United States · month by month
Santa Barbara food calendar
What is in season in Santa Barbara, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Santa Barbara
The best of January: Saturday farmers market and Fishermen's Market.
In season
- Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Santa Barbara
The best of February: Spot prawns and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Santa Barbara
Shoulder seasonThe best of March: Spot prawns and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Santa Barbara
Shoulder seasonThe best of April: Spot prawns and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Santa Barbara
Peak seasonThe best of May: Spot prawns, Saturday farmers market and Santa Barbara Culinary Experience.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
On the calendar
- Santa Barbara Culinary Experiencemid May
A week of dinners, tastings and classes (May 11 to 17, 2026).
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Santa Barbara
Shoulder seasonThe best of June: Spot prawns and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Plan around
- UCSB graduationJune
Hotels fill on commencement weekend; book early.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Santa Barbara
Shoulder seasonThe best of July: Spot prawns, Saturday farmers market and California Wine Festival.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
On the calendar
- California Wine Festivalmid July
Wine and food by the beach (July 17, 2026).
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Santa Barbara
Peak seasonThe best of August: Spot prawns, Saturday farmers market and Old Spanish Days Fiesta Mercado.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
On the calendar
- Old Spanish Days Fiesta Mercadoearly August
Food stalls through Fiesta week.
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Santa Barbara
Peak seasonThe best of September: Spot prawns and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Spot prawnsFebruary to September
The local season; grilled at the harbor while it runs.
Feb–Sep - Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Plan around
- UCSB move-inlate September
Town fills as students arrive.
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Santa Barbara
Peak seasonThe best of October: Spiny lobster, Saturday farmers market and Harbor & Seafood Festival.
In season
- Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Eat it now
- Spiny lobsterOctober to December
The season opens in October.
Oct–Dec
On the calendar
- Harbor & Seafood FestivalOctober
Local seafood on the harbor as lobster season opens.
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Santa Barbara
The best of November: Spiny lobster and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Eat it now
- Spiny lobsterOctober to December
The season opens in October.
Oct–Dec
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Santa Barbara
The best of December: Spiny lobster and Saturday farmers market.
In season
- Saturday farmers marketall year
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State and Carrillo.
- Fishermen's Marketall year
Saturday mornings at the harbor: live uni and the day's catch.
- Uni
Sold live at the harbor fish market and the Saturday Fishermen's Market.
Eat it now
- Spiny lobsterOctober to December
The season opens in October.
Oct–Dec
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.