Events in Santa Barbara County, CA

Beginner Open Play by Dynamite Pickleball offers a relaxed setting for anyone curious about pickleball and just getting started. Participants learn the basics, build confidence, and take part in casual games without the pressure of keeping up with advanced players. The focus is on beginner-friendly play, meeting others who are new to the sport, and picking up skills while having fun. No prior experience is required, and the aim is to make those first steps on the court simple and enjoyable.

Steady Flow is a weekly class at Santa Barbara Yoga Center that draws from the Hatha tradition. The practice brings postures, breath, and inner attention together as one integrated experience rather than treating them as separate parts. Movements unfold at an unhurried pace to support close, sustained awareness. The body is approached as an interconnected system that holds information, responds to tempo, and can settle when offered supportive conditions. This reflects the same teaching orientation shared through Steady Self School, offered here in a weekly in-person setting. All levels are welcome. The class is donation based, with a suggested contribution of $15 to $20. Sessions are held on Wednesdays.

A community-focused workshop held each month centers on boosting health and vitality with straightforward, life-enhancing techniques. Across a free 90-minute session, attendees explore practical strategies to tap their health potential, with aims that include greater longevity, less pain, more energy, and reduced healthcare costs. The program is designed to begin and conclude right on schedule. To reserve a seat, call 805-964-0222 or email drohara@liveNwellness.com.

Featuring a six-time GRAMMY honoree who sings, writes, and plays multiple instruments, with seven solo albums and two releases with I’m With Her, this event highlights an artist lauded by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and USA Today. The featured sponsor is Noozhawk.

A monthly networking breakfast brings together a vibrant community of more than 100 professionals for conversations, connections, and breakfast from Rincon Catering. Participants hear insights from the monthly sponsor and may share a focused 20 second commercial to spotlight their business, with a bell keeping the schedule on track. Every guest receives a hot sheet, and registering by the deadline ensures inclusion on it; the sheet is also emailed to all attendees. The event consistently sells out, and this edition is sponsored by UCLA Health, offering ample opportunities to build business relationships.

For four nights the zoo transforms into a Halloween playground with car-free trick-or-treat routes and monster themed fun. Families can take a Halloween train ride, meet crawling creatures up close, listen to ghostly tales, play goblin themed games, and discover more seasonal activities throughout the grounds. It is billed as the most popular family Halloween festival in the tri-counties area.

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel turns into a welcoming stage for an open mic that invites music, poetry, dance, storytelling, speeches, and more. A keyboard and guitar are available to use, and you can bring your own instrument or simply relax and cheer on others who take the mic. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, offering an easy way for travelers and locals to connect. Settle by the fire pit with a beer, enjoy the laid back setting, and take part at your own pace with no pressure.

Prolific guitarist Julian Lage unveils Scenes from Above, a fresh body of work sparked by an intense creative burst in late 2024 and shaped specifically for a quartet with bassist Jorge Roeder, drummer Kenny Wollesen, and keyboardist John Medeski. These longtime collaborators step into a new configuration together, bringing material tailored to their collective voice even though they had not previously recorded as a unit. The music leans into close interplay, spacious dynamics, and discovery in the moment rather than showy fireworks. Presented by Jazz at the Lobero as a Brubeck Circle show.

Pet owners can access essential care at a low cost through a vaccine clinic hosted at the Santa Maria Animal Shelter. Free core vaccines and microchips are available thanks to Project PetSafe and Petco Love, including DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats, and microchipping. Additional services are offered at affordable prices, such as rabies vaccinations for $10, bordetella for $14, flea control ranging from $10 to $19, and de-wormer ranging from $9 to $26. Dog licensing can be completed on site so pets can be licensed and vaccinated in one visit. For safety, dogs must arrive on a leash and cats must be secured in carriers.

A reception and artist talk highlights the Creative Voices exhibit presented by PathPoint of Santa Barbara, celebrating creativity and inclusion. PathPoint is a nonprofit that collaborates with children, adults, and families to cultivate hope, strengthen life skills, navigate systems of support, and nurture meaningful relationships, with a vision for compassionate, inclusive, and equitable communities where everyone has the chance to thrive. The event spotlights the artists behind the exhibit and creates space for community connection around creative expression.

Across four nights, the zoo becomes a Halloween haven with safe, traffic-free trick-or-treating and plenty of themed fun. Highlights include Boo-Choo-Choo train rides, Creepy Crawly encounters, spooky storytelling, Goblin Games, and more. Known as the tri-counties area's most popular family Halloween festival.

