The New Vic Theater
The ILLUMINATE Film Festival is the world’s premier showcase of conscious cinema, featuring transformational films that promote awareness and inspire positive change. This year’s theme, “Looking Through the Lens of Love,” presents groundbreaking documentaries and narratives such as The Dalai Lama’s Gift, Between the Mountain and the Sky (executive produced by Mark & Jay Duplass), and Wisdom of Happiness (executive produced by Richard Gere).
Lobero Theatre
Opera Santa Barbara presents The Daughter of the Regiment on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM. Romantic comedy by Gaetano Donizetti. A girl raised on the battlefield by a rowdy French Regiment falls in love with an enemy peasant boy, in the ultimate bel canto romantic comedy full of melodies and vocal fireworks. Starring Jana McIntyre, and directed by Pacific Opera Project’s irrepressible Josh Shaw.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
May is Bird Month at the Garden! Visit the Santa Barbara Audubon Society’s table for invaluable bird-watching tips and insights on cultivating a native plant garden to attract birds. Engage with experts passionate about avian conservation and learn how to create a bird-friendly habitat in your own backyard.
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Plan a visit to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club for a Sunday match, where ladies don their finest hats and gentlemen dress to the nines to watch the thrilling equine sport. Revel in the speed and agility of both the jockeys and horses, and graze on a tasty charcuterie platter under shaded awnings. The pristine grass and stunning mountain views make an unforgettable backdrop to gaze at while sipping champagne and cheering on the players.
Lobero Theatre
A Life Among Elephants on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 7 PM. This compelling award-winning documentary chronicles the remarkable journey of Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world’s foremost elephant scientist, whose groundbreaking research and conservation efforts have shaped our understanding of these magnificent creatures for over six decades.
Granada Theatre
A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, The Addams Family is the magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before-keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
Costa Kitchen & Bar
Every Wednesday costa Kitchen & Bar offers Happy Hour pricing and half-off bottles of Santa Barbara & Santa Ynez Valley Wine Bottles. Enjoy live local acoustic music on the patio.
Santa Barbara City College
Meet the Public Works staff and the equipment behind the department, including Streets and Water Resources vehicles, games, demonstrations, job opportunities and more! This event is perfect for young children to enjoy “Touch a Truck,” and high school and college students to learn more about launching a “Career without debt!”
Granada Theatre
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the baton of their esteemed Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen, returns for an evening of profound musical exploration with celebrated pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. The concert marks Maestro Salonen’s 16th appearance conducting for CAMA over the past 30+ years—twelve with the LA Phil and three with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra.
Koehler Winery
Are you looking for something unique to do for Mother’s Day in the Santa Barbara County Wine Country? Why not join us at the picturesque Koehler Winery in Santa Ynez to grab a glass of wine and a paintbrush?! You’ll spend the afternoon sipping delicious Koehler wines and capturing the beauty of Grass Mountain in watercolor.
Riverbench Santa Barbara Tasting Room
Celebrate Mother’s Day by learning how we make our popular glittered wine bottles. Choose your favorite Riverbench wine and one of our very own bedazzling artists will coach you through decorating your sparkling wine bottle. The glittering workshop includes a glass of Riverbench wine, a meat and cheese Grazing Box provided by Slate Catering. as well as your choice of glitter colors and all supplies needed to create your own special bottle.
Various Locations Around Santa Barbara
Indulge in the Flavors of Santa Barbara. Mark your calendars for May 12–18 as the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience returns for a dynamic, weeklong celebration of all things food and drink across Santa Barbara County. From interactive classes and insightful panels to farm tours, chef-driven dinners, and curated tasting events, this immersive culinary celebration offers meaningful ways to connect with the region’s vibrant food culture.
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
Join the Rhone Rangers for a tasting of Rhone wines, including esoteric varietals such as Clairette Blanche, Picpoul Blanc, Cinsault, and Counoise to the more well-known Rhone varietals Viognier, Grenache, and Syrah, PLUS white and red-Rhone blends.
Santa Barbara Bowl
As a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 50 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired. Over the course of his celebrated songwriting and performing career, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold,
15 Jack White
Santa Barbara Bowl
Do not miss Jack White and his band at the Santa Barbara Bowl on May 15 on the No Name Tour. Known for his groundbreaking work with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and his solo career, Jack White promises an electrifying night of raw energy and powerful performances.
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Join Ganna Walska Lotusland for Farmer Forward: A Benefit for Lotusland, an unforgettable evening celebrating Santa Barbara’s vibrant food culture in one of the region’s most stunning settings. Curated by Matt Kettmann—Santa Barbara Independent’s Senior Editor and longtime food and wine writer—this exclusive event will feature a four-course, farm-to-table dinner showcasing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from some of the area’s most thoughtful growers, ranchers, and fishers, including Jonata, Roots Farm, and Get Hooked Seafood.
