Tom Meaney, courtesy I Madonnari.

Memorial Day weekend brings a beloved Santa Barbara tradition to town—the colorful I Madonnari Festival of Italian street painting in front of the Old Mission (May 28–30). The otherwise drab grey pavement blossoms with vibrant pastels for these three days, as artists create dazzling works that delight visitors year after year. Not only is the festival beautiful, but all proceeds benefit Children’s Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program that serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
For more information visit imadonnarifestival.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

This story originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.