Solstice 2026 Theme is "WAVE". Parade: June 20, Festival June 19-21, Workshop Opens May 2026
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A herd of brightly painted elephants is arriving in downtown Santa Barbara this month as part of the BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade®, a community art exhibition created by Solstice Santa Barbara in partnership with the international public art initiative Elephant Parade®.
Sixty miniature elephant sculptures, each painted by a local artist and sponsored by community businesses, organizations, and individuals, will make their public debut during Equinox Weekend at Son y Sabor, 409 State Street. The exhibition is both a fundraiser for the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration and part of a broader effort to bring the internationally recognized Elephant Parade to Santa Barbara in 2026.
POSTER ART CONTEST
VOTING ONLINE Through March 15
The Summer Solstice Celebration brought a burst of color and creativity on First Thursday with a one-night-only Poster Art Reception at the new headquarters of the Santa Barbara Downtown Improvement Association in the 400 block of State Street.
More than two dozen local artists presented original works for the Solstice 2026 Poster Art Contest, inspired by this year’s parade theme, “Wave.”
The exhibition gave First Thursday visitors an opportunity to meet artists, view the artwork up close, and cast votes for their favorite designs.
Those who missed the reception will still have a chance to participate and vote online here.
FESTIVAL VENDOR APPLICATIONS
Solstice Santa Barbara FestivalVendor Applications now available online! June 19-21 in Santa Barbara, 50,000 people come to our free 3-day Festival! The Parade on Saturday brings 100,000 spectators to the people-powered, people-created celebration of life, creativity and community!
Become a Member
Join the Heart of Santa Barbara!
Isn’t it time you joined us in sustaining this one-of-a-kind celebration of the arts — a joyful tradition that brings our community together, fuels our local economy, and keeps Santa Barbara’s creative spirit shining?
Solstice is more than a parade — it’s connection, creativity, and community in motion. We are the heart of Santa Barbara — where art and joy come alive!
When you become a Solstice Member, your easy monthly contribution includes your parade registration and helps others experience the magic of participation.
Together, we keep the drums beating, the artists creating, and the celebration thriving for generations to come.
Join today and keep the spirit of Solstice alive for everyone.!
"Bringing the Community together through the arts"
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