Academy Award and Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge presents a concert at Lobero Theatre, reimagining her signature songs with spare arrangements on guitar, harmonica, and piano so her voice and storytelling take the spotlight. Marking the release of her seventeenth album, Rise, on Sun Records, the set also features many of her newest songs. This performance is presented by Lobero Theatre Foundation and the Beyond The Stage Campaign.

Eos Lounge hosts a Subsessions takeover featuring funky house in the main room throughout the night. The Little Bar complements the vibe with top hits for an alternate soundtrack.

A yearly Halloween celebration is in the works, featuring candy for children and a chance to see this year’s costume. Regular appointments will not be available because the business will be closed for services, but it will still open its doors to hand out treats.

The zoo transforms over four evenings into a Halloween haven with car-free trick-or-treating and family-friendly thrills. Highlights include rides on the Boo-Choo-Choo train, up-close encounters with creepy-crawly creatures, spooky storytelling, goblin-themed games, and other seasonal fun. It is the tri-county area's most popular family Halloween festival, with a focus on a safe, lively night out for all ages.

Yu-Gi-Oh returns to Metro Entertainment for tournament play that includes OTS packs. At a shop known for comics, games, toys, and more, duelists gather for competitive matches and a celebration of the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game.

Opening weekend at The Granada Theatre spotlights Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a comeback creation shaped by a period of doubt and renewed inspiration, rich with yearning and resolve. Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann is the soloist, and Nir Kabaretti leads a program that also features Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work that speaks to courage, conflict, and survival. Conversations with Classical California offers pre-concert talks led by on-air host Jennifer Miller Hammel, featuring artist interviews, backstage stories, and perspectives on the music. Tickets begin at $35, with Granada fees additional.

An opening weekend program at The Granada Theatre spotlights Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann. After a period of self-doubt, Rachmaninoff returned to composing with this concerto, a work filled with longing and triumph that helped secure his lasting renown. Washington Classical Review has praised Cann for her powerful technique. Conductor Nir Kabaretti also leads Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a piece marked by themes of courage, conflict, and survival. Conversations with Classical California offers pre-concert sessions hosted by on-air personality Jennifer Miller Hammel, featuring artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, insights into the music, and fun facts. Tickets begin at $35, with Granada fees additional.

An annual Trunk or Treat and Harvest Party features Halloween costumes, candy collected from a lineup of imaginatively decorated car trunks, and family-friendly activities. Attendees can enjoy complimentary hayrides around the field, face painting, and marshmallow roasting over the fire for s'mores. A concession stand will also be available with pizza for an easy dinner.

The zoo transforms across four nights into a traffic-free trick-or-treating destination with monstrous thrills. Features include the Boo Choo Choo train ride, creepy crawly encounters, spooky storytelling, goblin games, and more. It is billed as the tri-counties area's most popular family Halloween festival.

M.O.B. Jazz Quintet, based in Santa Barbara, offers a mix of European and Brazilian progressive jazz alongside the exploratory ECM and fusion sound of the 1970s. The program features works by Egberto Gismonti, Hermeto Pascoal, Eberhard Weber, Mario Laginha, and Pat Metheny, weaving a global range of influences that also touches India. The ensemble includes Bruce Bigenho on piano, Sam McKinney on bass, Shaun Oster on drums, Gunnar Juergens on violin, and Eje Lynn-Jacobs on vocals and percussion. All ages are welcome.

A seated dinner show featuring James Asselin and Joseph Pfeifer welcomes all ages. Dinner tables will be arranged in the stage room for a relaxed, sit-down atmosphere. Santa Barbara-based singer-songwriter James Parker Asselin weaves elements of folk, rock, and the church music of his youth. Coming from a family of singers and songwriters, he treats music as a way to mark life’s moments, ask questions, celebrate, and sometimes share a little humor. His songs stay close to home, drawing on family, friendship, faith and doubt, California, and occasional travels abroad. Some pieces were written as gifts for people he loves, while others search for meaning in things not yet resolved. After years of making music with friends and relatives, his catalog gathers stories of growing up, paying attention, and discovering what feels sacred, or at least worth a song, in everyday life.

