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Fiesta to feature return of parade, mercados NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTOSGrupo Quetzalcoatl performs El Son de La Negra at Noches de Ronda at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in 2015.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER
and DAVE MASON
THE NEWS-PRESS
The Fiesta is back this week with its first parade since 2019.
And Old Spanish Days, which runs Wednesday through Sunday, is featuring its first mercados in De la Guerra Plaza and Mackenzie Park in two years as well.
Here’s the schedule for the Santa Barbara festival, starting with a pre-Fiesta event tonight.
Then-Spirit of Fiesta Talia Ortega Vestal performs during Las Noches de Ronda in 2014.TONIGHT
La Recepción del Presidente, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
The Carriage and Western Art Museum.
Go to sbfiesta.org for tickets.
WEDNESDAY
Free courthouse tours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
El Mercado Del la Guerra, 11a.m. to 10 p.m
De la Guerra Plaza.
The mercado features live music, dancing and merchandise and food vendors.
El Mercado Del Norte, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mackenzie Park.
The event features a carnival, food and merchandise vendors, live music and dancing, and the Crazy Horse Cantina.
“Project Fiesta,” noon to 5 p.m.Santa Barbara Historical Museum,
An exhibit shows the history of Old Spanish Days.
La Fiesta Pequeña, 8-10 p,m.
Santa Barbara Mission.
La Fiesta Pequeña, “Little Fiesta,” is a colorful, historical program that includes traditional songs and dance from California’s past. This event is free.
Dancers from the Linda Vega Dance Studio perform at the Courthouse Sunken Garden in 2016.THURSDAY
Fiesta Stock Horse Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Earl Warren Showgrounds.
For more information, go to www.sbfiestarodeo.org.
La Misa del Presidente, 10 a.m.
Santa Barbara Mission.
This Roman Catholic Mass dates back to the first day of Fiesta in 1936 and today is followed by a festive reception in the mission’s Sacred Garden.
El Mercado Del la Guerra, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m
De la Guerra Plaza.
The mercado features live music, dancing and merchandise and food vendors.
El Mercado Del Norte, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mackenzie Park.
The event features a carnival, food and merchandise vendors, live music and dancing, and the Crazy Horse Cantina.
Casa Cantina, starting at noon.
Casa de la Guerra courtyard.
The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation presents music, dancing, food and cold drinks.
“Project Fiesta,” noon to 5 p.m.Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
An exhibit shows the history of Old Spanish Days.
DIGS! (Celebración de los Dignatarios), 5 -10 p.m.
Santa Barbara Zoo.
Get tickets at oldspanishdays.ticketsauce.com/e/digs.
Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”), 8-10 p.m.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Sunken Gardens.
The evening features singing and dancing, everything from flamenco to Mexican folklorico dancing.
FRIDAY
Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Earl Warren Showgrounds.
For more information, go to www.sbfiestarodeo.org.
El Mercado Del la Guerra, 11a.m. to 10 p.m
De la Guerra Plaza.
The mercado features live music, dancing and merchandise and food vendors.
El Mercado Del Norte, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mackenzie Park.
The event features a carnival, food and merchandise vendors, live music and dancing, and the Crazy Horse Cantina.
“Project Fiesta,” noon to 5 p.m.Santa Barbara Historical Museum,
An exhibit shows the history of Old Spanish Days.
Historical Parade, noon to 2 p.m.
Cabrillo Boulevard, from Castillo Street to Calle Puerto Vallarta.
The first Fiesta parade since 2019 will feature more than 600 horses, antique carriages, coaches, wagons and re-enactments of historical scenes. For a preview story, see Tuesday’s News-Press.
Casa Cantina, starting at noon.
Casa de la Guerra courtyard.
The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation presents music, dancing, food and cold drinks.
Flor y Canto, 7-8 p.m.
Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens.
Here is a rare opportunity to see the original Spanish California dances and songs of the 19th century. Interwoven with historic narration, the musical numbers are accompanied on replica acoustic instruments.
Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”), 8-10 p.m.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Sunken Gardens.
The evening features singing and dancing, everything from flamenco to Mexican folklorico dancing. Admission is free.
SATURDAY
El Desfile De Los Niños (Children’s Parade), 10 a.m.
Cabrillo Boulevard, from Garden Street to Calle Cesar Chavez.
The Children’s Parade is organized by the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department. Young people of Santa Barbara, their parents and other parade participants don traditional costumes and celebrate the area’s rich culture.
Fiesta Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cabrillo Boulevard, West Beach.
You can stroll along Cabrillo Boulevard just west of Stearns Wharf and browse for handmade treasures created by local artisans.
El Mercado Del la Guerra, 11a.m. to 10 p.m
De la Guerra Plaza.
The mercado features live music, dancing and merchandise and food vendors.
El Mercado Del Norte, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mackenzie Park.
The event features a carnival, food and merchandise vendors, live music and dancing, and the Crazy Horse Cantina.
Casa Cantina, starting at noon.
Casa de la Guerra courtyard.
The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation presents music, dancing, food and cold drinks.
“Project Fiesta,” noon to 5 p.m.Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
An exhibit shows the history of Old Spanish Days.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.Earl Warren Showgrounds.
For more information and schedule, go to www.sbfiestarodeo.org.
Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”), 8-10 p.m.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Sunken Gardens.
The evening features singing and dancing, everything from flamenco to Mexican folklorico dancing.
SUNDAY
Fiesta Arts and Crafts Show 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cabrillo Boulevard, West Beach.
“Project Fiesta,” noon to 5 p.m.Santa Barbara Historical Museum,
An exhibit shows the history of Old Spanish Days.
Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, go to www.sbfiestarodeo.org
For a full list of Fiesta events, see www.sbfiesta.org/events-calendar.
And see Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s News-Press for preview stories about the Fiesta.
email: kzehnder@newspress.com, dmason@newspress.com
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