Tri Santa Cruz is one of the most fun and scenic events on the west coast. The race has a sprint and international (Olympic) distance triathlon, with relays and aquabike categories for both races. There is a special, non-competitive Family & Friends wave for people who are new to triathlon or just want to have a fun day. The sheltered swim and flat bike and run course make this a perfect place for a first race. The bike ride is a totally closed course and both the bike and run courses follow the coastline to create one of the most scenic races around! It also makes cheering on your athlete a vacation itself!
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
Coming up
Second Sunday AVALON VISIONS PSYCHIC FAIR
Come to the Second Sunday AVALON VISIONS PSYCHIC and HEALING ARTS FAIR where an array of intuitive professionals is available for your consultation, as well as market stalls filled with inspiring good for purchase. Join us for good vibes the Second Sunday of every month at 2815 Porter Street in Soquel. See you there!
Coming up
Take Out: Rhythms Within
Take Out: Rhythms Within performance at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center.
Coming up
Whiskers & Brews
12:00-3:00pm Animal Shelter Relief is coming back to our Beer Garden! Grab a beer, meet adorable adoptable animals, and learn about what ASR does to help our local furry friends. Stay for live music afterwards from 3-5pm! ASR is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) animal rescue based in Santa Cruz, CA. Their mission is to relieve overcrowded animal shelters through rescue, thereby reducing euthanasia. Formed in 2008, Amy Strickland along with 2 former co-workers from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter started Animal Shelter Relief rescue, the ONLY local animal rescue focusing on cats and special needs animals, that existed at the time. The founders knew what help was needed at the County Animal Shelter and formed a rescue to meet those needs and relieve the overcrowding.
Chamber Choir Auditions
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.
βοΈ Happening today
Sunday, August 953 events on today. No plans required, just go.
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
Showing 30 of 119 upcoming events Β· Community Β· from 2026-08-09 Β· to 2026-08-16
Enjoy Dynomite Farmβs show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
Drop-in Meditation
Join us for Sunday drop-in Meditations 9-10 am weekly. In person onlyβ in the Gompa at Land of Medicine Buddha with Venerable Yangchen! Venerable Yangchen's guided meditations bring together a refreshing and precious combination of simplicity, depth, and accessibility. These weekly, hour-long sessions are of great relevance and value to long-term Buddhist practitioners as well as to complete newcomers to meditation. The practice begins with brief instruction, 10 minutes of silent meditation, followed by guided analytical meditation and discussion based on the theme of the week.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels β then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Really Really Free Market
Description: Tianguis Realmente Gratuito. Todo es gratis. Really Really Free Market - every second Sunday - 11am - 2pm. No money. No trades. Everything is free. This gathering is not about the "stuff" we give and take, but more about how we can freely give and receive from each other. This is a form of anti-capitalist mutual aid where everyone is invited to participate and share care. Β‘Todo es gratis! No intercambio de dinero, no negocios, no trueques. Trae lo que gustes, toma lo que necesites. Este mercado gratuito es basado en una economΓa de regalar. Learn more about the Santa Cruz Really Really Free Market (RRFM) and RRFMs in general - go to link in bio https://instagram.com/rrfm_ and http://journal.subrosaproject.org/2022/09/really-really-free-market-info-history.html Please wear a mask for community care. with the Really Really Free Market Crew ([email protected]) http://www.subrosaproject.org/ // https://www.facebook.com/subrosaproject // https://www.instagram.com/subrosa_space
Sunday, August 09 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm Local chapter of a global secular (non-religious) movement of people who meet to celebrate life together in congregations and communities around the world. Meets 2nd Sunday of the month 11am to 1 pm.
12:00-3:00pm Animal Shelter Relief is coming back to our Beer Garden! Grab a beer, meet adorable adoptable animals, and learn about what ASR does to help our local furry friends. Stay for live music afterwards from 3-5pm! ASR is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) animal rescue based in Santa Cruz, CA. Their mission is to relieve overcrowded animal shelters through rescue, thereby reducing euthanasia. Formed in 2008, Amy Strickland along with 2 former co-workers from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter started Animal Shelter Relief rescue, the ONLY local animal rescue focusing on cats and special needs animals, that existed at the time. The founders knew what help was needed at the County Animal Shelter and formed a rescue to meet those needs and relieve the overcrowding.
