Skip to content
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 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
Music
β˜… Featured
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 Β· 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 πŸ“ Westside
Promotional image for Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance Coming up
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 Β· The 418 Project

Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.

Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Tuesday, July 28

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

1:00 AM
$500
The Dickens Universe featuring β€˜Bleak House’
πŸ“ Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
Education
8:30 AM
$300
Beginning Botany Summer Camp
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Family
8:30 AM
$300
World of Birds Summer Camp
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Karaoke Sing-a-long Music Bingo Tea Party with Juno and Nic! - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC
πŸ“ 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
LGBTQ+
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
11:00 AM
FREE
Backgammon @ the Library
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
See listing
Mobile Health Clinic
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
See listing
In-person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
πŸ“ 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 2571 upcoming events

Jul
28

Santa Cruz Shakespeare's Fences

πŸ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Rd, 95065
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

August Wilson joins the Santa Cruz Shakespeare stage for the first time in 45 years. Fences is the perfect offering, wonderfully in line with the season’s theme: Till Death Do Us Part. Troy Maxson is one of Wilson’s great creations; Shakespearean in scope; a wordsmith and brilliant storyteller. He has survived the terrible trauma of his past and built himself a good life. But the backbone of that life, the spine that keeps it standing strong, is his wife Rose. Like all of Wilson’s best work, Fences is both mythic and intimate; the questions it asks both human and eternal. Fences runs July 28 – August 28. Tickets available for purchase starting May 1. More information at https://santacruzshakespeare.org/tickets/ Seasonal box office hours beginning May 1 are Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. to 4p.m. Call 831-460-6399.

Art & Culture BIPOC πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
28

Audrey Stanley Grove: Live Drama in the Redwoods

πŸ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· $25

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience August Wilson’s Fences, under the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Fences By August Wilson Directed by Susan Dalian August Wilson joins the Santa Cruz Shakespeare stage for the first time in 45 years. Fences is the perfect offering, wonderfully in line with the Santa Cruz Shakespeare season’s theme: Till Death Do Us Part. Troy Maxson is one of Wilson’s great creations; Shakespearean in scope; a wordsmith and brilliant storyteller. He has survived the terrible trauma of his past and built himself a good life. But the backbone of that life, the spine that keeps it standing strong, is his wife Rose. Like all of Wilson’s best work, Fences is both mythic and intimate; the questions it asks both human and eternal. Fences runs July 28 – August 28. Tickets available for purchase starting May 1. More information through the link in the orange button above. Seasonal box office hours beginning May 1 are Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. to 4p.m. Call the number above.

Outdoors Art & Culture πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
28

B12 Shot Clinic

πŸ“ OneSource Compounding Pharmacy
πŸ•’ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Β· See listing

Step into a realm of revitalization at our pharmacy, where we proudly introduce our exclusive hydration injection services. Designed to replenish your body’s essential fluids and nutrients swiftly and effectively, our hydration injections offer a rejuvenating experience that goes beyond traditional methods. Our skilled and caring professionals utilize cutting-edge techniques to administer a customized blend of hydration, vitamins, and minerals directly into your system, ensuring a rapid and targeted response. Whether you’re seeking a post-workout boost, recovering from illness, or simply aiming to enhance your overall well-being, our hydration injections provide a quick and convenient solution. Experience the transformative power of hydration at our pharmacy, where health and vitality converge for a renewed and invigorated you.

Jul
28

Regression (including past-life)

πŸ“ Aptos Branch Library
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Β· FREE

Get the feeling you’ve been here before? That’s not just dΓ©jΓ  vu, that’s past-life memories trying to surface so you can heal and get closure on forgotten events. This workshop will train you how to initiate your own past-life regression and discover who you are through who you’ve been. Learn about loved ones, friends, enemies and frenemies to resolve tensions, deepen spiritual bonds and fulfill a purpose. We will experience auto-hypnotherapy with post hypnotic suggestions for your own self-hypnosis regression work. Learn how Tarot and other modalities are used to enhance regression work. Everyone you are close to is someone you have a past with beyond and before this lifetime. You are the sum total of every event, thought and feeling of multiple lifetimes.

Jul
28

Get ready for an awesome evening of folk music with...

πŸ“ SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· See listing

Tuesday, July 28th, get ready for an awesome evening of folk music with... * Miriam Hacksaw - queer Malayali-American fiddler and banjoist from New Orleans @miriamhacksaw ** Hannah Mayree - banjoist activating and co-creating with the Black Banjo Reclamation Project @hannah_mayree *** Song-Ha **** Gay Eldest Daughter - folk music from Santa Cruz as queer as her banjo is long @gayeldestdaughter Doors - 6:00pm & Music - 7:00pm // $10-15 at door - notaflof!* // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! *no one turned away for lack of funds SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA β€”@@@@@β€” SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a co

Jul
28

Santa Cruz Wharf: Live Concert Series

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Wharf
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

Welcome back to Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Common’s stage! Every 2 nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, head to the Wharf for live music and additional shows from 6 to 8pm. Check out Wharf Business pop ups, or make a dinner reservation before the shows. Be sure to bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes! May 26, 2026: SambaDΓ‘ June 9, 2026: The Viva Santana Show June 23: 2026: The Unauthorized Rolling Stones July 14: 2026: Sweet VooDoo July 28: The Lost Boys Featuring James Durbin August 11, 2026: Santa Cruda August 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs September 8, 2026: Extra Large After parties after every show will take place upstairs at Vino by the Sea !

