Italian Street Painting Festival Brings Art to Santa Barbara

The Italian Street Painting Festival is a yearly Southern Californian tradition. This year, join in on the festival fun and experiences when you visit Santa Barbara! Santa Barbara’s festival is inspired by the I Madonnari festival in Italy, and it is deeply authentic to the spirit of the original festival.

What is the festival?

The Italian Street Painting Festival, or I Madonnari, is a festival that transforms the Mission Plaza. During this event, street painters (Madonnari) will paint the plaza with over 150 beautiful pictures!

The Street Painting Festival proceeds benefit the Children’s Creative Project, which is a nonprofit arts education program that serves over 500,000 children.

When is the Italian Street Painting Festival?

The festival runs from May 25 – 27

10:00 am – 6:00 pm each day

Will there be any activities there?

Of course! Next to the plaza will be an Italian market. This market will have live entertainment, authentic foods, specialty items, and more! Walk around the plaza and look at all of the incredible art, then make your way to the market for music and food! Spend your day in sunny Santa Barbara pretending that you’re in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, where this festival originated.

How do I get to the festival?

The festival is at:

2201 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Admission is free!

Have you ever been to the Street Painting Festival?

We’d love to hear about your experience! You can follow us on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with the latest in Santa Barbara and at Marina Beach!