Monthly Events Calendar

Cooking Class: Fresh Filled Pasta

Apples to Zucchini Cooking School

Learn the fundamentals of fresh pasta-making, from mixing and kneading dough to preparing flavorful fillings. They’ll cover seasonal sauce pairing, knife skills, and shaping techniques in order to achieve restaurant-worth pasta at home. Of course, you’ll sit down to enjoy your creations at the end in a shared, family-style meal. Save yourself the flight to Italy; just head up to the teaching kitchen instead!

California Avocado Festival

Linden Avenue Carpinteria

The California Avocado Festival welcomes everyone to 3 days full of Peace, Love and Guacamole. This year there will be 60+ bands, 3 stages, 50 arts & crafts and commercial vendors, 15 delicious food vendors and over a dozen non-profits will be on site for you to help support. The event showcases the endless ways to eat an avocado and attendees can also enjoy other various local vendors and plenty of live entertainment in the heart of the neighboring town of Carpinteria.

The festival will be held on Friday, Oct. 2nd (1 pm to 11 pm), Saturday, Oct. 3rd (11 am to 10 pm) & Sunday, Oct. 4th (11 am – 6 pm)

Old-Time Fiddler’s Festival

Rancho La Patera & Stow House

Celebrate one of the West Coast’s longest-running traditions at the 54th Old-Time Fiddlers’ Festival. The day is packed with toe-tapping performances, an epic fiddle contest, instrument “petting zoo,” artisan vendors, and hands-on workshops in fiddle, banjo, singing, and more. This year’s lineup features Paul Brown, Rafe Stefanini, Hog Eyed Man, Spencer & Rains, Black Banjo and Reclamation Project, with additional jams and workshops to be announced. A family-friendly favorite, the festival promises a lively mix of music, community, and fun for all ages.

Dogs and outside alcohol are not allowed.

Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC TOUR 2026

Santa Barbara Bowl

Relax, unwind, and ride the waves of sound with Jack Johnson on his SURFILMUSIC TOUR 2026 at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Over two nights, Johnson brings his signature blend of laid-back acoustic vibes, storytelling lyrics, and sun-soaked melodies, promising an intimate and feel-good experience for fans of all ages.

Gary Gulman’s 7th Hour: An All-New Standup

Lobero Theatre

Martin Media presents Gary Gulman’s 7th Hour: An All-New Standup Show. An eminent performer and peerless writer, Gulman is one of the most popular touring comics, selling out theaters around the country. Most recently, Gary made his off-Broadway debut with a 5-week sold out run at The Lucille Lortel Theatre of his critically acclaimed one man show “Grandiloquent.”

$79 – $129

6-Week Adult Intermediate Acrylic Course

Art Spot on Wheels

Follow-Up class to our 6-Week Beginner Acrylic Painting Class. Only available to returning students who have completed a 4, 5 or 6-week beginner course. Exceptions are possible–please send me an email at [email protected] if you think you’d like to join this class and already understand basics of acrylic painting.

This class will jump off from the basics and start to dig into technique, practices, style and composition. You’ll work on a new painting of your choice (from a reference photo), but this time you’ll also do a few paint-alongs and learn from artists you admire. You’ll also do some quick lesson work by playing with limited palettes and strokes.

They recommend upgrading your paint to professional heavy body colors (golden brand is a favorite) as you start to run out of Basics/Student grade paint if you haven’t already and purchasing a few more canvases. 2-8×10 panels (cheap is fine) for the first night and your regular supplies is all you’ll need.

Class is limited to 12 students but will require a minimum of 6 to be conducted. Class runs each Tuesday from 1-3:30pm

Toad the Wet Sprocket Rings: The Acoustic Tour

Lobero Theatre

Lobero LIVE presents Toad the Wet Sprocket Rings: The Acoustic Tour with Willy Porter opening the show. Few bands have earned the kind of devotion Toad the Wet Sprocket inspires. Don’t miss this intimate, once-in-a-lifetime fan event celebrating four decades of songs that trace the band’s musical journey with grace, depth, and hope.

Tradition Transformed: Rachmaninoff, Britten & Baik

Music Academy of the West

Beloved folk songs. A world premiere. A secret melody revealed.

