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πŸ“ Santa Cruz County, CA

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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 Naturalist Night: Plankton 101 β˜… Featured
Wed, Aug 19, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Naturalist Night: Plankton 101

Did you know that every other breath we take comes from phytoplankton? Dive into the hidden world of plankton and discover the tiny organisms that form the foundation of Monterey Bay’s rich marine ecosystem. Join marine scientist and educator Jane Silberstein for an engaging introduction to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the remarkable roles they play in supporting ocean life. After the talk, you’ll have the opportunity to observe live plankton under a microscope and get an up-close look at these incredible microscopic organisms. Whether you’re a curious beachgoer, an aspiring naturalist, or simply fascinated by the ocean, this lecture will leave you with a new appreciation for the life drifting just beneath the surface. These amazing organisms form the base of the marine food web, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, influence the color of the ocean, and support countless species throughout Monterey Bay and beyond. REGISTER HERE Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Ticket Price: $12 Discounts: $5 member discount About the Speaker : Jane Silberstein brings more than 40 years of experience studying and teaching about the marine life of Monterey Bay. She earned her undergraduate degree in science with an emphasis in marine science from UC Santa Cruz and her graduate degree in Invertebrate Marine Ecology from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. During her 33 years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jane worked on all three plankton guide stations, sharing the fascinating world of plankton with visitors from around the globe. She has also taught plankton through Cabrillo College’s Pacific Plankton Program for nearly six years, inspiring students to explore the remarkable microscopic organisms that support life in the ocean. Jane is passionate about making the microscopic world accessible to audiences of all ages and helping others discover the incredible diversity of life drifting just beneath the surface. Accessibility and Logistics : This program will take place

Education πŸ“ Seabright & Harbor
Promotional image for Steve Hawk β˜… Featured
Wed, Aug 19, 2026 Β· Bookshop Santa Cruz

Steve Hawk

Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Steve Hawk, the longest serving editor of Surfer (1991-1998), who will share his thrilling new novel Nearshore , a mix of literary suspense and coastal noir which follows an unlikely trio on the California coast who investigate a nuclear terrorist act. Hawk will be in conversation with Charles Duhigg at this event.

Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for The Deep Unreal Coming up
Tue, Aug 11, 2026 Β· The Grateful Red Barn at Cabrillo Cottage Farms

The Deep Unreal

Henry Kaiser, Bob Bralove, John Hanrahan, Jennifer Burnes, Nathan Moore

Music πŸ“ Aptos & Seacliff
Promotional image for Fishhook ROCKS the Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Concert! Let's Party! Coming up
Tue, Aug 11, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Wharf

Fishhook ROCKS the Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Concert! Let's Party!

Hey Fishhook Fans, We will be rocking the Free Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Commons stage on Tuesday, August 11th! This outdoor festival is free and open to all ages! If you have never been there, then expect a treat! It's an absolutely beautiful location with panoramic views of Monterey Bay, and the sunsets are not to be missed! Don't miss it! As you may know, we are the band that does not let up on the gas! Hear all your favorite songs "leveled up" the FISHHOOK way! You know we deliver the best Rock and Roll in town. Location: 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA Let's Party! And bring your friends too. The show starts at 6:00 PM and ends at 8:00 PM.

Music πŸ“ Beach & Boardwalk

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Tuesday, August 11

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

9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Free Health Screening: Diabetes
πŸ“ Watsonville Civic Plaza
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Qigong with Tara - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC
πŸ“ 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
LGBTQ+
10:00 AM
FREE
Volunteer Information Session - Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month
πŸ“ UCSC Arboretum
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Free Health Screening
πŸ“ Watsonville
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Volunteer at the UCSC Arboretum
πŸ“ Arboretum
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Toddler Tumble Time
πŸ“ Watsonville Public Library
Education
11:00 AM
See listing
In-person Tech Help @ Scotts Valley
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
See listing
Backgammon @ the Library
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

