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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 Roberts Ranch: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Roberts Ranch Vineyards

Roberts Ranch: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert

Acoustic musical guests make for a lively accompaniment to the afternoon! Enjoy a tasting of 5 of the current Roberts Ranch wines complete with abundant charcuterie boards! Meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, chocolate and even warm appetizers make appearances at this lovely and casual tasting experience. (See Seltzer & Charcuterie option for those not partaking in the wine tasting.) Your tasting begins at the crush pad where you will sign in and get your first pour and plate of charcuterie. From there you are welcome to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the views. Pace your tasting and food experience according to your preference. Enjoy a flavorful and relaxing afternoon! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Please sign up for a child’s ticket so they can be prepared with snacks and drinks for the kids.

Food & Drink πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley
Promotional image for Stax Johnson Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Over the Hill Gang Saloon

Stax Johnson

Stax Johnson is an independent rock and blues artist based out of California's Central Coast. With B3 hammond organs coupled with smooth guitar licks and deep rooted back beats, he transcends musical genres while incorporating pieces of the blues, rock and roll, and soul into a style all his own. Stax Johnson and his band have performed at various festivals and venues across the U.S. with artists that include Robbie Krieger of The Doors, Chris Isaak, Leon Russell, The Pointer Sisters, The Guess Who, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Ratt, Greg Kihn, Blues Traveler, Y&T, and The Blue Oyster Cult. Stax Johnson & Company includes Manny Castro(bass guitar and vocals), Robbie Bohn (lead guitar and vocals), Brad Burchell (drums), and Stax Johnson(guitar, keys, vocals, and harmonica).

Music
Promotional image for Kanekoa At The Pono Hawaiian Grill, Santa Cruz Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown Santa Cruz

Kanekoa At The Pono Hawaiian Grill, Santa Cruz

Kanekoa, band of limitless possibilities, is one of Hawaii’s premier live music experiences, selling out shows wherever they perform.

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Wine, Charcuterie, and Crushpad Concert at Roberts Ranch with Samba Cruz Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Roberts Ranch Vineyards

Wine, Charcuterie, and Crushpad Concert at Roberts Ranch with Samba Cruz

Join us for live music, 5 boutique wines & charcuterie at our ridge top winery!

Music πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Saturday, August 8

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Weekend with Shakespeare
πŸ“ UCSC Arboretum
Art & Culture
1:00 AM
See listing
Weekend with Shakespeare
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
8:00 AM
FREE
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Joe and Linda Aliberti Boys and Girls Club
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Cabrillo Farmers Market
πŸ“ Cabrillo College
Markets
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
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
FREE
Westside Santa Cruz Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Mission St Extension & Western Dr
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Cars and Coffee
πŸ“ East Lake Village Shopping Center
Food & Drink

What's happening

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

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Showing 30 of 2430 upcoming events

Aug
8

Quiet Revolution: Fashion Sketches of the 1950's by Barb Bartels

πŸ“ Tumbleweed Found
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· FREE

Barb Bartels began studying fashion design at Parsons School of Design in New York at eighteen, where she developed her skills in garment design, fashion illustration, and pattern making during a transformative era in American fashion. There she received critiques and mentorship from pioneering designer Claire McCardell, whose innovative approach emphasized comfort, movement, simplicity, and clothing designed for the realities of women’s lives. The watercolor sketches featured in Quiet Revolution were created during Barb’s years at Parsons and reflect the influence of that remarkable period. Their graceful lines and expressive silhouettes capture a moment when American fashion embraced elegance through simplicity and ease. After completing her second year at Parsons, Barb chose to marry and raise a family before returning to the fashion industry in the 1970s. She designed and created patterns for Esprit and Gunne Sax before building a successful freelance career in design and pattern making in Los Angeles. These sketches represent both the beginning of Barb’s creative journey and a pivotal moment in fashion history. They reflect the spirit of a quiet revolutionβ€”one that reimagined how women dressed with grace, comfort, confidence, and freedomβ€”and stand as a lasting record of her artistic vision and lifelong love of design.

