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๐Ÿ“ 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.

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

โ˜… Featured this season

Cannabis
โ˜… Featured Event
Fri, Oct 2, 2026 ยท 6:30 PM

Treehouse Dispensary First Friday

๐Ÿ“ Treehouse Dispensary ยท Soquel ยท FREE

First Friday: Costume Party Edition ๐Ÿ‘ป Friday, October 2 ยท 7โ€“10 PM ยท 21+ Treehouse is hosting our first-ever cannabis consumption event, and we're kicking it off with a costume party. Come as you are, or come as someone (or something) else entirely. Spooky season starts here. Live music by Junebug (8โ€“9:30 PM) Folk-fusion fingerstyle guitar from a one-woman band. Junebug also tap dances and plays harmonica, autoharp, kazoo, trumpet, ukulele, and banjo, so expect the unexpected. Artists & Makers Market (7โ€“10 PM) Browse and shop work from local artists and makers: Art by Dejon, Cyanide Cyn, Mori Mysterium, Mountain Medusa, Stitch and Story, Penning Beads, WilderWilds, Corals Tiny World, Hermelinda, and Potato Studios. Stash Jar Making (7โ€“10 PM) Puff, puff, craft. Stop by our free DIY station and decorate a one-of-a-kind stash jar to keep your favorite flower fresh and stylish. All supplies provided. Just bring your creativity. Cannabis Elixirs ๐Ÿน Sip, sip, hooray. Enjoy refreshing cannabis elixirs while you get crafty and catch the show. Free to attend. Costumes strongly encouraged. Must be 21+ with valid ID. Treehouse Dispensary ยท 3651 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz We're proud to offer everyday savings for our community: New Members: 10% off your first order Wisdom Discount (65+): 5% off Medical Patients: 10% off Students & Teachers: 20% off with valid ID Veterans: 20% off *Please note that discounts do not stack with other deals. Ask staff for exclusions.

Cannabis Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Promotional image for Full Moon Meditation for September Coming up
Sun, Sep 27, 2026 ยท Spa Santangelo

Full Moon Meditation for September

๐ŸŒ• Full Moon Sound Bath & Guided Meditation 80-Minute Experience | Spa Santangelo, Felton, CA + Online Join Melissa at each Full Moon for a deeply restorative journey designed to help you reconnect, release, and restore your inner balance. Step into a serene, supportive space and allow yourself to fully unwind. This immersive experience combines the healing vibrations of a live sound bath, guided meditation, journaling, and fire release to bring a deeper sense of peace and balance. Youโ€™ll be guided through Melissaโ€™s Mystic Meditationsโ€”a thoughtfully curated journey inspired by the energy of the Full Moon: ๐ŸŒ• Full Moon โ€” LET GO Release what no longer serves you, clear stagnant energy, and create space for whatโ€™s next. The Full Moon offers an opportunity to reflect on what has come to fruition and consciously release what youโ€™re ready to leave behind. Through meditation, sound, journaling, and fire release, allow yourself to let go and make room for renewed balance and clarity. Whether you join us in person at Spa Santangelo in Felton, CA, or online from the comfort of your own home, come exactly as you are. In-person groups of up to 10 guests are welcome. Gather your friends, family, or community and share this beautiful experience together. ๐Ÿ“š Extend Your Wellness Journey Continue exploring your path with offerings from The Groovy Goddess, including: โœจ In-person & online sessions ๐Ÿ“š Books ๐ŸŽง Guided meditations ๐ŸŒฟ Online transformational courses โœจ Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter, grounded, peaceful, and renewedโ€”ready to move forward with greater clarity.

Festivals ๐Ÿ“ San Lorenzo Valley
Community
Coming up
Sun, Sep 27, 2026 ยท The 418 Project

Mic' Drop

A monthly open mic night at the 418 Project featuring music, theatre, and spoken word performances.

Community ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Music
Coming up
Sun, Sep 27, 2026 ยท The Cruz Room

Karaoke with Carla Re โ€” 2026-09-27

6 - 10pm ยท Carla Re hosts an amazing Karaoke all over the Bay Area. This is her first time here at The Cruz Room. Come join the fun!

