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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 Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute! β˜… Featured Event
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 Β· 4:00 PM

Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute!

πŸ“ The Puppetry Institute Β· Capitola Β· See listing

Important News from The Puppetry Institute Like many arts organizations, we’ve been navigating the realities of a challenging economic landscape. Running two separate locations has become increasingly difficult, and after a great deal of thought we’ve made the decision to move from our previous location and reopen our art school inside our MIDDLEOF space, unit D-06 in the Capitola Mall. While change is never easy, we truly believe this move creates something exciting. By bringing everything together under one roof, we’ll be able to continue offering our incredible workshops while also having enough space for our interactive puppetry installations, art gallery, and live performances. It allows us to create a home where imagination, education, and immersive art can exist side by side. These are difficult times for the arts, and organizations like ours are constantly finding creative ways to keep the magic alive. We believe this move will help ensure that we can continue sharing our unique brand of creativity, storytelling, and wonder with the Central Coast community we’re proud to call home for the past 10 years Thank you to everyone who has supported us through every chapter of this journey. Your encouragement, attendance, donations, and belief in what we do continue to make all of this possible. We’re excited for this next adventure and can’t wait to welcome you into this new chapter of The Puppetry Institute. Learn more about who we are and what we do please visit us Sept 4th from 4-7pm for a tour of our classroom and our magical 5000 sq ft

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Promotional image for 43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival β˜… Featured
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 Β· Capitola Village

43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

Stroll the festival with friends and family, sipping exceptional wines from Santa Cruz Mountain wineries while admiring the artistic talents of over 100 fine artists. Sway to live music and be inspired by local dance groups while taking in the ocean breeze and breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay. Feed your cravings with tantalizing cuisine from local food purveyors, and cruise through the Artisans Marketplace for locally handcrafted goods. If that isn’t enough, Capitola Village is filled with restaurants for every taste and charming boutiques to satisfy a shopper’s dream. Art, wine, music, and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Village…summer’s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise! This event is from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, September 12 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 13. See link to the event in the orange box above.

Food & Drink πŸ“ Capitola
Promotional image for Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 Β· Breath + Oneness

Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course

⚑ Ceremony of Sound ⚑ Breath+Oneness’ 100-hour Sound Healing Certification Course Get Certified in 4 weekends over 4 months ✨ Designed for beginner and intermediate musicians, healers, yoga teachers, therapists, and anyone who wants to use resonance and vibration in their offerings, ceremonies, and classes. β™’ Add to your current career or start a new one as you share your gift of sound healing with the world β™’ Become who you are meant to be! Follow your purpose, passion, and artistic expression into the embrace of sound healing 🎡🎡🎡 _____________________________ πŸ“… Fall Session 2026 | 4 Weekends over 4 Months All days are 8:30am-5:30pm 9/4-9/6 10/3-10/4 11/7-11/8 12/4-12/6 πŸ™Œ EARLY BIRD pricing! Register by May 31st to save $250 on tuition. 😍 In order to provide each participant with personal feedback and to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with our cohort, we keep the group size limited. Register early for early bird pricing and to reserve your spot! Staff teachers: Lead Teacher: Dallas McKenzie Co-Lead Teacher: Adron Beene Support Teachers: Alex Harrison, Sam David, and Carrie Arlah Burr _____________________________ This course is for you if you want to: - Initiate or expand your relationship with music, sound, resonance, and vibration - Deepen your ability to heal and offer healing to others - Play many different instruments (including renowned brands Meinl Sonic Energy and Crystal Tones crystal singing bowls) and develop further with the ones you resonate with most - Set and hold ceremonial space through prayer, intention, and sound - Take people on journeys, sound baths, potent yoga classes, and more - Explore vibrational healing instruments such as Crystal Tones crystal bowls, your voice, drums, flute, digeridoo, chimes, gong, and much more - Deepen and expand your self-expression and artistry - Connect with an intimate group of no more than 15 students along with your mentors and teachers for ample individualized attention and personal practice _____

Music πŸ“ Capitola
Promotional image for September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary! Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 Β· Treehouse Dispensary

September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary!

