The Santa Barbara Solstice Parade began in 1974 as a birthday celebration for mime / artist Michael Gonzalez. Since then the Summer Solstice Parade and Festival has become the heart of Santa Barbara’s celebration of life through art. In a community graced with many artists and arts organizations, the Summer Solstice Celebration remains the one that reaches the most people – over 100,000 each year – bringing us together with community support and imagination and without regard to economic status.

Weeks prior to the day of the parade, a workshop is opened where participating artists, technicians and the community work together to conceive ideas, build floats and giant puppets, make costumes, and assemble performances. The Festival is a community gathering where participants and spectators alike can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music showcasing local and regional talent on the main stage, a drum circle, and DJ area. Food booths, a beer and wine garden, arts and crafts from local artisans, and crafts from around the world are featured as well as art installations, murals, and a children’s festival.

As you explore Lucidity Festival, watch for roaming giant puppets, a large inflatable installation and a sea of floating fish. There will be a parade creation station with art projects such as mask and headdress making, parasol painting at the Solstice Camp.