Events in Santa Barbara, CA

In Montecito, California, Kevin Costner & Modern West present a live band performance steeped in country rock and narrative songs shaped by the spirit of the West. The music reflects Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone style alongside broader Americana themes, building an emotional atmosphere from start to finish.

Alabama Shakes performs at Santa Barbara Bowl, joined by guest artist Tyler Ballgame. The show is presented by Goldenvoice.

Vieux Farka Touré performs with Gitkin at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club. The event features both artists on the same bill.

The Goleta Lemon Festival returns to Girsh Park for a vibrant community gathering where local businesses and artists come together with families. The event features food and festive activities in a welcoming setting. Getting there is straightforward with convenient parking, free shuttles, and nearby access. For questions, email LemonFestival@SBSCChamber.com.

Sea Center staff and volunteers present ocean themed stories inside the Dive In exhibit, blending fun and learning with a touch of undersea wonder. This 15-minute storytime welcomes all ages and is especially engaging for children 10 and under. Participation is included with regular Sea Center admission, and members receive free entry. All areas of the Sea Center are ADA accessible.

A tournament for Yu-Gi-Oh players returns to Metro Entertainment, a shop known for comics, games, and toys. The competition features OTS packs and brings together the local trading card game community for an evening of friendly dueling.

At Lobero Theatre, a high-energy tribute spotlights two music icons in a single evening. Shar Wils channels Tina Turner with a streak of crowd-pleasing hits, backed by a tight live band, powerful singers, and spirited dancers, capturing the fierce spirit at the heart of her legacy. Opening the show, Stewart Sher salutes Rod Stewart, delivering the swaggering rock anthems and soulful ballads that helped make him a legend.

The Goleta Lemon Festival returns to Girsh Park with a lively community celebration of all things lemon. Local businesses and artists come together with families for a festive atmosphere filled with food and fun. Getting there is straightforward, with convenient parking, complimentary shuttles, and easy access to the park.

Sea Center staff and volunteers share ocean themed tales in the heart of the Dive In exhibit during a 15 minute storytime. It is open to all ages and is especially engaging for children 10 and under. Participation is included with regular Sea Center admission, and members enjoy free entry. The entire Sea Center is ADA accessible.

This 14th annual luncheon honors the heroes of Hospice of Santa Barbara and takes place at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

After more than five decades in music, Collins is bidding farewell to the road with a wide-ranging final run that follows a prolific stretch featuring six new albums, a creative resurgence highlighted by Spellbound, and a poetry collection. This performance offers a final chance to experience the iconic singer-songwriter’s voice and storytelling live. Oakland Rain kicks off the performance.

At Hahn hall, classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim presents Radiance, a solo piano concert centered on Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Each movement is paired with artwork by contemporary artists, adding a visual storytelling layer that complements the music. The program intertwines piano performance, art, and narrative for a unified celebration of beauty.

Earl Minnis Presents and the Lobero Theatre Foundation present Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives at the Lobero Theatre, offering a concert where country roots meet a touch of California flair. A five-time Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Stuart brings over five decades on stage and a reputation for vivid storytelling. He appears with Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs, showcasing the group’s expert musicianship.

Presented by Goldenvoice as part of Up The Sharp End, this concert features Robert Plant with Saving Grace and co-vocalist Suzi Dian, with Rosie Flores also appearing. Built as a true ensemble, Saving Grace brings together Plant on vocals and harmonica, Dian on vocals and accordion, Matt Worley on five string steel banjo, 12 string electric and acoustic guitars and 10 string cuatro with vocals, Tony Kelsey on acoustic and electric guitars, Oli Jefferson on drums and percussion, and Barney Morse-Brown on cello. The group explores a wide sweep of roots traditions, blending blues, folk, gospel and country with droning grooves, hints of desert blues and a touch of psychedelic folk. The performance highlights close harmonies, shared lead vocals and thoughtful arrangements that move between longtime standards and contemporary selections. All ages are welcome. There is a strict limit of four tickets per package, and orders that exceed the limit may be canceled without notice.

The 45th and final Clambake takes place at Live Oak in Santa Barbara, featuring a weekend of camping, a seafood feast, and live music on Saturday night. Ski clubs bringing five or more participants can have their club name printed on the back of the event T-shirt when they register by the deadline. Registration is available online via PayPal, by mail with a check, or through Zelle, and contact information should be included with payment.

At Goleta Beach Park, this community walk offers a welcoming space to remember loved ones, nurture hope, and show support. It brings people together to acknowledge how suicide and mental health conditions have touched their lives and the lives of those they care about. The focus is on connection, reflection, and unity across the community.

At The Granada Theatre Santa Barbara, You Should Be Dancing delivers a high-energy celebration of the Bee Gees, recreating the group’s signature sound and soaring harmonies with tight vocals and lively showmanship. The set features dance-floor favorites like Stayin’ Alive, You Should Be Dancing, More Than a Woman, Night Fever, and How Deep Is Your Love, along with early ballads and songs the Gibb brothers wrote for artists such as Dolly Parton, Frankie Valli, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Dionne Warwick, and Andy Gibb. The performers have toured nationwide, appeared on major networks, and shared stages with The Beach Boys, Chicago, Daryl Hall, and Smokey Robinson. It all adds up to an evening of pure 70s joy. Tickets range from $50 to $75.

Experience a live tribute that brings Pink Floyd’s catalog to life with imaginative staging and vivid lighting, supported by rich harmonies from female backing singers. The set draws from The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle, and A Momentary Lapse of Reason, with more favorites woven throughout.

Rickie Lee Jones appears at Lobero Theatre. The American musician and storyteller is a two-time Grammy winner with eight nominations and has influenced pop culture for decades, rising to prominence with her self-titled debut followed by Pirates. Her 2023 album Pieces of Treasure received a Grammy nomination.

Gary Gulman brings his meticulously crafted comedy to the stage as a touring headliner known for selling out theaters across the country. Most recently he appeared off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, where his solo show Grandiloquent ran for five sold-out weeks.

Toad the Wet Sprocket has cultivated a devoted following. This intimate event honors forty years of songs that trace the band’s musical journey with grace, depth, and hope. The evening opens with a set from Willy Porter, and featured sponsors are Katie DeWitt and Boone Graphics.

JUNGLE brings its World Tour 2026 to Santa Barbara Bowl for a concert featuring special guest Rio Kosta. The event is presented by Goldenvoice and AEG Presents. Tickets go on sale.

An award-winning and energetic bluegrass group, the band features AJ Lee on mandolin, fiddler Jan Purat, Sullivan Tuttle on guitar, and Sean Newman on bass. After nearly a decade on the road, they have surged onto the national roots music scene and are recognized as one of the most exciting and dynamic acts in the genre.

This event features a show with VIP options that include a meet and greet and the ability to reserve dinner seating. It is open to all ages. Guests planning to dine should contact SOhO to confirm their reservation details or to indicate if they will be seated with another party.

The Palmer Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opens its doors and roof for a night of stargazing through a modern 20-inch telescope. Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit guide views of lunar craters, glowing nebulae, distant galaxies, and other celestial sights. This recurring monthly event is free and welcoming to all ages, with no tickets or registration required. Plans may change if clouds or rain are expected.

Tickets are on sale for this all-ages event with reserved seating. Enjoy a comfortable visit with assigned seats. Purchase tickets online, and find additional details about the artists on their website.

Presented by Earl Minnis Presents and Lobero Theatre Foundation, The Wallflowers bring their 30th Anniversary Tour for Bringing Down the Horse to the Lobero Theatre. The band will play the album from start to finish in the original sequence. Celebrated upon release, the record rose to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and earned 4x platinum certification, helping define 90s rock. The program also honors 50 years of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with a performance of Petty’s 1982 album Long After Dark.

