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πŸ“ Santa Cruz County, CA

From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.

Live music, festivals, art walks, surf contests, trail days and everything in between.

In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.

β˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! β˜… Featured Event
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

πŸ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing Β· Downtown Santa Cruz Β· See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you won’t want to miss. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole phamily! Get tickets for the whole day celebration here: TICKETS

Music Festivals πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Promotional image for Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” β˜… Featured
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 Β· Stevenson College

Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

The DSAS Center for Leadership and Involvement and Summer Edge invite you to join us for our Movie Night Under the Stars event screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”: Date: Tuesday, July 28th Screening Time: Event entry begins at 7:30 p.m. | Movie starts at 8:00 p.m. Location: Stevenson College Knoll *Bring your own blanket! Limited chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.* Free movie snacks will be available! For any questions or accommodations, please email [email protected] . You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeβ€”whether a student service, faculty program, or community eventβ€”is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications .

Education πŸ“ UCSC
Promotional image for Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts β˜… Featured
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Harbor Beach

Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy a family-friendly party on the beach at no charge! There will be local bands and DJs performing on the outdoor stage, providing music for dancing and socializing. There will be BBQ food and drinks for purchase all in a beachside setting providing stunning views of the ocean and Walton Lighthouse. Parking is limited in the area, so consider enjoying a free water taxi ride from other parking areas! 2026 Lineup: May 21, 2026: Sambada May 28, 2026: Space Heater June 4, 2026: James Durbin & The Lost Boys June 11, 2026: Ancestree June 18, 2026: Jive Machine June 25, 2026: Cake by the Ocean July 2, 2026: Ripatti Rose Band July 9, 2026: Extra Large July 16, 2026: Fishhook July 23, 2026: Harry & The Hitmen July 30, 2026: Matt Masih & The Messengers August 6, 2026: The Houserockers August 13, 2026: The Joint Chiefs August 20, 2026: La Familia August 27, 2026: Alex Lucero Band September 3, 2026: Sambada

Food & Drink πŸ“ Seabright & Harbor
Promotional image for Didgeridoo Down Under Coming up
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 Β· La Selva Beach Branch Library

Didgeridoo Down Under

Join us for an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, and audience participation. The show also includes storytelling and information about didgeridoo history and crafting. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16206168

Art & Culture πŸ“ Aptos & Seacliff
Promotional image for Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing Coming up
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 Β· Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park

Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, un-der the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare Directed by Charles Pasternak One of Shakespeare’s wittiest and most beloved comedies, the 2026 season will open with Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Of all the couples in Shakespeare, perhaps none is more widely loved than Beatrice and Benedick. Their battle of wits; their antagonism turned to eroticism; their history. Before the play begins, they already seem to define each other. The audience, like the other characters in the play, wait with excitement as their wits clash, and eventually, as their love blossoms. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 11 – August 30. More information or to purchase tickets, follow the link in the orange above, or contact the box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4pm at the number listed above.

Outdoors πŸ“ Midtown

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Saturday, July 25

93 events on today. No plans required, just go.

12:00 AM
$7
SC Beach Boardwalk: National Carousel Day
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Family
8:00 AM
FREE
Cabrillo Farmers Market
πŸ“ Cabrillo College
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Joe and Linda Aliberti Boys and Girls Club
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Rally in the Pajaro Valley
πŸ“ Franich Park
Outdoors
8:30 AM
FREE
Zen Buddhist Meditation
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Zen Center
Music
8:39 AM
FREE
Chamber Choir Now Auditioning
πŸ“ Westside Locations
Music
9:00 AM
FREE
UC Santa Cruz Farm U-Pick
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Food & Drink
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
πŸ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community

What's happening

Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.

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Showing 30 of 2600 upcoming events

Jul
25

Saving the Oceans, Saving Ourselves

πŸ“ Cabrillo College Horticulture Building
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Join Save Our Shores and the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County for Saving the Oceans, Saving Ourselves! Hear from a panel of local experts and guest speakers as we discuss offshore oil drilling and the current threats to our oceans. Panelists: Dan Haifley, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Justin Cummings, District 3 Supervisor Shebreh Kalantari Johnson, Santa Cruz Councilmember Tracey Weiss, O’Neill Sea Odyssey Executive Director Sam Rupel, Save Our Shores Community Engagement & Advocacy Specialist Guest Speaker: Senator John Laird

Jul
25

Community Crafters at Boulder Creek

πŸ“ Boulder Creek Branch Library
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Come join amazing teachers from the community to learn a new craft or art process, and have a space dedicated to work on projects with others every week. We plan to learn a new craft or art process once a month with the weeks in between being open β€œstudio” time. Come be part of this new community at the Boulder Creek library! Materials will be provided for craft being taught, or bring what you want to work on!

