Santa Barbara's Old Spanish Days Fiesta is an annual community-wide 5-day festival that begins on the Wednesday before the first Friday in August.
This traditional Santa Barbara Fiesta event offers up an assortment of authentic Mexican cuisine, Spanish dance and music performances, and merchandise. The annual mercado also features a variety of game booths and courses such as Laser Tag, Rock Wall, Bungee Quad, Dunk Tank, Surf machine and other fun activities. Auction items may include new children's gifts or toys, cultural events, sports events, restaurant and spa gift cards, fitness and children's classes, religious items, and services such as cooking and sewing lessons, catering, and event planning.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado, on the east side of Santa Barbara, is more than just a celebration. The Fiesta Mercado is an integral part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church's fundraising, as all proceeds from auctions, food, drink, and other vendors goes directly toward maintenance and service of the church.
The church's volunteers and vendor operators have their hands anointed by priests, and their booths blessed, the night before the mercado, in service to the parish.
