Year of the Fire Horse Festival


Saturday, February 21 from 3-7PM
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park  • 123 E. Canon Perdido

Join SBTHP and the Santa Barbara AAPI Solidarity Network on Saturday, February 21st to celebrate and ring in the Lunar New Year at SBTHP’s 2026 YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE FESTIVAL!   

Come help us celebrate and commemorate Santa Barbara’s rich, diverse AAPI communities, cultures & history! This is a free, family-friendly event; ALL are welcome. 

Festival Activities & Offerings: 

  • - Learn how to play MAHJONG!  Enjoy free hands-on lessons led by expert players. 

  • Already got the skills? Come and compete at your level! 

  • - Support local AAPI artisans & small businesses at our YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE MARKET 

  • - Take a guided walking tour of historic Chinatown 

  • - Explore SBTHP’s Nihonmachi Revisited exhibit 

  • - Stay until dusk for a special Lion Dance performance by Camarillo Kung Fu & Lion Dance Association

  • - Grab delicious Asian cuisine from local AAPI-owned food trucks  

Festival General Information:  

  • When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 – 3:00-7:00pm  

  • Where: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park - 123 E. Canon Perdido St. 

  • Free parking (follow “Event Parking” signs) 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Chinese New Year celebration outside Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens, 1967. Gift of Tommy Chung.