Events in Santa Barbara today

The Santa Barbara Golf Classic is an open stroke play event in a two-person better ball format, set up for both men and women golfers. Teams will compete in a fun, scenic round at Santa Barbara Golf Club, with one championship flight plus several net flights, including a women’s net flight. Registration includes the green fee, cart fee, range balls, prize fund, and a tee prize. Golfers must be at least 18 years old and have a maximum handicap of 18.

A relaxed meet-up at Porsche Santa Barbara pairs coffee and car culture with a technology-focused talk. Attendees can connect with fellow enthusiasts and take part in an informative session that complements the casual cars and conversation format. The gathering centers on community, learning, and the shared enjoyment of automotive topics.

Explore watercolor by creating a scenic piece with guidance from Lorraine. The session takes place at Goleta Presbyterian Church. Most supplies will be provided, and participants should bring their own brushes and a container for water. Advance registration is required. The cost is 20 dollars for members and 25 dollars for nonmembers.

Settle in for a short, ocean themed storytime inside the Dive In exhibit, where Sea Center staff and volunteers share engaging tales of the sea. The program welcomes all ages and is especially enjoyable for children 10 and under. The session lasts about 15 minutes. Participation is included with regular Sea Center admission, and members attend at no additional cost. All areas of the Sea Center are ADA accessible.

The 29th edition of the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival takes place at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Tickets are available for purchase.

A Singles Pickleball Mixer invites local singles to connect through friendly games and easy conversation. The focus is a fun, natural, pressure-free way to meet people, with no awkward speed dating and no endless swiping. Expect pickleball, laughter, and plenty of chances to chat courtside. New players are fully supported with instruction provided and loaner paddles available, so first-timers can jump in with confidence. All skill levels are welcome. Whether seeking a relationship, new friends, or simply a different kind of night out, this mixer offers an active, social setting away from the apps.

Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments have returned to Metro Entertainment, a destination for comics, games, toys, and more. The competition includes OTS packs and brings together the local Yu-Gi-Oh community.

Come watch the August 2026 Long Form Pony Show, an in-person improv showcase where long-form indie teams take the stage, show off their stride, and compete to be named the audience favorite. It’s a friendly laugh-off for both green teams and seasoned performers, with only one team taking home Best in Show. Children 12 and under are free.

At the Palmer Observatory at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the observatory opens the building and its roof for stargazing through a 20-inch telescope. Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit guide views of the Moon’s craters, nebulae, distant galaxies, and more. This recurring monthly event is free and welcoming to all, with no tickets or registration needed. Plans depend on the weather, so cloudy or rainy conditions may lead to cancellation. Start times vary throughout the year, with winter offering earlier evenings that work well for kids, and the later part of the night is typically calmer for those who stay.

Experience ocean-themed storytelling as Sea Center staff and volunteers share tales of the sea in the middle of the Dive In exhibit. This 15-minute storytime welcomes all ages and is especially engaging for children 10 and under. Participation is included with Sea Center admission, and members are free. All Sea Center spaces are ADA accessible.

Peak2Pacific Summer Camps present a nature-focused day program that blends outdoor adventure with environmental learning. This session is part of a multi-week series and offers a mix of experiences across ocean, creek, and mountain settings. Campers explore marine science and get active on the water with kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, boogie boarding, and sailing. On land, the program features hiking, bouldering and climbing, creek exploration and swimming, creative nature arts, team challenges, and sports. Children ages 3 to 12 attend as campers, while teens participate as Leaders in Training at ages 13 to 14 and as Counselors in Training at ages 15 to 18 to support the program. The camp emphasizes problem solving, leadership, collaboration, confidence, coordination, and a growing sense of responsibility to self, community, and the environment through challenge-by-choice activities. Early care and after care are available around the core camp day.

Enjoy a summer filled with free meals and activities at Central Library. Children and teens can receive a complimentary, nutritious lunch through the USDA Summer Food Service Program, distributed in order of arrival with no paperwork or enrollment required. After lunch, participants can register for Summer Reading and take part in hands-on activities and games facilitated by library staff. Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funding from the State of California.

