Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
π Bookshop Santa Cruz
π 7:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· FREE
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop welcomes Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason (North Woods) for a reading and signing of his new novel Country Peopleβa rollicking, lyrical year in the life of a family as they strike out into the unknown (aka Vermont), leaving all of the comforts of home behind.
π Park Hall Ben Lomond
π 7:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· See listing
Little Peopleβs Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little Peopleβs Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of βscientistsβ came to βstudyβ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7β14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. Itβs alternative childrenβs musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.
π Kuumbwa Jazz
π 7:00 PM Β· See listing
Michael Wolff is a renowned jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader known for his virtuoso performances and innovative style. He has recorded with artists ranging from Cal Tjader to Christian McBride, Tony Williams, and more. He has performed with and conducted over twenty-five symphony orchestras including the Dallas Symphony and Fort Worth Symphony, and has been a featured soloist with the Memphis National Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony. After a miraculous triumph over a four-year battle with a rare form of misdiagnosed cancer, Wolff continues to celebrate his incredible recovery and life on Memoir, his first studio album after four years, released in 2024. A recipient of the BMI Music Award, Japanβs Gold Disc Award, and Hamptons International Film Festivalβs award for best film score, Wolff has also composed scores for many film and television projects, such as The Tic Code, Made Up, Dark Angel, Whoβs the Man, The Naked Brothers Band, and Stellaβs Last Weekend. Michael Wolff Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
π Indexical
π 7:00 PM Β· See listing
A sign-up based Open Mic night for anyone involved in making electronic music, whatever the style, genre or format - anything from ambient and drone through synth pop, techno to industrial, noise and beyond! The intent is to showcase live performances of music that is PRIMARILY ELECTRONIC IN NATURE - e.g. acts using hardware or software synthesizers, electronic instruments, laptops, groove boxes, drum machines, sequencers and so forth. Interested in performing? Sign up at
π Santa Cruz Actors' Theatre
π 7:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· $16
A story written by Capitolaβs very own, Joe Ortiz, comes to life at The SC Actors Theatre. Escaping Queens follows an immigrant family as they navigate the challenges of poverty and a fatherβs problems with gambling, alcohol, and women. This funny, edgy, ultimately hopeful musical paints a cast of colorful characters, from neighborhood bookies to a doo wop group to all the shades and personalities in a mixed Italian and Puerto Rican family. Based on Oritzβs own memoir, PastinaβMy Fatherβs Misfortune, My Motherβs Good Soup, the emotional turbulence of navigating an escape from New York is presented as a compelling and sophisticated story that asks if children are fated to repeat their parentsβ mistakes. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz
π Park Hall Ben Lomond
π 7:00 PM Β· $22
Little People's Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little People's Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of βscientistsβ came to βstudyβ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7β14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. It's alternative children's musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.
π Cabrillo College Crocker Theater
π 7:30 PM β 10:00 PM Β· $20
Cabrillo Stage is a musical theatre company dedicated to presenting high-caliber, large-scale musical productions to the area. They are committed to the creation of musicals with Broadway-level production values. In this way, they foster educational opportunities while giving audiences the highest-quality family entertainment. They aim to be a destination point for the best of live theatre. Sister Act hits the stage with the force of a disco ball struck by divine inspiration. Deloris, a bold and big-hearted nightclub singer, lands in a convent for her own protection and winds up transforming a tuneless choir into a soulful powerhouse. Her energy shakes the dust off every pew as she teaches the nuns to sing with joy, courage, and a little sparkling attitude. By the finale, the once-quiet convent is radiating harmony, friendship, and unstoppable fun. Sister Act delivers a burst of laughter, heart, and high-energy music that leaves the audience glowing long after the curtain falls. Click βMore Event Datesβ in orange above to see other showtimes, or follow the link in the orange button above to purchase tickets. Locals Love: Stunning, creative sets, talented live orchestras, and passionate performances, often at reasonable prices. First Timers Miss: The theaterβs architecture beautifully complements the overall experience, designed for optimal viewing. Insights: Santa Cruz METRO bus lines 1, 2, 55, and 73 all service Cabrillo College, providing access to the campus and the Crocker Theater. If taking a car, parking in Lot L is free.
