50 Years!
The Summer Solstice Celebration, now in its 50th year, has grown into Santa Barbara County's largest arts event. The Parade drew crowds of over 100,000 spectators this year, including the three-day free art and music festival. This spectacular celebration of the arts, and community, and the longest day of the year showcases the artistic talents of local and regional artists. The Festival in Alameda Park grew from the earlier gatherings at the sunken gardens of the County Courthouse.
Solstice is unique in the way it engages the community in the creation of this annual Parade. We invite the community to participate in the 2-month workshop at the CAW, staffed with professional artists, equipped with tools and supplies to create original works of art. People from all walks of life come together to participate in the celebration of life and community to create this people-powered parade. There are no motorized vehicles, no words, no signs, and no symbols.
If art is a superfood for the Soul, celebration, and connection are essential nutrients that reflect the health of a society.
What Solstice brings to the community and the world is connection, creativity, joy, playfulness, and opportunity, in addition to filling hotels and restaurants, supporting local artists and artisans, giving the underserved opportunities to have a hands-on experience, learning new skills, and spending thousands of dollars in local businesses in the production.
From humble beginnings arose a celebration of life with its creative and original display of floats, 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.
In 2023, we featured the return of the Children’s Mini Fest and the new CommUnity Zone, where information booths were offered free to those doing good work in our community. In 2024, , we expanded the Kids Zone and added the new FUNtopia Zone! The SB Bowl CommUnity Stage, again featured youth performers, and performances for youth, ethnic music and dance.
VIP Club Commemorative Button
The VIP 50/50 Club: for the first 50 supporters who donated $50 or more. received a Commemorative Button which gave speedy entry into the Beer & Wine Garden with a designated shaded seating area. No longer available.
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