Coffeee Culture Festival
2026-03-28 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
The Coffee Culture Festival – the first event of its kind on the Central Coast!
The all-day celebration blends coffee culture, arts, science, and community. It’s an open invitation to neighbors near and far to gather, learn, and connect over a shared cup. This festival happens after the first ever Coffee Week, sponsored by The Santa Barbara Independent.
Sip tastings from local and regional roasters. Explore maker booths. Meet inspiring nonprofits. Discover interactive art around every corner. Catch live music on our coffeehouse-style singer-songwriter stage. Join hands-on workshops and expert panels. Watch top baristas compete in our high-energy Latte Art Throwdown.
VIP Tickets and tasting passes available now!

Santa Barbara Junior High School Presents: Spamalot
2026-04-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Our spring musical, “Spamalot,” is coming Friday and Saturday, April 10-11 @7PM. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults, and are sold at the door.

Spring Gardening Festival & Marketplace
2026-04-12 14:30 - 18:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
The Marjorie Luke Theatre is excited to continue our Green Film Series in 2026. We will launch the 2026 series on Sunday, April 12, with a Spring Gardening Festival & Marketplace. The forum will present a special programming partnership between Santa Barbara Botanic Garden & The Marjorie Luke Theatre.
The event will begin at 2:30pm with a robust, festival-style marketplace, showcasing local eco-friendly businesses and nonprofit organizations offering practical ways to create more sustainable landscapes and environments.
Following the Marketplace, enjoy four short films produced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden at 4:00pm, illustrating a real-life native plant transformation project at Santa Barbara’s Elings Park. After the screenings, former Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider will moderate an informative panel discussion with local environmental experts.
This special event is a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day with our community.

Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande - Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara
2026-04-19 18:00 - 19:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Sunday, April 19 |6 PM| Marjorie Luke Theatre
Under the direction of Miguel Peña, Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande (BFRG) is a 30-member ensemble of professional dancers, all alumni of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s renowned folklórico dance program—the only folklórico dance major in the U.S. With performances at the Kennedy Center and tours across North and South America, BFRG celebrates Mexican culture through vibrant dance.
Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande Weekend Schedule:
Thursday, April 16 |7 PM| Carpinteria Vets Memorial Building
Friday, April 17 |7 PM| Isla Vista Elementary
Saturday, April 18 |7 PM| Guadalupe City Hall

Westside Dance Presents: Color Show
2026-04-25 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-25 16:00 - 17:30 | CA
At Westside Dance, hardworking students build lifelong connections to dance & each other. In our nurturing studio, young students find a love of dance and attentive teachers ready to help them grow as athletes and artists. Join us for the Color Show to see all the work they’ve put in and the friends they’ve made along the way!
For more information head to www.westsidedancesb.com.

Move With Purpose
2026-04-26 18:30 - 20:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Move With Purpose aims to heal and empower members of marginalized communities and bridge gaps through access to arts, educational opportunities, and the support of safe and brave spaces. They advance children’s chances for success by using the arts as a vehicle to instill confidence, and teach leadership, resilience, life skills, and philanthropy.
To learn more about Move With Purpose scholarships, pillars, programs and mission, go to movewithpurposesb.org.

Goleta School of Ballet Presents: Swan Lake
2026-05-02 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Swan Lake:The ballet classic with all your favorite characters, beautiful costumes, and wonderful dancing. Don’t miss this amazing ballet for all ages!

Santa Barbara Dance Arts: Inspire Recital - Senior Show
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Santa Barbara Dance Arts presents their annual spring recital, celebrating 28 years of dance in Santa Barbara. This recital features three distinct shows:
Senior Show – May 14th at 6:30pm
Junior Show – May 15th at 6:30pm
Youth Show – May 16th at 12:00pm
These shows exemplify the fine accomplishments and progression gained throughout the year. For more information and tickets pleases visit the Inspire Recital webpage. Join us for this show full of high energy, innovative choreography, and fun dances for all ages!

