The theme this year is "Wild Things" and will feature more than 1,000 parade participants, complete with extravagant floats, whimsical costumes and creatively choreographed dancing ensembles. From its humble beginnings as a small parade featuring street artists, the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration is now the largest single-day arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world.

At high Noon, on the Saturday following the longest day of the year, brilliant illusions and imagery of fantastic faces emerge from Cota Street to travel through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, transforming the business district into a vibrant splash of color, music and dance. Parade participants masquerade, glitter, glide, whirl and rustle their people-powered floats up State Street filling hearts of all ages with gaiety and delight, and inspire the crowd to celebrate life, art, and the beginning of summer. Commercial elements, such as written words, advertisements, live animals, or motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs) are excluded from the Parade. Beginning at Cota and State Street, the parade ends at Alameda Park (Micheltorena Street) where the Solstice Festival begins.

The Alameda Park Festival continues the celebration of life that begins with the parade and features seven hours of live music by local and international artists; mouthwatering foods and thirst quenching 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; and the wonderful floats from the parade for close-up inspection. A special Beanie Babies children's area, sponsored by Ty Warner, features a stage with storytellers, musicians, drama, mimes and more. Kids can jump for joy on an air bouncer, have their faces painted, and work on an free art projects. This year, the first 450 children to arrive at the festival will receive a free beanie baby and mug set, compliments of Ty Warner.

The floats, costumes and masks in the parade are made by community members at the Solstice Workshop. Anyone can come to the workshop and participate in the creation of the ensembles. All parade participants must register to be in the parade. Registration fees help to pay for the cost of materials. There are a limited number of scholarships available.