Craft Shows & Fairs in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is home to one of the longest-running continuous arts and crafts shows in the United States. The weekly waterfront market on Cabrillo Boulevard has been part of the city's fabric for more than 60 years — and it runs every single Sunday.
Santa Barbara's Craft Show Scene
Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show — Every Sunday, Year-Round
The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show runs along Cabrillo Boulevard from Stearns Wharf to Calle Cesar Chavez, every Sunday, 10am to dusk. Also open on Saturdays of major holiday weekends.
What makes this show different:- Every artist must live in Santa Barbara County
- Every piece must be personally made by the exhibiting artist
- No wholesale, no imported goods — original work only
Categories include:
- Paintings, photography, and sculpture
- Jewelry, ceramics, and clothing
- Blown glass
The backdrop is Cabrillo Boulevard along the Pacific, with the Santa Ynez Mountains rising behind. It celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025.
Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show — Old Spanish Days
The Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show runs during Old Spanish Days Fiesta week — all day Saturday and Sunday. 2026 dates: August 5–9, with the craft show on the weekend.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta is Santa Barbara's largest annual cultural celebration. The craft show draws artisans alongside the full festival programming.
The Funk Zone arts and brewery district adds year-round artisan retail and periodic pop-up market activity near the waterfront.
County Fairs & County Events Near Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara County Fair is held in Santa Maria — about 70 miles north. Traditional county fair format with agricultural competition, 4-H, rides, and vendor stalls.
Santa Barbara County's agricultural heritage — wine country, flower farming, specialty crops — runs through the fair programming.
Best Times to Visit Santa Barbara for Craft Events
Every Sunday is a craft show. That's the baseline. But specific peaks worth noting:- August: Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show during Old Spanish Days Fiesta week
- April–October: Peak tourism; highest vendor participation on Cabrillo Boulevard
- November–December: Holiday shopping extension; additional seasonal markets appear
Santa Barbara's weather is reliably mild year-round, making outdoor events viable in any month.
Nearby Cities for Craft Shows
- Ventura, CA — 30 miles south; Harvest Festival, Holiday Craft & Gift Festival, and Highway 101 Craft Festival
- Ojai — 35 miles southeast; gallery and artisan community with strong handmade retail
- Solvang — 30 miles north; Danish-themed community with artisan shops and seasonal events
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best craft shows in Santa Barbara, CA?
The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show on Cabrillo Boulevard is the answer — every Sunday, year-round, with a 60+ year history. Every item is original work made by a Santa Barbara County artist. The Fiesta Arts & Crafts Show during Old Spanish Days (August) adds a festival-scale event annually.
When do craft shows happen in Santa Barbara?
Every Sunday, year-round on Cabrillo Boulevard. The Fiesta show runs during Fiesta week in late July or early August (2026: Aug 5–9). The show also runs Saturdays of major holiday weekends.Are there county fairs near Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria (~70 miles north) is the county-level event. Ventura County Fair in Ventura (~30 miles south) is one of the larger coastal county fairs in California.Is there a handmade market scene in Santa Barbara?
The Cabrillo Boulevard show's residency requirement ensures locally made goods. The Funk Zone supports studios and creative businesses year-round. UCSB and Santa Barbara City College arts programs feed a consistent creative pipeline into the local maker community.
Find Events in Santa Barbara
CraftShow Events lists craft shows, artisan markets, and handmade fairs across Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. Search by date to find Sunday waterfront markets, Fiesta week events, and seasonal holiday shows.