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Paint & Sip Coming up
Sun, Sep 27, 2026 ยท Mission West Bar

Paint & Sip

๐Ÿฅ‚ ๐ŸŽจ 9/27 ๐Ÿป๐Ÿน๐Ÿธ STIMULATE YOUR SENSES AT @missionwest.bar WITH A MULTI SENSORY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE: PAINT & SIP with LIVE MUSIC BY DJ CAPPUCCINO & shop local artisans | 6pm-8pm ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ This is A GUIDED LOCAL LANDSCAPE ACRYLIC PAINTING WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE: ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ Explore shading, depth, & layering techniques. As well as many tips to help you feel comfortable using creative materials. ๐ŸŽจ ALL SUPPLIES INCLUDED As you sip a delicious beverage by MISSION WEST BAR you will be guided through creating your own unique work of art. Music will make you want to move and groove while you paint. Youโ€™re not glued to your seat so feel free to get up and dance. In addition, Local artisans @suzyrad @artbysunes @deelighteddesigns will have there unique and hand made goods for you to shop after the event. This is a moment to connect with yourself and mingle with the local community in a completely safe space to be yourself and let loose! ALL PARTICIPANTS 21+ RECEIVE DRINK SPECIALS ๐Ÿป๐Ÿธ๐Ÿน๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿพ LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE ๐Ÿ’ธ $45 or 2 for $85 ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ RSVP TXT โ€œMWESTโ€ [818.489.0988](tel:818.489.0988) ๐Ÿ’ซ GOOD VIBES ONLY โœŒ๐Ÿผ ๐ŸŒ™ ALL ARE WELCOME 21+ ๐Ÿซถ ๐ŸŒž RELAX & UNWIND โœจ ๐ŸŒŸ CONNECT WITH YOURSELF & THE COMMUNITY โšก๏ธ UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHILD & AWAKEN YOUR SPIRIT ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ BREATHE, BE PRESENT & LIVE IN THE MOMENT! ๐Ÿฆโ€๐Ÿ”ฅ ACTIVATE YOUR WELL BEING ๐Ÿง  ๐Ÿซ€ ENGAGE IN A MINDFUL & INTENTIONAL EXPERIENCE ๐ŸŽจ Creative self care & a healing meditative wellness experience through art, music and community! ๐Ÿซถ This space is completely safe. Here to help guide, support, & encourage your unique creative expression experience! โœจโœจโœจ ๐Ÿ™ ๐Ÿ™Œ Grateful to be collaborating with local businesses, local artists, & local musicians to create unique and unforgettable MULTI SENSORY CREATIVE EXPERIENCES for ALL our community to enjoy! ๐Ÿซถโœจ Art therapy Paint & Sip Creative expression Acrylic workshop Art & wellness Support local #santacruzevents #santacruz #santacruzart #santacruzartist #artisthedeeperyou

Music

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Sunday, September 27

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Take In: Featured Artist
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
12:00 AM
See listing
Santa Cruz Triathlon
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Wharf
Outdoors
6:00 AM
$3000
The Art of Unwinding Wellness Retreat
๐Ÿ“ La Bahia Hotel & Spa
Wellness
8:00 AM
See listing
Capitola Beach Festival
๐Ÿ“ Capitola Village
Festivals
9:00 AM
$65
Bio-Vibe Table: Sound & Vibration Wellness Sessions
๐Ÿ“ Soulcare Studios
Wellness
9:00 AM
See listing
Drop-in Meditation
๐Ÿ“ Land of Medicine Buddha โ€“ In the Gompa
Community
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak: Farmers Market
๐Ÿ“ Live Oak Farmersโ€™ Market
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak Farmers' Market
๐Ÿ“ East Cliff Village
Markets
10:00 AM
$245
Youth Robot Series - Santa Cruz Maker Studios
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Maker Studios
Family

What's happening

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Showing 60 of 561 upcoming events ยท Education