βConfluenceβ: 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. βConfluenceβ is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from βThe Leftoversβ at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM
Local non-profit American Sign Language Services Community hosting a bingo fundraiser at the Aptos Grange on Sunday's 3PM - 8PM , Monday's 5PM to 10PM.
Silent meditation.
A show
Sunday August 9th - SubRosa presents a fantfabulous show with... * Lashfull - brown n proud centcal 2 piece - @lashfull.ca ** Half Calf - 2-piece what are we?-core queer emo based in Oakland - @halfcalfca *** Egress - Oakland emo I think - @egress510 **** seeyouatwork! - emo shit? East Oakland - @seey0uatwork ***** Gay Eldest Daughter - queer folk from the central coast - @gayeldestdaughter Doors 6pm & Music 7pm // $15 at door - notaflof!* // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! *no one turned away for lack of funds SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA β@@@@@β SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Letβs create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a constellation of p
Enjoy Dynomite Farmβs show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
Monday, August 10 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Join us Mondays 10:30am-12pm at Aptos Library for social Bridge! All skill levels welcome. Enjoy fun, friendship, and mental stimulation.
Monday, August 10 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
Monthly Monday Meditation
In this practice group, you'll get an introduction to many different approaches to meditation and receive guidance on which practices might be best suited for you. Second Monday of the month meetings. Youβll have an opportunity to practice with a group and get the support you need to start a regular practice of your own. Claire is a certified meditation teacher and Stanford CCARE Ambassador of Compassion.
Monday, August 10 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Join seniors like you every Monday for an hour of gathering and sharing about getting older. We will focus on a different topic each week.
Monday, August 10 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm In this practice group, you'll get an introduction to many different approaches to meditation and receive guidance on which practices might be best suited for you. Second Monday of the month meetings.
Loops at the Library - Knit/Crochet @ Garfield Park Branch
Monday, August 10 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm Join us every 2nd Monday at the Garfield Park Branch for a yarn party.
Monday, August 10 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm Join us every Monday at the Felton Branch for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome.
Monday, August 10 2026 12:30pm - 3:00pm Join a supportive writing group to share work, give feedback, and grow your craft. All genres and experience levels welcome. Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays, 12:30?3 PM at Aptos Library.
Monday, August 10 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
Local non-profit American Sign Language Services Community hosting a bingo fundraiser at the Aptos Grange on Sunday's 3PM - 8PM , Monday's 5PM to 10PM.
-Natalie
Monday, August 10 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Enjoy Dynomite Farmβs show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.
Volunteer Information Session - Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month
Do you love plants, the environment, and helping your community? The UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden has a wonderful crew of staff, students, and volunteers ready to welcome you. Opportunities include working to care for our gardens and greenhouses and staffing our gift shop and retail plant nursery. To learn more, join us at one of our monthly information sessions. We meet at Norrie's Gift & Garden Shop at 10am and take a walk through the gardens to learn more about the Arboretum and to visit a few of our volunteer groups at work. You can fill out an interest form to let us know you'll be coming or just meet us at the gift shop. To find a link to the form and learn more, visit: https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/ If you have questions, need a different day, and/or have mobility issues, please email [email protected] Thank You!
Qigong with Tara - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC
Date: Every Tuesday, except Holidays Time: 10am - 12:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center Event Description: Join your community every Tuesday between 10am-12pm at the Diversity Center. Nic is ready with a different activity or workshop each week, and volunteers are on hand with snacks, beverages, and community. August Activities: August 4: Tote Bag Painting activity with Nic Get your beach bag ready and customize your own tote bag with Nic. All supplies provided. August 11: Qigong with Tara Settle the mind and body and engage in gently movement. All levels welcome. August 18: βWord is Out - Stories from Some of Our Livesβ (1977) documentary viewing and discussion with Nic One of the most important LGBTQ+ documentaries ever made, it is considered the first documentary about gay people by gay people. Though it is criminally under-watched, Word is Out had a huge impact, even on pioneers like Vito Russo. This film was made by six LGBTQ+ filmmakers and features interviews with 26 LGBTQ+ pe
Tuesday, August 11 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
Tuesday, August 11 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, August 11 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
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