π Moe's Alley
π 8:00 PM Β· See listing
Moes Alley presents the triumphant return of Larry and His Flask celebrating the 15-year anniversary of their fan favorite record All The We Know! Special guests Diggin Trails opens the show!Thursday, July 23, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+* 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====LARRY AND HIS FLASKAfter a 7-year hiatus, LAHF is back for the 15 year anniversary of our album All That We Know(Yes, it has been that long).For a little band from a small town in Central Oregon, we were able to achieve amazing things and use our music to see the world!We were very much off the beaten path. When we grew up there was no major airport, no interstate highway and no reason to think that we could ever be an international touring band. Until a few years ago most people had not even heard of Bend Oregon, let alone Redmond (Where LAHF started). We were not from a major music town. We had no ties to the music industry, and we had no money to help us get in front of the right people. To get our music out there, we had to hit the road. And so, that is what we did.Most of the time we had no money at all. When we were hungry, we stole food from the supermarket or busked. When we needed a place to sleep, we made new friends in a new town. Everything we achieved was through tenacity and the kindness of our friends, family and fans. We owe everything to you. Thank you!After a daunting tour schedule that would put any band to the test, we needed to go into hibernation. From 2010-2014, LAHF played 200-250 shows a year. On top of that, we busked constantly to earn gas money and food. No town was safe from our brand of Americana Punk and the beer-fueled chaos that followed. We constantly criss-crossed and zig-zagged North America and Europe. We have been thro
π Murray St and Seabright Ave
π 8:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· FREE
Grab some lawn chairs and some blankets and cozy up for this free movie night on Seabright! July 9: The SpongeBob Movie July 16: Legally Blonde July 23: Minecraft Movie July 30: Shrek August 6: Hoppers August 13: Goat
π Vino by the Sea
π 8:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· FREE
Hello Fully Charged Fans, Look up! We will be ROCKING the - Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Series - After Party - upstairs at Vino by the Sea on Tuesday, July 28th. We hope to see you all upstairs after James Durbin and the Lost Boys perform on the main stage. If you have never been to Vino by the Sea, then expect a treat! It's an absolutely beautiful location with amazing wines and beers. And they love to rock out! π€π½ Don't miss it! The show starts at 8 PM. Location: Vino By the Sea 55 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz Check out our website for more upcoming events, and make sure to join our mailing list to stay in the loop about everything we're up to: https://www.getfullychargedband.com/ - Fully Charged
π The Blue Lagoon
π 8:00 PM β 12:00 AM Β· See listing
Itβs the triumphant return of Cam Girl to the Blue Lagoon! Coming all the way out from Asheville, North Carolina, Cam Girl is a transwoman-fronted, futuristic glam metal band that shreds and looks good doing it. Theyβre raw, heavy and have catchy riffs that defy anyone not to headbang. Plus, they have a killer neon sign with their name on it instead of the generic banner which really adds to their sci-fi themes. They will be joined by Santa Cruzβs punk rock wrestling accompaniment collective, The Randy Savages and San Jose/Oakland-based punks The Roughies to celebrate the birth of Jesse Williams. Those who know, know. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
π Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
π 8:00 PM Β· $55.58
Named one of Americaβs greatest living songwriters by Rolling Stone, James McMurty is a true craftsman, beloved by his peers. His wonderfully poetic and transportive lyrics draw from his family history. His smart songwriting was influenced by his late novelist father, who gave him his first guitar at age seven, with odes to his hallucinations, The Black Dog, and The Wandering Boy, the title of his latest album. McMurtyβs rock sensibilities give him a gritty fierceness that he weaves together with an Americana twang that has audiencesβ ears continually perking up. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz
π Murray Street at the corner of Seabright Ave
π 8:30 PM β 10:00 PM Β· FREE
Thursday Night Movie Nights, a six-week outdoor movie series held Thursday nights on Murray Street starting July 9 through August 13. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for free outdoor screenings. The event series is free to attend and will feature family-friendly programming throughout the summer. July 23: Minecraft Movie July 30: Shrek August 6: Hoppers August 13: Goat
π Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
π 8:30 PM β 9:30 PM Β· FREE
Stay for the entertainment from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the Colonnade Deck! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by Magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Admission is free! Monday, June 15, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Tuesday, June 16, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan Wednesday, June 17, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β Live Music with Fire Peach Friday, June 19, 2026 β Free showing of Ferris Buellerβs Day Off movie on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 22, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game Friday, June 26, 2026 β Free showing of the movie Kicking and Screaming on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 29, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Tuesday, June 30, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β Live Music with El Brick Friday, July 3, 2026 β Independence Day Celebrations Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm β DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday,
π Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
