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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 Zen Buddhist Meditation Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Zen Center

Zen Buddhist Meditation

Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Music
Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 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
Music
Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· The Ugly Mug

Carolyn and Gerard play Django

No set up - nothing special just stage space

Music πŸ“ Soquel
Promotional image for Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Abbott Square Marketplace

Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival

The Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Thursday August 6th – Sunday August 9th, 2026 Free admission for all events! Contact [email protected] Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected β€” The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument - or guitar, banjo, and brass - it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Calendar of events: Thursday August 6th, 5:45-7:30 pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill. 120 Union St. Downtown Santa Cruz. Β· Join the Trolley Drops at their monthly jug band sing and play along. Bring your voice and/or instruments and your good humor. Lyrics projected on the wall. It’s free. Friday August 7th, 6-9 pm at Abbott Square Market and the MAH, 725 Front St. Santa Cruz Β· 6 pm in the MAH lecture hall: β€œThe Wild & Wacky History of Jug Band Music”, a presentation by the Trolley Drops. Β· 7 pm at Abbott Square: The Puffball Collective plays dance music, β€œProhibition to Psychedelia: Jug Band Roots as Rock.” Saturday August 8th, Noon-9 pm at Abbott Square. 725 Front St. Santa Cruz Β· Five bands will play one hour sets with sing-alongs or solo performances between sets. Β· Alphabetically the bands are: The Rivertown Skifflers The Quake City Jug Band The San Lorenzo Valley Ramblers The Trolley Drops The Washboard Rhythm Company Sunday August 9th, 2-5 pm at Shanty Shack Brewing. 138 Fern St. Santa Cruz. Β· Jug Band Happy Hour: various members of the five Jug Bands will perform some of their favorite songs in a more intimate setting.

Festivals

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.

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Area Clear all

17 upcoming events Β· Adults 21+ Β· from 2026-08-08 Β· to 2026-08-15

Aug
8

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.

Aug
8

Are You Game?

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM Β· See listing

Saturday, August 08 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games. Bring your own or play some of the library's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. 18+. Every 2nd Saturday.

Community Adults 21+ Details β†’
Aug
8

Groovy Judy

πŸ“ Joe's Bar
πŸ•’ 8:30 PM Β· See listing

Groovesters! Shake off the cold at Joe's in Boulder Creek! Join us on August 8th from 8:30pm to 11:30pm and warm up those dancin' shoes! Saturday, August 8 The Groovy Judy Band Grooves! Joe’s Bar 13118 State Route 9 Boulder Creek, CA 831-338-9417 8:30pm – 11:30pm 21+ FREE

Aug
9

Gary Blackburn Band

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM Β· See listing

Moes Alley Presents a rockin Sunday matinee with Gary Blackburn Band! Sunday, August 9, 2026Doors: 1pm / Show: 2pm$15 in advance / $20 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====Gary Blackburn BandGary Blackburn Band based in Santa Cruz, CA., and the Monterey Bay brings their high energy roots rock based in the Rock, Country, Blues genres. The Gary Blackburn Band currently performs at music venues up and down the Central Coast and Bay Area, blending old school with contemporary, the band will weave a musical journey up on the stage, and you will be dancing! Fronted by Santa Cruz local, and celebrated veteran singer songwriter, Gary Blackburn, the band performs familiar rocking covers along with a few of Garys originals. You can hear one of Garys country tunes, Carolina on KPIG 107.5 Freedom, California. With Gary on guitar and lead vocals, the band also features, Sean Woodward, lead guitar, mandolin, harmony vocals, Kevin Taylor, keyboards, harmony vocals, Dan Waller, bass, harmony vocals, and Tom Duncan, drums. The Gary Blackburn Band brings it yall, come have some fun!

