September is shaping up to be a fun month here at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm! We have two special events coming up, each offering a very different way to experience the farm.
First, we’ll be participating in SEEAG’s Santa Barbara County Farm Day on Saturday, September 19, followed the next weekend by the return of our Afternoon Tea on Saturday, September 26.
Whether you’d like to learn how lavender essential oil is made, get creative with a hands on project, or simply sit down and enjoy lavender inspired treats, we hope you’ll join us for one or both!
SEEAG’s Santa Barbara County Farm Day | September 19
We’re excited to once again participate in SEEAG’s Santa Barbara County Farm Day on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Farm Day is a free community event for all ages that gives visitors an opportunity to explore local agriculture, meet the people behind Santa Barbara County farms, and learn a little more about how things are grown and produced in our area.
This year, more than 15 locations are participating in Farm Day, so you can make a day of it and visit several local farms and agricultural businesses.
Here at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm, we’re changing things up from last year with two special activities.
See How Lavender Essential Oil Is Made
One of the questions we often hear is, “How do you turn lavender into essential oil?”
Farm Day is your chance to find out!
Throughout the day, we’ll be offering a traditional steam distillation demonstration, giving visitors an up close look at the process we use to extract lavender essential oil and hydrosol from our plants.
You’ll be able to see our distillation equipment in action, learn a little about the process, and ask questions about what happens to our lavender after it leaves the field.
The demonstration will be available to view throughout the day, so there’s no need to arrive at a particular time.
Make Your Own Decoupage Clam Shell
We’re adding a little creativity to Farm Day this year, too!
Stop by for Orcutt Wine & Design on Wheels’ pop in clam shell decoupage class, where you can decorate your own shell and take it home as a keepsake from your visit. Decoupage shells are $10 each.
There’s no lengthy class schedule to worry about. Simply stop in while you’re visiting the farm and join the fun.
Plan Your Farm Day Visit
SEEAG Santa Barbara County Farm Day
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 10 AM to 3 PM
🎟️ Free community event
👨👩👧👦 All ages welcome
Farm Day is free, but we encourage visitors to pre register for their Farm Day tickets:
https://my805tix.com/e/sbcfarmday-26
Come see a different side of the lavender farm, learn something new, make a keepsake, and spend the day discovering some of the people and places that make Santa Barbara County agriculture so special.
And then, just one week later, we’ll be slowing things down for a very different kind of afternoon on the farm.
Afternoon Tea Returns September 26
After a busy Farm Day weekend, we’re excited to welcome guests back for our Afternoon Tea on Saturday, September 26, from 3 PM to 5 PM.
Our Afternoon Tea is an opportunity to sit back, relax, and discover another side of lavender: culinary lavender!
Lavender is probably best known for its fragrance and essential oil, but when the right varieties are used thoughtfully, it can also bring a wonderful floral note to drinks, baked goods, and other treats.
For our Afternoon Tea, we’ll be serving lavender lemonade, lavender coffee, and a selection of confections featuring culinary lavender grown right here on our farm.
It’s one of our favorite ways to show just how versatile this plant can be.
But Afternoon Tea isn't only about what's being served. It's also an excuse to slow down for a couple of hours, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the farm as summer begins to transition into fall.
Join Us for Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm
📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 3 PM to 5 PM
📍 Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm
🎟️ Advance reservations required
Space for Afternoon Tea is limited, so we recommend reserving your spot in advance through our website.
From watching lavender being distilled on September 19 to sipping and tasting lavender on September 26, these two weekends are a wonderful opportunity to experience the farm in completely different ways.
We hope you'll come out, bring your friends and family, and enjoy a little September on the farm with us.
See you at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm! 💜🌿