Photo: Ariel Taylor with artwork Deeper FIRST FRIDAY at TREEHOUSE! Celebrate the last month of Summer with us! Community over everything. <3 We offer specials on our featured cannabis brands, discounts on artists who have work on display, and a penny wheel for you to spin when you spend over $50! Specials run all day! Resident Artists on Display: Cole Lemke (aka Chump Magic), Ariel Taylor, Brittany Costanzo, & Mio Kamstra-Brown Featured Cannabis Brands (Some will be here in person from 11:00am – 1:00pm!): β€’ Allswell β€’ Arcata Fire β€’ Auntie Aloha β€’ BLOOM β€’ Daze Off β€’ Glass House Farms β€’ Give Thanks/ Stony's Reserves β€’ Greenline β€’ Habitat β€’ Heavy Hitters β€’ Jetty β€’ Kanha β€’ KwikEase β€’ Maven Genetics β€’ Not Your Father's β€’ Pabst β€’ Pacific Stone β€’ PLUS β€’ Punch β€’ Pure Beauty β€’ Raw Garden β€’ Shooters β€’ Space Craft β€’ St. Ides β€’. UpNorth β€’ Follow us on Instagram @treehousedispensary_sc! Head to our website for all the details! www.OurTreehouse.io Β· (831) 471-8289 Β· 3651 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA Β· C10-0000105-LIC Β· 21+ only please We can't wait to see you there! πŸ™‚ Swing by to look at the art on our walls & take advantage of our dope deals!

Art & Culture πŸ“ Soquel
Promotional image for Free First Friday Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

Free First Friday

Make the MAH your first stop this weekend with FREE First Friday. Explore all three floors of the museum and see our latest exhibitions, check out our giftshop, and hangout among art and history! Then stay into the night dancing to live music out in Abbott Square. First Friday hours are 12-8pm. See you then!

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Friday, September 4

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

1:00 AM
See listing
ReView
πŸ“ Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
Education
8:30 AM
$2600
Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course
πŸ“ Breath + Oneness
Music
9:00 AM
$10
First Friday $10 Coworking
πŸ“ NextSpace Santa Cruz
Community
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Mindful Movement with Horses
πŸ“ BEYOND liberty
Sports
9:30 AM
See listing
Evergreen Volunteer Days
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Mothersong
πŸ“ Watsonville
Art & Culture
11:00 AM
See listing
September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary!
πŸ“ Treehouse Dispensary
Art & Culture

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

19 upcoming events Β· Adults 21+ Β· from 2026-09-04 Β· to 2026-09-11

Sep
4

3rd Rail

πŸ“ Cat Alley Street
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 1:30 AM Β· FREE

Every first and third Fridays at Cat Alley Street, our beat conductors take you on a high-style ride showcasing underground street sounds- Brought to you by Subterrestrials Records. Doors and Bar open at 6pm, Music at 9pm. No Cover, 21+

Sep
4

Yuma Abe

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

Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.

Sep
4

Moe's Alley Presents: The Sam Chase & The Untraditional w/ Thanks Buddy

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

Moes Alley presents The Sam Chase & The Untraditional with special guests Thanks Buddy! Friday, September 4, 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====THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONALThe Sam Chase & The Untraditional hails from San Francisco, California. This juggernaut of a band blends rock n roll with folk music while maintaining the sensibilities and attitudes that come from growing up on a healthy diet of punk rock. The leader of the band is The Sam Chase himself, a natural storyteller with a voice that sounds as if it has weathered many an epic tale. With boot stomping orchestration and lyrics that have been immortalized on the tattooed skin of their fans, The Sam Chase t mess around. These are the warriors we need in these troubled times.THANKS BUDDYThanks Buddy are friends playing for the love of it. Rock-n-roll sprinkled with Americana, Punk and Folk. Established in Santa Cruz, California in 2013

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Sep
5

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.

Sep
5

Clinton Fearon

πŸ“ Moe's Alley
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Moe's Alley presents reggae legend Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band! Saturday, September 5, 2026 Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm $30 in advance / $35 day of the show 21+ * 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 ==== CLINTON FEARON Born in Jamaica, Clinton became the bassist, vocalist and lyricist of the mythic Gladiators at the age of 19. He spent 18 years with the band and signed several songs for The Gladiators, hits and classics like Chatty Chatty Mouth, Richman Poorman, On The Other Side, Can You Imagine How I Feel, Let Jah Be Praised, One Love, Untrue Girl, and more. Clinton Fearon was also a session musician for different studios in Jamaica, including with producers Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and Lee β€˜Scratch’ Perry’s at Black Ark, but also at Channel One, Aquarius, Harry J, Randy’s, etc. In these studios, Clinton Fearon composed some everlasting bass lines for well-known artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others. After leaving Jamaica in 1987, Clinton Fearon started a new career in Seattle. Him and some of the musicians of The Gladiators took advantage of the extra time remaining on their visa, at the end of the US tour, to start a band in the Northwest: The Defenders. The band built a nice following in the area until they split after five years. And finally Clinton Fearon formed his own band in the mid 90s with local musicians in Seattle: Clinton Fearon and The Boogie Brown Band. Since 2019, Clinton Fearon also teamed up with The Riddim Source for his live performances in Europe and for his most recent albums, including β€œJah Is Love” released June 2026