Set out on a guided safari through the Prehistoric Forest, where an expert brings dinosaurs to life for curious explorers. Discover where these creatures once roamed, what fueled them, and how scientists piece together their stories using clues from the past. To kick things off, gather beneath the big Oak Tree at the center of the Museum map so you do not miss a moment. This experience is recommended for ages 5 to 9, but participants of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Access is included with Museum admission and is free for Members, with no extra RSVP or registration needed.

The Library on the Go will set up at Leadbetter Beach with books for all ages. Stop by to browse, pick up a library card, return items, or just say hello. Please note that participants may be photographed for promotional or educational purposes, and outdoor activities may be canceled for inclement weather.

Enjoy live multimedia trivia at Draughtsmen Aleworks in Goleta, hosted by Alan Irwin. It is free to play and winners take home prizes. Arrive early to secure seats, and grab a bite from on-site food trucks while you put your knowledge to the test.

A relaxed community potluck at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel brings together locals and international travelers to share favorite dishes around one big table. Participants bring something they love, sweet or savory, then settle in for conversation, travel stories, laughter, and moments of gratitude. Expect simple, no fuss hospitality, plenty of food to sample, and the easygoing spirit of a classic hostel gathering in Santa Barbara. New faces are welcomed, with a focus on connection, good company, and enjoying a meal together.

This weekly in-person class at Santa Barbara Yoga Center offers a thoughtful Hatha practice where posture, breath, and inner attention are woven into one steady flow. The pacing is unhurried and invites close, continuous awareness. The approach treats the body as a unified system that holds information, responds to pacing, and settles when given supportive conditions. In line with the orientation shared through Steady Self School, it welcomes all levels and is offered on a donation basis with a suggested contribution of 15 to 20 dollars.

This showcase traces the California coast between San Diego and Mendocino as gallery artists present painted and photographic works highlighting chaparral, wetlands, foothills, bluffs, and coves. It also captures scenes where freshwater meets the ocean’s waves at both high and low tide.

Practice observational drawing in a relaxed, drop-in session focused on butterflies and moths. With guidance from education staff, participants will study antique scientific images in the exhibit The Collectors: A Life in Lepidoptera and turn close observation into sketches while learning how artists support scientific research. The program is recommended for ages eight and up. Basic supplies are provided, and personal drawing boards are welcome, pencils only. Participation is included with Museum admission, free for Members, and no additional RSVP or registration is required.

Join a beginner to intermediate slow-paced vinyasa and restorative class designed to feel gentle and intentional. The practice blends postures with breathwork and other techniques, plus meditation and mudras, all focused on building inner stillness. All levels are welcome, and music will be played during class.

Enjoy an adults-only happy hour at the Sea Center with after-hours access to interactive exhibits. Get hands-on with Swell Sharks, anemones, and sea stars, then head upstairs to see Moon Jellies, a Two-Spot Octopus, and a Mantis Shrimp. Step onto the shaded east-facing deck for evening views of Santa Barbara’s coastline. This event is for guests 21 and over with valid ID. General admission is $30 and member admission is $15, and each ticket includes one glass of wine and artisan cheese from Cheese Shop Santa Barbara.

Set against Santa Barbara’s coastal calm, Tedeschi Trucks Band shapes a show that breathes. The Santa Barbara Bowl’s open air lets their earthy tones travel clearly, filling the space without losing nuance. The set balances drive and reflection, with the groove of Do I Look Worried and Bound for Glory offset by slower pieces that invite a pause. Careful pacing keeps the ebb and flow steady, resulting in an evening that feels assured, unhurried, and closely connected to its surroundings.

Bingo for Baddies brings an evening of high-energy bingo, open to newcomers and veterans alike. Expect plenty of laughs, a welcoming crowd, and prizes that add to the fun. As the final rounds wrap up, DJ Haley of the Hayfield steps in to keep the energy high and fill the dance floor with upbeat tracks.

Put your trivia skills to the test at The Cliff Room in Santa Barbara. Form a team of up to six players, take part at no cost, and compete for prizes. Arrive ahead of time to secure a good seat. Enjoy food and drinks while you think your way to a win.