Monday, July 27 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive reading partners for children reading aloud. *Registration is required*
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
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Featured
Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening βSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseβ
The DSAS Center for Leadership and Involvement and Summer Edge invite you to join us for our Movie Night Under the Stars event screening βSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseβ: 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 Californiaβs nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeβwhether a student service, faculty program, or community eventβis designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications .
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Featured
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
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.
Coming up
Bluegrass Jam Bazaar (Copy) (Copy)
This is the place to be on Tuesday! This weekly jam fest features rotating bands, open jam sessions, vendors, activities and all the dance vibes you can manage. Bring your instrument and your dancing shoes!
βοΈ Happening today
Monday, July 2749 events on today. No plans required, just go.
What's happening
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Showing 30 of 2590 upcoming events
Bluegrass Jam Bazaar (Copy) (Copy)
This is the place to be on Tuesday! This weekly jam fest features rotating bands, open jam sessions, vendors, activities and all the dance vibes you can manage. Bring your instrument and your dancing shoes!
Monday, July 27th, come early for the line dance lessons and then enjoy a folk rock hoedown at SubRosa with...
Monday, July 27th, come early for the line dance lessons and then enjoy a folk rock hoedown at SubRosa with... * Bovine - ATX folk rock americana @___bovine___ ** Miriam Hacksaw - queer Malayali-American fiddler and banjoist from New Orleans @miriamhacksaw *** Towse - folk pop fairy @towselikehouse **** Gay Eldest Daughter - queer folk from the central coast @gayeldestdaughter ***** Big Tractor - honkytonk folk punk @bigtractormusic Doors/Dance lesson - 5:30pm & Music - 6:00pm // $10 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. Letβs create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Cente
The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micβd board games 5 β 8 Trivia 8 β 10
-Natalie
Open Mic w/ SteveV, every Monday
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
Monday, July 27 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
A theater production of the musical Dear Evan Hansen.
Motion Pacific: Adult Beginning Jazz Fusion
This is Motion Pacific's Beginning Jazz Fusion class for adult dancers.
Come join us! Mondays @ 6pm Yoga 7pm Meditation and Sound Healing β€οΈβπ©Ή $10 a class, no one will be turned away π«Ά
A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.
OIL & ACRYLIC PAINTING (1/5)
1 booked, 15 available Sarah Orre
Queer & Trans Yoga Hosted by Sapphire Yoga Collective @ TDC
Queer & Trans Yoga by Sapphire Yoga Collective Weekly Yoga Class @ TDC Mondays from 6:00 PM -7:15 PM This is a trauma-sensitive, all-levels, all-bodies/abilities class taught by a rotating queer-identifying yoga teacher each week. We highlight self nurturance through yoga asana and meditation, a somatic and mindfulness healing practice that resources us for our own resilience as well as community care. No prior yoga experience necessary. Ultimately, this is a brave space for LGBTQIA++ identifying folks to gather and take deep care. Please bring your our yoga mat and water bottle. Cost: $10-20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds! @sapphireyogacollective and @yogaforallmovement Questions? Contact Tara Maxon, Well-being Coordinator email: tara.maxon @diversitycenter.org
Santa Cruz Shakespeare Summer Dramaturgy Talk
Monday, July 27 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm Dr. Michael Mark Chemers & Susan Myer Silton discuss Fences by August Wilson, Private Lives by Noel Coward, and The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown
Aidan Santa Cruz is a Santa Cruz native, pianist, vocalist, and lifelong lover of music. Over the years, he has performed with a variety of local artists and organizations, including the Kuumbwa Jazz Camp, the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, Cabrillo College, Cabrillo Stage, and the Santa Cruz Symphony. Drawing inspiration from classical, jazz, world music, and everything in between, Aidan brings curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for musical connection to every performance.
Indexical x Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music present: Sarah Hennies
A rare solo performance on German cowbells (almglocken) by composer/musician Sarah Hennies. Moderated by UCSC Scholar and educator Madison Heying, this evening peels back the layers of accepted reality. Hennies resides in upstate New York and has had her compositions performed around the world, often with Hennies on percussion. So much of art is about intention, and Hennies' passionate focus on queer & trans identity, psychoacoustics, and the social and neurological conditions underlying creative thought imbues the evening with context. βIndexical has done it again,β as Mr. Magoo might say. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz
Ten minute time slots for spoken word, poetry, comedy, or solo/duet musical acts with Happy Hour prices at the bar. (No drum sets please.)
