📍 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.

Browse events 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.

★ Featured this season

Promotional image for Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

★ Featured

Thu, Jul 30, 2026 · Santa Cruz Harbor Beach

Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy a family-friendly party on the beach at no charge! There will be local bands and DJs performing on the outdoor stage, providing music for dancing and socializing. There will be BBQ food and drinks for purchase all in a beachside setting providing stunning views of the ocean and Walton Lighthouse. Parking is limited in the area, so consider enjoying a free water taxi ride from other parking areas! 2026 Lineup: May 21, 2026: Sambada May 28, 2026: Space Heater June 4, 2026: James Durbin & The Lost Boys June 11, 2026: Ancestree June 18, 2026: Jive Machine June 25, 2026: Cake by the Ocean July 2, 2026: Ripatti Rose Band July 9, 2026: Extra Large July 16, 2026: Fishhook July 23, 2026: Harry & The Hitmen July 30, 2026: Matt Masih & The Messengers August 6, 2026: The Houserockers August 13, 2026: The Joint Chiefs August 20, 2026: La Familia August 27, 2026: Alex Lucero Band September 3, 2026: Sambada

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗

Food & Drink 📍 Seabright & Harbor

Music

★ Featured

Sat, Aug 1, 2026 · 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.

Venue site ↗

Music 📍 Westside

Promotional image for Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

Coming up

Wed, Jul 29, 2026 · The 418 Project

Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.

Event page ↗

Music 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz

Coming up

Wed, Jul 29, 2026 · Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room + Wine Bar

Wig Out Wednesday

Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and we’ll have a surprise for you. We’ll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Let’s wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.

Event page ↗

Food & Drink 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz

☀️ Happening today

Wednesday, July 29

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

12:00 AM

See listing

Santa Cruz Shakespeare Family Days

📍 Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park

Family

1:00 AM

$500

The Dickens Universe featuring ‘Bleak House’

📍 Humanities and Social Sciences Facility

Education

8:30 AM

$300

Beginning Botany Summer Camp

📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Family

8:30 AM

$300

World of Birds Summer Camp

📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Outdoors

9:00 AM

$59

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

Pilates & Posture in the Pasture

July is Parks and Recreation Month | Arts & Crafts with Grandchildren

📍 Watsonville Senior Center

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Community

What's happening

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

All Music Comedy Festivals Art & Culture Sports Outdoors Food & Drink Markets Family Adults 21+ Community Free Wellness Education Surf Cannabis LGBTQ+ BIPOC

6 upcoming events · BIPOC · from 2026-07-29 · to 2026-08-05

Jul

Cascada de Flores

📍 Boulder Creek Branch Library

🕒 10:30 AM · See listing

Get ready to dance, sing, and play with Cascada de Flores! Original stories told in Spanish & English, using song, musical instruments, dance, theater, and traditional Mexican & Latin American cultures. Families are invited to sing, dance, and play with beautiful traditional songs and dances. ¡Prepárate para bailar, cantar y jugar con Cascada de Flores! Relatos originales contados en inglés y español, utilizando canción, instrumentos musicales, danza, teatro y culturas tradicionales mexicanas y latinoamericanas. Se invita a las familias a cantar, bailar y jugar con hermosas canciones y bailes tradicionales. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16193825

Event page ↗

Family BIPOC 📍 San Lorenzo Valley Details →

Jul

Cascada de Flores

📍 Downtown Branch Library

🕒 1:30 PM · See listing

Event page ↗

Music BIPOC 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz Details →

Jul

Cascada de Flores con Cuéntame un Cuento

📍 Capitola

🕒 4:30 PM · See listing

¡Prepárate para bailar, cantar y jugar con Cascada de Flores! Relatos originales contados en inglés y español, utilizando canción, instrumentos musicales, danza, teatro y culturas tradicionales mexicanas y latinoamericanas. Se invita a las familias a cantar, bailar y jugar con hermosas canciones y bailes tradicionales. Get ready to dance, sing, and play with Cascada de Flores! Original stories told in Spanish & English, using song, musical instruments, dance, theater, and traditional Mexican & Latin American cultures. Families are invited to sing, dance, and play with beautiful traditional songs and dances. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16225700 https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16233495

Event page ↗

Music BIPOC 📍 Capitola Details →

Jul

Cascada de Flores con Cuéntame un Cuento

📍 Live Oak Branch Library

🕒 4:30 PM · See listing

Event page ↗

Music BIPOC Details →

Aug

Santa Cruz Mission SHP Guided Adobe Tour

📍 Santa Cruz

🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing

Staff offers a guided adobe tour centered on the experiences of Native communities in the Santa Cruz mission providing insight into daily life, cultural change, and the impacts of the mission system. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and enduring presence of Indigenous people in the region. Reservation Link:

Event page ↗

Community BIPOC Details →

Aug

Dandha Afro -Brazilian Dance

📍 The 418 Project

🕒 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing

A weekly Afro-Brazilian dance class focusing on rhythm and movement.

Event page ↗

Art & Culture BIPOC 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz Details →

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

★ Featured this season

☀️ Happening today

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