SUBMIT YOUR THEME IDEAS HERE and Sign up to be in the Solstice Fashion Show
The Full Story
SOLSTICE 50 Year Anniversary
Now in its 50th year, Summer Solstice Celebration is the largest arts event in the tri-county area, bringing 100,000 spectators and participants, in a three-day free music and arts festival and parade. Every year since 1979 there has been a theme which is decided by the Board of Directors with public input.
Solstice is different from other similar big celebrations throughout the world in the way it is community-built. Solstice engages the public by inviting to create the Parade in the two month workshop, to participate in events and year round workshops..
Vision
Our mission is bringing the community together through the arts.
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This year we anticipate bigger participation than ever. With the amazing 2023 Parade and Festival laying a foundation for our 50th, we continue to grow the vision of a year-round arts organization, celebrating the arts and teaching and demonstrating the art of celebration. .
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. 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.
The Festival in Alameda Park grew from the earlier gatherings at the sunken gardens of the County Courthouse.
