The 44th Annual Summer Solstice Parade and Festival is Friday, June 22; Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Alameda Park and includes a full weekend of art, music, food and fun for the whole family!
FREE ADMISSION!
SCHEDULE
- Friday June 22 – Festival, 4 - 9 pm, Alameda Park
- Saturday June 23 – Parade, Noon, State and Cota (PURCHASE VIP SEATS FOR THE PARADE)
- Saturday June 23 – Festival, Noon - 8 pm, Alameda Park
- Sunday June 24 – Festival, Noon - 6 pm, Alameda Park
- Sunday June 24 – Children's Parade, 1:30 pm, Begins at Youth Stage (East Side of Alameda Park)
The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974, as a birthday celebration for a popular artist and mime named Michael Gonzales. In subsequent years, their parade joined forces with a Summer Solstice Music Festival coordinated by Michael Felcher, sponsored by The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, staged at the Sunken Gardens to celebrate the longest day of year.
The Parade and Festival is the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world. From these humble beginnings arose a celebration of life which, is like no other.
Today, the Summer Solstice Celebration has evolved into creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, 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. When the number of people outgrew the size of the courthouse the event was moved to Alameda Park.Alameda Park is where everyone can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music including famous local groups, food, arts and craft.
On Saturday only is a special free children’s festival and a DJ area for dancing and enjoying techno music and a large drum circle keeps the beat going all afternoon. The festival now opens on Friday afternoon, which is like the “evening events of years past.” It’s a special evening, showcasing local talents with music, dance, performances. Some of the parade ensembles are featured as well as arts and craft and food booths and vendors with goods available for purchase.
Friday, June 22, 4- 9 PM KTYD Presents Festival Opening Night
- 4-5:30 PM KTYD Presents - DJ Lin Aubachon
- 5:30 - 7 PM Surprise Solstice Friends
- 7:30 PM - 9 PM Super Stoked Band
Saturday, June 23, 12 - 8 PM Post Parade Solstice Festival in the Sun!
- 12 - 1 PM KCSB Presents
- 1 - 2:30 PM No Simple Highway
- 2:30 - 4 PM Soul Machine
- 4-6 PM Area 51
- 6:30 - 8 PM Surprise Solstice Friends!
Youth Stage Lineup Saturday 6/23
- 1:30-3pm – Santa Barbara Sings: Santa Barbara Sings is a diverse group of acoustic performers who take lessons with popular local performer Lynette Gaona.
- 3-3:30pm – Spirals Gymnastics: Come see the award-winning gymnast of Spirals Gymnastics of Santa Barbara as they perform at Solstice! Team members from the Santa Barbara Spirals Gymnastics Team will showcase their skills and their love of the sport.
- 3:30-4pm – Sofia Guerra: Sofia is an 11 year old singer/songwriter and guitarist who has been singing since age 2.
- 4-6pm – Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy: Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy provides a full musical experience to youth in a fun, safe and ever-changing framework of musical styles and performance venues.
Sunday, June 24, 1 - 6 PM KJEE Presents Summer Solstice Reggae in the Park Main Stage Lineup:
- 1:30 PM Children’s Parade: Youth Heros Capes & Crowns
- 1:30 PM Derinkuyu Band
- 2:30 PM One Two Tree
- 3:30 PM Sideways
- 4:00 PM Rotary and Summer Solstice Dolphin Dive Raffle
- 4:30 PM Cornerstone
Youth Stage Lineup Sunday 6/24
- 1:30-2pm – Capoeira Sul da Bahi: Capoeira Sul da Bahia has been active in Santa Barbara for almost twenty years spreading the tradition and art of capoeira.
- 2-2:30pm – Destined Dance & Performing Arts: Youth dance students will be performing a variety of jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, acro and musical theater style routines. The performers at this event range from age 8-18.
- 2:30-2:50pm – Crush Athletics: Crush Athletics is a cheerleading organization whose primary focus is tumbling, performance and competitive all-star cheer. Through consistent and intensive training our athletes develop hard work and discipline along with many other valuable skills.
- 2:50-3:20pm – The Dance Network: The Dance Network is a dance and fitness studio in Santa Barbara, CA, under the direction of Karyn Laver. The studio offers classes in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet and more to students of all ages and experience levels.
- 3:20-4pm – Porter Porter is a rock band hailing from Santa Barbara, CA. Fronted by brothers Destin and Alec Cavazos, Porter offers originals and covers with influences from Blink to Oasis to Pixies and beyond.
- 4-6pm – Detar Music Detar Music offers a Youth Band Program. Our Program offers quality arrangement and professional instruction in a band setting and the styles range from Rock, Pop, Jazz, Country and beyond.
For more information visit http://www.solsticeparade.com or like the Summer Solstice Festival on FACEBOOK
