events in santa barbara, ca near hotel indigo at the state house

First Thursday Art Walk

Whole Year

The first Thursday of every month, 5–8 p.m.

An evening of art and culture in downtown Santa Barbara. On the first Thursday of each month, participating galleries and art-related venues offer free access to visual and performing art in a fun and social environment. The Hotel Indigo is one of the venues.

i Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival Santa Barbara

Friday, May 24, 2013 - Sunday, May 26, 2013
For this special event, madonnari, or street painters, adorn Mission plaza using pastels on the pavement in front to design 150 beautiful and vibrate pictures. With a sister festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, Santa Barbara is the first to adopt this romanti festival in the western hemisphere. The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. The Project serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. 
 
Festival hours are 10-6 daily. Admission is free.
 

Summer Solstice Celebration

Friday, June 21, 2013 - Sunday, June 23, 2013
 It's that time of year again!, the magical time known as the Summer Solstice!
 
Come join Santa Barbara celebrate the longest day of the year in a fun-filled weekend! Perfect for all members of the family, the festival features a children's area complete with storytellers, musicians, jugglers, and more! Kids can explore and jump on an air slide, have their faces painted, or create art for free! There are also several festival areas designated for music, as well as craft and food stations from local restaurants and boutiques. For the more adventurous, a large drum circle will take place featuring parade participanst or anyone who cares to join.  Floats from the parade will be parked for close up pictures as well. The Beer and Wine Garden is also open to our festival go-ers that are 21+ years of age.
 
Each year Santa Babara picks a theme for the festival and this year the theme is Creatures. Costumes for this event are always lavish and extravent, as seen in this picture from the Noozhawk, so make sure to bring your best outfit to this festival! To learn more, visit the link below.