It's back! South Coast's ode to summer, its Summer Solstice Celebration, returns as in-person event

Organizers say after two years off as an in-person event, one of the South Coast’s biggest community celebrations is coming back this summer.

Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Celebration will take place June 25^th.

For the last two years, it was a virtual celebration due to the pandemic.

The event is a cross between a Mardi Gras and a Disney parade, with colorful handmade costumes and floats, as well as hundreds of dancers.

The community’s annual ode to the start of summer usually features about a thousand participants, and attracts around 100,000 spectators. The theme of the 48^th annual parade and festival is Shine!