SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) is pleased to announce the return of the Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM, bringing one of the community’s most cherished traditions back to State Street for the first time since 2019. First established in 1934, the event will celebrate its 68th iteration this year.
The Presenting Sponsor of this year’s holiday parade is Consumer Fire Products, Inc. (CFPI). Their continued partnership is instrumental in bringing back this community staple. A longtime supporter of downtown holiday festivities, this is also CFPI’s 13th year donating the State Street Christmas tree that will stand at the 1300 block of State Street.
“We at CFPI are thrilled to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the 68th Annual Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade,” said Irene Rhodes, owner and CEO of CFPI. “After a six-year hiatus, the community has been waiting in anticipation for this special holiday tradition. We look forward to lighting up Santa Barbara’s holiday season with the State Street Christmas Tree and presenting this beloved parade once again. It’s a joyful time of year, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support our community.”
The 2026 Holiday Parade is also generously sponsored by Yardi Systems.
For generations, the Holiday Parade has welcomed more than 60,000 spectators to downtown Santa Barbara, with families lining State Street to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Its return marks the revival of a beloved tradition that has created lasting memories for generations of residents and visitors while supporting the vitality of downtown during the holidays.
“Bringing the Holiday Parade back back to State Street is an exciting overdue milestone for our community,” said Robin Elander, Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association. “This event is about celebrating the holiday season and creating an unforgettable experience for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.”
To learn more, become a sponsor, volunteer, or participate in the parade, contact the DSBIA at info@downtownsb.org or visit downtownsb.org/holidayparade.