Jul
25

City of Santa Cruz Saturday Resource Recovery Facility Public Tour

πŸ“ City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM Β· FREE

Free Public Tours of the City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility are here. Don't miss this educational community favorite activity! Summer Public Tours Are Back! Public Tours of the Resource Recovery Facility will be offered every Friday at 10 AM from June 12th through August 14th, 2026. A single Saturday will also be offered on July 25th. Out of consideration for others, please only sign up on Saturday if Fridays are not an option for you. Come join us! Get ready to discover the journey your recycling and food scraps takeβ€”and see firsthand how your actions make a difference! Visitors will see what happens to the 30 to 50 tons of material that Santa Cruzians place into their blue recycle bins every single day. We will also learn why it is important to β€œrecycle right” avoid β€œwish-cycling" and why we can't relay on a triangle and a blue bin any more. Visitors will see a mountain of scrap metal, learn about the facility’s Household Hazardous Waste Program, and see the Food Scrap Pre-Processor Machine. Don’t miss out on this chance to become a waste reduction pro! Tours are limited to 20 people. Children must be at least 8 years old. Youth ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes 48 hours before the tour date. No Drop-Ins. Safety Notice: This tour includes stairs and standing/walking for approximately 45 minutes. On this tour, you may be exposed to loud noises, dust, or tight spaces. Please note that this is a working industrial facility with potential hazards, and your safety is our top priority. Please wear closed-toe sturdy shoes and long pants. We will provide safety vests, eye protection, ear protection, and hard hats. Please inform City staff before your tour date if you will need accommodations.

Education Free Details β†’
Jul
25

2026 Scotts Valley Motorcycle Show

πŸ“ Scotts Valley High School
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

The 2026 event is a vintage, antique motorcycle and e-Bike show for the whole family. Special display class for middle and high school students to display e-Bikes and minibikes. This year, a For Sale area will be provided. The Scotts Valley Motorcycle Show will be held on the baseball fields at Scotts Valley High School in beautiful Scotts Valley, CA. Presented in partnership with the Scotts Valley Kiwanis Club, supporting various programs in the local schools. Sponsored by Motocharities, Motonexus.com, The Scotts Valley Kiwanis Club and Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys. When looking for β€œThings to do in Scotts Valley CA”, The Scotts Valley Motorcycle Show should be at the top of your list.

Jul
25

Santa Cruz Beach Train

πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Β· $32

From Trees to Shining Seas – Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
25

RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o (Community Offering)

πŸ“ 7 Hangar Way suite b, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Β· FREE

Event: RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o Date: 4th Saturday of the Month Saturday, January 25 Time: 10:30 am -12:00 pm Location: RC Fam 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Ages: 0-10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. Cost: FREE Event Description: A monthly bilingual playgroup for LGBTQIA+ families and allies. This play group is for children who are 10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. We will have an art activity, a story, some light snacks, and PLAY! Please, do not bring sick children to Rainbow Playgroup. Families are asked to maintain the confidentiality of all playgroup attendees and no photography is permitted. RSVP Form Β‘Grupo de Juego Arcoiris! Un grupo de juego bilingΓΌe para familias LGBTQIA+ y aliados El cuarto sΓ‘bado del mes 10:30am-12pm, RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o, 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Este grupo de juego es para niΓ±os de 10 aΓ±os o menos y cuidadores, y se admiten hermanos. Tendremos un

Jul
25

Write Queer, a creative writing group @TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Write Queer, a creative writing group Date: May 9, and the Second and Fourth Saturdays in March, April, and May Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 Noon Cost: Free Location: The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Ages: 18+ Join Jesse and Peggy for all or part of this series, running from March through May. Unleash your creativity at Write Queer, an 18+ group for writers of all levels. Respond to provided prompts, or bring your own projects. Meetings include writing time, optional sharing and positive feedback. Please bring a pen and paper or a laptop. .