Sep
28

Environmental Studies Seminar Series | Lightning Talks by ENVS Faculty

๐Ÿ“ Interdisciplinary Sciences Building
๐Ÿ•’ 1:25 PM โ€“ 2:30 PM ยท See listing

In person and via Zoom ( Meeting ID : 978 5545 8946, Passcode : 454736) . If you are unable to stream the talk live and need to access a recorded version, please contact Stacy Philpott at [email protected] . A UC Santa Cruz email address is required to access the recording. Host: Natalia Ocampo-Peรฑuela Speaker #1: Hannah Waterhouse Title: Building Cover Cropping Communities of Practice on Californiaโ€™s Central Coast Abstract: Californiaโ€™s agricultural communities face the dual challenges of increasingly variable and limited irrigation water supplies, alongside persistent groundwater quality degradation from nitrate leaching that has imperiled drinking water for nearly one million residents of rural communities in the state. These challenges come together most acutely in Californiaโ€™s Central Coast region, the โ€œSalad Bowlโ€ of the U.S., where intensive, high-value vegetable and berry production dominates. The benefits provided by adding winter cover crops to these annual cropping systems are considered essential to improving groundwater quality, but perceptions among farmers and policymakers that cover crops consume too much water make a formidable barrier to adoption in this Mediterranean climate. Indeed, less than 5% of cropland on the Central Coast is cover cropped, with the majority left fallow over the winter season to devastating effects including erosion and loss of fertility, pollution of surface and groundwater, and flooded fields which can delay agronomic operations. In this research we address the question of how farmers in Mediterranean, semi-arid climatic regions can implement cover cropping in a water scarce environment while meeting water quality regulatory goals. Through both controlled trials and on-farm, participatory research, we aim to determine how different cover crop management practices affect the balance between water regulation and provisioning and water quality protection, as well as the supply of nitrogen (N) for cash crops. We have formed a

Sep
28

PAWS Afterschool Program

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz SPCA
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $75

PAWS Afterschool Club (Ages 7โ€“10) Looking for something fun to do after school? Love animals? Join PAWS and discover what it takes to care for shelter animals while making new friends and learning through hands-on activities! Each week, children enjoy one hour of fun animal-themed education and activities, followed by one hour socializing with our shelter animals. Theyโ€™ll learn about animal behavior, responsible pet care, shelter life, and safe animal handling before putting their new knowledge into practice by spending quality time helping our cats and dogs feel loved and confident. Children begin with PAWS Foundations, a three-week introductory program. After graduating, they become PAWS Ambassadors, returning for additional sessions to build new skills, spend more time with the animals, and take on greater responsibilities as they progress toward becoming future Santa Cruz SPCA volunteers. PAWS Foundations: Monday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May) PAWS Ambassadors: Wednesday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May)

Family Education Details โ†’
Sep
28

Paradigm Sport Defense Clinic

๐Ÿ“ Jade Street Park
๐Ÿ•’ 4:30 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $250

A Softball specific weekly clinic designed to keep our gloves and our feet smooth on defense. This clinic is held once a week at Jade Street Park by our college level coaches that are working on fundamentals, form, and execution. Clinic is for 12+ athletes.

Sep
28

Reportback on Border Wall Resistance in Lochiel, AZ

๐Ÿ“ Sub Rosa
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

Come and learn about the flourishing resistance camp currently halting border wall construction along the so-called US-Mexico border in southern Arizona! We will give a timeline around the events taking place at the border, the tactics used by protesters, and what we can learn from the fight to save Grandmother Tree. Masking encouraged. -Elle

Sep
28

Enhancing Energy, Increasing Vitality - Bodywork & Self-care Exercises

๐Ÿ“ Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 8:30 PM ยท $20

A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. Itโ€™s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: โ€”notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety โ€”discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves โ€”learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels Youโ€™ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich

Wellness Education Details โ†’
Sep
29

Pastel Painting Class

๐Ÿ“ Community Through Art
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 11:30 AM ยท $198

Soft Pastel Painting runs in six week intervals taught by instructor Sarah Orre. A short demo will be taught the first class meeting with reference photos that will teach color theory, underpainting, texture, layering, and movement. Students are encouraged to bring additional reference photos for inspiration. Participants bring their own soft pastels (not oils), and sanded paper. The remainder of the class meetings are used for studio time. The last day we have a group peer review to discuss our work and give and receive feedback.

Sep
29

Latin American & Latino Studies Ph.D. Program Information Sessions

๐Ÿ“ UC Santa Cruz
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 1:00 PM ยท See listing

An interdisciplinary department that centers the interconnected experiences and perspectives of Latin American and Latinx communities. This program provides rigorous training in disciplinary and interdisciplinary theory and research methods to investigate transnational processes that link the Americas. We especially invite applications from students interested in: Transnationalisms, Migration, and Displacement Intersectionality, Identities, and Inequalities Culture, Power, and Knowledge Collective Action, Social Movements, and Social Change Session 1: Tuesday, September 29, noon-1pm Learn about our interdisciplinary and hemispheric approach and major research areas Hear from faculty and graduate students about their scholarship Ask questions about the program and UC Santa Cruz Session 2: Tuesday, November 17, noon-1pm Learn about the Ph.D. program curriculum and structure Hear from the Graduate Director and Graduate Program Coordinator Ask questions about the application process RSVP to one or both sessions using our Google Form >>

