A wave of festivals and gatherings including the Stearns Wharf 150th anniversary events fill the summer calendar

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After two quieter COVID-impacted summers, the current seasonal event calendar is bursting with things to do.

Coming off the city of Santa Barbara Waterfront Fourth of July show, including the West Beach entertainment stage, outside activities are filling up calendar dates for weeks.

Tonight will be the monthly Stearns Wharf event known as Wharf Wednesdays.   

The widely-popular Spencer the Gardener Band, a longtime favorite, will put on a two-hour concert starting at 6 p.m.

The event starts with the firing of the wharf cannon.

The wharf was built in 1872 and has become one of the most visited spots in Santa Barbara.

Stores and restaurants on the wharf are joining in the celebration with special deals and discounts.

A concert is held on the first Wednesday of each month. On Oct. 8, there will be the official 150th-anniversary event.

Neil Bruskin with the Stearns Wharf Merchants says the celebration events at the wharf have been gaining audiences and he expects a solid summer turnout. "We anticipate nothing but  perfect weather right now we are holding concerts in the summer from six to eight.  The sun goes down while  the concert goes on. Everyone loves it.  They like to dance,  plenty of room, in the fresh air, so the pandemic is not such a concern issue out there."

Visiting from London Martin Conlin was sitting by the Nature's Own gallery and said he was enjoying the open air trip he was on. "We had a long distance flight and that was slightly concerned and that was ok  but other than that I'm fine."
Once he got here,  COVID has not been a problem.  "No absolutely not here ,no not at all" he said.

Others on a driving trip said, they are going to many open air spots across the country without a health worry.

Tony Johanson from Norway said,  "after they had the  number one and number two corona, number three is not dangerous anymore ya know."

More information can be found at: www.stearnswharf.org

Thursday begins the Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation Department Concerts in the Park – a free event in Chase Palm Park.

The 90-minute show will take place each Thursday in July starting at 6 p.m.

The first concert will feature the 80's cover band the Molly Ringwald Project, hosted by Drew Wakefield.

Those attending should plan on sitting in their own beach-type chairs or on a blanket.

Friday, the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens will be the site for the UC Santa Barbara Arts and Lectures Series summertime movies. 

It begins with American Graffiti. The event is free.

Those attending can lay out blankets and chairs on the lawn for their viewing.

The event will also have a special custom and classic car show on Anapamu Street to go with the movie and that will be organized by the Community Hot Rod Project.

For more information go to: UCSB Arts and Lectures Series