The Dolphin Derby Festival
Admission is Free.
The Dolphin Derby Festival in Santa Barbara is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation, benefiting local nonprofits and international humanitarian causes.
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The signature activity includes several dolphin races that feature miniature multi-colored dolphins speeding down a 100-foot watercourse. The dolphins are “adopted” for a fee, and cash prizes are awarded to race winners. The grand prize is $2,500.
Grand Prize $2,500
Chase Palm Park
July 13, 2025 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Dolphin Derby Festival is a unique and exciting event that brings the community together for a day of fun and family-friendly activities.
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Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome!
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​Live Music
Food Trucks
Beer & Wine Garden
Dolphin Races
Free admission, face painting, lawn games, kids games, and more!
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Parking
Park along Cabrillo Boulevard or in nearby city lots. The Downtown Waterfront Shuttle stops in front of the park. (Shuttle service begins Mary 31)
Dolphin Races
There will be 4 races for cash prizes throughout the day and one kids' race with dolphins decorated by kids at the event. You do not need to be present to win. The grand prize is $2,500.
About the Dolphin Derby Festival
The Dolphin Derby Festival is run entirely by volunteers and supported by our sponsors and your dolphin adoptions. With no payroll or overhead, 100% of the net proceeds will support local and international causes.
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The Dolphin Derby Festival is an environmentally friendly event. The dolphins are reused each year, and the water is recycled for each race. After the event, we use the water to irrigate the park grass. We also offer water fill stations, so bring your own reusable bottle!
About the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise
The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise is made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders. We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and through that, we’re able to get things done in our local and worldwide communities.
Join us! We meet for breakfast on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 a.m. at the beautiful historic Santa Barbara Club, located at 1105 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara. Contact Membership Chair Kirk Greene if you are interested in attending.
Other Stuff
Any taxes, if applicable, will be the responsibility of the prize winner. Winners need not be present to win. In the event that the winner is not present, the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise will attempt to contact winner by email or telephone. If winner cannot be contacted with a reasonable effort and does not come forward to claim prize within 30 days of the race, the prize will be forfeited. The odds of winning depend on the number of dolphins adopted. Names and likenesses of winners may be used by the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, Dolphin Derby Festival sponsors and sponsors' designee(s) for promotional purposes. Photos will be taken at the event and may be used for promotional purposes.