Santa Barbara Dance Arts: Inspire Recital - Junior Show
2026-05-15 18:30 - 20:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States

Santa Barbara Dance Arts: Inspire Recital - Youth Show
2026-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States

Derek Gripper & Alam Khan
2026-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
In a rare and remarkable collaboration, Alam Khan, son of the legendary Ali Akbar Khan, joins forces with one of South Africa’s most innovative guitarists, Derek Gripper. The two first met in 2025 over a cup of tea in Alam’s teaching room, a meeting that it led to a spontaneous trio recording with South African guitarist Guy Buttery. Alam went on to join Derek in concerts with his long-time collaborator, the great Malian kora virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, and then in an intimate duo recording session in the hills of Berkeley.
Alam and Derek focus on their respective immersions in deep classical traditions: Alam Khan brings a long apprenticeship under his father, mastering the infinite art of raga improvisation within the Indian classical tradition. Derek Gripper, originally trained in European classical and early string music, has spent years translating the complex language of the West African kora to the guitar. Through this long study of the 21-string harp, he developed a unique language of cyclical improvisation, breaking out of the bounds of composed music and using the polyrhythmic possibilities of classical guitar technique to re-imagine the beginnings of sound in string music, from harps and bows of the African continent.
Together, Alam and Derek explore the heights of spontaneous creation, re-imagining great African songs and Indian melodies through the art of spontaneous improvisation.

Sing! In the Menagerie
2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Join Sing! on a musical journey through the animal world. Featuring music in French, Spanish, Italian, Malay, and Japanese – and animals ranging from crickets and larks to frogs, crows, and ponyfish – young singers grades 1-10 will weave together beloved poetry, folk traditions, and choral favorites.
The Sing! program currently numbers nearly 300 participants from over 40 area schools. Sing! performance opportunities include concerts and collaborations with world-renowned artists and performing arts organizations, including the London Symphony Orchestra, CAMA, State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, and in the Music Academy’s Summer Festival opera productions of Puccini’s La bohème, Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges, and Bizet’s Carmen.

CSD School of Performing Arts Presents: At The Movies
2026-06-06 14:00 - 16:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
CSD School of Performing Arts presents At The Movies. The Junior show will feature our pre-k through level 2 students! This show is a fun event for the entire family and shows a wide range of styles from ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop!

CSD School of Performing Arts: Alice in Wonderland & A Celebration of Dance
2026-06-06 18:00 - 20:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
CSD School of Performing Arts presents Alice in Wonderland & A Celebration of Dance. The Senior show will feature our level 3-7 students. Bring your family, and join us as CSD’s most seasoned dancers take a mad journey through Wonderland and more!

Westside Dance Presents: Dance Me a Story
2026-06-27 16:00 - 16:30 | CA
Westside Dance presents “Dance Me A Story”. A production by our ENSEMBLE dancers and summer camp students. Perfect for young and old, this sweet and short show will depict a scene from classic storybooks.

POSTPONED - Green Film Series: Living Wine
2026-06-28 14:00 - 17:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
THIS EVENT IS NO LONGER HAPPENING JUNE 28th.
Living Wine follows the journeys of natural winemakers in Northern California, during the largest wildfire season on record. Equal parts farmer, winemaker, and artist, they stay true to their ideals of creating authentic wines made through innovative, sustainable, and regenerative farming without chemical additives. Eschewing the industrial agricultural practices of the corporate wine industry, our winemakers are healing the very environment they are surviving in a changing climate marked by rising temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and more frequent and virulent wildfires.

50 Years of Fabulous: The Story of the Imperial Council of San Francisco
2026-08-18 18:30 - 21:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Mark your calendars for a special evening as we partner with Pacific Pride Foundation to kick off Santa Barbara’s Pride Week!
Join us for a screening of the film 50 Years of Fabulous: The Imperial Council Story, celebrating the remarkable history of one of the world’s oldest and most influential LGBTQ+ organizations. The documentary traces the Imperial Council’s inspiring journey. From creating safe spaces and building community in San Francisco to becoming a powerful force in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, the film reflects on five decades of progress, while also exploring the ongoing work to protect and advance civil rights for future generations.
Tickets on sale July 31st.

