The Montecito Branch book drop will be closed May 3rd - 6th due to parking lot repaving

18477

Help shape the future of Santa Barbara's Waterfront! Respond to our survey at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterfrontSurvey.
¡Ayúdanos a dar forma al futuro de la zona costera de Santa Bárbara! Responde a nuestra encuesta en SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterfrontSurvey.

18380

All SBPL locations will be closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (5/5/26) for a staff training.

Eastside and Montecito Libraries will close at 2pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (5/6/26) for a staff training.

18362
ID
Children playing with Lunar New Year dragon
Title

Lunar New Year Family Festival

Authored on
Body

Join Santa Barbara Chinese School (SBCS) and Santa Barbara Public Library for a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse on the Michael Towbes Library Plaza and throughout the Main Level of Central Library. This all-ages event will feature free activities, snacks, crafts, prizes, a Chinese book exchange, and Library scavenger hunt. Attendees will also enjoy musical performances by Santa Barbara students studying Asian languages, along with Lunar New Year food tastings from local businesses.  

The celebration will also include a Chinese brush painting art exhibit created by Santa Barbara Chinese School students and sponsored by StudioYU.org. On display in Central Library’s Fireplace Room throughout February, the exhibit showcases student artwork created using sustainable materials, including rice paper and ink made with natural water-based color pigments.  

Santa Barbara Chinese School, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2025, is a longstanding local institution offering learner-centered Chinese language instruction that highlights the evolving richness of Chinese language and culture. Now in its second year, the Lunar New Year Family Festival honors one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Asia while also recognizing Santa Barbara Chinese School’s enduring legacy in the Santa Barbara community.  

Lunar New Year Family Festival  
Sunday, February 22, 2026 
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. 
Michael Towbes Library Plaza (40 E. Anapamu St.) 
Parking is available adjacent to Central Library in City Lots 6 and 7. The first 75 minutes are free. Each additional hour or part is $3.00. 
Event Info