JULY 29, 2026

This Week Downtown

Whether you're planning a perfect mid-week happy hour, looking for live entertainment, or staying informed on local civic updates, we've got you covered. Here is what's happening around Downtown Santa Barbara this week. 

District News & City Council Updates

Old Spanish Days Fiesta is Almost Here!

This year, the El Mercado De La Guerra will expand onto the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street between Ortega and Canon Perdido, bringing even more festive energy to the heart of downtown.

Please note that Mercado setup will begin early Wednesday, August 5, and the event will conclude at midnight on Saturday, August 8.

View the full Fiesta schedule here.

Sweetaly Gelato Grand Opening

Join us on Saturday, August 1, at 12:00 PM as we celebrate the grand opening of Sweetaly Gelato at 401 Paseo Nuevo. Stop by to enjoy authentic Italian gelato crafted with traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients, and be among the first to experience this delicious new addition to downtown Santa Barbara. 

1st Thursday Art Walk: August 6, 5:00 PM

1st Thursday is an evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and venues offer free access to visual and performing arts in a fun and social environment. Venues feature attractions such as art openings, live music, artists' receptions, lectures, wine tastings, and hands-on activities. We hope you will join us to enjoy our beautiful downtown and all that it has to offer!  

LEARN MORE

Old Spanish Days Fiesta Events

• La Recepción del Presidente: August 1, 5:00 PM, Santa Barbara Club

• Santa Barbara Courthouse Docent Tours: August 5-9, SB County Courthouse

• El Mercado De La Guerra: August 5-8, 11:00 AM, De La Guerra Plaza

• Las Noches de Ronda: August 6-8, 8:00 PM, SB County Courthouse Sunken Gardens

• Flor y Canto: August 7, 7:00 PM, SB County Courthouse Sunken Gardens

VIEW FULL CALENDAR

UCSB Arts & Lectures Free Summer Cinema: "Mixtapes & Misfits" 

The Summer Film Series brings classic and contemporary films to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden each Friday evening at 8:30 PM in July and August. Presented in partnership with UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture, the series offers free outdoor screenings in one of Santa Barbara's most iconic public spaces. 

LEARN MORE

Viva el Baile

Center Stage Theater | Saturday, August 1, 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Matt Perko Quartet

The Grand On State (1218 State St.) | Thursday, July 30, 7:00 PM | Get Tickets

Una Fiesta de los Adobes

SB Historical Museum (136 E. De La Guerra St.) | Friday, July 31, 6:30 PM | Learn More

Dessert with Mozart - A Music Dialogue and Chamber Music Performance

Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.) | Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM | Get Tickets

Bailaora - Mis Pies Son Mi Voz

Center Stage Theater (751 Paseo Nuevo) | Friday, July 31, 7:30 PM | Learn More

Leigh Vance and the All-Stars

The Grand On State (1218 State St.) | Friday, July 31, 7:30 PM | Get Tickets

Live Music: The Brasscals

Night Lizard Brewing Co. (607 State St.) | Every third Friday, 8:00 PM | Learn More

Sounds on State Live Music

Paseo Nuevo Center Court (651 Paseo Nuevo) | Saturdays, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Learn More

State Street Ballet Academy: A Celebration of the Decades

Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.) | Saturday, August 1, 6:00 PM | Get Tickets

Academy Festival Orchestra: Samuel Adams & Sibelius

The Granada Theatre (1214 State St.) | Saturday, August 1, 7:30 PM | Get Tickets

Colin Richardson and The Grand Band

The Grand On State (1218 State St.)| Saturday, August 1, 8:00 PM | Get Tickets

Live Music in the Beer Garden

Institution Ale Co. (516 State St.) | Thursdays (Evening) & Saturdays (Afternoon) | Learn More

Live Music Sundays (Local Singer-Songwriters)

Longoria Wines (732 State St.) | Sundays, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Learn More

An Evening with Henry Kapono

SOhO (1221 State St.) | Monday, August 3, 7:15 PM | Get Tickets

2026 Gala Performance

Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.) | Friday, August 7, 6:00 PM | Learn More

Fiesta at Paseo Nuevo

Paseo Nuevo (651 Paseo Nuevo) | August 4-8, 12:00 PM | Learn More

Tablao Zano Flamenco

Esemble Theatre Company (33 W. Victoria St.) | Sunday, August 9, 7:30 PM | Get Tickets

Live Music: Cliff & Susan

The Red Piano (519 State St.) | Through August 9 | Learn More

The 5th Annual Backyard Boogie

The Community Arts Workshop | Saturday, August 1, 4:00 PM

Beyond Conversation 2: Dialogues in Music through Art

SB Museum of Art (1130 State St.) | Thursday, July 30, 12:00 PM | Learn More

Asian American Film Series (Closing Night)

Alhecama Theatre (215A E. Canon Perdido St.) | Friday, July 31, 6:00 PM | Learn More

Architectural Walking Tour

Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara (229 E. Victoria St.) | Saturdays, 10:00 AM | Learn More

It's Not What the World Needs Right Now

SB Museum of Art (1130 State St.) | Sunday, August 2, 3:00 PM | Get Tickets

Beyond Conversation 3: Dialogues in Music through Art

SB Museum of Art (1130 State St.) | Tuesday, August 4, 12:00 PM | Learn More

Cosas de la Vida Exhibition

Art & Soul (1323 State St.) | On Display until August 6 | Learn More

"YEAR ONE" Exhibition

Seimandi & Leprieur Gallery (33 W. Anapamu St.) | On Display until August 30 | Learn More

Old Town Tour

City Hall (15 E. De La Guerra St.) | Daily, 10:00 AM | Learn More

Fiesta Rooftop Party!

