos and Solstice history through the years
☀ Children's Festival Stage
☀ Children's Parade @ 3 PM on Sunday
☀ Food & Festival Vendors
☀ Free Festival Colorful Yoga Class @ 12 pm Sunday
☀ Solstice Supporters and Sponsors
☀ New online course for budding community event planners - after the festival
☀ And more!

☀👉 Here’s the link:https://solsticeparade.com/images/downloads/Festival-Guide-2019_Special-45th-Annual-Edition.pdf

It’s also available from the front page of the website! (where we will keep it up to date as possible)
www.solsticeparade.com

06/08/2019

Have a teen that needs something productive and fun to do next week? Sign them up to learn:
1. Design, construction, and engineering skills
2. Communication and leadership
3. and how a large scale community event comes to life!
It’s all happening in our annual Summer Solstice Teen Camp at 631 Garden Street.
Dates: June 10-14, Monday - Friday, 10-3 pm!
Cost: $250.
Register by Sunday, June 9 at noon to be included!
Register at:
https://solsticeparade.com/8-news/62-now-enrolling-parade-float-building-teen-camp

05/21/2018

The Solstice Parade Workshop at 631 Garden Street is open! Bring your float and ensemble ideas to life with the help of our artistic team!
Public hours: W-F 3-8 PM, Sat & Sun 12-6 PM

Just curious? Never been involved before? Come by for a free tour of the workshop and see where ideas, innovation and creativity collide and create one of the largest green, hand made, art parades in the US! The Santa Barbara 44th Annual Solstice parade is Saturday, June 23rd at noon and starts at State and Cota Street and ends at the Solstice Festival at Alameda Park!

More details is this Noozhawk article!

Sun Rising on Summer Solstice Workshop Noozhawk.com delivers local breaking news, local sports, schools, nonprofits, obituaries, business, arts and entertainment, calendar, local opinions and more.

04/12/2018

Can you find yourself in this video from last year's Solstice parade? This video was made by high school student Larry Tang! You rock Larry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLHxQt7jS2A&feature=youtu.be

Sign up to participate in this year's parade at the link below. $45/ for two months of participation in the workshop includes $15 parade fee. Parade fee only $15!
http://solsticeparade.com/participate/register

Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade Song Used: Beach Buggy Ride - Elexive

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http://www.solsticeparade.com/

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State Street
Santa Barbara, CA
93101

Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade

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