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Santa Cruz Scene: What's happening in Santa Cruz County

From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.

Santa Cruz Scene (santacruzscene.com) is a free daily calendar of in-person events across Santa Cruz County, California.

See what's on this weekend β†’

Things to do today Around the county Surf report Newsletter

In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.

β˜… Featured this season

The Kick Off - Sonivore Listening Lounge, Oct 9 β˜… Featured Event
Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Β· 7:00 PM

The Kick Off - Sonivore Listening Lounge

πŸ“ Sonivore Β· Downtown Santa Cruz Β· $25

THE KICK OFF is a one-night fundraiser for the Sonivore Listening Lounge at 701 Front Street. DJs, live performances, visual art by Made Fresh Crew…

Art & Culture Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Afrobeats Nite at the IAS at Institute of the Arts and Sciences, Oct 8 β˜… Featured
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences

Afrobeats Nite at the IAS

Join us for a night of dancing, joy, and community organized by Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz featuring DJ Mai Girl and DJ Monk Earl. In…

Education πŸ“ Westside
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night at Rio Theatre, Oct 10 β˜… Featured
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 Β· Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night

Rio Theatre & Sante Adairius Midtown Portal team up to support Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Join us for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival…

Art & Culture πŸ“ Midtown
THE GUITARSONISTS at The Crepe Place, Oct 8 Coming up
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· The Crepe Place

THE GUITARSONISTS

A live set from The Guitarsonists, bringing blues and R&B to a local stage.

Music πŸ“ Midtown
Blue Lemonade at Discretion Brewing, Oct 8 Coming up
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· Discretion Brewing

Blue Lemonade

5:30-7:30pm Blue Lemonade is an Americana band based out of Santa Cruz/Santa Barbara playing both originals and covers from bluegrass and folk to blues and…

Music πŸ“ Soquel

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Thursday, October 8

71 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day β†’

9:00 AM
$150
Women in Business Summit
πŸ“ Mission Springs
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (4/6)
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Bay Tree Building Furniture Sit Test Open House
πŸ“ McHenry Library
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Bilingual Toddler Storytime
πŸ“ Main Library
Family
10:30 AM
See listing
Wings Birth Certificate & Notary Services
πŸ“ Downtown Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Demystifying the IRB: ask us anything!
πŸ“ McHenry Library
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Astrophotography With Keith Kirk
πŸ“ Scotts Valley Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Rabid Reader Book Discussion Group @ La Selva Beach
πŸ“ La Selva Beach Branch Library
Community

What's happening

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

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13 upcoming events Β· Art & Culture Β· from 2026-10-08 Β· to 2026-10-08

Oct
8

Open Studios Preview Exhibition

πŸ“ m.k. contemporary art gallery
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Β· FREE

We will be hosting the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, showcasing the work of all the 330+ Santa Cruz County Open Studios Artists who are participating…

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Oct
8

UCSC: Victor β€œMarka27” Exhibition

πŸ“ UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· FREE

β€œNi de aquΓ­, ni de allÑ” (β€œneither from here, nor there”), is a phrase commonly used by bilingual, bicultural communities. In the exhibition the phrase…

Art & Culture Cultural Event πŸ“ Westside
Oct
8

Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still

πŸ“ UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· FREE

Carlos Motta’s When Time Stands Still, the artist’s second solo show with the IAS , features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting the…

Education Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside
Oct
8

Tech CafΓ©: Doodle Pens

πŸ“ Main Library
πŸ•’ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Β· See listing

A tech cafΓ© session where participants experiment with doodle pens, blending art and technology.

Community Art & Culture πŸ“ Watsonville
Oct
8

Naturalist Night: The Story of Bones

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· See listing

Hear the story of Phernado, the Mt. Lion, his life, his death, how he came to the UCSC Norris Center, and his second life teaching…

Education Art & Culture πŸ“ Seabright & Harbor
Oct
8

Swing into Fall with East Coast Swing Basics

πŸ“ Capitola Recreation Center
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 8:45 PM Β· $59

If you love big band music, traditional or contemporary, then East Coast Swing is for you (7:00 Mondays starting Sept 17th). This is the basic…

Dance Art & Culture πŸ“ Capitola
Oct
8

Banned Books Zine Night

πŸ“ Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· See listing

FREE IN-STORE EVENT: When free speech and access to information are threatened, the DIY scene rises to the challenge! Join Bookshop Santa Cruz staff and…

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Oct
8

The Outsiders

πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley High School
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· $10

The SLV Theatre Department is proud to present The Outsiders, a dramatic coming-of-age novel originally written by S.E. Hilton and adapted to stageplay by Christopher…

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley

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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.

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