Image by: Rob Laskin
Each year chalk fills the air in front of Santa Barbara's Mission Plaza. Thousands of visitors come from far & wide to enjoy this Italian Street Painting Festival. There's nothing quite like enjoying your Memorial Day weekend taking in the vivid colors of each artist overlooking the picturesque ocean views of Santa Barbara. Plus there'll be an Italian Market with Italian cuisine, music and festivities.
Image by: David Iranpour
May 27-29, 2017 [ 10:00am - 6:00pm ]
Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Mission plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. We are proud to be the first to bring this romantic festival to the western hemisphere from our sister festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. The Project serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Festival hours are 10-6 daily. Admission is free.
Image: iMadonnariFestival.com
The Santa Barbara Mission is located at the corner of Los Olivos and Laguna Streets.
From the 101 Freeway, take Mission Street exit and travel east to Laguna Street, turn left and continue two blocks to the Mission entrance. Additional parking is available on the Mission field.
Image: Endangered Species of the World highlighting Nature Conservation | Photo by iMadonnariFestival.com
The Italian Market
To engage the other senses, live music and an authentic Italian market will be held adjacent to the painting. Enjoy a fabuloso array of Italian cuisine and specialty items. Join the 25,000 visitors who attend this celebration of color and creativity.
Image: Italian Market | Photo by iMadonnariFestival.com
