📸 Last weekend: two family favorites
Last weekend we made it to the 2026 Chumash Intertribal Powwow in Santa Ynez (October 3–4), hosted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It brought together Native dancers, singers, drummers, artists and food vendors from across North America. The kids had a blast! See photos from the weekend in the Santa Barbara Independent’s 2026 gallery (photo
graphs by Elaine Sanders). Official Powwow
We also went to Lilo & Stitch Movie Night at Montecito Country Mart on Friday, October 2. We stopped by the Mart’s honor-system pumpkin patch, too, which is open through October 31. It was an easy fall outing with plenty for the kids to enjoy. Official Movie Night · Official Pumpkin Patch
If you made it to either event, or found another great family outing, let us know. We love hearing what was actually worth the trip.
This Weekend
Welcome to the first weekend edition of Hometown: Central Coast. The roundup has a proper home now, so it is easier to subscribe, share and find old editions. Here are the plans worth knowing about this weekend, plus the experiences to book before they disappear.
Age guide: “Ideal for” is our recommendation; official venue restrictions are listed separately.
Family Plans
Friday, October 9
🎬 Ratatouille Movie Night at Montecito Country Mart, 6–7:30 PM. Ideal for: 3+. A movie under the twinkle lights with popcorn. 🍕 Hometown hot tip: Order pizza from Bettina right before the movie starts, then enjoy dinner with the film. Allow for kitchen wait times. Movie details · Bettina
🐦 Selby’s Circles opens at the Museum of Natural History. 10 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 3+. Included with admission, members free. https://www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/9313/selbys-circles-exhibit-opens-to-the-public
Saturday, October 10
🎨 Art Learning Lab at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 12–4 PM. Ideal for: 2+. Free, drop-in hands-on art-making for all ages, separate from paid gallery admission. Also open Sunday 12–4 PM. Official Art Learning Lab
🎃 Los Olivos Day in the Country, 10 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 2+. Parade at 10, pumpkin decorating, food trucks, pie contest and kids zone. Also worth knowing: the event has its own 5K and children’s fun run Saturday morning, with separate organizer registration; confirm the age divisions and start times before heading over. Festival · Official run/registration page
🌱 Mercado Raíces y Sueños, Santa Barbara Central Library plaza, 10 AM–3 PM. Ideal for: 2+. Free bilingual storytime, family activities and Young Makers Market. https://calendar.library.santabarbaraca.gov/events/day/2026/10/10
🐍 Creepy Creatures at Cachuma Lake’s Neal Taylor Nature Center, 11 AM–1 PM. Ideal for: 3+. Live animal encounters, crafts, games and scavenger hunt. No reservation needed; vehicle entrance fee applies. https://www.clnaturecenter.org/event/creepy-creatures-2026/
🎨 Santa Ynez Art Walk, final weekend Saturday–Sunday, generally 11 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 5+. Free exhibits and maker stops across town. https://santaynezca.com/art-walk-2026/
Sunday, October 11
🚚 PEP Touch-a-Truck, 9 AM–2 PM, SBCC West Campus Center, 721 Cliff Drive. Ideal for: 2+. Free admission and parking. Children can explore work vehicles up close; free registration is available. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pep-touch-a-truck-2026-tickets-1999796832158
🎃 Solvang Kids & Pets Costume Parade and Fall Festival, Solvang Park and downtown. Ideal for: 2+. Parade at 11 AM, with downtown trick-or-treating 10 AM–5 PM and family activities. https://solvangusa.com/solvang-events-calendar/solvang-kids-pets-costume-parade-fall-festival/
🎨 SBMA Art Learning Lab + Free Second Sunday, Sunday 12–4 PM for the Lab; museum 11 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 2+. The Art Learning Lab is a free, hands-on drop-in art-making space for all ages, open Saturdays and Sundays 12–4 PM, regardless of gallery admission. Sunday is also free gallery admission for Santa Barbara, Ventura and SLO County residents. Pair the Lab with the bilingual storytime at 11–11:40 AM. Art Learning Lab · Official Free Second Sunday
🎟️ Reader Perk — Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
2-for-1 general museum admission for Hometown readers. Mention `WEEKENDROUNDUP` at the museum ticket counter. A good harbor stop for families, with children’s treasure hunts and Saturday maritime-themed art programming. Official museum hours and admission
Parents’ Night Out
🥂 The Pink Lounge, Friday, Oct. 9, 5:30–10:30 PM at Rosewood Miramar Beach. Ideal for: 21+ (Hometown recommendation). BOOK NOW / confirm remaining admission. The Breast Cancer Resource Center’s signature benefit evening; individual admission listed at $650, with sponsorships also available. Official event · Official tickets
🍷 Los Olivos Wine Festival, Saturday, Oct. 10, 1–4 PM, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley. Official: 21+ only. BOOK NOW. A smaller ticketed wine-tasting experience with more than 20 Los Olivos wineries and live music, alongside Day in the Country. Official festival and ticket link
🎧 Palm Tree Music Festival, Saturday–Sunday at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Ideal for: 13+. Official: GA/GA+ all ages; VIP 21+. Kygo, The Chainsmokers, T-Pain, Zedd and more. Tickets on sale.
