50th Annual Summer Solstice Festival

Primary tabs

Please note you are looking at an event that has already happened.

Program Description

The 50th annual Summer Solstice is an extraordinary celebration of the arts, community, and the year's longest day. Proudly sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, the festival runs from June 21 to 23 and offers an array of musical performances, diverse food, and merchant vendors. Immerse yourself in Santa Barbara's creative spirit, enjoy the diverse musical acts, and celebrate the solstice in style.

The festival is free and open to the public. It features a full musical lineup and various food and merchant vendors on all three days. A beer and wine garden will be open to those 21 and over, with IDs checked at the entrance and strict security enforced.

As in past years, attendees can enjoy a stellar musical lineup featuring various genres, from folk and reggae to pop, soul, rock, metal, and progressive electronica.

The FUNTopia Kids Zone, Noon to 6:00 p.m., Community Stage and Imaginarium form the newly named Solstice FUNTopia. Performances by youth and professional music groups appropriate for families and children will be featured on or near the CommUnity Stage.

 Parade Route and Road Closure Map:  Parade Route (Green), Forming Area (Blue), Barricade (Red)

Road Closures

  • Partial road closures around the Summer Solstice workshop (631 Garden Street) will begin around 7:00 a.m. Ortega Street will be closed to vehicles between Garden Street and Anacapa Street for parade staging from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Complete street closures of the nine blocks of Santa Barbara Street (between East Cota & East Micheltorena Street), as well as east/west cross traffic for those nine blocks, will be diverted either onto Anacapa Street or Garden Street between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (estimated conclusion of the event). 
  • Santa Barbara Street will not be accessible to vehicles during this time. 

Parking
Temporary no parking along the parade route (Santa Barbara Street and other adjoining cross streets) will be enforced. Vehicles parked within the no parking zone during the posted no parking times could be issued a citation and/or towed. No Parking signs have been posted on the impacted streets.

Street parking is available on side streets and residential areas, not along the parade route. Do not double-park or park in driveways, on neutral grounds (medians), or in front of water hydrants, or your car may get towed and/or you may receive a fine.​

Additional accessible parking for vehicles displaying a Disabled Person Parking Placard will be available on the Alice Keck Memorial Garden side of the 200 block of Micheltorena St. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Safety
Expect traffic delays in this area during that time. Instruct your children to go to a police officer if they become lost. If you or someone in your group needs non-life-threatening medical attention, go to the medical tent near the center of the park. There will be a large MEDICAL sign on the tent. In an emergency, call 9-1-1, Non-Emergency Dispatch (police) at 805-882-8900.

“If You See Something, Say Something!” Report suspicious activities and packages to parade monitors in Lime Green Solstice T-Shirts or police along the parade route.

For more event information, visit: solsticeparade.com/what-to-know-before-you-go