Kimpton Canary Hotel | Thursday, August 6, 6:00 PM

Board Games + Brews

Night Lizard Brewing Co. (607 State St.) | Tuesdays, 6:00 PM | Learn More

Trivia Night

Institution Ale Co. (516 State St.) | Tuesdays, 7:00 PM | Learn More

Trivia Night

M. Special Brewing (634 State St.) | Wednesdays, 6:30 PM | Learn More

Loteria Night

Institution Ale Co. (516 State St.) | Every other Wednesday, 7:00 PM | Learn More

Backstage Comedy Club

The Red Piano (519 State St.) | Thursdays, 7:30 PM | Learn More

Santa Barbara Comedy Club - Comedy Nights 

Speakeasy Comedy Bar (409 State St.) | Thursdays & Fridays, 7:00 PM | Learn More

OPEN AIR with Rezident

EOS Lounge (500 Anacapa St.) | Friday, July 31, 6:00 PM | Get Tickets

Magic on State

Satellite (1117 State St.) | Fridays, 6:00 PM | Learn More

Jimmy Della Valle Italian Comedy Night

Speakeasy Comedy Bar (409 State St.) | Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM | Get Tickets

Beth Amine's Wildcat Dance Variety Show

Wildcat Lounge (15 W. Ortega St.) | Friday, July 31, 7:30 PM | Learn More

Spidey-Bash: Trivia Patio Event

Arlington Theatre (1317 State St.) | Saturday, August 1, 4:00 PM | Get Tickets

Wasted Potential Comedy Night

EOS Lounge (500 Anacapa St.) | Saturday, August 1, 7:00 PM | Get Tickets

Dance Hive: Ecstatic Dance

Yoga Soup (28 Parker Way) | Sundays, 12:30 PM | Learn More

The Red Piano's 10th Anniversary Party 

The Red Piano (519 State St.) | Wednesday, August 5 | Learn More

Celebrate Fiesta

The Painted Cabernet | Saturday, August 8, 6:00 PM

Weekly Free Guided Meditation and Live Music

Yoga Soup (28 Parker Way) | Mondays, 7:00 PM | Learn More

What's Your Posture Saying about Your Health?

Rilascio Chiropractic (1221 State St) | Tuesdays | Learn More

Belly Dance Classes

The Dance Hub (22 E. Victoria St.) | Thursdays, July 9-30, 6:15 PM | Learn More

Crochet Club

The Crafter's Library (9 E. Figueroa St.) | Thursdays, 5:00 PM | Learn More

Weekly's Men Group

Yoga Soup (28 Parker Way) | Thursdays, 6:00 PM | Learn More

Summer Kids Camp

The Painted Cabernet (1229 State St.) | July 27-31 | Learn More

Summer Sculpt Series

Paseo Nuevo (651 Paseo Nuevo) | Saturday, August 1, 9:00 AM | Learn More

Alcohol Ink Painting Workshop 

The Crafter's Library (9 E. Figueroa St.) | Saturday, August 1, 10:30 AM | Get Tickets

Safe & Secure: Women's Self‑Defense Workshop

Yoga Soup (28 Parker Way) | Saturday, August 1, 1:00 PM | Get Tickets

The Only Way is Through

SB Public Library (40 E. Anapamu St.) | Saturday, August 1, 2:00 PM | Learn More

Saturday Please Breathe Breathwork Series

Yoga Soup (28 Parker Way) | Saturdays, 3:00 PM | Learn More

Come Learn How to Optimize Your Health & Wellness with our FREE Health series

Rilascio Chiropractic (1221 State St) | Tuesday, August 4, 5:30 PM | Learn More

Pet Loss and Grief Support Group

SB Public Library (40 E. Anapamu St.) | Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 PM | Learn More

Try Coworking Free During International Coworking Week!

Workzones (351 Paseo Nuevo) | August 10-14 | Learn More

Haha's and Tapas - A Comedian Led Food Tour

The Granada Theatre | July 8-August 4

Locals Only - Daily Bar Specials

La Paloma Cafe (702 Anacapa St.) | Mondays-Sundays | Learn More

Locals Night (20% off)

Finch & Fork (31 W. Carrillo St.) | Mondays, 5:00 PM | Learn More

Wine Wednesdays (50% off bottles of wine)

La Paloma Cafe (702 Anacapa St.) | Wednesdays | Learn More

Happy Hour

La Paloma Cafe (702 Anacapa St.) | Wednesdays-Sundays, 4:00 PM | Learn More

Kids Eat Free

La Paloma Cafe (702 Anacapa St.) | Sundays, 10:30 AM | Learn More

Sparkling Wine Tasting Flight 

SB Bubbly Lounge (23 E. De La Guerra St. Suite 100) | July 1-31, 12:00 PM | Learn More

Red Wine Tasting Flight

Jamie Slone Wines (23 E. De La Guerra St.) | July 1-31, 12:00 PM | Learn More

Flag Program

This Week's Flag

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum has emerged as an essential landmark for the preservation and celebration of Santa Barbara's regional history. As one of the oldest cultural institutions in Santa Barbara, SBHM is home to the vast archival collection of documents and artifacts within our Gledhill Library and collections vault. 

Clean & Safe Program

JUNE STATS

Our Clean & Safe Program continues to make a visible impact downtown. Our team is out daily, keeping the streets clean, welcoming, and well-maintained, to help create clearly defined, comfortable, and safe spaces for the community. These efforts not only improve the appearance of our public spaces but also enhance overall safety and the experience for everyone who visits, works, or lives downtown. 

District Maintenance Hotline: (805) 242-1311