A Candlelight tribute to Adele transforms First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara with a live string quartet performing in the soft glow of candles. Range Ensemble from Los Angeles performs favorites including Hello, Rumour Has It, Make You Feel My Love, Water Under the Bridge, Oh My God, Someone Like You, Send My Love, Chasing Pavements, Skyfall, When We Were Young, Set Fire to the Rain, Easy On Me, Rolling in the Deep, and All I Ask. The program lasts about 60 minutes, doors open 45 minutes beforehand, and there is no late entry once the performance begins. Seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis within each zone. Attendees must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The balcony is accessible only by stairs. This is a tribute concert and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the artist, the artist’s estate, or official representatives.

An elegant evening at The Steward celebrates the unveiling of a beautifully restored Victorian garden, where the tables are set, the guest list is curated, and the blooms create a picture-perfect backdrop for dinner. Before the first course can be served, a shocking discovery halts the festivities. A celebrated botanist, or perhaps the benefactor behind the restoration, is found dead under puzzling circumstances. Motives abound, conversations hide clues, and even the greenery seems suspect as whispers of rivalry, long-buried secrets, and poisonous possibilities ripple through the crowd. Hosted by They Improv, this interactive murder mystery places guests at the center of the investigation. Expect to follow leads, meet suspects, track surprising twists, and work to unmask the culprit before the meal concludes. The experience includes a prix fixe buffet known as The Last Supper and a cash bar with beverages available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to dress for dinner, arrive ready to sleuth, and prepare to uncover what secrets lie among the flowers. With intrigue, laughter, and plenty of suspicious behavior on the menu, the challenge is to crack the case before the final course.

The Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara and Cliff Drive Care Center present their annual Fall Family Festival, turning the parking lot into a lively hub of activities with bounce houses, games for all ages, prizes, entertainment, Trunk or Treat and more. This community celebration is free to attend, and lunch will be available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged as long as they are fun and not scary or violent, creating a welcoming experience for families, friends and neighbors.

This supportive peer group, with Santa Barbara Public Library and Joan Hunter Mayer, honors the profound bond between people and their companion animals. It offers a warm, understanding space for anyone mourning the loss of a pet to connect with others and receive support. Space is limited, so advance registration is required.

Grammy-nominated saxophonist, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin brings a boundary-blurring sound to Campbell Hall at UCSB in Santa Barbara with a dynamic six-piece band. Recognized by NPR among the most accomplished and respected figures linking hip hop and jazz, he blends jazz, hip hop, R&B and soul into groove-rich music that salutes tradition while moving it forward. Through collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg and Kamasi Washington, Martin has helped shape the sound of today, and this performance showcases that influence with a tight ensemble and a future-facing approach.

The eleventh annual Santa Barbara Mural Bike Ride takes place at Ortega Park. This event is free and family-friendly.

A monthly arts and crafts fair fills the Koch Courtyard with local artisans from the coast presenting work across many mediums. Browse the offerings and enjoy live music at no cost from The Ukulele Jammers and Hibiscus Moon. Vendor applications are available for those interested in participating.

The Tannahill Weavers present a show in Santa Barbara, open to all ages. Guests have the option to enjoy dinner in the stage room.

At The Granada Theatre, conductor Nir Kabaretti leads a vivid program that plunges into the fevered world of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, tracing obsession, dreamlike visions, a grim procession to the scaffold, and a midnight witches sabbath. The program also includes Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Poulenc’s Gloria, featuring soprano Devon Guthrie and the Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus. Enhance the experience with pre-concert Conversations with Classical California led by Jennifer Miller Hammel, offering artist interviews, behind the scenes stories, musical insights, and fun facts. Tickets begin at $35, excluding Granada fees.

Peer into the night sky at the Palmer Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History as the roof opens for stargazing through a 20-inch telescope. Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit are on hand while visitors take in views of lunar craters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. This monthly event is free and suitable for all ages, with no tickets or registration required. Start times change throughout the year, and earlier winter dusk allows earlier starts, so check the listed start time and avoid arriving before it. The evening may be canceled due to cloudy skies or rain. As the night winds down, the experience typically becomes quieter and more intimate.

Help reduce marine pollution alongside fellow ocean lovers while building community. The meeting spot is on East Beach near Skater's Point and the Palm Park parking area. This cleanup is open to everyone, and participants who need them for graduation can earn community service hours. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian signed waiver, and children under 14 need to attend with a parent or guardian. The Sea Center will provide a limited number of gloves and bags, and bringing your own reusable supplies is encouraged to minimize waste.

