COMMUNITY HISTORY DAY is a free, family-friendly festival that offers fun and educational cross-cultural experiences for all! Come help our community celebrate & commemorate the diverse peoples and cultures that have shaped Santa Barbara!  

Attendees will enjoy free hands-on activities, learning stations and arts & crafts led by local organizations. Get your face painted, take a historian-led Presidio Neighborhood walking tour, support local artists and experience live, outdoor music and dance performances. 

Come curious, leave inspired. We can’t wait to see you there!

2026 Community History Day Schedule  

11:00 AM – Event Opens to Public  

12:00 PM – Chumash Welcome & Land Acknowledgement by SBTHP Board Member & Director of The SPACE, MariaElena Lopez 

12:15 PM – Baile de California Dance Performance directed by Diana Replogle-Purinton 

12:30 PM – Presidio Neighborhood History - Walking Tour w/ SBTHP Executive Director,
Anne Petersen, Ph.D. 

12:45 PM – Presentation of Julie Herrera Foley, Saint Barbara 2026 by Native Daughters of the Golden West, Reina Del Mar Parlor no.126 

1:00 PM – 2026 Junior Spirit of Fiesta – Flamenco Dance Performance 

1:30 PM – Paul McGarry, singer-songwriter - Americana 

2:00 PM – Event Ends  

2026 Community History Day Participating Organizations 

Asian American Association of Santa Barbara County 

Baile de California 

Filipino Community Association 

Lily Sky Face Painting 

Native Daughters of the Golden West, Reina Del Mar Parlor no.126 

Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association 

Santa Barbara Historical Museum 

Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library 

Santa Barbara Museum of Art 

Santa Barbara Public Library 

Santa Barbara Zoo  

The SPACE 

UC Santa Barbara Library 

This event is sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust.