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Weddings

About

Carrillo Ballroom is a wedding and event venue in Santa Barbara, California. The historic venue is located in the Carrillo Recreation Center. It is centrally located in downtown and offers flexibility to host different event types and sizes. The Carrillo Ballroom features one of the best dance floors in the United States.

Facilities and Capacity
The entire ground floor is included in the rental and features a large dance floor that flexes under each step to make it feel like you’re dancing on clouds. The front of the building is beautifully landscaped and features a front and back courtyard for an extension of space. The ballroom features a downstairs dance studio that can be used as catering prep area or childcare zone. The venue features two fireplaces, tables, chairs, and wheelchair accessibility. The Carrillo Ballroom can accommodate 300 guests for a seated ceremony and dinner and 400 guests including the patio for a cocktail reception.

Services Offered
The Carrillo Ballroom can host your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, engagement party and showers. They offer event items including audio equipment, 300 chairs, lighting and tables. Their event services include set up and clean up for a stress-free event. They do not require you to use preferred vendors for catering, so the choice is yours. Alcohol is allowed in the ballroom but kegs must be place in tubs on bar mats. The Carrillo Ballroom staff and friendly and available to answer any questions to make your wedding planning easy.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Lighting/Sound
Set Up
Tables

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

7

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Government Building
Historic Building

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Clean Up
Event Rentals
Wifi

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
May
December

Reviews of Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom

T
Jy Sent on 05/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Santa Barbara Venue

I recently had my wedding here and it was an amazing experience!! The venue is spacious and has rooms for whatever you may need( coat check, childcare, etc.) The ballroom is really a blank canvas that is beautiful as is, or it can be transformed however you wish. Would definitely recommend, especially for larger weddings!
G
Gina Sent on 09/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
It truly was an amazing location. Not only were the guests raving about it but the vendors were commenting about the great party that can be had at this historic gem.

Kids and parents that attended are still talking about the party and mentioning how much fun they had.

Thank you for providing the perfect venue for any and all special occasions
L
Liliana Sent on 08/31/2018
5 out of 5 rating
I spoke with Kyle Thumm since my initial email until the very end. He was flexible, answered all my questions through the entire process and made thing a lot easier. He worked with all of our needs and wants in order to help us have an amazing wedding. Thank you!
F
Fardad Sent on 08/27/2018
5 out of 5 rating
From planning through the very end, we had a fantastic experience with the staff and with the venue, and we left with a precious collection of beautiful memories of our wedding. Beautifully arranged center room for a warm ceremony, and a spacious ballroom with a high ceiling, elegantly designed and lit indoor architecture, the best dance floor on the West Coast for the reception! An excellent value without high pressure sales tactics and without a plethora of extra charges for the details. We got all the attention to details we had hoped for without paying extra for them. Thank you Kyle Thumm, Jason Bryan and staff. I wish we could do it again. (Maybe an anniversary!)
A
Alberto Sent on 08/23/2018
5 out of 5 rating
The Carrillo Ballroom went above and beyond our expectations, they truly made our event run smooth. We enjoyed not having to worry about cleaning and setting up tables. Kyle's team was absolutely amazing.
K
Kelsey Sent on 07/18/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Beautiful venue! We used the ballroom as our ceremony venue, and then had everything swapped out so that it could be flipped into our reception. Kyle and his team were very helpful in communication, accommodating to our very specific requests, and very helpful getting work done the day of. Would highly recommend this venue and its staff!
J
Jose Sent on 08/30/2018
4.7 out of 5 rating
Great service, great personal
Very happy, we will do it again
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

7
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner

Map

Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom frequently asked questions

Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Government Building
  • Historic Building
Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Wifi
Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
Carrillo Recreation Center & Ballroom is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
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