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PARADE & FESTIVAL INFORMATION

The 50th annual Solstice Parade 2024 began at Noon on June 22nd at the intersection of Ortega and Santa Barbara Streets. The parade will travel on Santa Barbara Street and end at the Solstice Festival at Alameda park. (Sola Street). 

 

Parade spectators enjoyed a different view of Santa Barbara, with the beautiful mountains in the background.  Along this route we have the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the SB Historical Museum and the Presidio, all steeped in the history of our community. We can't imagine a better place to renew our spirit, come together as a community and to explore our FLIGHTS OF FANCY (This year's theme).

Click here for information on our workshop and how you can participate in the parade either helping with the building of floats or front and center!

Celebration, Parade & Festival Dates & Hours

SOLSTICE ART CRAWL

Thursday, June 20, 2024
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Downtown Santa Barbara

Summer is finally here, and with it comes the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration. This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Solstice Parade. From humble beginnings Solstice has grown into the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County. This year’s theme is “Flights of Fancy.”

 

The Celebration begins this Thursday, June 20th, 5 to 8 PM with the Flights of Fancy Art Crawl, mostly on State Street. Participating businesses are giving special offers to customers Thursday - some all day! The art crawl will feature pop up performances by artists who received Towbes Fund for Performing Arts awards from Solstice. A complete list of participating business sponsors is available in online for the Art Crawl.

 

“The original idea was to bring elements of Solstice back to State Street since the Parade is now on Santa Barbara Street,” says Executive Director Penny Little. "Take a stroll downtown between 5 and 8 PM, enjoy food and beverages at participating businesses giving special offers to customers and get a bit of that Solstice magic!"  

 

The art crawl will feature pop up performances by artists who received Towbes Fund for Performing Arts* awards from Solstice. A complete list of participating business sponsors is available online for the Thursday Flights of Fancy Art Crawl.

PARADE

Saturday, June 22, 2024
12:00 PM
Santa Barbara St. (Between Ortega & Sola Streets)

On Saturday the Parade begins at noon at Santa Barbara and Ortega Streets and goes to Alameda Park where the festivities continue until 8 PM. The Parade will feature lots of new performance artists and a myriad of creative interpretations of the theme. No words, symbols or logos are allowed in the Parade; it is people-powered and people-created.

FESTIVAL

Friday, June 21, 2024
'Funky Friday'
4:00 - 9:00 PM
Alameda Park
Saturday, June 22, 2024
'Saturday in the Park'
12:00 - 8:00 PM
Alameda Park
Sunday, June 22, 2024
'Reggae Sunday'
12:00 - 6:00 PM
Alameda Park

Friday 4-9 PM in Alameda Park, Saturday noon to 8 PM and Sunday Noon to 6 PM

 

The Festival kicks off in the Park with Solstice Funky Friday featuring Area 51 as headliner plus Down Mountain Lights, the Art of Funk and the David Segal Band.

 

Solstice Saturday on the main stage includes local favorites Ray Fresco, Soul Majestic, Ali Angel, ACE GonZales and the Surfilm Sound, the Will Breman Band and Something This Way Magic, plus La Boheme dancers in front of the stage. 

 

New this year in the Festival is the FUNTopia Zone and expanded Kids Zone - Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 pm. in Alameda East with interactive activities for the whole family. The SB Bowl Community Stage will again feature performances for and by young artists, ethnic music and dance, and family friendly entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, spectators can enter the park through the welcome portal sponsored by SB Beautiful, created by artist Luke Holden of Lucidity Festivals Near the Food Trucks is the Flights of Fancy photo-op sponsored by the SB Bowl and the Solstice Art Gallery.  

 

Reggae Sunday sponsored by One Plant features The Rahkas, the Kicks, True Zion, and Morie and the Heavy Hitters from 1:30 to 6 pm in the Park.

The festival is free and open to the public and will include a full musical lineup on both days as well as a variety of food and merchant vendors.  A beer and wine garden will be open both days to those 21 & over only. IDs will be checked at the entrance. Strict security will be enforced.

Parade Route & Map

The 50th annual Solstice Parade 2024 will begin at Noon on June 22nd at the intersection of Ortega and Santa Barbara Streets. The parade will travel on Santa Barbara Street and end at the Solstice Festival at Alameda park. (Sola Street). 

 

We are excited about the opportunities that Santa Barbara Street has opened up for us.  Parade spectators will enjoy a different view of Santa Barbara, with the beautiful mountains in the background.  Along this route we have the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the SB Historical Museum and the Presidio, all steeped in the history of our community. We can't imagine a better place to renew our spirit, come together as a community and to explore our FLIGHTS OF FANCY (This year's theme).

ROUTE

CITY PARKING LOTS

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

PARK MAP

VIP SEATING

VIP Seating is a totally fun way to see the Parade and support Solstice. Our shaded seating includes water and snacks. There are seats available on De La Guerra and Santa Barbara Streets. Seats can also be purchased as a group for a company or organization. All proceeds support the costs of the workshop and parade infrastructure.

 

To reserve your seats today, click the button below. 

2024 VIP SEATING RATES

  • Single VIP Seat:  $60.00

  • Group VIP Seats:  Save $10 off each seat when you reserve 2 or more seats. (Discount automatically applied.)

 

Questions?

Please contact the us at solstice@solsticeparade.com

SOLD OUT - See You in 2025!

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

there will be a stellar musical lineup for you to enjoy. All performances are free and open to the public, so come on down and join us and this amazing group of musicians for a little folk, reggae, pop, soul, rock, metal, and progressive electronica that is sure to get you in the summer solstice celebration groove! This year there will be performances on two stages, the Alameda Main Stage and the Santa Barbara Bowl CommUnity Stage in the Children's FUNtopia Zone across Santa Barbara Street. Sunday is KJEE's Solstice Reggae Sunday! 

CAN'T MAKE IT THIS YEAR?

Plan ahead for next year's celebration!
June 20-22, 2025 

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