Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade Returns to State Street on Friday, Dec. 4
The Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) is pleased to announce the return of the Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, bringing one of the community's most cherished traditions back to State Street for the first time since 2019.
For generations, the Holiday Parade has welcomed more than 60,000 spectators to downtown Santa Barbara, with families lining the mile-long State Street route to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Its return marks the revival of a beloved tradition that has created lasting memories for generations of residents and visitors while supporting the vitality of downtown during the holidays.
"Bringing the Holiday Parade back is an exciting overdue milestone for our community," said Robin Elander, Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association. "This event is about bringing our community together, celebrating the holiday season, and creating an unforgettable experience for residents, visitors, and local businesses alike. We are thrilled to welcome this tradition back to State Street as well as support our downtown business community during the holiday season.
Additional details—including this year's parade theme, Grand Marshal, community participation opportunities, volunteer information, and sponsorship packages—will be announced in the coming weeks.
The DSBIA is working to raise approximately $150,000 through sponsorships and community partnerships to help underwrite the costs of producing the parade. Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting this community tradition are encouraged to get involved.
To learn more, become a sponsor, volunteer, or participate in the parade, contact the DSBIA at info@downtownsb.org or visit downtownsb.org/holidayparade.