Downtown is the hub of festivals, parades, and cultural events in Santa Barbara. These featured events represent the highlights of the season. Whether its touring the Historic Arts District with 1st Thursday or shaking to the beat at the Summer Solstice Celebration, there is always something to enjoy. Don't miss the fun in The Heart of Santa Barbara!
1st Thursday is a monthly series focused on downtown art and culture. On the first Thursday of each month, downtown galleries will keep their doors open from 5-8 PM allowing the public to enjoy local art in a fun and social atmosphere. Additional attractions such as music, artist openings, demonstrations, and refreshments will be featured at participating venues. In addition, State Street will come alive on 1st Thursday with public performances and interactive exhibits. These pieces will showcase a variety of Santa Barbara arts groups as well as add to the lively atmosphere downtown. For more information including programming and a map please go to 1st Thursday.
Celebrating its 25th year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) continues to impress with an excellent lineup of films, informative panels, and celebrity tributes featuring the best and brightest in the industry. This year's festival runs from February 4-14, 2010. The 2010 Festival will honor James Cameron with the prestigious Modern Master Award for his career accomplishments, including this year'sAvatar on Saturday, February 6that the Arlington Theatre. This year Sandra Bullock will receive the American Riviera Award for her work in The Blind Side and The Proposal. Julianne Moore will receive the Montecito Award and Colin Firth will receive theOutstanding Performance Award for their roles in A Single Man. Additional awardsto be presented: Cinema Vanguard Award and five up and coming actors will receive the Virtuosos Award.
In addition to the tributes, the Festival will present over 200 feature films, over 50 short films, 6 Sidebar programs, 5 Panel discussions, several "Conversations with..." interviews, the 10-10-10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competitions, and free "3rd Weekend" screenings after the festival wraps. More information on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival can be found at www.sbfilmfestival.org
Downtown Discount Guide
Have some free time between films? Enjoy all that Downtown has to offer and at the same time take advantage of discounts at some of Downtown's best restaurants and shops. Select businesses are offering discounts and all you need to do is show them your SBIFF Downtown Discount Guide! Save 10% on your restaurant check and 15% on your total purchase at many fine retailers and service providers. Just show your guide after your meal or with your purchases and the discount will be deducted at that time. Use the guide over and over again at restaurants and shops throughout the Film Festival's run fromFebruary 4-14. For more information, including links to these restaurant and store websites go to SBIFF Downtown Discount Guideor email info@sbdo.org to receive a guide.
Eat, drink and be merry at the Downtown Art & Wine Tour on Thursday, May 27, 2010. The tour offers participants an opportunity for leisurely strolling between downtown art galleries to see the latest exhibits, taste dishes from downtown restaurants and sample wines from leading Santa Barbara County vintners.
This popular downtown event is a community favorite and a complete sell-out each year! Participants receive a logo wine glass for tasting at downtown galleries/venues and a sampling of delicious hors doeuvres from local restaurants and food purveyors. The gallery tour is followed by a fabulous final party featuring live music, more food and wine, and an amazing Silent Auction!
Previous participants included: Galleries/Venues: Artamo Gallery, The Book Den, Channing Peake Gallery, Dianna Bottoms Fine Art, Edward Cella Art + Architecture, Fast Frame, Gallery 113, Gallery Ocho, Gallery Ten-Twenty-Nine, Indigo Interiors, Oliver & Espig Jewelers, Santa Barbara Frame Shop & Gallery, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Sullivan Goss- An American Gallery, Waterhouse Gallery. Sample delicious food from these participating Restaurants: Aldo's Italian Restaurant, Andersen's Danish Restaurant & Bakery, Arts & Letter Cafe, Barcliff & Bair Cafe, Bella Dolce Bakery, bouchon santa barbara, Cafe Buenos Aires, China Pavilion, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Coffee Cat, Elements Restaurant-Bar, Los Arroyos, Marmalade Cafe, Opal Restaurant & Bar, Paradise Cafe, Pascucci, Pierre Lafond Bistro, Quantum Kitchen & Cocktails, Roblar Cooking School, Seagrass Restaurant, State & A Bar & Grill, Stateside Restaurant & Lounge, Wine Cask. And taste remarkable wines from these participating Wineries: Alma Rosa Winery, Babcock Winery Vineyard, Brander Vineyard, Buttonwood Farm Winery, Carina Cellars, Casa Cassara Winery, Consilience, Kalyra Winery, Presidio Winery & Vineyard, Roblar Winery & Vineyards, Santa Barbara Winery, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Summerland Winery, Also tasty beers from Hollister Brewing Company.
Tickets will go on sale May 1st, 2010! Tickets are available by cash or check at the Downtown Organization Offices at 27-B East De la Guerra Street or at the Arlington Theatre Box Office, 1317 State Street, by cash or credit ($1 surcharge per ticket). Proceeds benefit the 2010 Downtown Children's Holiday Parade. For more information on the Downtown Art & Wine Tour, please contact (805) 962-2098 ext. 23.
1st Thursday 
Eat, drink and be merry at the Downtown Art & Wine Tour on Thursday, May 27, 2010. The tour offers participants an opportunity for leisurely strolling between downtown art galleries to see the latest exhibits, taste dishes from downtown restaurants and sample wines from leading Santa Barbara County vintners.