Herencia Sin Fronteras: A Legacy Beyond Limits
2026-09-26 18:30 - 20:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Xochipilli de Santa Barbara presents a folkloric night to remember. Enjoy the twirling dresses, enchanting traditional music, and lively dancing of Herencia Sin Fronteras: A Legacy Beyond Limits. Celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, and join the much-loved community dance group Xochipilli de Santa Barbara in their much loved annual showcase.
Tickets and more information coming soon.

Snatam Kaur - By Thy Grace: 25 Years of Mantra
2026-09-27 19:00 - 21:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
In 2026, Snatam Kaur brings By Thy Grace: 25 Years of Mantra to audiences across North America and Canada. This is a continuation of a decades long journey of shared chanting, prayer, and healing through sound.
These concerts are gatherings where stillness, devotion, and collective voice come together to create an experience of oneness and healing. Each concert begins gently and meditatively, building into moments of deep joy and powerful celebration, and finally, ending with stillness and prayer. Together, we will chant the mantras and songs that have held us through life’s greatest challenges and joys, honoring their capacity to being us back to ourselves time and time again.
The title By Thy Grace reflects the heart of this tour. After twenty-five years of recording and sharing her music, Snatam views this work as something carried by the grace of the mantras themselves, the musicians and collaborators who helped to bring them into the world, and the communities who have welcomes these songs into their lives. What began in humble beginnings as unfamiliar sounds to her audiences, has become a living language of healing, known deeply through personal experience.
Accompanied by her band, Ram Dass (piano, clarinet, vocals), Bruno Justi (guitar, flute, vocals), and Sukhmani (percussion, vocals), along with some surprise guests, Snatam will share music spanning her discography, featuring well known classics as well as deeply personal songs from Snatam’s history that have never before been performed live, spanning 25 years of music that have become a soundtrack of healing across generations. Each night becomes a remembrance of inner stillness, shared humanity, and of the healing power that arises when voices join together.
This tour is an invitation to gather once again, to chant together, and to celebrate the grace that continues to move through these mantras and through all of us.

Out of Plain Sight
2026-10-25 16:00 - 19:00 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
From the Los Angeles Times and Pulitzer Prize-finalist Rosanna Xia, Out of Plain Sight is a cinematic exposé of an environmental disaster lurking just off the coast of Southern California.
Not far from Catalina Island, aboard one of the most-advanced research ships in the world, UCSB Professor David Valentine discovered a corroded barrel on the seafloor that gave him chills. The full environmental horror sharpens into greater clarity once he calls Xia, who pieces together a shocking revelation: In the years after World War II, as many as half a million barrels of toxic waste had been quietly dumped into the ocean – and the consequences continue to haunt the world today.
This event is part of the Marjorie Luke Theatre’s Green Film Series. Tickets and more information coming soon.

¡Viva el Arte!: LADAMA
2026-11-08 18:00 - 19:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
Join us for this FREE event in collaboration with UCSB Arts & Lectures!
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings people together to share the rich cultural heritage of Latin America, serving more than 15,000 students and community members each year throughout Santa Barbara County.
Viva builds bridges through live performance, shared experience and joyful, personal discovery. Created in 2006 out of a commitment to arts access for all, Viva works with dozens of local partners to present high-quality touring artists – Grammy winners and recognized cultural ambassadors – who share their knowledge, passion and commitment. Schools, neighborhood spaces and community centers come alive in these free programs for youth and families.

¡Viva el Arte!: Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea
2027-01-17 18:00 - 19:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States

¡Viva el Arte!: Larry & Joe
2027-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | The Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States
