Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade

A float in the 2009 parade

Originating as a birthday celebration, Santa Barbara, California's Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974. This parade was created by Michael Gonzalez, a Santa Barbara resident and a mime and artist. The parade is the largest single-day event in Santa Barbara County, attracting crowds of 100,000 people or more. Weeks prior to the day of the parade, a workshop is opened where participating artists and technicians work with the community to conceive ideas, build floats, make costumes, and put their performances together.

History

In 1974, artist and mime, Michael Gonzalez gathered some of his street performer friends to dance down State Street in Santa Barbara, California, in celebration of his birthday. Each year the parade grew until this annual event encompassed street fairs, concerts, theatre performances, floats, costumes, and dancing ensembles.

The parade went on hiatus in 2020 and restarted in 2022.

See also

• Fremont Solstice Parade
• Bohemianism
• Culture jamming