Acclaimed violist Richard O’Neill and pianist-composer August Baik open the Mariposa Series with a vivid, deeply personal program about heritage, memory, and the music that lives beneath the surface. Baik’s new work draws on Korean folk songs, while Britten’s haunting Lachrymae slowly reveals a hidden song by John Dowland. Rzewski’s “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues” transforms a folk song made famous by Pete Seeger and transforms it into a virtuosic tour de force.

The evening culminates in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Sonata in G Minor, arranged for viola by O’Neill — a passionate, cinematic work that has shaped both artists’ lives. For Baik, it was the first major duo sonata he studied; for O’Neill, it has remained a lifelong companion since learning it during a formative and deeply emotional summer at the Music Academy under legendary mentor Donald McInnes. Returning to the sonata over the years has revealed new layers of meaning and connection, reminding both musicians that while life changes, great music evolves alongside us.

Together, O’Neill and Baik create a powerful journey of discovery and transformation, where old songs become new again.

JUNGLE with Special Guest Rio Kosta

Santa Barbara Bowl

A soulful night of rock and blues comes to the Santa Barbara Bowl as Alabama Shakes take the stage with special guest Tyler Ballgame. Led by powerhouse vocalist Brittany Howard, the band is known for its electrifying live performances and genre-blending sound that fuses Southern rock, soul, and garage grit.

From breakout hits off Boys & Girls to the GRAMMY-winning Sound & Color, the set spans a catalog that has defined a generation of modern rock. With new music in the mix, including recent releases, the performance promises both nostalgia and fresh energy in an unforgettable night under the stars.

Palm Tree Music Festival

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club

Palm Tree Music Festival Montecito returns bigger than ever in 2026 with an expanded two-day celebration at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Set against one of the Central Coast’s most scenic backdrops, the festival blends chart-topping performances, coastal luxury, and high-energy entertainment into a signature weekend experience. From electronic and pop to hip-hop and rock, the lineup delivers a genre-spanning mix of artists alongside elevated hospitality, immersive activations, craft cocktails, and stylish lounges.

This year’s lineup includes:

Kygo

The Chainsmokers

T-Pain

Zedd

The All-American Rejects

Loud Luxury

Frank Walker

Natalie Jinju

Myles O’Neal

With world-class talent, premium experiences, and a setting that captures the best of the California coast, Palm Tree Music Festival Montecito offers a vibrant weekend of music, lifestyle, and unforgettable festival energy.

Free Community Days

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

The Rush Tribute Project

Lobero Theatre

Experience the power and precision of Rush brought to life in an electrifying, immersive tribute performance. The Rush Tribute Project delivers a full-scale homage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, performing Moving Pictures in its entirety alongside a second set packed with greatest hits and deep cuts.

From iconic tracks like “Tom Sawyer,” “Red Barchetta,” “YYZ,” and “Limelight” to fan favorites including “La Villa Strangiato” and “Entre Nous,” the show captures the sound and spirit of Rush with remarkable authenticity. Featuring vintage instruments, multi-camera projection, lasers, and dynamic lighting, the performance blends musicianship and production into a high-impact live experience.

Don’t miss this ultimate tribute to one of rock’s most enduring and influential bands.

Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch

1035 Alamo Pintado Rd. Solvang

Who’s ready for some Fall fun? The Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch is back with pumpkins, gourds, squash, corn stalks, hay bales, a kids maze and a 14-acre corn maze!

Sewing & Mending

Explore Ecology

Join Explore Ecology Makerspace for Sewing and Mending to learn how to repair old favorites or create something new! Discover the joy of creating and repairing with the welcoming community at the EE Makerspace.

Bring your unfinished projects, sewing challenges, or mending needs to our evening or afternoon session.

The supportive staff and volunteers will be there to offer tips and guidance.

This event is for ages 13+. Pre-registration is required, secure your spot today.

Snow Job (1970) Performance and Workshop

Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UCSB

Snow is predicted to fall outside the AD&A Museum as part of a restaging of Bonnie Ora Sherk’s performance Snow Job (1970). Flavored snow cones will be given out and spectators are invited to enjoy themselves in a performance score writing workshop in the galleries. Formal attire is encouraged but not required.

Organized by the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara, this program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Bonnie Ora Sherk: Life Frames since 1970, on view at the AD&A Museum through November 29.

Thank you to our program collaborators: Kona Ice of Santa Barbara, Performance Art Museum. Special thanks to Bonnie Sherk Estate, Life Frames, Inc., and A Living Library, San Francisco.