Santa Cruz native (and former bookseller at Bookshop Santa Cruz!) Chloe Chapin will share her debut book, Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men βthe surprising story of how the plain black suit became a symbol of masculinity, democracy, and modernity. βChapinβs colorful prose and eye for detail will forever change how we see the pantsuit and its role in politics.β β Lindsay M. Chervinsky, author of Making the Presidency Chapin will be in conversation with B. Modern, a fellow costume designer.
Audrey Stanley Grove: Shakespearian Actors Play Live DnD
The Santa Cruz Shakespeare Cast Plays D&D β Live! Enjoy a one-night-only live Dungeons & Dragons adventure where the script doesnβt exist, the stakes are real, and the story unfolds in front of your eyes. Every battle, every spell, every unexpected twist is determined in the moment.
The SCS Cast Plays Dungeons & Dragons Live!
The Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) cast will be shaking things up later this month at their Monday Night Revels. The SCS will be putting on a special performance where they and the audience will watch the story develop together. They will be playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) live! Every decision a character makes, every dice roll, every twist, and every battle will unfold on the stage. Only the Game Master knows what is in store for the lively party of adventurers. This performance will be exciting and intimate. It is perfect for those who have played D&D for years and those who have never played before. -Isabella Marie Sangaline; Good Times Santa Cruz
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Santa Cruz native (and former bookseller at Bookshop Santa Cruz!) Chloe Chapin will share her debut Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men-the su...
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Contemporary jazz guitarist and composer Ray Obiedo had an eclectic music upbringing during his younger days in the San Francisco Bay Area. The sounds of Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henry Mancini, Mortown Records, and perhaps most of all, James Brown, all influenced his musical persona and career trajectory. His early break was joining Johnny βHammondβ Smith on tour in 1974, which then led to late seventies touring with the legendary Herbie Hancock. During that time, Obiedo also began a longtime association with Pete Escovedo, which notably continues to this day. Ray Obiedoβs Latin Jazz Ensemble will feature Escovedo on percussion; an East Bay icon who has been a major force in Latin music since the late 1960s. His versatility has led to success across musical genres, including Latin jazz, salsa, rock, and Latin pop. The legendary jazz percussionistβs name has been synonymous with Latin music for half a century. Later this year, Escovedo and his daughter, Sheila E, will both be honored by the Latin Recording Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It is the first time the Recording Academy has honored both a father and daughter. Ray Obiedo Website (Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
SC Beach Boardwalk: Evenings on the Colonnade
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,
Summer Camp (ages 7-12) Santa Cruz Maker Studios
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,
The Dickens Universe featuring βBleak Houseβ
The Dickens Universe is a unique cultural event that brings together scholars, teachers, students, and members of the general public for a week of stimulating discussion and festive social activity on the beautiful Santa Cruz campus of the University of Californiaβall focused on one or two Victorian novels, usually (but not always) one by Charles Dickens. In 2026, the Dickens Universe will feature Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Dickensβs ninth novel, published between 1852-1853, shines a light on social injustice and the devastating effects of a corrupt legal system, following the entangled lives of those caught in the never-ending Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Told in alternating narrative voices, this rich literary experiment plays with a variety of genres from detective fiction and social realism to melodrama and satire. As characters move from city to suburb, from mansions to slums, we discover unexpected connections among classes, plots, and characters. Now in its 46th year of operation, the Dickens Universe combines features of a scholarly conference, a festival, a book club, and a summer camp. Participants include people of all ages and walks of lifeβdistinguished scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, retirees, young professionals, high school teachers, and anyone who loves reading and enjoys long Victorian novels. Here are some things that make the Universe such a special experience. The college lifestyle: participants live on campus, eat together in the student dining hall, and have time to meet and come to know each other in different ways. Everyone is reading the same book. We all have this one important thing in common. The activities include formal lectures, small discussion groups, films, daily Victorian teas, performances, and Victorian dancing. The Universe offers a week of total immersion in the world of Victorian fiction with friendly, like-minded colleagues in a beautiful setting. Whether weβre returning to a Dickens novel that everyone know
Beginning Botany Summer Camp
Are you a green thumb or a budding botanist? Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the Beginning Botany camp this summer to learn about the natural world by studying plants, trees, and much more. Campers will build friendships while investigating nature, playing games, and creating awesome crafts!
World of Birds Summer Camp
Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive into the world of birds!
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.
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