In Santa Barbara, history, culture, and celebration have always gone hand in hand. It’s a place where heritage doesn’t live in a museum, but out in the open through ancient art, architecture, and community spaces and events. That spirit made it the perfect setting to open Engage!25 Santa Barbara. Our welcome party was inspired by Old Spanish Days, one of the city’s most beloved and enduring traditions.
Hosted in the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, the evening was a heartfelt homage to the annual event that locals know as ‘Fiesta’. It’s a living cultural tradition that has brought the Santa Barbara community together for more than a century. And much like Engage!, Old Spanish Days is rooted in connection. It is a gathering of people from near and far, united by music, food, and shared experience. From vibrant design moments and festive flavors to live performances and time-honored rituals, the night unfolded as both a warm welcome and an immersive introduction to our location. And like all our welcome parties, it set a high standard for the days ahead!
Setting the Scene: A Tradition Reimagined
Engage!25 Santa Barbara Creative Director, Tyler Speier, was enthusiastic about sharing the delights of his hometown with our attendees, so taking inspiration from a local festival just made sense. Old Spanish Days is a reflection of the city’s layered cultural heritage, honoring the Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and early American communities that shaped the city. For more than a century, Fiesta has been a time when locals and visitors gather side by side to celebrate this history through music, dance, and food, and that was the foundation of our welcome party too.
The event design drew heavily on the visual language of Old Spanish Days. It was woven into every detail without feeling theatrical. Bougainvillea spilled over trellises, evoking the iconic Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Terra cotta–clad custom bars anchored the space, grounding the brighter elements in warm, earthy tones. Natural woven lounge furniture invited guests to settle in and connect, while layered textures and thoughtful styling created a sense of ease and authenticity. Behind the stage, a bold rainbow arch rose as a joyful focal point, and as an affectionate nod to The Chromatic Gate, one of Santa Barbara’s most recognizable landmarks. Together, the design elements formed an environment that celebrated Fiesta’s exuberance while creating a setting that was warm, welcoming, and iconically SB.
One of the most beloved traditions of Old Spanish Days is the cracking of cascarones, hollowed eggs filled with colorful confetti. These eggs are broken over the heads of friends and family for luck and prosperity. At the welcome party, guests embraced this ritual, sparking spontaneous moments of play and delight. And as confetti burst into the air, barriers dissolved. Best icebreaker ever. Strangers became friends, introductions turned into shared memories, and the space filled with laughter.
Fiesta Flavors
Food and drink played a central role in bringing the spirit of Fiesta to Engage!. The culinary experience unfolded across multiple stations, including tapas selections and a jamón station. Street taco stations served crowd favorites like pork carnitas and adobo chicken, while the chef’s carving station offered strip steak with vibrant mojo. For dessert, ‘Abuelita’s Churro Station’ delivered a nostalgic finish, complete with golden churros and rich Mexican sipping chocolate.
The drinks experience was equally interactive. Specialty bars included a Cleo Gin Bar serving the fresh, botanical El Jardín cocktail, a classic sangria station, and the LALO Tequila Bar featuring Amor de la Flor signature cocktails.
Colorful Entertainment
As the evening unfolded, live entertainment brought the festival fully to life thanks to our partners at Elan Artists. A Grammy-award-winning Mariachi Orchestra set the tone and later, live Latin fuego dancers took the stage, their powerful movement and vibrant costumes adding drama and momentum to the night. Music and movement flowed naturally through the evening, transforming the space from a gathering into a living, breathing fiesta. It was an irresistible invitation to celebrate together and the dance floor was packed until late.
Dress Code & Attire
The dress code, Viva La Fiesta, encouraged guests to embrace color, pattern, and personal expression. No rules attached! The result was a stunning rainbow of style that perfectly aligned with the evening’s spirit. Rather than adhering to a single aesthetic, guests brought their own interpretations of celebration, creating a dynamic and inclusive fashion moment. Bright hues, bold prints, flowing silhouettes, and playful accessories. Against the warm tones of terra cotta and bougainvillea, the attire almost became part of the décor itself.
The Engage!25 Santa Barbara welcome party honored the city’s history while creating space for new connections and shared experiences. It celebrated culture not as spectacle, but as something participated in and passed forward. It was a beginning rooted in place and purpose, and it set the stage for everything that followed.
You can see more from the welcome party in our gallery.