The AD&A Museum is an educational partner of the multi-year initiative High Performance: A 2-Year Conference (2025–2027), which celebrates and historicizes High Performance (1978–97), the first international magazine devoted exclusively to performance art. Through educational collaborations and programming, this exhibition highlights Sherk’s feature in the magazine.

Wild and Free Film Festival: Outdoor Movie Night

Elings Park

42nd Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival

Firestone Estate

In its 42nd year, the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival is truly the Original Santa Barbara Wine Festival.

On October 17, the festival takes place at Firestone Estate in Santa Ynez, offering an unforgettable day celebrating the region’s world-class wine and cuisine. Taste wines from 70+ local wineries, sample dishes from 20+ regional restaurants and food purveyors, and enjoy live music while taking in the scenic surroundings. Chat with winemakers and winery owners, and don’t miss the always-popular Bubble Lounge featuring some of Santa Barbara County’s best sparkling wines.

Storytime with Godmothers: Luna Oscura

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Gather in Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s cozy Backcountry Hawk’s Nest Library for a special bilingual storytime presented by Godmothers, featuring a read-along of Heidi Moreno’s Luna Oscura in both English and Spanish.

The heartwarming story follows Luna, a black cat ostracized by the other cats in her forest because of superstitious beliefs. With the help of her companion, Toad, Luna sets out to find her forever home and discovers friendship, belonging and the magic within herself along the way.

Families are invited to enjoy the story together, with lemonade and cookies provided while supplies last.

This storytime is part of the Garden’s Free Community Days, with free admission for everyone every Sunday in October. Advance reservations to the Garden are required.

Pianos on State

Various Locations on State Street

A favorite event in Santa Barbara, Pianos on State is a collaborative and interactive musical experience that takes place during Arts and Humanities month in October. Each piano becomes its own piece of art as local Santa Barbara artists create individual looks.

Pianos will be available for musical exploration, impromptu play, and group performances morning, afternoon, and evening. Amateur, professionals and public musicians are invited to sit down and play!

Big Wave Dave’s Pumpkin Patch

La Cumbre Plaza

Come make Fall memories at the pumpkin patch!

Browse the selection of pumpkins, squash, ornamental gourds, colorful Indian corn, corn stalks and hay bales for all your cooking, baking, carving and decorating needs. This pumpkin patch has everything you’ll need to decorate for Halloween to Thanksgiving! While there, don’t forget to pick up your carving kits, candles & stencils to help make your decorations complete. Bring the whole family and enjoy kids activities and festive family photo opportunities.

This is your one-stop shop for all your ghoulish needs. Stop by Big Wave Dave’s Pumpkin Patch!

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Thursday 11am to 8pm

Friday – Sunday 10am to 9pm

Closing 6pm Halloween Day

Nature Journaling at Manzanita Nursery

Manzanita Nursery

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

Music Academy of the West

Experience a haunting evening of Halloween favorites performed by Santa Barbara’s Vapour String Quartet at the Music Academy of the West. Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics brings together eerie classical works, iconic film and television themes, and Halloween favorites in an intimate setting illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight.

The tentative program includes:

“Thriller” – Michael Jackson

“Funeral March of a Marionette” – Charles Gounod

String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110: II. Allegro Molto – Dmitri Shostakovich

“Tubular Bells,” theme from The Exorcist – Mike Oldfield

Stranger Things theme – S U R V I V E

Beetlejuice theme – Danny Elfman

The Addams Family theme – Vic Mizzy

Halloween theme – John Carpenter

Prelude from Psycho – Bernard Herrmann

Ghostbusters theme – Ray Parker Jr.

“Danse Macabre” – Camille Saint-Saëns

“Night on Bald Mountain” – Modest Mussorgsky

“Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley

Medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas – Danny Elfman

Doors open 30 minutes before the performance and close five minutes prior to showtime. Late arrivals will not be permitted. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Seating within each zone is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Haunted Hotel Heights

Courtyard Santa Barbara - Downtown

Celebrate Halloween above the city at Haunted Hotel Heights!

Join from 6:00 PM–10:00 PM for a hauntingly good evening featuring a rooftop sunset, cocktails, and live DJ sets that will keep the night alive. They will start the evening with light music as the sun goes down, then get ready for the atmosphere to shift when the DJs take over at 7:00 PM.

Your ticket includes:

Rooftop event admission

One themed Halloween cocktail

Live DJ sets

Spooky rooftop atmosphere

Costumes and gothic-inspired looks are encouraged! So dress up and have some fun with it, whether you’re going full Halloween or keeping it dark and stylish.

Come for the sunset, stay for the music, and celebrate Halloween looking over Santa Barbara.

This event is for ages 21+.

Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Tour

Lobero Theatre

Get ready for a night of laughter and joy as the hilarious Fortune Feimster takes the stage in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara! Experience The Lobero Theatre, a charming venue known for its intimate atmosphere and exceptional acoustics, where Fortune will share her unique blend of storytelling and comedy. With her infectious energy and relatable humor, she’s sure to leave you in stitches and create an unforgettable evening.

Don’t miss your chance to experience Fortune Feimster live at The Lobero Theatre! Gather your friends and prepare for a delightful night filled with laughter and connection. Grab your tickets now and be part of this fantastic comedy event!

Comedy is a Drag

The Wildcat Lounge

Why choose between stand-up comedy and drag when you can enjoy both? Head to Wildcat Lounge for an unforgettable night where hilarious comedians and dazzling drag performers share the same stage for an evening packed with laughter, lip-syncs, and over-the-top entertainment.

Featuring talented performers from across California’s Central Coast with credits including Laugh Factory, Hamburger Mary’s, The Hollywood Improv, Punch Line, and House of Comedy, this one-of-a-kind show blends professional stand-up comedy with high-energy drag performances. Throughout the evening, drag queens and kings will also make their way through the audience, adding even more fun and opportunities to interact.

With a full bar, mocktails, and nonstop entertainment, Comedy Is a Drag takes place on the last Sunday of every month at Wildcat Lounge.

Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest

Solvang Chamber of Commerce/Various Locations

Santa Ynez Valley merchants will welcome the fall season by kicking off the annual Scarecrow Fest and contest on Oct. 1. Throughout the month, residents and visitors can stroll the village to check out creative scarecrows from local businesses and organizations and vote for their favorites. The month-long celebration concludes on Halloween with the announcement of the annual Harvest Cup winner, honoring the most impressive community creation.

Daytime Boo at the Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

Get into the Halloween spirit during regular Zoo hours from October 16–31 with festive fun for the whole family. Daytime Boo at the Zoo features a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt with a prize, daily costume contest and parade, Halloween story time with the Zoo’s performance team, a candy station, hay maze and more. Face painting will also be available for an additional charge.

Costumes are encouraged, so dress up the little ones and enjoy some not-so-spooky fun alongside a day of exploring the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Daytime Boo at the Zoo activities are included with regular Zoo admission or Membership.

Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out Boo at the Zoo After Dark, October 23–25, or the Zoo’s first-ever 21+ Adult Night on October 22.

Wednesday Sunset Serenade

costa Kitchen & Bar

Weekly Paint Night

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Join this creative escapade at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort every Thursday! You and your crew can indulge in an artistic adventure within the resort’s wine tasting room. With a range of painting designs to choose from, it’s an engaging experience for all ages.

No painting experience? No worries! Easy step by step instructions are provided with design print outs and individual assistance throughout the workshop.

All supplies is included.

Boo-Cara Halloween Celebration

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Enjoy a spooky good time at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara’s Annual Boo-Cara!

This Halloween, families from the Santa Barbara community and beyond are invited to experience a one-of-a-kind celebration along the coast. Enjoy an enchanting evening of festive Halloween fun, with property-wide trick-or-treating, engaging family games, hands-on art projects and a captivating haunted house.

Admission Includes:

Self-parking

Property-wide trick-or-treating for children

Elevated arts and crafts, family activities and immersive seasonal experiences

Come dressed in your finest costume and get into the Halloween spirit with an elegant yet playful evening filled with spooky surprises, festive fun and memorable moments for the whole family. Have a spook-tacular Halloween at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara!

State Street Ballet: Dracula, A Dark Shadow

Granada Theatre

Spend Halloween afternoon immersed in the gothic world of Dracula, a dark shadow as State Street Ballet brings its newly commissioned ballet to The Granada Theatre. Choreographed by Nicolas Blanc, the production pairs the legendary tale of Dracula with Philip Glass’s iconic score, performed live onstage by the Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet.

Dancers and musicians come together for a dark, cinematic performance filled with striking movement, live music and haunting storytelling.

A Halloween Eve performance will also be offered Friday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.