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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

Monarch Butterfly Viewing at Natural Bridges at Natural Bridges State Beach, Nov 11 β˜… Featured
Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Β· Natural Bridges State Beach

Monarch Butterfly Viewing at Natural Bridges

Visit the Monarch Grove at Natural Bridges State Beach for a self-guided family outing during November. Walk the accessible boardwalk to look for overwintering butterflies…

Family πŸ“ Westside
Girl Grom Surf Club Santa Cruz Meetup at Capitola Beach next to jetty on East side, Nov 11 β˜… Featured
Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Β· Capitola Beach next to jetty on East side

Girl Grom Surf Club Santa Cruz Meetup

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together surf girls from all backgrounds to build community. We meet once per month.

Outdoors πŸ“ Capitola
Art Lounge ~ Sip Local Beer & Wine and Make Art! at The Painted Cork, Nov 11 β˜… Featured
Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Β· The Painted Cork

Art Lounge ~ Sip Local Beer & Wine and Make Art!

Welcome to the Art Lounge! Welcome to the Art Lounge, your creative haven for Arts, Crafts, and Drafts. Think of it like a restaurant, but…

Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside
Trivia Night at Abbott Square, Nov 11 β˜… Featured
Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Β· Abbott Square Market

Trivia Night at Abbott Square

Wednesdays at Abbott Square are a little more exciting with a weekly Trivia Night inside the Front & Cooper bar. Starts promptly at 6:30pm with…

Community πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Wednesday, November 11

Wednesday's got a little of everything. Out in the San Lorenzo Valley, Roaring Camp Railroads runs the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the redwoods at 10:30am, good for a morning with the kids. Over at Natural Bridges, the Journey for Change Veterans Day Walk starts at 8:30am along the beach. Come evening, head to The Cruz Room for the Bluegrass Jam at 6pm, or catch Matt Masih at Crow's Nest for three bucks. If fingerstyle guitar is more your speed, Pierre Bensusan plays Kuumbwa Jazz downtown at 7:30pm.

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

9:00 AM
$65
Bio-Vibe Table: Sound & Vibration Wellness Sessions
Where: Soulcare Studios
Wellness
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
11:00 AM
FREE
Natural Bridges SB: Monarch Butterfly Self Guided Tours
Where: Natural Bridges State Beach
Family
12:00 PM
Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still
Where: UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Education
12:00 PM
FREE
Victor β€˜Marka27’ QuiΓ±onez: Ni de AquΓ­, Ni de AllΓ‘
Where: UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Education
12:00 PM
FREE
Aesthetic Breach: Past and Present Struggles for Justice in North African Comics
Where: Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery
Education
12:00 PM
FREE
The Audacity to Create
Where: Sesnon Gallery @ UCSC
Art & Culture
12:30 PM
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
Where: Downtown Farmers' Market
Markets
1:00 PM
FREE
Girl Grom Surf Club Santa Cruz Meetup
Where: Capitola Beach next to jetty on East side
Outdoors

What's happening

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

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

Wed
Nov
11

Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still

Where: UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
When: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

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 artist’s…

Education Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside
Wed
Nov
11

The Audacity to Create

Where: Sesnon Gallery @ UCSC
When: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

The Audacity to Create is an exhibition that showcases the work of UCSC Alumni of color Alejandra Chavez, Jorge Gomez-Gonzalez , Katie Dorame, SerΓ‘b Serabia…

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ UCSC
Wed
Nov
11

R.E.A.D: Reach every amazing detail

Where: Branciforte Branch Library
When: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one free reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12. By appointment only. Please, no drop-ins! To make an appointment, call 831-427-7713 R.E.A.D sessions are…

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ Midtown
Wed
Nov
11

Forager Species 4

Where: The 418 Project
When: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· Price: $30

About Forage Species IV The objective of Forage Species IV is to give learners and our community a deeper perspective on critical β€˜feeder species’ in…

Family Art & Culture πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Wed
Nov
11
β˜… Featured

Art Lounge ~ Sip Local Beer & Wine and Make Art!

Where: The Painted Cork
When: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· Price: $8

Welcome to the Art Lounge! Welcome to the Art Lounge, your creative haven for Arts, Crafts, and Drafts. Think of it like a restaurant, but…

Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside
Wed
Nov
11

Tango class Aaron

Where: The 418 Project
When: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

A regular tango class in Downtown Santa Cruz, offering a way to learn Latin dance in a social, cultural setting.

Dance Art & Culture πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

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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.

Submit your event β†’