The City of Santa Barbara has announced the return of its annual Fourth of July Celebration, set for Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
at West Beach (99 W. Cabrillo Blvd.).
This year's event holds special significance as communities across the nation commemorate the Semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Hosted by the City's Waterfront and Parks and Recreation Departments, the celebration will transform Santa Barbara's waterfront into a hub of family-friendly activities. Attendees can enjoy live music and dance performances at the West Beach Bandstand, sponsored by the PARC Foundation, starting at noon.
The bandstand schedule features a diverse lineup of local acts, including Rock-N-Rock 805, Rock Shop Academy, Peer Pressure, The Three Combroneros, Kickin' It, Looking West, The Other Woman, East Valley Rd, and False Puppet, with performances running until 9:00 p.m.
To accommodate the festivities, road closures will be in effect starting at 6:00 p.m. State Street will be closed from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, and Cabrillo Boulevard will be closed from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez.
Stearns Wharf will close to vehicle traffic at 3:30 p.m. These closures will allow crowds to take the celebration to the streets.
A special street fair featuring festive food vendors will line the Cabrillo Boulevard sidewalk at West Beach from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., also sponsored by the PARC Foundation.
This year's vendors include Tink's Old Fashioned Hot Dogs, Lidos Philly Cheese Steaks, Timbers Roadhouse, G Brothers Kettle Corn, Elubia's Kitchen, and Oakberry Acai.
The highlight of the evening will be a 20-minute fireworks display presented by Garden State Fireworks and sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department. Local news station KEYT will livestream the festivities on its platform.
For those looking to give back, the City will partner with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Tidy Seas to host a beach cleanup on Sunday, July 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
at Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and East Beach at Skater's Point and the Cabrillo Pavilion. Gloves and buckets will be provided, along with a parking pass for volunteers.
In addition to the Fourth of July events, the Santa Barbara Mission Canyon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the American Battlefield Trust will present the American Revolution Experience, a traveling educational exhibit hosted at the Central Library (40 E. Anapamu St.) from Friday, July 10, through Friday, July 17, during regular library hours.
Guests may be greeted by DAR members to learn about Santa Barbara's connection to American Revolutionary War history.
The City of Santa Barbara is honored to celebrate this 250th Anniversary with the community and encourages residents and visitors to enjoy a safe, memorable Fourth of July.