https://palmtreemusicfestival.com/
We went for the first and last time last year.
🍷 Sabor del Valle, Saturday at 2 PM, Solvang Festival Theater. Ideal for: 21+. Latino winemakers, chefs and live music; ticket sales nearing close.
https://sabordelvallesolvang.com/
💃 Sedgwick Reserve Barn Dance, Saturday 4–7 PM. Ideal for: 18+. Dinner, drinks and square dancing at UCSB’s research reserve; tickets listed at $90. https://sedgwick.nrs.ucsb.edu/store/2026-Sedgwick-Barn-Dance-p854277256
🥂 Sanctuary Centers 50th Anniversary Gala, Saturday 5–9:30 PM at Rockwood Women’s Club. Ideal for: 18+. Formal fundraiser; ticket information on organizer site. https://sanctuarycenters.org/newsevents/50th-anniversary-gala/
Worth the Drive
🚜 Underwood Family Farms Antique Tractor Weekend, Moorpark, Saturday–Sunday 9 AM–6 PM. Ideal for: 2+. Tractor parades and fall festival; weekend tickets online only. https://underwoodfamilyfarms.com/antique-tractor-weekend/
🏴 Seaside Highland Games, Ventura County Fairgrounds, Saturday–Sunday 9 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 3+. Highland athletics, pipe bands and Children’s Glen.
https://www.seasidehighlandgames.org/
🎨 Ojai Studio Artists Fall Open Studios Tour, Saturday–Monday 10 AM–5 PM. Ideal for: 8+. Visit artist studios across the valley. https://www.ojaistudioartists.org/studio-tours
🏄 Surfing for Hope Longboard Classic, Friday–Sunday, Pismo Beach Pier. Ideal for: 3+. WSL longboarding, Saturday health fair and vintage VW expo. https://surfingforhope.org/event/surfing-for-hope-longboard-classic
🎨 SLO County Open Studios Art Tour, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–4 PM. Ideal for: 8+. Free self-guided visits to artists’ studios. https://slocountyarts.org/osat
Book Now
✨ Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights Festival, Dec. 4–6, 11–13 and 18–20. Ideal for: 2+. All nine 2026 dates have tickets live; adult 13+ $32.97 including fees, children 3–12 $17 including fees, ages 2 and under free. We’ve purchased tickets for Saturday, Dec. 12, and would love for everyone to join us! Grab your own tickets for Dec. 12 while they’re available. Organizers warn tickets can sell out. Festival hours conflict between the main page (5–8:30 PM) and checkout (5–9 PM), so confirm before a late arrival. Official 2026 tickets
👻 Acorn Village Halloween Journey, Oct. 16–17, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden in Buellton. Ideal for: 2+. Timed-entry immersive theatrical garden walk; advance tickets available. Official tickets
Looking Ahead
🏃 Santa Barbara Half Marathon Kids Fun Run, Nov. 8, 10 AM. Ideal for: 2+. Free; advance registration may cap, but organizers have told us they will not turn away children who show up on race day. Parents may run alongside without registering. Official event
🎅 Santa Barbara Harbor Winter Wonderland + Parade of Lights, Dec. 13. Ideal for: 2+. Santa and Mrs. Claus 3–5 PM, decorated boats 5:30 PM, fireworks around 7 PM. SAVE THE DATE. Official event
🎄 Bacara Festive Holiday Market, Dec. 6. Ideal for: 0+. Free community event; hours pending. SAVE THE DATE. Official hotel program
Schedules, capacity and ticket availability can change, so please call ahead or book online before attending. Let us know if you head to any of these events. As always, please chime in if you have any special events coming up that the group should know about!
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