State Street Ballet Academy presents Thumbelina (2 shows) on Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 PM and Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 2 PM. Thumbelina is a story ballet featuring all dancers at the State Street Ballet Academy, ages 3 and up. It is the tale of a little girl who gets separated from her family and encounters many adventures as she embarks upon a journey through a garden of flowers, birds and fairies, in order to reunite with them. Dancers of all ages perform dances of ballet, tap and jazz.
18 Fish Reef Paddle
Goleta Beach Park
Dive into an inspiring morning with Women in the Water (WITW) as they partner with Fish Reef Project for a special paddle-out event at Goleta Beach! This is your chance to be part of a larger effort to support vital ocean restoration projects.
Lion's Tale
Lion’s Tale, a Good Lion Hospitality owned bar, is going to be hosting Vinyl Vices partnering with Proper Productions every Monday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Along with this, there will be All Day Happy Hour, so take your time and get down to these old-school classics and modern R&B mixes. Featured menu items include Pimm’s Cup ($11), with Pimm’s, London Dry gin, cucumber, ginger, lemon and a touch of absinthe, or dig into fan favorites like the Café Frites ($14) with shoestring fries served with café de Paris butter sauce, fresh parsley and filet mignon bites.
20 Yarn Buddies
Explore Ecology Makerspace
Explore Ecology Makerspace invites you to drop in with your most recent project and fiber arts questions every month. Their knowledgeable staff will be there to offer any tips and tricks to help bring your project to life. The Makerspace will provide crochet hooks, knitting needles, stitch counters, and yarn that participants can borrow and even leave with their ball of yarn each month.
Santa Barbara Bowl
Khruangbin, the genre-blurring Texas trio known for their smooth, psychedelic grooves, is bringing their A LA SALA tour to the iconic Santa Barbara Bowl. The band’s mesmerizing soundscapes and effortless rhythms will fill the outdoor amphitheatre, offering an unforgettable night under the stars. Special guest John Carroll Kirby, a renowned producer and keyboardist, will open the evening with his own captivating blend of experimental and soulful melodies.
Lobero Theatre
The GRAMMY® Award-winning group has held their ground as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands – continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack.
23 Justice
Santa Barbara Bowl
Back in 2007, Justice’s crunching deconstruction of techno, pop, R&B, electro, funk, metal, and pretty much anything else that took their fancy established the pair as one of France’s most vital musical exports. They have been celebrated with one GRAMMY Award nomination, a Victoire de la Musique—a French award—and three MTV Awards.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Mission plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large-scale images. The Santa Barbara I Madonnari Street Painting Festival presents the rare opportunity to view artists of all ages create street paintings ranging from classical to original images. The annual, three-day festival is held on the Memorial Day Weekend at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
Lobero Theatre
The Santa Barbara Symphony presents Santa Barbara Youth Symphony on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 4 PM. This advanced ensemble brings together accomplished high-school aged musicians from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to perform works across the orchestral repertoire, instilling the skills, discipline, and commitment that budding young professionals need for the next step in their careers.
Power of Your Om Yoga Studio
This session includes the healing vibrations of sound, breathwork, and meditation. By being an active listener, you will anchor the mind to the present moment and calm the body.
Bring a mat, eye mask, and anything that will help support your listening and be as comfy as possible.
SunSwept Sailing
Departing daily, this 1-hour cruise will explore the Santa Barbara Harbor, Waterfront and Stearns Wharf with a narrated tour and magnificent views of the American Riviera coastline. Experience the pure joy of sailing on the classic yacht, Kelpie, with occasional views of wildlife like sea lions, dolphins and more!
Candle Bar 111
Bring in any candle vessel and give it a second life. Refills are just $2.75 per ounce, and you’ll get to pick your fragrance from our full Candle Bar lineup. No appointment needed, just drop in anytime during the day.
Be sure your vessels are clean and free of leftover wax before bringing them in. Need help?
Lobero Theatre
Legendary filmmaker, actor, and comedian Albert Brooks takes the stage for an exciting night of engaging conversation and laughs, with Special Guest Host Kevin Pollak. Known for his sharp wit and significant contributions to both comedy and film, Brooks has consistently proven his talent for both creating and embodying complex, humorous characters. Enjoy this rare opportunity to see these two comedic giants together, offering a unique look at the artistry and craft that has made Albert Brooks such a beloved figure in entertainment.
Twenty-Four Blackbirds
Attendees will enjoy a welcome drink while we give a brief introduction to this bean-to-bar, dark chocolate-making process. Ingredients for decorating will abound and inspire, and you’ll learn a few tidbits about how we invent flavor combinations for new delicious, sweet products at our chocolate factory.
Granada Theatre
This will be a special book launch event with renowned futurist and AI keynote speaker Zack Kass.
A Santa Barbara native and former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI, Zack will debut his highly anticipated book, The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential, an in-depth exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, productivity, and the future of human potential.
Maureen has been around the industry for a lifetime. Her business is based on the core values and ethics taught to her at a very young age: integrity, honesty, and great communication.
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