Art & Culture Free Details β†’
Aug
8

Stax Johnson

πŸ“ Over the Hill Gang Saloon
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM Β· See listing

Stax Johnson is an independent rock and blues artist based out of California's Central Coast. With B3 hammond organs coupled with smooth guitar licks and deep rooted back beats, he transcends musical genres while incorporating pieces of the blues, rock and roll, and soul into a style all his own. Stax Johnson and his band have performed at various festivals and venues across the U.S. with artists that include Robbie Krieger of The Doors, Chris Isaak, Leon Russell, The Pointer Sisters, The Guess Who, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Ratt, Greg Kihn, Blues Traveler, Y&T, and The Blue Oyster Cult. Stax Johnson & Company includes Manny Castro(bass guitar and vocals), Robbie Bohn (lead guitar and vocals), Brad Burchell (drums), and Stax Johnson(guitar, keys, vocals, and harmonica).

Aug
8

Roberts Ranch: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert

πŸ“ Roberts Ranch Vineyards
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· $12.51

Acoustic musical guests make for a lively accompaniment to the afternoon! Enjoy a tasting of 5 of the current Roberts Ranch wines complete with abundant charcuterie boards! Meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, chocolate and even warm appetizers make appearances at this lovely and casual tasting experience. (See Seltzer & Charcuterie option for those not partaking in the wine tasting.) Your tasting begins at the crush pad where you will sign in and get your first pour and plate of charcuterie. From there you are welcome to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the views. Pace your tasting and food experience according to your preference. Enjoy a flavorful and relaxing afternoon! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Please sign up for a child’s ticket so they can be prepared with snacks and drinks for the kids.

Aug
8

Imagine!

πŸ“ Sesnon House, Cabrillo College
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· $150

You won't want to miss CASA of Santa Cruz County's premier fundraising event, Imagine! All proceeds raised go towards our programs supporting children and youth in the foster care and/or juvenile probation systems of Santa Cruz County. Joyous welcome festivities include youth performances, music, raffle, photo booth, and more, while enjoying complimentary appetizers, beverages, and great conversation. Enjoy a scrumptious full-course dinner prepared and served family style by the student chefs at Cabrillo's Culinary Arts program as we celebrate some amazing youth of our community. This is followed by our ever-exciting live auction that you won't want to miss! And concludes with dessert, and dancing. Purchase your tickets today!

Community Family πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
8

Death and Saxes

πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Β· See listing

5:30-7:30pm Jazz quartet based in Santa Cruz, CA. Death And Saxes is: John Bouwsma - Tenor Saxophone Harrison Brand - Guitar Jamie Brudnick - Upright Bass Ben Sibley - Drums

Music Food & Drink πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
8

Game Night for Trans and Non-binary Young Adults @TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

Game Night for Trans and Non-binary Young Adults, hosted by TransFamilies Date : Saturday, August 8 Time : 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Location : The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Ages : Young adults 18+ Welcoming all Trans and Non-binary young adults (18+) for board games, cards, laughter, and friendship. Pizza and drinks provided. Please bring your favorite game or two to share. .

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
8

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Music Exploring Control

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· $26

A genre-expanding program examining power, agency, and the forces that shape contemporary life. Clarice Assadβ€˜s Kontrol (Festival Commission, world premiere), featuring violinist Philippe Quint, is a genre-defying work for narrator, projections, violin, and orchestra that interrogates the role of technology in human autonomy. Defending Greenwood (Movement III: June 1, 1921) (West Coast premiere) by Jackson A. Watersβ€”winner of the 2026 Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prizeβ€”bears witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre, countering historical erasure through musical testimony and remembrance. Merging the Viennese waltz with electronic dance music, Hannah Ishizaki’s Spin (West Coast premiere), evokes motion, disorientation, and suspended time. As elegant triple-meter gestures collide with pulsing, club-like rhythms, the piece blurs past and present, creating a dizzying soundscape that feels both nostalgic and uncannily immediate. Dan Dediuβ€˜s Concerto for Orchestra (U.S. premiere) closes the program with a virtuosic and celebratory showcase of the ensemble, dedicated to Cristian MΔƒcelaru in recognition of their long-standing artistic collaboration.

