Updated for 2024
Autumn is a fun season here, with all the fall festivals near Santa Barbara offering plenty of entertainment to keep you busy. And when you need a romantic getaway, there’s always the charm of the palm-lined streets, the white sandy beaches, or the lush gardens and parks for that dreamy backdrop or scenic coastal views.
While the city’s romantic allure beckons and blends with the seasons, our fall festivals become the main focus and highlight of the autumn season. And there’s always something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie, love lively celebrations and music, or are drawn more toward retail therapy, the simplicity of seasonal charm.
We’ve compiled a list of the best fall things to do in Santa Barbara.
Autumn Film Festivals
If you’re looking for something extraordinary, then an Indie or nature film festival. Indie festivals offer a glimpse at new talent and allow you to meet and greet emerging artists and producers.
You’ll also get to sample new and unique creative processes not as readily available in big commercial films. Finally, exclusive viewings with local flavor further enhance your experience — all in the heart of Santa Barbara.
Two standout film festivals in Santa Barbara that we suggest checking out are:
- Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival — Discover groundbreaking films and connect with local talent.
- NatureTrack Film Festival — Explore captivating documentaries and films that celebrate the natural world and the big questions about the world around you.
Fall Food & Drink Festivals
Indulge your senses this autumn with one of Santa Barbara’s tempting food and drink festivals. We have several to choose from.
- The Goleta Lemon Festival (September)
- Annual Santa Barbara Vinters Festival (October)
- Harbor & Seafood Festival (October)
- California Avocado Festival (October)
You’ll find something unique at each, from lemony goodness to one of our state’s signature treats — avocado or wine-tasting adventures, to our delightful and delicious seafood. Each festival bursts with local flavor and crafty sips celebrating our region’s culinary heritage and traditions. That makes the food and drinks at these festivals as much of the main focus as the festivals themselves.
Autumn Music Festivals
Regarding music festivals, the Old-Time Fiddler’s Festival (October) transports you back to traditional music and dance. Best of all, you can participate in an instrument workshop or try a new instrument at the instrument ‘petting zoo.’
So, go ahead and enjoy the entertainment. Wander through the fiddler’s festival and savor every moment of the toe-tapping jigs to the soulful ballads, spirited dances, and much more.
Put on your dancing shoes, meet the local and regional performers, and learn about the live music in Santa Barbara during this annual fun festival. Celebrate the rich musical Americana heritage of yesteryear in style.
Fall Family and Community Events
Few things scream ‘family fun’ as much as a romp at a fall festival designed to delight the entire family. From bounce houses to craft tents, games, vendors, and more, there’s something for everyone and a chance to make lasting memories while having a fantastic time at any of these top four fall family festivals.
- 20th Anniversary of ForestWatch Fall Family Festival (September)
- Each festival is unique. The ForestWatch Family Fall Festival blends fun with education, making it a great family — or educational — field trip opportunity.
- Senior Expo of Santa Barbara (October)
- Alternatively, the Senior Expo of Santa Barbara is geared more toward aging adults and their caregivers. The expo offers an array of vendors, health screenings, and immunization opportunities to help meet some of the challenges older adults and caregivers face in today’s changing world.
- Project Fiesta! Centennial Exhibit Celebrates Fiesta’s 100th Year (August to November)
- Though not specifically an autumn festival, the Fiesta Centennial Exhibit at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum is certainly festive. Through early autumn, it offers a spectacular chance to learn about diversity and the rich Hispanic heritage. Tour the exhibit with the whole family and immerse yourselves in the beautiful and vibrant Spanish culture and heritage before the exhibit ends.
- BAAD Sunday Vintage & Makers Market (Year-round! Every third Sunday of the month)
- Finally, the BAAD Sunday Vintage & Makers Market is a year-round festival. There are plenty of things to do in Santa Barbara to stay busy, indulge in entertainment, and maybe even take home a souvenir — or two or five.
One of our favorite things to do at family festivals and community events is indulge in retail therapy — even if you’re only ‘window shopping’ at vendor tents. And the BAAD Sunday Vintage & Market is the perfect place to indulge.
Of course, something almost always captures our eyes, delights our hearts, and comes bagged and tagged home with us. But sometimes, you’ve got to splurge on something for yourself, even if only occasionally.
Spook-tacular Themed Events
What would October be without mentioning a Halloween–themed event? It wouldn’t be the same, that’s for sure. Yet, our beautiful city does offer a few spooky thrills and a ghoulishly good time with one of our 21-and-over autumn festivals — the Santa Barbara Halloween Weekend Bar Crawl.
So, gather around all you ghouls, witches, necromancers, and creatures of the night. This festival is not for the faint of heart but for those who love the thrill of a frighteningly good time and the spirits and brews poured from the city’s best cauldrons.
Like Harry Potter’s Maurauder’s Map, you can access a digital map highlighting all the secret venues and more. However, you’ll need a ticket to join the fun. So, buy them early and don’t miss this spooktacular event.
Music and Dance Festivities
The Santa Barbara Bowl is the last of the fall festivals to make our top list of must-do autumn activities. Technically, the Santa Barbara Bowl is an extensive list of separate concerts, each held on different dates from August through early November. So, if you’re looking for some music and dance festivities this fall, you still have time to catch some of the last few concerts of the bowl.
The bowl features performers such as:
- Indigo Girls and Amos Lee
- Kacy Musgraves
- Slightly Stoopid
- Cairo
- Omar Apollo
- Sofi Tucker
Does this sound like fun? Come for the music, embrace the spirit of fun, and dance your heart out.
Start Planning Your Fall Festivities
Regardless of which of the fall festivals near Santa Barbara you choose to attend, make sure to plan plenty of downtime between your adventures to relax. Our inn offers the perfect retreat to unwind and rejuvenate from your busy day — or night.
We’re located a short distance from the beach, shopping, and many fantastic Spanish restaurants, as well as all those exciting fall festivals. So, staying at the inn is like having your own cozy haven to kick back, relax, and recharge.
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