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Sep
6

Moe's Alley Presents: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

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

The great blues legend Tommy Castro s! Sunday, September 6, 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====TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERSMultiple award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Tommy Castro is a California-based blues and rock powerhouse. For over four decades, hes captivated audiences with his soul-drenched vocals, searing guitar work, and high-energy live shows. As frontman of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro s released 17 albums that span a wide stylistic rangefrom horn-driven R&B and hot-blooded soul to gritty, stripped-down rock and electric blues.With his latest and eighth Alligator Records release, Closer To The Bone, Castro returns to his roots, delivering what he calls a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day. Produced by guitar master Christoffer Kid Andersen at San Joses Greaseland Studio, the album is Castros rawest and most direct blues effort to date.The album features standout originals like Aint Worth The Heartache, Cant Catch A Break, and Crazy Woman Blues, alongside deep-cut covers of songs by Castros friends and influencesJohnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson, Chris Cain, and more. Guest appearances include Rick Estrin, Billy Branch, Deanna Bogart, Chris Cain, Jim Pugh, and gospel harmonies from The Sons Of The Soul Revivers

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

Stage Presence for Adult Dancers: From Technique to Connection

πŸ“ Motion Pacific at the London Nelson Community Center
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM Β· $15

Have you ever learned choreography but felt unsure how to make it come alive in performance? This course with Mara Frey at Motion Pacific is designed for beginning adult dancers who want to feel more confident, expressive, and comfortable being seen. Stage presence isn't about being the most technically advanced dancer in the room, it's about connecting with the music, communicating intention, and engaging your audience. Through guided exercises, movement exploration, and performance practice, you'll learn how posture, focus, emotional expression, and audience connection can transform the way you dance. In a supportive and encouraging environment, students will explore: building confidence and reducing performance anxiety, using focus, posture, and energy to command attention, expressing emotion and intention through movement, connecting authentically with an audience, recovering gracefully from mistakes during performance, and developing a personal performance style. This class is open to dancers of all styles and requires no prior performance experience. Whether you dream of performing on stage, social dancing with more confidence, or simply bringing greater expression to your movement, you'll leave with practical tools to help your dancing feel more engaging, intentional, and alive. By the end of the course, participants will perform a short dance phrase and gain skills they can apply to any dance style or performance opportunity. What to bring: comfortable dance attire, water, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone in a supportive setting.

Art & Culture Adults 21+ πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Sep
10

Moe's Alley Presents: The Snares w/ bloodsugar

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

Moes Alley presents The Snares with special guest bloodsugar! Thursday, September 10, 2026Doors: 7pm/ Show: 8pm$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====THE SNARESThe Snares are an American psych-rock outfit based in Sacramento, California. The band consists of Izzie Gomez, Lukas Brodie, Casey Smith and Julian Paz. The Snares have a variety of influences that can be heard in their sound, including garage/psychedelic rock, pop, noise rock, and post-punk.BLOODSUGARHailing from Chico, California, Bloodsugar is an alt-rock band fueled by distortion, vulnerability, and catharsis. Their name, intentionally spelled as one word, comes straight from real life: frontwoman Lys Lourdes blood sugar levels drop easily, and what started as a personal quirk quickly became the perfect metaphor for music that lives in emotional extremes. Sharp highs, heavy lows, and no holding back.

Music Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Sep
10

Greylan James

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

Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.

Sep
11

Vine To View Winemaker's Dinner Series

πŸ“ Chaminade Resort & Spa
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us from May to October as Chef Samuels and his culinary team create gourmet four-course dinners expertly paired with wines from local California vineyards. Enjoy a romantic evening in the Chaminade courtyard overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. 21+ only. Tickets and Overnight Packages (two tickets included) on sale now. See 2026 calendar below. Friday, May 1 in partnership with Beauregard Vineyards Friday, June 5 in partnership with Caymus Vineyards Friday, July 10 in partnership with Wente Vineyards Friday, July 24 in partnership with Storrs Winery Friday, August 7 in partnership with Fableist Wine Co. Friday, September 11 in partnership with Serial Wines October Date TBD in partnership with Alfaro Family Vineyards

Food & Drink Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Sep
11

Moe's Alley Presents: Space Heater

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

Moes Alley presents an epic dance party with Space Heater! Friday, September 11, 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====SPACE HEATERSpace Heater is a Santa Cruz-based band with one foot planted firmly in the foundations of funk, while the other foot prefers a galaxy far, far away. Blending the funky sounds inspired from Prince and James Brown to Sharon Jones t have much choice but to shake that thang....

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

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