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

Music
β˜… Featured
Sun, Jul 26, 2026 Β· Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Auditions

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 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

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Sunday, July 26

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

12:00 AM
See listing
2026 Dickens Universe
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
12:00 AM
See listing
Cabrillo Festival 2026 Opening Night
πŸ“ Santa Cruz
Festivals
12:00 AM
See listing
SC Civic Auditorium: Festival of Contemporary Music
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Festivals
12:00 AM
$59.76
Wharf to Wharf Race
πŸ“ Capitola Wharf
Family
1:00 AM
$500
The Dickens Universe featuring β€˜Bleak House’
πŸ“ Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
Education
1:00 AM
See listing
Cabrillo Festival 2026 – Opening Night
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
8:00 AM
$59.76
Wharf to Wharf Race
πŸ“ Capitola Wharf
Sports
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak: Farmers Market
πŸ“ Live Oak Farmers’ Market
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak Farmers' Market
πŸ“ East Cliff Village
Markets

What's happening

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

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Area Clear all

12 upcoming events Β· Adults 21+ Β· from 2026-07-26 Β· to 2026-08-02

Jul
26

Moe's Alley Presents: Sue Foley

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 4:00 PM Β· See listing

Sue Foley is bringing her band back to Moes to rock your world! Sunday, July 26, 2026Doors: 3pm / Show: 4pm$30 in advance / $35 day of the show21+* No Refunds | 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====SUE FOLEYSue Foley is a multi-award-winning blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose latest album, One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. Known for her fiery playing and soulful voice, Foley blends Texas blues grit with refined fingerstyle technique, whether on her signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster or a hand-built flamenco guitar. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Foley began performing professionally at 16 and made her mark in Austin, Texas, with the legendary Antones label. Since her 1992 debut Young Girl Blues, shes toured internationally, sharing stages with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Billy F Gibbons. Foley is a five-time consecutive Blues Music Award winner for Traditional Blues Female Artist (20202025) and a recipient of multiple other honors, including a JUNO Award and the 2024 Maple Blues Lifetime Achievement Award. A passionate scholar as well as a performer, Foley holds a PhD in Musicology and will release her first book, Guitar Women, in 2026. As the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, Foley has a killer voice, an impossibly alluring blend of sex and innocence to go with those blazing guitar chops. With One Guitar Woman, she reclaims history and redefines what a guitar hero can be.

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
29

Moe's Alley Presents: Monophonics w/ Lemon City Trio

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM Β· See listing

Moes Alley presents psych-soul favorites Monophonics with Miami-based Lemon City Trio! Wednesday, July 29, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$30 in advance / $35 day of the show21+*Tickets on sale Friday, May 1st at 10am PT** No Refunds | 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====MONOPHONICSThe worlds premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics, cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel. A place where folks experience the highs and lows of human existence. A place where big dreams and broken hearts live, where people arrive without ever knowing how they got there. Its where individuals find themselves at a crossroads in life.LEMON CITY TRIOLemon City Trio formed as a soul jazz organ trio, and has since evolved into a band with its own sound and unique repertoire. The band hails from Miami, Fl and has made a name for itself throughout the state, and up the east coast. Ranging from edgy fusion grooves, to dreamy space Rock, and everything in between, LCT takes its audience on a journey from start to finish.

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
30

Moe's Alley Presents: The Cash Box Kings with special guest Aki Kumar

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 8:00 PM Β· See listing

Jump blues, small-band swing and R&B are all ingredients in the stew that came to be known as rock β€˜n’ roll. This music of Cash Box Kings builds on those foundations, adding a healthy helping of the blues (Chicago style) into the mix. Distorted harmonica, shouted vocals, beefy horn sections and a rhythm section that won’t quit are the hallmarks of this spirited outfit from the windy city. As exemplified on their latest release, Oscar’s Motel, it’s all lovingly done with a lot of style and – more importantly – love and understanding. Bay Area blues sensation Aki Kumar is also on the bill. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Newspaper

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
31

Dickens Universe Turveydrop Gala

πŸ“ Stevenson Event Center
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM Β· $50

Join us for The Turveydrop Gala on July 31, 2026, as we celebrate the 46th Annual Dickens Universe Conference! Now open to the public, this enchanting evening invites community members to don their finest Victorian attire and enjoy a night of lively entertainmentβ€”including Victorian dance lessons, casino tables, a raffle, postprandial potations, and a live auction! Hosted by the Dickens Project, 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 Californiaβ€”all focused on one or two Victorian novels, with this year’s novel being Charles Dickens’s Bleak House. The week-long conference culminates in The Turveydrop Galaβ€”a festive celebration that brings together conference attendees and community members. Purchases from the evening’s activities will support the Dickens Project’s educational programs. Gala Details: 6:30 PM: Doors Open 7:00-8:00 PM: Live Auction Bid on Dickens-related items, including a first-edition of Bleak House by Charles Dickens 8:00 PM: Announcement of the 2027 Dickens Universe Novel Purchase a copy from local bookseller Liz Pollock of the Cook's Bookcase 8:15-11:00 PM: Victorian Ball and Gaming Dance to nineteenth-century music performed by the Great Expectations Orchestra, with dances led by dance instructor Annie Laskey (This event is 21+) Questions about The Turveydrop Gala? Email: [email protected].