Education Cultural Event ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
29

Student Health Services Scavenger Hunt

๐Ÿ“ Health Center (Student Health Center)
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 2:00 PM ยท See listing

Welcome to UCSC! Explore UCSC Student Health Services (SHS), collect stamps at each department, and win free swag plus entry into a grand prize drawing! Drop by the Student Health Center for an interactive Scavenger Hunt to get familiar with all the health and wellness resources available to you on campus. Pick up your official Scavenger Hunt Passport at the Welcome Table, then tour stations across the facilityโ€”including the Medical Clinic, Pharmacy, CAPS, Insurance Office, Lab, and X-Ray. Meet our staff, learn how to access services, and get your passport stamped along the way. Event Highlights โ€ข Free SHS Swag: Complete all stations to take home water bottles, chapstick, lens cleaner, toothbrushes, stickers, and stress balls. โ€ข Grand Prize Drawing: Every finished passport earns an entry to win a $50.00 Amazon gift card ! โ€ข Open to All: Available to all UCSC students with no advance registration required. Event Details โ€ข Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 โ€ข Time: 12โ€“2 p.m. โ€ข Location: UCSC Student Health Center (Welcome Table at Main Entrance) โ€ข Cost: Free! You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of Californiaโ€™s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeโ€”whether a student service, faculty program, or community eventโ€”is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications .

Education Wellness ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
29

Downsizing Without the Overwhelm: 10 Simple Steps to Start Today

๐Ÿ“ Scotts Valley Senior Center
๐Ÿ•’ 12:30 PM โ€“ 2:00 PM ยท FREE

Join us for the second session in Living on Your Terms, a four-part series presented by Heart Centered Transitions on smart planning for the next chapter. Each session stands on its own, so come to one or join us for all. Handouts from previous sessions will be available at the Senior Center. Downsizing Without the Overwhelm: 10 Simple Steps to Start Today Downsizing can feel overwhelmingโ€”especially when you donโ€™t know where to begin. In this practical, interactive session, weโ€™ll break the process into manageable steps to help you get started and keep moving forward. Youโ€™ll learn: Where to begin when you donโ€™t know where to start Practical strategies for deciding what to keep, give, donate, or let go How to make steady progress without becoming overwhelmed You donโ€™t have to be planning a move to benefit. Downsizing now can help simplify your home and your lifeโ€”and make future decisions easier.

Sep
29

Fall 2026 Afterschool & Maker Sundays at SCMS!

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Maker Studios
๐Ÿ•’ 3:00 PM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $37

Fall Semester Maker Classes (August 11 โ€“ December 20, 2026) Join us for a semester of hands-on creativity at SC Maker Studios! Students explore 3D printing, laser engraving, woodworking, sewing, robotics, beading, arts & crafts, and more, creating projects to take home each week. All materials are included (except electronic robot components). Weekly Class Times: Youth (Ages 6ยฝโ€“12) Tuesdays: 3:00โ€“5:00 PM Wednesdays: 1:00โ€“3:00 PM & 3:00โ€“5:00 PM Thursdays: 3:00โ€“5:00 PM Sundays: 10:00 AMโ€“12:00 PM Teens (Ages 11โ€“17) Sundays: 12:30โ€“2:30 PM Register for the full semester to reserve your spot [https://scmakerstudios.com/fall-semester-2026/], or join us for individual Maker Sunday drop-in sessions [https://scmakerstudios.com/sunday-maker-registration/]. Spaces are limited!

Community Education ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Sep
29

SPCA Junior Animal Care Team

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz SPCA
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $75

Junior Animal Care Team (Ages 11+) Ready to level up your animal skills? If you love animals and want real, hands-on experience, the Junior Animal Care Team gives you the chance to go behind the scenes at the Santa Cruz SPCA! Start with a three-week training program where youโ€™ll learn how to safely support shelter animals and prepare for your role on the team. Each session includes one hour of hands-on animal care projectsโ€”creating enrichment, preparing supplies, and helping support the shelter teamโ€”followed by one hour socializing with our shelter animals. After graduating, youโ€™ll become a Junior Animal Care Team Member, returning for ongoing sessions to build your skills, take on more responsibility, and make a real difference for animals in need. A progressive step before becoming an SPCA volunteerโ€”perfect for future animal care professionals and passionate animal advocates! Junior Animal Care Team Training: Tuesday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May) Junior Animal Care Team Sessions: Thursday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May)