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
25

Microgreens Plant a Seed with UCSC Master Gardeners

πŸ“ Capitola
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM Β· See listing

Join UCSC Master Gardeners for a workshop focused on planting your own edible bounty! Despite their small size, microgreens pack a nutritional punch and are a great addition to any diet. Join Master Gardener volunteers as we demonstrate a step-by-step process for growing your own microgreens. Registration required. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16324653

Wellness Education πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Jul
25

Didgeridoo Down Under

πŸ“ La Selva Beach Branch Library
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us for an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, and audience participation. The show also includes storytelling and information about didgeridoo history and crafting. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16206168

Jul
25

Museum of Natural History: Summer Festival

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Β· FREE

Soak up the sun with family-friendly festivities, food, and fun. Kids of all ages will enjoy an afternoon of food trucks, interactive activities, sweet treats, live animals, and so much more! There will be shows taking place in the amphitheater throughout the day and activities across Tyrrell Park. As a bonus, there will be free admission to the Museum, so you won’t miss the excitement taking place inside, too! Amphitheater Programming Schedule: 11:30am – 12:15pm: Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe Hummaya Singers and Dancers 12:30 – 1:15pm: Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center Animal Program 1:30 – 2:15pm: Full Circle Falconry Show

Jul
25

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Β· FREE

Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.

Outdoors Free Details β†’
Jul
25

Summer Fun Festival

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us for a free community celebration at the Museum ! Summer Fun Fest is a joyful, all-ages festival designed to bring the community together through nature, creativity, and hands-on exploration. Enjoy free admission all day and experience a lively mix of activities and entertainment throughout the museum and outdoor spaces. Guests can look forward to a food truck and sweet treats, interactive activities and hands-on stations, community partner tabling, and live performances in the amphitheater throughout the afternoon. From cultural performances to animal demonstrations and nature-based activities, there will be something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Come celebrate summer with us and connect with your community at the museum! Schedule of performances: 11:30am – 12:15pm: Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe Hummaya Singers and Dancers 12:30 – 1:15pm: Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center Animal Program 1:30 – 2:15pm: Full Circle Falconry Show This event is made possible through the support of Dream Inn, Sea Glass Orthodontics, and West Coast Bank.

Jul
25

Spa Day Passes

πŸ“ La Bahia Hotel & Spa
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM Β· $54

A notable new offering for the property, La Bahia has introduced Spa Day Passes, now available via ResortPass (based on availability), granting both travelers and locals access to enjoy the property’s serene spa amenities for a restorative escape by the sea.

Jul
25

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

πŸ“ Wilder Ranch State Park
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Β· FREE

On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Jul
25

Santa Cruz Mission SHP Guided Adobe Tour

πŸ“ Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Staff offers a guided adobe tour centered on the experiences of Native communities in the Santa Cruz mission providing insight into daily life, cultural change, and the impacts of the mission system. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and enduring presence of Indigenous people in the region. Reservation Link:

Community BIPOC Details β†’
Jul
25

Family Storytime

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
πŸ•’ 11:30 AM Β· See listing

Saturday, July 25 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Step into a world of imagination with stories, rhymes, and songs for children ages 0–8, shared with families and caregivers in a warm, welcoming space.

Community Family Details β†’
Jul
25

Harp Lessons for All Ages

πŸ“ Soulcare Studios
πŸ•’ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Β· $40

Discover the calming and creative power of music 🎢 Our beginner-friendly harp lessons offer a peaceful space to learn something new, connect with sound, and explore music in a supportive group setting. No experience is needed, and instruments are provided. πŸ—“ 1st & 3rd Saturdays 🎡 All levels welcome ⚠️ Limited to 10 spotsβ€”advance booking recommended

Education Family πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Jul
25

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk

πŸ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Β· FREE

Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don’t want to miss this! Meet at the visitor center. Although the event is free, the vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!

Jul
25

Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences

πŸ“ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right , the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj , a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies , a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art. The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public. Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons. Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas. Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in time

Education Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside Details β†’
Jul
25

Role-playing Games at the Library

πŸ“ Freedom Branch Library
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

Watsonville Public Library and the Santa Cruz County Roleplayin g Games Group invite anyone in the community interested in tabletop role-p laying games (TTRPGs) to come and learn how to play multiple role-playing games. Several games will be presented at the same session at different ta bles. The focus for this session is for people to experience the ga mes without the commitment of lots of sessions or money spent. Everything needed to play will be provided, and all skill levels are welcome! Audience: Adults. https://www.watsonville.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=7416

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ Watsonville Details β†’

2570 more events further out

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