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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.

๐Ÿ“
In-person only, on purpose.

Every listing is something you can actually show up to, from Davenport down to Watsonville.

No webinars No livestreams Just show up โœ“

โ˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! โ˜… Featured Event Sponsored
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 ยท 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

๐Ÿ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing ยท Downtown Santa Cruz ยท See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you wonโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details โ†’
Promotional image for Square Dance Santa Cruz โ˜… Featured
Thu, Jul 23, 2026 ยท Woodhouse Blending & Brewing

Square Dance Santa Cruz

We are thrilled to return for our monthly SANTA CRUZ SQUARE DANCE โœจ! 5:30pm old time tunes jam (bring your instrument!) This event is FREE (but please consider donating to support the band!)

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for SC Beach Boardwalk: Free Minecraft Movie on the Beach โ˜… Featured
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 ยท Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

SC Beach Boardwalk: Free Minecraft Movie on the Beach

Every Friday night on the beach in front of the Colonnade, bring your family and your blanket or low-back chair to experience the ultimate movie night! Watch your favorite movies while munching on mouthwatering Boardwalk treats, from kettle corn and saltwater taffy to corn dogs and turkey legs. Seating is first come, first served and each movie will have a 15-minute intermission. June 12, 2026: The Lost Boys June 19, 2026: Ferris Buellerโ€™s Day Off June 26, 2026: Kicking and Screaming July 10, 2026: 13 Going on 30 July 17, 2026: Back to the Future July 24, 2026: A Minecraft Movie July 31, 2026: Jurassic Park August 7, 2026: The Goonies

Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Beach & Boardwalk
Promotional image for Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€ โ˜… Featured
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 ยท Stevenson College

Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€

The DSAS Center for Leadership and Involvement and Summer Edge invite you to join us for our Movie Night Under the Stars event screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€: 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 Californiaโ€™s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeโ€”whether a student service, faculty program, or community eventโ€”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 ๐Ÿ“ UCSC
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

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Thursday, July 23

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

8:18 AM
FREE
Chamber Choir Now Auditioning
๐Ÿ“ Rotating
Music
8:30 AM
$400
Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (6/6)
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
9:00 AM
$345
Summer Production (1-week): Moana Jr.
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Chen, X. (STAT) โ€“ Changepoint Detection and Clustering Methods for Multivariate Time Series and Attributed Networks
๐Ÿ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
10:00 AM
See listing
CLAY INDEPENDENT LAB TIME
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Art & Culture

What's happening

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Showing 30 of 2399 upcoming events

Jul
23

Mah Jongg Club

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐Ÿ•’ 3:00 PM ยท See listing

Thursday, July 23 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.

Community Details โ†’
Jul
23

Mark Van Haren โ€“ '70s pop-soul

๐Ÿ“ Jack O'Neil Restaurant and Lounge
๐Ÿ•’ 3:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท See listing

Step back into the golden era of โ€™70s pop-soul with Mark Van Harenโ€”guitarist, vocalist, and lifelong devotee of the music that made AM radio magic. Raised on Stevie Wonder, Hall & Oates, Al Green, James Taylor, Steely Dan, Bill Withers, Bacharach, and the Beatles, Mark brings that eraโ€™s warmth, melody, and heart to life. His sets blend rich vocals, rhythmic guitar, and harmonically complex arrangements, mixing familiar-but-forgotten favorites like โ€œBaby Come Backโ€ with soulful deep cuts such as โ€œKnocks Me Off My Feet.โ€ Every song is chosen for connectionโ€”music that feels good, hits deep, and brings audiences together.

Jul
23

Tech Cafe

๐Ÿ“ Freedom Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 4:30 PM โ€“ 6:30 PM ยท See listing

Are you interested in learning about technology? Visit us during our weekly Tech Cafรฉ program where you have the opportunity to get basic tech-related questions answered and test a new piece of technology. This program will take place on Thursdays from 4:30-6:30pm at the Main Library (unless otherwise indicated). The technology we demo will change each month; here is a list of what technology will be featured: - January (program starts on the 15th): Doodle Pens - February: Makey Makeys (circuit boards) - March: 3D Printer - April: Spheros (programmable robots) - May: Cricut - June: Glowforge - laser cutter (This program will take place at the Freedom Branch) - July: iPad Stop Motion movies - August: Spheros (programmable robots) - September: 3D Printer - October: Doodle Pens - November: Cricut - December: Makey Makeys (circuit boards) Audience: All Ages ยฟLe interesa aprender sobre tecnologรญa? Visรญtanos durante nuestro programa semanal Tech Cafรฉ, donde tendrรกs la oportunidad de obtener respuestas a preguntas bรกsicas relacionadas con la tecnologรญa y probar una nueva tecnologรญa. Este programa se llevarรก a cabo los jueves de 4:30 a 6:30pm en la Biblioteca Principal (a menos que se indique otro horario o lugar). La tecnologรญa que mostraremos cambiarรก cada mes; las tecnologรญas que se presentarรกn: - enero (el programa comienza el dรญa 15): Doodle Pens - febrero: Makey Makeys (placas de circuitos) - marzo: Impresora 3D - abril: Spheros (robots programables) - mayo: Cricut - junio: Glowforge - cortadora lรกser (este programa se llevarรก a cabo en la sucursal Freedom) - julio: iPad Stop Motion (pelรญculas) - agosto: Spheros (robots programables) - septiembre: Impresora 3D - octubre: Doodle Pens - noviembre: Cricut - diciembre: Makey Makeys (placas de circuitos) Audiencia: Para todas las edades

