Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

Celebrate Santa Barbara Channel's bounty and the commercial fishermen who harvest it at the 23rd Annual Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

This free event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., luring seafood lovers to Santa Barbara Harbor for one of our community's most cherished events.

Timed to celebrate the opening of lobster season, the festival showcases fresh, regional seafood in addition to live music, maritime education, free boat rides, children's activities, vessel tours, merchant goodies, and more. There's fun to be had for all ages.

The Harbor & Seafood Festival offers an interactive day for visitors and locals alike, reminding us that the Santa Barbara Harbor is a working harbor where more than 100 commercial fishermen land millions of pounds of seafood each year, adding $30 million to the local economy and beyond. Come enjoy an abundance of sustainably harvested high-quality seafood.

Meet fishermen face-to-face. Select local fresh-caught lobster, crab, and sea urchin "uni". Visit specialty food booths for fish tacos, oysters, mussels, barbequed albacore, clam chowder, seafood paella, and more. While local bands play live on the mainstage, peruse special festival memorabilia, shop for a variety of art, clothing, and other unique gifts, and enjoy free vessel tours, as well as harbor boat rides.

The Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival is presented by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, the Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants' Association, and the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Inc., along with various community partners and volunteers.