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
9

The Beat Farmers w/ Gill Brothers Band

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

Classic guitar riffs, bright percussion, and twangy vocals, The Beat Farmers’ discography holds a seminal place in the 1980s Roots Rock and Americana scene. Beginning in 1983 in San Diego, the band played bar gigs, refining their craft before catching the attention of a Los Angeles audience. Carrying a sense of play, often leaning into goofy lyricism and a boozey stage-presence, their musicianship shines through uninhibited sets. The original lineup was spearheaded by legendary Country Dick Montana, who passed in 1995. The band carries on his spirit with Joey Harris leading vocals, Jarry Raney on guitar, Rolle Love on bass, and Joel Kmak on drums. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
11

Time Management

πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Β· See listing

In this workshop, you will: Learn the ways you can manage your time and avoid procrastination/burnout. The Successful Slug Workshop series, hosted by Learning Support Services Peer Coaches, are open to all UCSC undergraduate students and focus on academic skills and tools to support your success as a student. At each workshop, you will be introduced to a topic, engage in active learning, be given resources to begin implementing the same day, and have an opportunity to learn more if you are interested. 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 Adults 21+ πŸ“ UCSC Details β†’
Aug
12

Davy Knowles

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

Moes Alley presents the versatile and formidable bluesman, Davy Knowles! Wednesday, August 12, 2026Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm$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====DAVY KNOWLESWhether playing acoustic, mandolin, national steel, or screaming electric guitar, Davy Knowles has an unmistakable style.Since bursting on to the scene with his band Back Door Slams critically acclaimed album Roll Away in 2007 (I heard the spirit of Jimi Hendrix Patrick McDonald - Seattle Times), Davys star has only risen. His sophomore release Coming Up For Air was produced by the legendary Peter Frampton (Davy already has a recognizable style. Hes definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,- Peter Frampton), with subsequent tours seeing him supporting and sharing the stage with acts such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Joe Bonamassa, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Brian Setzer, the Sammy Hagar-fronted supergroup Chickenfoot, and guitar hero Joe Satriani who called Davy My favorite modern Bluesman. Knowles has several top-5 Billboard Blues charting albums under his belt, high profile TV appearances (Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Good Morning America among others), and has been praised with high accolades from heroes and press alike - but its not just the music industry who has taken note. Knowles was also the very first artist in history to perform live to the International Space Station directly from mission control in Houston TX, and has had his music taken to the Space Station by two astronauts, Nicole Stott and Ron Garan, on their missions orbiting Earth.Never one to be satisfied or to sit still, Knowles has explored multiple genres and styles, from the hard-hitting 70s classic rock influenced album Three Miles From Avalon, to

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
14

Moe's Alley Presents: Afrolicious

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

Moes Alley presents Bay Area funk-fusion collective Afrolicious!Friday, August 14, 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====AFROLICIOUSThe Afrolicious live experience is, in a nutshell, a joyous and raucous celebration of life. The Afrolicious sound combines inspiring lyrics, funky bass lines, and a powerful horn section while retaining the soul and feel of classic funk, disco, Latin, and Afrobeat melodies. Audiences looking to dance, be inspired, or celebrate life have found Afrolicious as their perfect conduit.Afrolicious is a band custom fit for this moment when joy and unity are needed more than ever. The genuine passion, love, funk and energy at an Afrolicious event is something folks feel long after the event is over. It is a kind of feeling one wants to go out and spread around because it feels so good! Afrolicious is ready to be a part of that healing and uplifting energy the people need as we all emerge from a truly difficult and challenging time.

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
15

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.

Aug
15

Late Night @ the MAH: Black Tie Roller Ball

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Β· $20

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Rollerskate/Dance Party Elegance on Wheels Break out your best attire and dancing skates for a one-of-a-kind, Late Night @ the MAH: rollerskating edition. Experience the Solari Gallery transformed into a skating rink for one night only. Vendors, performances and more to be announced. This event is 21+. All rollerskates must have toe stops or jam/skate plugs to be granted entry. We welcome inline skates/ rollerblades as well. Waivers will be required to sign upon entry. Drinks available for purchase and will be permitted outside galleries. Late Night @ the MAH is a series of after-hours happenings at the museum featuring music, performance, and film by an array of artists.

Art & Culture Adults 21+ πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Aug
15

El Sol - Salsa and Latin Music Dance Night

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

Moes Alley Presents El Sol - Salsa and Latin Music Dance Night! Show date: Saturday, August 15, 20268pm doors / 8:30pm dance lesson / 9pm show$15 in advance / $20 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====EL SOLEl Sol is a 10-piece band devoted to Salsa music - especially Salsa Dura NY-style. We play original arrangements of classic 70s songs from Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, and Willie Colon as well as Latin standards. Our two singers, two trombones, flute, bongo, conga, timbale, keyboards and bass create an infectious groove that will bring you to the dance floor.

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

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