28th Annual Neal Taylor Nature Center Fishing Derby at Cachuma Lake on April 26-27, 2025

The 28th Annual Neal Taylor Nature Center Fishing Derby at Cachuma Lake begins at 6 am on April 26 until noon on April 27, 2025.

This year’s fishing derby will include prize categories for multiple types of fish such as crappie, catfish, trout, bass, sunfish and carp. The prize pool dollar amount has been increased this year which means everyone has a chance to win great cash prizes, fishing gear, and more!

Visit www.troutderby.org for more information and to register.

Underwater Parks Day Festival at Sea Center in Santa Barbara on Saturday, January 18, 2025

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center located on Stearns Wharf is offering free admission to its Underwater Parks Day Festival on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM thanks to support from the Moeller Lab at UC Santa Barbara.

The Underwater Parks Day Festival celebrates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), or “underwater parks,” that preserve the biodiversity and abundance of ocean life in our coastal waters. Some of the most nutrient rich waters on the planet are located in the Santa Barbara and Channel Islands region. These waters support abundant marine life found in kelp forests, tide pools, and rocky intertidal reef habitats. MPAs restrict fishing and the overharvesting of these incredibly diverse marine ecosystems to promote stable species populations and recreational use for future generations of visitors.

Underwater Parks Day is celebrated in unison with many aquariums and science centers in Southern California.

The Sea Center is located at 211 Stearns Wharf and is open daily from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. For more information, visit sbnature.org or call 805-962-2526.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive regional aquarium and marine education facility offers guests close encounters with marine animals, and exploration of the Santa Barbara Channel on the Wet Deck. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming, including Underwater Parks Day and World Oceans Day.

SoCal Museums "Museum Free-for-All" Day on Sunday, February 2, 205

SoCal Museums announces the Museums Free-for-All day on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Over thirty museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, film, natural history, and science—will open their doors and offer free general admission.

Of particular interest to local audiences, the following Santa Barbara and Ventura County museums will be participating in Museums Free-for-All:

• Museum of Ventura County

• Santa Paula Art Museum

• Santa Barbara Museum of Art

• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

More details at socalmuseums.org/annual-free-for-all-2025

The Free-for-All also serves as a reminder that free visitor days are available year-round at museums across Southern California. A calendar of free days can be found at socalmuseums.org/free.

77th Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show on March 7-9, 2025

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds March 7-9, 2025. Show hours are 9am to 5pm daily.

This is the longest running and one of the largest annual orchid shows in the United States. General admission to the show is $20 for one day; $30 for a 3-day pass. Children 12 and under are free with paying adult. Tickets are available in advance at www.sborchidshow.com.

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to share the joy of the orchid world and educates the public about orchids via its annual show.

Sea Center Celebrates World Oceans Day with Free Admission in Santa Barbara on June 8, 2024

Sea Center Celebrates World Oceans Day with Free Admission

Sea Center on Stearns Wharf Celebrates World Oceans Day

Come celebrate World Oceans Day at the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf during a festival from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Free admission from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM will be made possible with the generous support of the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund and the Stearns Wharf Merchants Association.

During the festival, guests can meet an array of community partners dedicated to ocean conservation and celebration, including Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, California State Parks, UCSB's Caselle Lab, The Fish Reef Project, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, Channel Islands Restoration, and Celebration Cruises, who will be raffling off a Lil’ Toot trip package at their table.

The Sea Center features life-size models of a Gray Whale mother and calf, touchpool habitats where guests can touch sea stars and sea anemones, a Wet Deck modeled after a scientific research vessel’s lab, and Shark Cove, where visitors can get up close with small local sharks. In addition to exploring the Sea Center’s interactive exhibits, guests can enjoy storytimes, meeting the Sea Center's very own Toothy the Shark, an announcement of the winners of a marine-themed student art contest, and a display by the Harbor Patrol’s fireboat.

Scheduled activities:

• Storytimes and appearances by Toothy the Shark at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

• Art contest winners announced at 1:00 PM

• Harbor Patrol Fireboat Display at 3:00 PM

No reservations required. For more information and upcoming events, please visit sbnature.org/calendar. 

2024 Free Concerts in the Park in Santa Barbara, Thursday Nights in June to August

Free concerts at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday nights from 6-7:30pm during the month of July! All concerts are free to the public and held in the grassy meadow at Chase Palm Park on Cabrillo Blvd. between Garden and Calle Cesar Chavez Streets.

2024 Series Schedule

June 27: The Tearaways

July 11: Brittney & The B-Sides

July 18: Area 51

July 25: Mezcal Martini

August 8: Echoswitch

www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/concerts

2024 She.Is.Beautiful 5K and 10K in Santa Barbara on Saturday, September 7th

The 2024 She.Is.Beautiful 5K and 10K will take place in Santa Barbara on Saturday, September 7th.

This women's only race is known for it's sass, inspirational quotes, fun, and course flair. She.is.beautiful welcomes women of all ages and encourages everyone to strut their sassiest pinkest outfits! In addition to promoting self-esteem, camaraderie and health among women, our proceeds benefit Girls Incorporated in Santa Barbara.

Visit runsheisbeautiful.com to learn more and to register.

2024 Independence Day Fireworks Display in Santa Barbara on Thursday, July 4th

The City of Santa Barbara is hosting its annual Independence Day fireworks display beginning at 9pm on Thursday, July 4, 2024 off West Beach.

From noon to 8:50pm there will be live music at the West Beach bandstand. Free face painting 2pm on Stearns Wharf.

Radio simulcast on 92.9 KjEE or watch a livestream of the fireworks show at KEYT.com. The show is about 20 minutes long.

More details at www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/waterfront/events/july4.asp.

Butterflies Alive! Exhibit at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Open May 25 to September 2, 2024

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opens its popular summer exhibit Butterflies Alive! on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Guests are invited to walk through a serene garden while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around them. Various butterfly species cycle through the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion during the summer, so no two visits are the same.

The exhibit is included in admission and open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last entry into the pavilion is at 4:00 PM. Reservations are recommended at sbnature.org/tickets. Admission to the museum is $19 for ages 18-64, $17 for 65+ and 13-17, $14 for ages 2-12 and free for toddlers under age 2.

The Museum is also offering volunteer opportunities to guide guests through the unique experience. Adults who are able to commit to one 2.5-hour shift per week are encouraged to apply at sbnature.org/volunteer. Bilingual English/Spanish speakers and those available to volunteer on weekends are especially helpful in sharing this community favorite with the public.

If you would like to support the butterfly care and habitat maintenance of this exquisite exhibit, you can do so and receive recognition on the Museum’s Wall of Wings. To donate, please visit sbnature.org/donate or contact Development Assistant Robert Shutt at 805-682-4711 ext.110 or RShutt@sbnature2.org.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Powered by Science. Inspired by Nature. Founded in 1916, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. The Museum seeks to connect people to nature for the betterment of both, and prides itself on being naturally different. For more information, visit sbnature.org.

38th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at Santa Barbara Mission May 25-27, 2024

The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2024, May 25-27. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.

Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create over 100 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.

There will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Pets are not allowed (other than service animals).

Learn more at www.imadonnarifestival.com.