π 8:30 PM β 9:30 PM Β· FREE
Enjoy free live music every Thursday evening throughout the summer at the Boardwalkβs Colonnade Stage. Grab a bite, enjoy a refreshing drink, and dance along to a rotating lineup of bands and talented artists with the ocean as your backdrop. 2026 Lineup: β’ June 18, 2026: Fire Peach β’ July 2, 2026: El Brick β’ July 9, 2026: Shawn Yanez β’ July 16, 2026: Flaco El Jandro β’ July 23, 2026: Papiba & Friends β’ July 30, 2026: The Deadlies β’ August 6, 2026: Anthony Arya
π Santa Cruz Maker Studios
π 9:00 PM β 2:00 PM Β· $720
Join us this summer for a maker experience where students (ages 7 β 12) design and build custom creations they can proudly take home. Our summer camps combine creativity, engineering, and craftsmanship in a supportive studio environment designed for both first time makers and returning students. Each camp week provides access to our 3D printing, woodworking, and textiles stations, with dedicated instructors in each area guiding students through tools, techniques, and projects. Every week also features a themed focus that inspires ideas across our maker zones and gives students a starting point for their creations. While themes provide structure, students are encouraged to explore projects that interest them, combine ideas across weeks, or pursue custom builds with instructor support. Camp Schedule and Daily Flow Summer camp runs from May 29 through July 31, 2026, with ten themed camp sessions offered throughout the season. Camp hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Camps are designed for students ages 7 to 12 and take place at Santa Cruz Maker Studios, located at 427 A. Swift Street in Santa Cruz. Session 1: May 27 & 29 (Two-Day Camp) Choose Your Mini Project β $144.00 This one day camp is designed for creative exploration and flexibility. Students choose a mini project based on their interests and skill level and spend the day designing, building, and finishing something they are excited about. Projects may include woodworking builds, simple robots, sewing projects, laser cut designs, or 3D printed creations. This session is a great introduction for new students and a fun option for returning makers looking to try something new. Session 2: June 1 β June 5 Arcades and Games β $720.00 Students step into the role of game designers and builders. Using woodworking, laser cutting, and 3D printing, campers create playable arcade style games such as a mini foosball table and mini-golf course. Others may design custom board games, chess boards and pieces,
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 8:30 AM β 3:30 PM Β· $400
Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by what we discover.
π All About Theatre
π 9:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· $345
A one-week theater intensive where young performers rehearse and stage Moana Jr., building confidence and ensemble skills in a supportive creative environment.
π Dynomite Farm
π 9:00 AM β 5:00 PM Β· $59
Enjoy Dynomite Farmβs show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
π All About Theatre
π 9:00 AM β 4:00 PM Β· $895
A three-week summer theater program culminating in a full production of Moana Jr., giving participants a deeper dive into performance, character work, and stagecraft.
π BEYOND liberty
π 9:00 AM β 10:00 AM Β· $10
Mindful Movement with Horses Blending Tai Chi, Qigong, Horses and Mindfulness and informed by Polyvagal Theory, this class supports nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and safe connectionβwith yourself, the herd, and the natural world. All proceeds benefit BEYOND liberty, a nonprofit horse sanctuary and equine education center improving the lives of both humans and horses through education, experiential learning and wellness and enrichment programs. $10 drop-in. Registration required: https://BeyondLibertyandPMR.as.me/MindfulnessThroughMovement
π Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
π 9:30 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 10:00 AM β 2:00 PM Β· See listing
0 booked, 4 available Glazing
π Roaring Camp Railroads
π 10:00 AM β 4:00 PM Β· $32
From Trees to Shining Seas β 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. Todayβs 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.
π City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
π 10:00 AM β 11:30 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 takeβand 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 βrecycle right,β avoid βwish-cycling," and why we can't rely on a triangle and a blue bin anymore. Visitors will see a mountain of scrap metal, learn about the facilityβs Household Hazardous Waste Program, and see the Food Scrap Pre-Processor Machine. Donβt 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.
π La Bahia Hotel & Spa
π 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 propertyβs serene spa amenities for a restorative escape by the sea.
π Wilder Ranch State Park
π 11:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· FREE
Young adventurers are invited to join the Junior Ranger Program at Wilder Ranch State Park this summer! The free program is 11 a.m. to noon. Kids ages 7-12 are invited. Parents and guardians can learn more and register their young adventurers online. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park.
π Institute of the Arts and Sciences
π 12:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Visit the IAS, UCSCβs premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10βAugust 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 β 5 pm. Admission is free to the public. Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right Libia Posadaβs 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
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Friday, July 24 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm Join our Bridge Club for friendly games and social fun, open to players of all skill levels.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Friday, July 24 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm We are knitting at Live Oak Library on Fridays.