Art & Culture Family ๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Details โ†’
Jul
23

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท FREE

Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port Districtโ€™s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.

Outdoors Free Details โ†’
Jul
23

Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special

๐Ÿ“ Persephone Restaurant
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 8:30 PM ยท $40

Every Thursday along with our regular menu we offer a prix fixe pasta dinner! Enjoy three courses starting with a fresh farmers market mixed green salad, your choice of Pappardelle Bolognese, Truffled Tortiglioni or our seasonal risotto. Finish with a scoop of our housemade chocolate gelato or seasonal sorbet. Three courses for $40!

Markets Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Jul
23

Crowโ€™s Nest: Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
๐Ÿ•’ 5:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

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

Jul
23

Highwater Blues LIVE at Thursday Night Music!

๐Ÿ“ Soquel
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:07 PM ยท See listing

Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase by ItaliaFire Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258 ext. 110

Jul
23

Bargetto Winery: Music in the Courtyard

๐Ÿ“ Bargetto Winery
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

Head to Bargetto Wineryโ€™s creekside courtyard in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! There is no cover charge and wine by the glass and light snacks are available for purchase. May 7, 2026: Alex Lucero May 14, 2026: James Durbin May 21, 2026: The Joint Chiefs May 28, 2026: Sambada June 4, 2026: Alex Lucero June 11, 2026: The Breaux Show June 18, 2026: Beach Cowboys June 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs July 2, 2026: Alex Lucero July 9, 2026: James Durbin July 16, 2026: 10 Oโ€™Clock Lunch Band July 23, 2026: Highwater Blues July 30, 2026: The Joint Chiefs August 6, 2026: TBD August 13, 2026: TBD August 20, 2026: TBD August 27, 2026: TBD September 3, 2026: TBD

Food & Drink Free ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Jul
23

Tacos and Tapas: Celebrate local talent

๐Ÿ“ El Pajaro CDC
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท $80

Tacos and Tapas: Celebrate local talent, one bite at a time, while supporting the small businesses in the community! Watsonville, CA- June 9, 2026- El Pรกjaro Community Development Corporation (El Pรกjaro CDC) is excited to present Tacos & Tapas, a lively community celebration taking place at our Commercial Kitchen Incubator. This signature fundraising event brings people together to embrace cultural diversity, savor incredible flavors, and support the growth of small businesses. Guests will enjoy an array of unique dishes and refreshments, with all proceeds directly funding El Pรกjaro CDC's programs for emerging entrepreneurs. This special evening will feature: An exclusive selection of tacos and tapas Craft beverages from local breweries and wineries Live salsa music by Flor de Caรฑa, where you can dance to vibrant rhythms We are proud to feature over 20 talented food entrepreneurs, celebrating the creativity and passion, each with a unique story rooted in heritage and tradition. Tacos & Tapas is more than just a night of food and entertainment; it is a perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends and community, all while supporting local businesses and honoring the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in our area. Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: El Pajaro CDC Commercial Kitchen Incubator, 412 Riverside Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076 Tickets: $80 per person (General admission and includes 5 tickets for food and/or drinks. Additional tickets available for purchase at the event.) Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Wells Fargo Bank; our Bronze Chef Sponsors, Rebecca and Bud Colligan; and our Sous Chef Sponsor, Bay Federal Credit Union. For sponsorship opportunities email: [email protected]. About El Pรกjaro CDC: Founded in 1979, El Pรกjaro Community Development Corporation supports economic development and entrepreneurship through business training, technical assistance, capital and access to other resources. The Commercial Kitchen Incubato

Food & Drink Community ๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Details โ†’
Jul
23

Bargetto Winery's Thursday Night Music

๐Ÿ“ Bargetto Winery
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258

2369 more events further out

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