Art & Culture Adults 21+ Details β†’
Jul
31

Ashez & Kaipora

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

Ashez is an Auckland, New Zealand-based producer working in the bass genre and debuting in the late 2010s. On record, his primary mΓ©tier is the single. His two albumsβ€”2021’s Digital Human and the new-for-2026 Headwayβ€”are both remix collections. Named after Brazilian folklore’s protector of the rainforest, Kaipora is a Santa Clarita duo trafficking in bass and rhythmic soundscapes with processed vocals (both sung and rapped), deep grooves and glitchy synthesizer textures that are heavy and hypnotic. Regular fixtures on the festival circuit, both acts cultivate a musical atmosphere designed for dancing and other forms of communal celebration. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz

Jul
31

Moe's Alley Presents: Prezident Brown w/ Chalice

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 9:00 PM Β· See listing

Moes Alley presents Prezident Brown with none other than Jamaican reggae legends Chalice! Friday, July 31, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$35 in advance / $40 day of show21+ * No Refunds | 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====PREZIDENT BROWNPrezident Brown, born Fitz Albert Cotterell, has been called, one of the most interesting cultural dee-jays since U Roy. Emphasizing positive messages, Prezident Brown has continued to pioneer his own direction, developing his own approach to dee-jaying that he calls, The chanting stylee. Born to a Seventh Day Adventist family in Colonel Ridge, Clarendon, Prezident Brown grew up in the small town of Oracabessa in the Parish of St. Mary, Jamaica.He was forced to leave school at a young age when his father died leaving him with his mother and three sisters. Prezident Brown launched his musical career at the age of fourteen, when he began dee-jaying for the Sound King Stereo Mix at the Bamboo Lounge. Initially known as Junior Ranking, Prezident Brown was dubbed, Slim Brown, by dee-jay Nicodemus. When he recorded his debut single in 1988 Prezident Brown was named, Dancehall Doctor. The late Jack Ruby, producer of Burning Spears albums, Marcus Garvey, and, Man In The Hills, bestowed the title, Prezident, upon him.In 1989, he joined Courtney Coles label, Roof International, and began performing and dee-jaying at the Rooftop Club in Ocho Rios. In 1990, Prezident Brown became involved with producers Barry OHare and Steven Stewart at Grove Music in Ocho Rios. It was Barry OHares X-Rated Record label that became Prezident Browns home base and it was X-Rated Records with Runn Records that launched his career in Europe. In Jamaica the X-Rated label took off as a massive roots revival swept across the country paving the way for Prezident Browns

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
1
β˜… Featured

Chamber Choir Now Auditioning

πŸ“ Westside Locations
πŸ•’ 8:39 AM – 8:39 AM Β· FREE

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.

Sessiontapes Live Qiensave?, Spaghetti Cumbia, & DJ Baby Dizzle! This isnt just a concert, esto es un pinche pari. Whether youre coming to dance, skank, two-step, sing along, or simply enjoy a night out, this is your invitation to one of the hottest cumbia-punk nights of the summer. Grab your compas, lace up your dancing shoes, and join us at Moes Alley for a night of music y desmadre.Saturday, August 1, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$20 in advance / $25 day of the show21+* No Refunds | 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====Qiensave?Rooted in Salinas and inspired by their Michoacn heritage, Qiensave? has become one of the leading voices in the modern cumbia movement. Their signature Cumbia Urbana sound blends traditional cumbia with rock, reggae, hip-hop, and urban influences, creating an energetic live experience that continues to connect with audiences across the country. Fresh off new releases and national touring, the band continues to push cumbia into new territory while staying true to their roots.Spaghetti CumbiaStraight out of Los Angeles, Spaghetti Cumbia serves up a high-energy mix of cumbia, punk rock, garage rock, and spaghetti western swagger. Known for turning every venue into a dance-fueled frenzy, the band delivers a unique sound that is equal parts baile and mosh pit. Their debut performance at Moes Alley promises to be one for the books.About DJ Baby DizzleSalinas native DJ Baby Dizzle has built a reputation for bringing good vibes and packed dance floors wherever she goes. From community celebrations and cultural events to night clubs and live music showcases, her eclectic sets blend cumbia, hip-hop, funk, and party favorites into an unforgettable experience. Whether youre warming up for the bands or closing out the night, Baby Dizzle has the soundtr

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’

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†’