At The Granada Theatre, conductor Nir Kabaretti leads an immersive program headlined by Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, a musical journey that traces a passionate fixation through dreamlike visions, a grim procession to the gallows, and a midnight witches’ revel. The program also includes Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Francis Poulenc’s Gloria with soprano Devon Guthrie and the Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus. Enhance the experience with Conversations with Classical California, where on-air host Jennifer Miller Hammel offers artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, musical insights, and fun facts in a pre-concert chat. Tickets start at $35, not including Granada fees.

This free, 90-minute community service workshop focuses on practical ways to boost health and vitality. Participants explore simple, life-enhancing techniques intended to tap human health potential for more energy, less pain, and lower health care costs, with guidance that may influence daily choices and mindset. Offered monthly, the session starts and ends on time. Seating can be reserved by calling 805-964-0222 or emailing drohara@liveNwellness.com.

This monthly B2B Networking Breakfast brings together more than 100 professionals for conversation, connections, and a breakfast spread from Rincon Catering. The program features brief insights from the monthly sponsor and plenty of time to grow your network. Each attendee is invited to deliver a concise 20 second introduction to highlight their business, with a bell helping keep everything on track. A participant hot sheet is provided and also emailed to all attendees, and registering by the stated deadline ensures inclusion. This popular gathering often reaches capacity, so advance registration is recommended. This month’s edition is sponsored by The Leta Hotel.

NW3, NW1, and NW2 trials hosted by Gentle Touch Pet Training will take place at First United Methodist Church of Lompoc in Lompoc, California. The premium is available and includes key details such as the opening date. To protect the site and future use, please do not contact or visit the location in advance, and do not train on the grounds once the event is approved or announced, as the venue is an active, real world setting used by the community. For questions, contact Jeni Nowell at nwtrials@gentlepets.com.

Rachael & Vilray deliver a nostalgic blend of pop and jazz infused with theatrical flair, pairing close harmonies with easy charm. The duo features vocalist Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive and songwriter and guitarist Vilray, a Brooklyn-based partnership that celebrates wit and romance. The performance centers on classic sensibilities and graceful musicianship. Presented by Jazz at the Lobero.

Gentle Touch Pet Training will host NW1 and NW2 trials at Lompoc First United Methodist Church. The premium for these trials is available. To protect the venue, do not contact or visit the site ahead of the event, and do not conduct training on the grounds once the event has been approved or announced. These are real-world search environments used by the community, and advance visits or practice could jeopardize future use of the location. Full premium information, including the opening date, is available from the host. Questions can be directed to Jeni Nowell at nwtrials@gentlepets.com.

Discover local endangered species and practical ways to help protect them. Featured animals include red-legged frogs, Western monarch butterflies, and other local wildlife. The day includes keeper-led talks and hands-on games that make conservation engaging. There is no extra fee beyond Zoo admission or an active membership.

World Ballet Company brings the classic story of Swan Lake to The Granada Theatre Santa Barbara with a full live orchestra. This grand staging features a cast of 50 international dancers, more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, and finely crafted sets that frame beloved moments including the Dance of the Little Swans and the Black Swan’s 32 fouettés. Tchaikovsky’s score is performed live, creating an immersive atmosphere as love, enchantment, and the struggle between good and evil play out on stage. The performance runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 20 minute intermission and is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Based in Los Angeles and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company tours nationwide with artists representing over ten countries and has appeared in more than 300 cities for hundreds of thousands of fans.

Care Net’s Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Run and Walk gathers participants at Lakeside Terrace in Waller Park in Santa Maria. Check-in takes place at this location, and the run and walk begin from the same area. For safety, the park’s entrances will be closed to vehicle traffic, with parking available along the frontage road and on nearby side streets. Park Rangers will be at the gates to provide directions. For questions, contact 805-928-9285 or info@carenetsm.com.

Three-time Grammy winner Hilary Hahn collaborates with renowned German baritone Matthias Goerne and acclaimed pianist Gloria Chien in a focused recital that pairs works by Bach and Beethoven with Wir, a new piece by Reena Esmail co-commissioned by Arts & Lectures. Written specifically for Hahn and Goerne, Esmail’s work contemplates silence as a means to foster connection and renewal. Hahn is celebrated for fusing impeccable technique with genuine feeling, Goerne is widely recognized as a leading voice in German art song, and Chien is admired for her vivid range of colors and precise control. Together they offer a program that bridges the timeless and the contemporary, inviting listeners into an intimate experience shaped by refinement, depth, and clarity.

