The theme this year is “Solar Flair ”. The Summer Solstice Parade features more than 1,000 parade participants, complete with extravagant floats, whimsical costumes and creatively choreographed dancing ensembles. From its beginnings as a small parade featuring street artists, the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is now the premier Santa Barbara County arts event, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world.

Description:
At high Noon, on the Saturday following the longest day of the year, creative floats, fascinating costumes, brilliant masks begin their journey from Cota Street up State Street to Micheltorena, transforming downtown Santa Barbara into a vibrant splash of color, music and dance. People-powered floats reignite the creative spirit of Santa Barbara. Commercial elements, such as written words, advertisements, live animals, or motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs) are excluded from the Parade, as is nudity.

The Alameda Park Festival continues the celebration with live music by local and international artists; delicious foods and beverages from local restaurants, caterers and non-profit groups; an arts and crafts boutique with more than 75 artisans and craftsmen; a large "drum circle" formed by parade participants and anyone who cares to join in the beat. The wonderful floats from the parade are on display. A special children's area featured a stage with storytellers, musicians, drama, and mimes.

The floats, costumes and masks in the parade are made by community members at the Solstice Workshop. Anyone can participate in the creation of the floats, masks and costumes by coming to the Workshop, where our paid staff of artisans, technical staff, costumers and maskmakers help to make your creative ideas come alive. Solstice Workshop participants have use of a variety of materials as well as the collective, creative spirit of working together in this magical place.

History:
Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974, as a birthday celebration for a popular artist and mime named Michael Gonzales. The Parade is the largest, single-day arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world. From these humble beginnings arose a celebration of life which, is like no other.

Today, the Summer Solstice Celebration has evolved into 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. Each year there is an annual artistic competition for the Solstice T-shirt and Poster design that is sold as a fundraising vehicle for the event. Visit our Solstice Store or Poster Gallery today to purchase T-shirts and posters.

The Festival in Alameda Park grew from the earlier gatherings at the sunken gardens of the County Courthouse. When the number of people outgrew the size of the courthouse the event was moved to Alameda Park. The Alameda Park is where everyone can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music including famous local groups, food, arts and crafts. On Saturday only is a special free children’s festival and a DJ area for dancing and enjoying techno music and a large drum circle keeps the beat going all afternoon. The festival now opens on Friday night and that evening is a music, dance and performance extravaganza that also includes a peak at some of the participants in the parade on the following day. Local talent is showcased at this event. Our arts and crafts area features a juried “fine art” area as well as an area for crafts from local artisans as well as from around the world. As a 501(c)3, nonprofit, community organization, the Summer Solstice Celebration group is responsible for carrying on Michael's delightful, multicultural performing arts celebration, and ensuring an extravagant celebration of life through art for many years to come.

Contact person: Anita Dominocielo-Ho, Volunteer Coordinator, (email)
Office fax number: (805) 965-3927

Address:

P.O. Box 21141 Santa Barbara, CA 93121