Old Spanish Days 2026 to Include Super-Sized Mercado in Downtown Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The traditional downtown mercado in De la Guerra Plaza will grow for this week's Fiesta.

The change for the 2026 event will expand the mercado out to State Street.

Old Spanish Days says beyond De la Guerra Plaza and De la Guerra Street, the mercado footprint will go up and down State Street for two blocks, bordered by Ortega St. and Canon Perdido Street.

It runs from Wednesday, August 5 through Saturday August 8, 2026. There is no charge for the plaza entertainment.

The mercado area will have a main stage in the plaza on the back side surrounded by food, a beer garden, and vendors coming out towards De la Guerra Street and City Hall.

Some of the vendors began setting up on Sunday. They continue construction all day on Monday.

Sean Malis is on the Old Spanish Days staff in charge of the downtown mercado. He said, "we have dancing during the day,  we have bands performing until 10 o'clock at night. We do that  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. " 

All permits for health and construction will be verified before the operators can serve guests.

"We have sold all the food booths that we can and even  have sold a couple of extras," said Malis.

Thousands will be expected to visit the area during Old Spanish Days, with many local residents planning to go on the first day before the flow of tourists pour into the city.

The new beer garden area in the plaza will be run by the Sportsman Lounge. Owner Phillip Writght said, "just being in the business for 30 years, we can control the number of people we want. A  nice flow of crowd.  "

This location will bring the entertainment, food and beverages into one place with a high top table.

Wright said, "enjoy their food, bring it right here they don't have to go back and forth what I do want to point out this year,  we are taking no cover charge at the beer garden."

This will be the only mercado operated by Old Spanish Days.

"This is really not just the heart of the Fiesta, it is our heritage, it is our community heritage going back to the 1930's," said Malis.

There will not be a mercado at MacKenzie Park or at the waterfront as the city has seen in the past.  There will be no Old Spanish Days carnival.

There will be a carnival or mini fair on the field at The Club on Canon Perdido Street with rides, food and dancing.

The Club will also have a free pancake breakfast Saturday morning from 7 - 9 a.m.

Another location for Fiesta performances this year will be at the entrance to the Paseo Nuevo Mall.

Chairs and an elevated stage have been set up there near the Balboa Building.

This stage comes alive Tuesday one day before the official start of Fiesta.

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