Skip to content
๐Ÿ“ 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.

โ˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts โ˜… Featured
Wed, Jul 29, 2026 ยท Capitola

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. 2026 Lineup: June 3, 2026: Rockinโ€™ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective July 1, 2026: Fun Rockโ€™n Party Music with Spun July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70โ€™s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band August 12, 2026: Top 40โ€™s Dance with The Peelers August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats

Music ๐Ÿ“ Capitola
Promotional image for Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts โ˜… Featured
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 ยท 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 ๐Ÿ“ Seabright & Harbor
Music
โ˜… Featured
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 ยท Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Now Auditioning

Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.

Music ๐Ÿ“ Westside
Promotional image for Motion Pacific: Dance for PD Coming up
Wed, Jul 29, 2026 ยท The 418 Project

Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโ€™s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโ€™s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Wednesday, July 29

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Santa Cruz Shakespeare Family Days
๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
Family
1:00 AM
$500
The Dickens Universe featuring โ€˜Bleak Houseโ€™
๐Ÿ“ Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
Education
8:30 AM
$300
Beginning Botany Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Family
8:30 AM
$300
World of Birds Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Pilates & Posture in the Pasture
๐Ÿ“ Beyond Liberty
Wellness
10:00 AM
See listing
Baby Dance Jam
๐Ÿ“ The 418 Project
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
July is Parks and Recreation Month | Arts & Crafts with Grandchildren
๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Senior Center
Outdoors
10:00 AM
See listing
Mobile Health Clinic
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

What's happening

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

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Area

Showing 30 of 2649 upcoming events

Jul
29

Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

๐Ÿ“ The 418 Project
๐Ÿ•’ 1:00 PM โ€“ 2:15 PM ยท FREE

Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโ€™s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโ€™s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.

Jul
29

Circus of Smiles

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐Ÿ•’ 2:00 PM ยท See listing

Wednesday, July 29 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm Engaging audiences of all ages, Circus of Smiles incorporates juggling, acrobatics, music, and feats of incredible strength.

Community Family Details โ†’
Jul
29

Make & Explore @ Garfield Park

๐Ÿ“ Garfield Park Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 3:00 PM โ€“ 4:30 PM ยท See listing

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, including model building, and exploration of the environment around us. Children will need an adult present to help them. Expect to get messy!

Family Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Jul
29

Wig Out Wednesday

๐Ÿ“ Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room + Wine Bar
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโ€™ll have a surprise for you. Weโ€™ll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโ€™s wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.

Jul
29

BioCharger & Vibrational Sound Table Healing Happy Hour

๐Ÿ“ Soulcare Studios
๐Ÿ•’ 4:30 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $25

Take a midweek pause and recharge your energy โœจ Join us for BioCharger & Vibrational Sound Table Healing Happy Hourโ€”a unique experience designed to support relaxation, recovery, and energetic balance. This drop-in session allows you to unwind, reset your nervous system, and leave feeling refreshed and aligned. ๐Ÿ•’ Wednesdays | 4:30โ€“6:00 PM ๐Ÿ’ฒ $25 per session โš ๏ธ Limited to 15 spotsโ€”reserve early

Jul
29

Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)

๐Ÿ“ Court 16, Santa Cruz Main Beach Volleyball, 270 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
๐Ÿ•’ 5:30 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท FREE

Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .

Jul
29
โ˜… Featured

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

๐Ÿ“ Capitola
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท See listing

Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. 2026 Lineup: June 3, 2026: Rockinโ€™ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective July 1, 2026: Fun Rockโ€™n Party Music with Spun July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70โ€™s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band August 12, 2026: Top 40โ€™s Dance with The Peelers August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats

Jul
29

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

๐Ÿ“ Capitola Village
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท FREE

Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. 2026 Lineup: June 3, 2026: Rockinโ€™ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective July 1, 2026: Fun Rockโ€™n Party Music with Spun July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70โ€™s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band August 12, 2026: Top 40โ€™s Dance with The Peelers August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats

Jul
29

Santa Cruz: Wednesday Night Sailboat Races

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐Ÿ•’ 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.

Outdoors Free Details โ†’
Jul
29

Fratello Marionettes

๐Ÿ“ Watsonville
๐Ÿ•’ 6:30 PM ยท See listing

Have you ever had the chance to attend a live puppet show? Join us for a classic retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" brought to life by Fratello Marionettes on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30pm at the Main Library. This program will be presented in English and the intended audience is families. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. ESPAร‘OL ยฟAlguna vez has tenido la oportunidad de asistir a un espectรกculo de marionetas en vivo? Se le invita a una presentaciรณn para una versiรณn clรกsica de "Jack y las Habichuelas Mรกgicas" que serรก presentada por Fratello Marionettes el miรฉrcoles, 29 de julio a las 6:30pm en la Biblioteca Principal. Este programa se presentarรก en inglรฉs y la audiencia prevista son las familias. Los asientos estarรกn disponibles por orden de llegada.

Art & Culture Family ๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Details โ†’
Jul
29

Moe's Alley Presents: Monophonics w/ Lemon City Trio

๐Ÿ“ Moe's Alley
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

Moes Alley presents psych-soul favorites Monophonics with Miami-based Lemon City Trio! Wednesday, July 29, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$30 in advance / $35 day of the show21+*Tickets on sale Friday, May 1st at 10am PT** No Refunds | All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====MONOPHONICSThe worlds premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics, cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel. A place where folks experience the highs and lows of human existence. A place where big dreams and broken hearts live, where people arrive without ever knowing how they got there. Its where individuals find themselves at a crossroads in life.LEMON CITY TRIOLemon City Trio formed as a soul jazz organ trio, and has since evolved into a band with its own sound and unique repertoire. The band hails from Miami, Fl and has made a name for itself throughout the state, and up the east coast. Ranging from edgy fusion grooves, to dreamy space Rock, and everything in between, LCT takes its audience on a journey from start to finish.

2619 more events further out

Never miss a beach day, show, or street fair.

Join the Santa Cruz Scene newsletter for local discounts, community highlights, and the best curated events delivered to your inbox each month.

We use your email only to send the newsletter. How we handle your info

No spam, just the Scene. Curious who we are? Read our story.

Hosting something rad?

If it's happening in person anywhere in Santa Cruz County, whether it's a show, a market, a paddle-out, or a gallery night, we want it on the calendar. Submissions are free and reviewed by our editors.

Submit your event โ†’