Cross a creative task off your list in a relaxed, supportive studio setting. Bring a nearly finished piece to polish up or finally dive into a long-awaited idea, then settle into the EE Makerspace for a friendly co-working style session with tea and cookies. Participants ages 13 and up have access to shared work tables, upcycled materials, and tools such as a laser cutter, a Cricut, sewing machines, a serger, basic hand tools, glue guns, a tracing table, a soldering iron, and block printing tools. General admission is $15, and advance registration is recommended. Workshop participants may also arrive ahead of the session for an exclusive pre-workshop offer at Art From Scrap that includes a free bucket of bulk materials and 50% off all non-bulk items, a handy way to gather treasures for your project.

Jon McLaughlin performs in a show open to all ages. Dinner service is available in the stage room.

Ingrid Michaelson brings her Cozy Fall Trio Tour to Lobero Theatre with Allie Moss and Hannah Winkler. The GRAMMY and Emmy nominated artist is celebrated for a soulful folk pop sound. She releases music on Cabin 24 Records, the label she founded, including the studio album For the Dreamers. Her catalog includes gold and platinum singles like The Way I Am, Girls Chase Boys, and You and I.

The Westmont Golf Classic is moving to Santa Barbara Golf Club. The event will take place at this new location.

MUNA brings the Gets So Hot Tour to Santa Barbara Bowl, featuring hemlocke springs as the special guest. The show is presented by Goldenvoice and AEG Presents.

This memorial open and masters track and field meet at Westmont College honors Beverly Lewis and celebrates competition across age groups.

An Ohlone Indian and a Franciscan friar come together for a thoughtful conversation about Junípero Serra’s role in California history, presented at the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library. Featuring Andy Galvan and a special guest, the program offers perspectives informed by lived heritage and religious tradition. Part of an educating conversation series, the format begins with expert insights drawn from deep knowledge, then opens to a lively exchange with attendees. Light refreshments will be available. Andy Galvan is a descendant of the Ohlone Indians of the San Francisco Bay Area. He has served as Curator of Old Mission Dolores since 2004, previously led the California Mission Studies Association before its merger into the California Missions Foundation, is a founding member of that foundation, received the Knox Mellon Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2026, and is President Emeritus of the Ohlone Indian Tribe. Admission is $30 for the public and $25 for members, with proceeds supporting the work of the Archive-Library. RSVP is required. Facebook RSVPs are not counted, and a ticket purchase is needed to confirm attendance. Friends of the Archive-Library is a paid membership program that provides access to research space and additional benefits.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 11th edition of Santa Barbara's Mural Bike Ride takes place at Ortega Park. Admission is free and the experience is family-friendly, offering a welcoming community ride.

At Earl Warren Showgrounds, the California Home Show gathers a broad mix of companies in one convenient place, helping visitors save time while comparing options. Attendees can discover fresh ideas and new products for the home, and connect with resources focused on home improvement, landscaping, and design services.

The Santa Barbara Fall Tasting Festival debuts as an outdoor culinary experience designed for adults 21 and over who are curious about local flavors and craft. Set in a beautiful natural setting, it celebrates the season’s bounty while supporting the community. Attendees can explore tastings of wine, craft beer, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and inventive food from a wide range of regional producers. Makers will be on hand to share the stories, science, and traditions behind what they create, turning every sip and bite into a chance to learn. Proceeds benefit the Museum’s science and nature education programs for children, helping inspire future scientists and stewards. Ticket options include early entry priced at $165 and general admission priced at $125. The Museum’s festivals often sell out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trade spectating for the spotlight in a fully interactive holiday sing-along that turns the audience into the performers. Bring friends and family, pull on a favorite festive sweater, and share the warm glow of togetherness as voices rise in a spirited chorus unlike any other.

Join the Walk for Water 5K charity fundraiser at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. This 5K is a community walk in solidarity with women and girls in Ethiopia who spend hours each day hauling unsafe water. The event is designed around taking steps to represent the everyday distance many people walk to collect water, and it supports efforts to build deep borehole wells and rural piping systems so more communities can access clean, safe drinking water. The 5K course runs along the shoreline, starting at the beach and following the waterfront.