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11 upcoming events Β· Art & Culture Β· from 2026-08-11 Β· to 2026-08-11

Aug
11

Free Health Screening

πŸ“ Watsonville
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Visit Watsonville Public Library for a FREE Health Screening, no appointment needed! ~ Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley invites library patrons to take advantage of this opportunity to check in on their health and learn more about their risk for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Screenings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month from July through December, between 10:00am-12:00pm at the Main Library. Tuesday, July 14: Diabetes Tuesday, August 11: Blood Pressure Tuesday, September 8: Diabetes Tuesday, October 13: Cholesterol Tuesday, November 10: Diabetes Tuesday, December 8: Blood Pressure This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. This program is supported by Rural Health Connections. Audience: All ages ESPAΓ‘OL Β‘Visite la Biblioteca PΓΊblica Watsonville para una evaluaciΓ³n de salud GRATUITA, no necesita cita! ~ Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley invita a los usuarios a aprovechar esta oportunidad para revisar su estado de salud y aprender mΓ‘s sobre su riesgo de padecer enfermedades como la diabetes y la presiΓ³n arterial alta. Los exΓ‘menes de salud se llevarΓ‘n a cabo el segundo martes de cada mes, de julio a diciembre, de 10:00am-12:00pm en la Biblioteca Principal. martes 14 de julio: Diabetes martes 11 de agosto: PresiΓ³n arterial martes 8 de septiembre: Diabetes martes 13 de octubre: Colesterol martes 10 de noviembre: Diabetes martes 8 de diciembre: PresiΓ³n arterial Este proyecto cuenta con el apoyo total o parcial del Instituto de Servicios de Museos y Bibliotecas de los Estados Unidos (IMLS) bajo las disposiciones de la Ley de Servicios y TecnologΓ­a Bibliotecaria, administrada en California por el Bibliotecario Estatal. Este programa cuenta con el apoyo de Rural Health Connections. Audiencia: Para todas las edades

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ Watsonville Details β†’
Aug
11

Hot Topics Book Club

πŸ“ Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Β· See listing

Join our book club every second Thursday to explore great reads and share engaging conversations with fellow book lovers. A book club organized around discussing the β€œhot topic” titles in the news, and book buzzβ€” the controversies, the new classics or perhaps overexposed. Registration required: https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16749444

Art & Culture Community Details β†’
Aug
11

M. K Art Gallery: Confluence

πŸ“ m.k. contemporary art gallery
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

β€œConfluence”: where separate currents meet. This beautiful exhibition pairs the work of Santa Cruz artists Susana Arias and Glenn Carter, on view August 7 through September 13 at M.K. Contemporary Art Gallery. β€œConfluence” is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from β€œThe Leftovers” at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM

Aug
11

Macbeth, presented by Santa Cruz Shakespeare

πŸ“ The Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Something wicked this way comes, indeed. Starting this weekend and running through August 30th, Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents one of The Bard’s most infamous plays, Macbeth. Coincidentally the play’s first ever performance is believed to have been in 1606 marking this as the 420th anniversary, which is very Santa Cruz. And for anyone familiar with Macbeth, it’s easy to see why it’s lasted throughout the ages. Witches, murder, moral failings and tons of tragedy are beautifully sewn throughout the acts, stitched together with lines such as β€œBlood will have blood,” and β€œthe wine of life is drawn.” -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
11

Clifford Henderson

πŸ“ Bookshop Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Award-winning novelist Clifford Mae Henderson returns with Lost in Sound: A Mystery, a thrilling whodunit set in the fictional coastal town of Tres Ojos. A mystery unravels in this unlikely sleepy beach town where tech millionaires brush past homeless encampments. When a neurodivergent landlocked pirate, Captain Eddie, is accused of murder, an unlikely and delightfully eccentric crew bands together to help the captain. The case spirals into a high-profile circus when the victim turns out to be the estranged sister of a country music legend. Henderson brings warmth, wit, and a deep social conscience to the page. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz

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