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Fall For Santa Barbara

By: / 17 Sep 2024
A man and woman holding wine glasses

In Santa Barbara, summer doesn't end when the kids go back to school. September and October deliver some of the year's best weather thanks to abundant sunshine and refreshingly cool evenings. A new arts and culture season kicks off while outdoor concerts continue into early November. Citrus, squash, persimmons and pumpkins take center stage on restaurant menus. Signs of fall start to show in wine country, too; vineyards pop with color as the leaves turn red, orange and golden and harvest gets into full swing. Come see, taste and experience the bounty of this special season!

A man and woman walking down a street

Mark Your Calendar

  • Catch a show at the Santa Barbara Bowl before the concert season wraps. Late season highlights include Kacey Musgraves (September 25) Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals (September 26), Clairo (October 7), Omar Appolo (October 8) and Sofi Tukker (November 7).
  • Santa Barbara Seaglass & Ocean Arts Festival pops up at the Elk's Lodge September 14-15. 
  • Calling all tequila lovers! The 5th annual Margaritas Y Mas Festival brings the agave spirits and spice to Elings Park September 21. 
  • Pucker up! The beloved Goleta Lemon Festival returns to Girsh Park September 28-29. 
  • Cat Power Sings Dylan at the Lobero Theatre October 1. 
  • Sample wines from 50+ local wineries at the 40th Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival October 19 at Vega Vineyard & Farm. 
  • Watch the final Polo Sundays matches of the season at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club October 6 & 13. 
  • The Halloween spirit haunts the Santa Barbara Zoo after hours during the annual Boo at the Zoo October 18-27.
  • Dig into the freshest local catch at the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival October 19. 
  • Highlights of UCSB Arts & Lectures fall season performances at The Granada include London Philharmonic Orchestra (October 12), Chef Yotam Ottolenghi (October 14) and Itzhak Pearlman & Friends (November 7). Plus, Mavis Staples and The War & Treaty come to the Arlington Theatre October 8 and author Anne Lamott appears November 13. 
  • Ensemble Theatre Company presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (October 10-27) followed by Million Dollar Quartet (December 5-22). 

 

A man and woman holding wine glasses

Treat Yourselves to The Wine Lover's Package


Harvest season is the liveliest time of the year in wine country as wine makers bring their grapes in-oftentimes well before sunrise, so you might still see them in the tasting room in the afternoons! Book the Wine Lover's Package to experience the seasonal buzz firsthand on a guided wine tour with stops at three wineries. In addition to your accommodations and roundtrip tour with door-to-door transportation, you'll also receive a welcome bottle of wine upon check-in-just let us know if you prefer red or white!

Shop Small, Buy Local

Support local growers and artisans at these vibrant community marketplaces: 

  • See what's in season at the Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning Farmers' Markets. 
  • Peruse the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show every Sunday along Cabrillo Boulevard. 
  • Don't miss the Mujeres Makers Market featuring goods crafted by local women of color at El Presidio de Santa Barbara (September 1, October 6, November 3, November 30-December 1).