Jul
28

Neighbors for Neighbors: Belonging Builds Community - Branciforte

πŸ“ Branciforte Branch Library
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Β· See listing

Join us for Neighbors for Neighbors: Belonging Builds Community, presented by Housing Matters in partnership with Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Neighbors for Neighbors is a welcoming space where community members, both housed and unhoused, can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. The format for our meetings focuses on building community. The discussion is an active participatory experience. To register visit: https://housingmatterssc.org/event/neighbors-for-neighbors-branciforte/ https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/15509572

Jul
28

Jon Dryden at The Alley-Oop

πŸ“ The Alley-Oop
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Β· FREE

Jon Dryden is a pianist/keyboardist/composer currently residing in Northern California. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music and moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he spent nineteen years as a professional musician. He performed or recorded with Norah Jones, David Byrne. Regina Carter, Lenny White, Natalie Merchant, Paula Cole, Charlie Louvin, Gaby Moreno, Madeline Peyroux, Sara Ramirez, and many others. Dryden appeared on The Chappelle Show and contributed music to film and television. He has released two piano trio albums, both recorded in New York: Memento Mori (2020) and Trio (2022). Trio was produced by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jesse Harris. His next release Some of My Lies Are True, also produced by Harris) will drop on June 19th, 2026.

Music Free Details β†’
Jul
28

Trivia Night at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.

Outdoors Free Details β†’
Jul
28

Tacos & Trivia

πŸ“ Bruno's Bar & Grill
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

As with everything we do, we bring the fun! This isn’t your average ordinary trivia. It’s β€œBruno’s Style”. We sing, we play instruments, we dance and we drink. Fill up on Tacos and Margs and get ready for a night of fun! ​ If you’re looking for a quiet night with boring trivia for the brainiacs you won’t find it at Bruno’s. With musical clues for our players – we have the most fun trivia around. We turn the music up loud and we make a lot of noise! It’s free to play with prizes for the winners. With $3 tacos and the buy a Margarita or Modelo and get a free taco deal, you’re going to have a great night at the best bar in town. Bring your friends and form a team or come by yourself and make some new friends, you’ll have a blast!

Jul
28

Yilian CaΓ±izares

πŸ“ Kuumbwa Jazz
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Born in Havana and now based in Switzerland, composer, violinist and singer Yilian CaΓ±izares comes from a classical foundation but launched her professional career in jazz leading the Ochumare Quartet. She released two albums with the group in 2009 and 2011. From there, CaΓ±izares continued as a solo artist, with three albums to her credit. She has also collaborated on record with acclaimed Cuban pianist Omar Sosa on a pair of releases, including a 2019 release, Live at Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg. CaΓ±izares’ vocals are delivered variously in French, Spanish and Yoruba, and she often plays violin while she is singing. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz

Jul
28

Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)

πŸ“ Insight Santa Cruz, 740 Front Street (2nd floor of the Galleria building)
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· See listing

Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .

Jul
28

Santa Cruz Civic Center: Cabrillo Festival Performance

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

A concert of works performed by the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra penned by four under-30 composers and conducted by emerging conductors. FREE! This year in residence are four early-career composers, Oswald Huα»³nh, Kai Kubota-Enright, Paul Novak, and Zoe Verduin, participating in the Festival’s prestigious Conductors/Composers Workshop. Composers are mentored by artists in residence and will have their pieces performed by the Festival Orchestra, led by Conducting Fellows also participating in the workshop, and culminating with the β€œIn the Works” concert. Historically, only three composers are selected, but this year marks an expansion with a fourth composer selected in partnership with Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid’s Luna Composition Lab supporting young female and nonbinary composers.

Jul
28

IN THE WORKS CONCERT - 2026 Cabrillo Festival

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

A concert of works performed by the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra penned by four under-30 composers and conducted by emerging conductors, all participating in the Conductors/Composers Workshop. FREE! This year in residence are four early-career composers, Oswald Huα»³nh, Kai Kubota-Enright, Paul Novak, and Zoe Verduin, participating in the Festival’s prestigious Conductors/Composers Workshop. Composers are mentored by artists in residence and will have their pieces performed by the Festival Orchestra, led by Conducting Fellows also participating in the workshop, and culminating with the β€œIn the Works” concert. Historically, only three composers are selected, but this year marks an expansion with a fourth composer selected in partnership with Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid’s Luna Composition Lab supporting young female and nonbinary composers.

2541 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 β†’