Watch the documentary short below about the 2018 Solstice celebration, featured at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The 2019 Summer Solstice Festival will be held Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23 in Alameda Park in Santa Barbara. Join us in celebrating one of Santa Barbara’s most festive traditions!
Each year, the Santa Barbara community comes together to take part in the county’s largest arts event. The Solstice Festival and Parade (which will take place on Saturday, June 22 at noon) are an opportunity to enjoy all of the things that make Santa Barbara such a special place: good weather, food, music and art, organized by a diverse group of thoughtful and creative individuals.
The public is encouraged to get involved with the Community Arts Workshop (CAW), where the Solstice Workshop makes its home and community members can help make masks, costumes and build floats for the festivities. Even if you aren’t an artist, your creative energy is valued.
Longtime Solstice organizer and former Workshop Operations Director Robby Robbins, who gained local fame for building giant puppets included in the parade, encourages everyone to check out the Workshop.
“You do not have to be an artist, you don’t have to have an idea,” said Robbins. “There are people [at the Workshop] thinking about what to create and you can come and learn skills, learn how to build, learn how to sew, maybe even create giant puppets!”
The Santa Barbara Foundation has proudly supported the Community Arts Workshop through our contributions to the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, the group that oversees the CAW project. The arts are a critical part of the culture and identity of Santa Barbara County – check out our Arts & Culture-themed County Connections Report from last winter to read about some of the exciting arts programs in our community, and to learn about the importance of donating to the arts.
For more details about the 2019 Solstice festivities, visit the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration website!
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