Aug
8

First & Third Fridays Community Drumming Class With Jim Greener

πŸ“ Congregational Church of Soquel
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $10

Subject: Come Drum, Connect, and Celebrate Life β€” Now Twice a Month! Dear Friends, Due to continuing requests from our growing circle, I’m very excited to expand our Community Drumming Classes in Soquel Village from gathering on the third Friday of each month to meeting on the FIRST and THIRD FRIDAYS, beginning February 6th! Where: The Congregational Church of Soquel (the white church with the steeple) Parish Hall 4951 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA When: First & Third Fridays of every month 7:00–8:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm Donation: $10 I provide hand drums and percussion instruments, and you’re always welcome to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are warmly welcome at this family-friendly gathering! For beginners, I offer a few fun and easy tips for playing hand drums and percussion instruments, while exploring universal foundation rhythms. From there, I add more advanced elements for experienced players, guiding the group through a step-by-step Rhythm Journey that I've conducted globally for thousands of corporate and community sessions over the past four decades. Along the way, I also demonstrate how rhythm can become the foundation for a playful, positive Life Practice... reinforcing powerful Life Rhythms and supportive patterns of attitude and action. Together, we cultivate a strong, joyful Groove ... the powerful state of entrainment known as the Zone and Flow... personally, and as a community. Gathering in rhythm is one of humanity’s oldest ways of celebrating life, beginning when our ancestors first gathered around the fire... clapping hands, stomping feet, and howling at the stars... we have used rhythm to connect, empower and rejoice. Every beat reminds us that we are part of something ancient and beautiful, linking us across generations and cultures! We humans are at our best when we come together to celebrate the miracleβ€”the blessingβ€”of life, and to uplift and empower one another. Come play! Many Blessings, Jim

Festivals Family πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
8

Country Line Dancing

πŸ“ Park Hall Ben Lomond
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $10

Have you never done line dancing before? Never fear! Wendy will lead you through a variety of line dances. Go enjoy lively dancing and a fun time. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Beer, wine, sodas and snacks will be available for purchase.

Aug
8

Upcoming Line Dancing Event at Park Hall 8/8!

πŸ“ Park Hall
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $10

🀠 Grab your boots and join us for a night of line dancing! πŸ’ƒπŸ•Ί The Ben Lomond Village Alliance invites you to an evening of music, dancing, and community at Park Hall on Saturday, August 8! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or have never tried line dancing before, Wendy's Mountain Line Dance will guide you through the steps. All ages and experience levels are welcome! πŸ“… Saturday, August 8 πŸšͺ Doors open: 6:30 PM 🎢 Dancing: 7:00–8:30 PM πŸ“ Park Hall, Ben Lomond 🎟️ $10 (tickets available online and at the door) Beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be available by donation. Bring your friends, meet your neighbors, and enjoy a fun summer evening together. We can't wait to see you on the dance floor! For tickets and more information, visit BenLomondVillage.org.