Bingo for Baddies delivers an in-person night of high-energy bingo, big laughs, and unexpected twists. New and seasoned players can expect chaos balls, a playful moment when boards are swapped with a neighbor or a nearby table. Good vibes, a fun crowd, and prizes such as free drinks, merchandise, and gift cards keep the excitement rolling.

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet presents a 51st anniversary staging of The Nutcracker at the Arlington Theatre, highlighted by live orchestral accompaniment under the direction of Elise Unruh. Internationally recognized guest artists appear with the company, including Misa Kuranaga of San Francisco Ballet, Angelo Greco of Houston Ballet, and Alexandra Hutchinson and Kouadio Davis of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Lavish production elements and spirited dancing are crafted to delight audiences of all ages, with moments sure to captivate even the youngest attendees.

A community holiday parade in Carpinteria celebrates the season and gives local groups an opportunity to participate, highlight their organizations, and share festive cheer with the community.

The Palmer Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opens for an evening of stargazing, offering sweeping views of the night sky through a powerful 20 inch telescope. Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit are on hand to share sights like lunar craters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. This recurring monthly program is free and welcoming to all ages, with no tickets or registration required. Plans depend on clear skies and the event may be canceled if clouds or rain move in. Start times change throughout the year, and earlier winter dusk allows earlier beginnings that can work well for families. The final hour often brings a calmer atmosphere with a more intimate pace for those who stay late.

Sam Binga touches down in Santa Barbara with an adrenaline-charged, style-hopping approach that links global club rhythms to the grit of UK soundsystem culture. The Bristol staple is known for high-energy, shape-shifting DJ sets and progressive productions, with collaborations spanning Skream, Bianca Oblivion, and Nikki Nair. His range runs from UKG standouts with Bakey to leftfield techno alongside Sister Zo and electro experiments with Fracture, channeling the raw, playful edge of underground dance spaces. His award-winning Pineapple imprint has lifted emerging names such as Cesco, Amy Kisnorbo, and Sir Hiss, while the Club Orthodontics mixtape reinforced his standing as a vital force in modern club music.

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, marking the company’s 51st anniversary. Internationally recognized guest artists include Misa Kuranaga of San Francisco Ballet, Angelo Greco of Houston Ballet, and Alexandra Hutchinson and Kouadio Davis of Dance Theatre of Harlem. A live symphony orchestra conducted by Elise Unruh supports the performance. The production welcomes all ages, with stage design and spirited dancing created to captivate even the youngest audience members.

This monthly, community-based workshop focuses on health mastery and practical ways to boost vitality. Participants explore straightforward techniques that support living longer with less pain, more energy, and lower health care costs. The free 90-minute program encourages meaningful shifts in how you think, act, and feel. It begins and concludes promptly. To reserve a seat, call 805 964-0222 or email drohara@liveNwellness.com.

Candlelight fills the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara as a string quartet presents a program of Christmas carols arranged for strings. Enjoy favorites such as Carol of the Bells, Silent Night, O Holy Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Greensleeves, Deck the Halls, The First Noël and more, performed by the Vapour String Quartet in an intimate, multi sensory setting. The venue is ADA compliant. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is assigned within each zone in order of arrival, and late entry is not permitted once the performance begins.

In Santa Barbara, a candlelit concert celebrates the music of Hans Zimmer at Music Academy of the West. Performed by the Vapour String Quartet, the evening features themes such as Time from Inception, This Land from The Lion King, Zooster’s Breakout from Madagascar, Supermarine from Dunkirk, Honor from The Pacific, and A Dark Knight from The Dark Knight, along with suites from Wonder Woman, Gladiator, Dune, and Pirates of the Caribbean, plus Cornfield Chase from Interstellar and Discombobulate from Sherlock Holmes. The setting is illuminated by soft candlelight for an intimate, multi-sensory atmosphere. The program lasts 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance begins, and there is no late entry. Recommended for ages 8 and older, with anyone under 16 accompanied by an adult. The venue is ADA compliant. Seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis within each zone.

At Eos Lounge, a Studio 500 celebration inspired by the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 fills the night with energy. The experience features three distinct rooms of music, a midnight toast, a stylish atmosphere, and a selection of drinks.

Dress to shine and head to The Granada Theatre for a glamorous Santa Barbara New Year’s Eve tradition with The Symphony. Guest conductor Sean Mayes leads a high-energy salute to a half century of disco. Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and the inviting ambiance of the Granada while welcoming 2027 in style. Secure tickets early for the best seating.