In-Person Festival Dates & Locations
The in-person festival runs Thursday, May 1st – Monday, May 4th. The first film plays at noon on Friday and the final film concludes at approximately 9 pm Sunday.
The ILLUMINATE Festival Hub
28 Vic28 W Victoria Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (928) 421-1108
For the fastest answer to questions, please see our FAQ section or Contact Us.
How to Get to Santa Barbara
We suggest flying into the Santa Barbara Airport (about a 15-minute taxi/Lyft/Uber to downtown), however, you can also fly into LAX, which is approximately 2 hours from downtown Santa Barbara by car.
Where to Stay
The festival takes place at venues in the historic Arts District of downtown Santa Barbara. We suggest getting a hotel or AirBnB nearby downtown so you can easily walk everywhere, though driving from another part of town is totally possible as parking in public lots is plentiful. Check out our hotel partners below offering special festival discounts.
The Upham Hotel
20% off your stay during the festival
Cheshire Cat Inn
5-6 night stay: 20% off
4 night stay: 15% off
3 night stay: 10% off
2 night stay: 5% off
Mention "ILLUMINATE Film Festival" in Special Accommodations when booking
Casa Jardin
10% off with code: 5STAR
Palihouse
12% off with code: ILLUMINATE
Rivera Beach House
12% off with special booking link
Best Western Plus
12% off with code: Illuminate Film Festival Rate Code
Must call hotel directly to book with this code
Brisas del Mar Inn
13% off with code: Illuminate Film Festival Rate Code
Must call hotel directly to book with this code
Where to Eat
Savor the flavors of Santa Barbara at these fantastic restaurants, offering a diverse array of cuisines from traditional Italian and fresh Mexican to organic farm-to-table fare. Click on each restaurant for more details or download our PDF for additional recommendations.
Ca' Dario Santa Barbara
Traditional Italian food including osso buco, bolognese and risotto.
37 E. Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 View on MapAzul Cocina
Fresh authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern contemporary twist on flavors and traditions.
7 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101 View on MapRoy
Well-established, fresh farmer's market and organic Italian dinner.
7 W. Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 View on MapCorazon Comedor
Casual, modern Mexican café where traditional flavors meet contemporary flair.
29 E. Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 View on MapMore Information
Everything you need to know for an exceptional festival experience in Santa Barbara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Navigate to the Pass purchase page and select the BUY button. In the pop-up window, enter your email address if you already have an account in Eventive (our ticketing system), and then your password. If you do not have an Eventive account, enter your email address, your name, and create a password to register. Checkout with your credit card information.
Note: A Glow Pass does NOT include The Industry Hive or the Dara Marks One-Day Screenwriting Retreat. Passes are non-refundable.
You will pick up your Glow Pass badge at the ILLUMINATE Registration Desk located at the Festival Hub (28 Vic), 28 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara.
Arrive at the theater up to 1 hour before show time. Stand in the RUSH LINE – empty seats are first-come, first-served. At 10 minutes before a film begins, the ushers will determine the number of open seats.
Order Rush Line tickets from the ticketing coordinator standing at the front of the Rush Line. Tickets will be sold via credit card, one at a time until all empty seats are filled. There is no guarantee that waiting in the Rush Line will result in a ticket sale.
Santa Barbara Highlights
Beaches
- East Beach - Popular for volleyball and swimming
- Butterfly Beach - Scenic spot with beautiful sunsets
- Leadbetter Beach - Great for walking and picnicking
- Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's) - Dog-friendly beach
Cultural Attractions
- Santa Barbara Mission - Historic landmark founded in 1786
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art - Features 27,000+ works of art
- MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
- Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Shopping & Dining
- State Street - Main shopping corridor with boutiques and restaurants
- Paseo Nuevo - Open-air shopping mall in downtown
- Funk Zone - Trendy area with wine tasting rooms, art galleries and eateries
- Public Market - Indoor food hall with various vendors
Outdoor Activities
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Native California plants and trails
- Santa Barbara Zoo - Family-friendly with ocean views
- Stearns Wharf - Historic pier with shops and restaurants
- Channel Islands National Park - Day trips available