Aug
8

CONTROL - 2026 CABRILLO FESTIVAL

πŸ“ Civic Auditorium
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· $26

Conducted by Cristian MΔƒcelaru Clarice Assad: Kontrol (Philippe Quint, Violin) (Festival Commission & world premiere) Jackson A. Waters: Defending Greenwood (West Coast premiere) Hannah Ishizaki: Spin (West Coast premiere) Dan Dediu: Concerto for Orchestra (U.S premiere) A genre-expanding program examining power, agency, and the forces that shape contemporary life. Clarice Assadβ€˜s Kontrol (Festival Commission, world premiere), featuring violinist Philippe Quint, is a genre-defying work for narrator, projections, violin, and orchestra that interrogates the role of technology in human autonomy. Defending Greenwood (Movement III: June 1, 1921) (West Coast premiere) by Jackson A. Watersβ€”winner of the 2026 Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prizeβ€”bears witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre, countering historical erasure through musical testimony and remembrance. Merging the Viennese waltz with electronic dance music, Hannah Ishizaki’s Spin (West Coast premiere), evokes motion, disorientation, and suspended time. As elegant triple-meter gestures collide with pulsing, club-like rhythms, the piece blurs past and present, creating a dizzying soundscape that feels both nostalgic and uncannily immediate. Dan Dediuβ€˜s Concerto for Orchestra (U.S. premiere) closes the program with a virtuosic and celebratory showcase of the ensemble, dedicated to Cristian MΔƒcelaru in recognition of their long-standing artistic collaboration.

Aug
8

The Rocky Horror Show

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Veteran's Hall
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM Β· $15

A young, wholesome, and seemingly normal couple, Brad and Jan, set out to visit their old professor, but their plans change when a large storm causes their car to go flat. Desperate to get out of the rain, they find an old castle that is home to Dr. Frank-N-Furter. From there, the night only becomes weirder. That night will be one they and the audience will not forget. This cult classic continues to entertain crowds, and this run is no different. Audience members can purchase interactive goodie bags with their tickets and participate in a costume contest. Goes until August 22.

Aug
8

Mickey Avalon

πŸ“ Felton Music Hall
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Β· See listing

Mickey Avalon has no shortage of street cred or endless raw raps about male prostitution or smoking crack. Avalon’s early home life reeked of addiction, and he left his father for the streets of Hollywood, California. Slinging weed and trying to find purpose, Avalon even dabbled in orthodox Judaism (his grandmother is a holocaust survivor). A marriage and a family got pushed aside for their own personal raging heroin addiction. But Avalon’s story and music is all about overcoming the odds and pushing past great struggles. Ever since Avalon showed up on MySpace Records with the single, β€œJane Fonda,” he have been on the frontline of music’s edge. Punk, Hip Hop, Rap, Glam and Mickey Avalon. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz

Aug
8

Shawn Colvin

πŸ“ Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM Β· See listing

South Dakota-born Shawn Colvin broke out in a big way right from the beginning of her recording career. Colvin’s remarkable debut album, 1989’s Steady On appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, spawning a hit single and earning her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Since then, Colvin has continued to cultivate an ardent fan base, one that includes critics and a diverse audience of music lovers. Two more Grammy Awards, an ASCAP Pop Music Award and an Americana Trailblazer Award have all followed. These days Colvin concentrates more on live performance than recording. Her last release of new material was 2018’s The Starlighter. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz

Aug
8

Fishhook ROCKS The Crow's Nest this Saturday, August 8th. Dance Party!

πŸ“ The Crow's Nest
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Β· See listing

Hey, Fishhook Fans! Fishhook is back at The Crow's Nest in Santa Cruz on Saturday, August 8th. We are the band that does not let up on the gas! 🎸🎼 You will hear all your favorite songs "leveled up" the FISHHOOK way! And you will experience some of the best Rock and Roll in town. πŸ˜‰ Let's Party! And bring your friends too. The show starts at 8:00 PM. Address: The Crow's Nest 2218 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Check our website for upcoming events, and join our mailing list to find out what we are up to. http://fishhooktheband.com Visit our Fishhook Store at Zazzle. Get your official Fishhook swag! https://www.zazzle.com/store/fishhook_band - FISHHOOK

Aug
8

Sequoias At Night

πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM Β· See listing

Fridays & Saturdays 8pm-10pm through October. Opening weekend July 10-11! Experience the magic once again as this beloved art and light installation returns to the Santa Cruz Mountains for its second year. Lighted lanterns hang high overhead surrounded by thousand year old redwoods that are uplit to create a unique and awe-inspiring retreat back to nature.

Aug
8

Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing

πŸ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Β· $25

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 Art & Culture πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’

2400 more events further out

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