Family Education Details โ†’
Sep
30

Coffee with Provost Aims McGuinness

๐Ÿ“ Merrill College Office
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 11:00 AM ยท FREE

Grab a free cup of coffee* and chat with Provost Aims at Coffee with the Provost! Most Wednesdays through the Fall Quarter! 9:00-11:00am Meet us for (free) coffee, tea, breakfast snacks and good conversation outside the Merrill College Office, across from the mailroom. *Fair trade, organic, local women owned Alta Organic Roasting Company

Sep
30

Cyber-Seniors Digital Literacy Series

๐Ÿ“ Scotts Valley Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 10:30 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท See listing

A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills. August 19: What is a VPN and Do You Need One? August 26: Smartwatches Made Simple September 2: AI Powered Art September 9: Music Streaming Made Simple September 16: Podcasts Made Easy: Listen to Your Favorite Topics Anytime September 23: Your Story, Your Legacy: Preserving Memories with Spoken Records September 30: Tech Settings That Help With Accessibility October 7: Using Emergency Features on Your Phone October 14: Intro to Facebook October 21: Intro to Instagram Registration required. Must register for each class individually. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=cyber+seniors&d=2026-07-30&r=range&start=2026-08-01&end=2026-11-01 Come join Dara Brady, a local instructor with the digital literacy organization Cyber-Seniors, for a weekly digital literacy course! Each class includes a lesson on the topics below, Q&A time, and one-on-one tech support. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook, pen/pencil, and whatever tech device they want to learn on: (a laptop, tablet, and/or smart phone) and the charger for that device. If they don't have a device, they can still participate and Dara can get them one to use for the class. All classes run on Wednesday mornings from 10:30AM to 12PM in the Fireside Room except for the first and last sessions, which will take place in Study Room A.

Art & Culture Education ๐Ÿ“ Scotts Valley Details โ†’
Sep
30

Engineering Teaching Community (Faculty)

๐Ÿ“ Jack Baskin Engineering
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 1:00 PM ยท See listing

During the chaos of a quarter, is it hard to find time to reflect and improve as an instructor? Would you like to be a part of an inclusive, supportive group of engineering instructors who do this in community? ETC is for sharing teaching experiences, classroom ideas, research on learning, and methods that support instructors and students. All are welcome, and lunch is provided. Please reach out to Jenny Quynn with questions.

Education Community ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
30

The Mindful U: Finding Calm, Clarity + Connection in a Chaotic World

๐Ÿ“ UC Santa Cruz
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 1:00 PM ยท FREE

The Mindful U: Finding Calm, Clarity + Connection in a Chaotic World With Jessica Sanam Hekmat Thursday, Sept. 30, 2025 | Noon PT Virtual via Zoom Hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, open to all UC alumni This interactive session, led by career coach Jessica Sanam Hekmat, invites participants to pause and reset to cultivate presence and self-awareness as they navigate professional and personal demands. Weโ€™ll explore practical mindfulness tools and reflective prompts designed to foster resilience, regulate stress and re-energize focus. The conversation will balance strategy and self-inquiry, and weโ€™ll ground ourselves together in real time through guided breathwork, reflection, and visualization. Participants will leave with practical ways to reconnect to their values and sense of purpose, even when the external environment feels unpredictable. LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Education Wellness ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
30

PAWS Afterschool Program

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz SPCA
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $75

PAWS Afterschool Club (Ages 7โ€“10) Looking for something fun to do after school? Love animals? Join PAWS and discover what it takes to care for shelter animals while making new friends and learning through hands-on activities! Each week, children enjoy one hour of fun animal-themed education and activities, followed by one hour socializing with our shelter animals. Theyโ€™ll learn about animal behavior, responsible pet care, shelter life, and safe animal handling before putting their new knowledge into practice by spending quality time helping our cats and dogs feel loved and confident. Children begin with PAWS Foundations, a three-week introductory program. After graduating, they become PAWS Ambassadors, returning for additional sessions to build new skills, spend more time with the animals, and take on greater responsibilities as they progress toward becoming future Santa Cruz SPCA volunteers. PAWS Foundations: Monday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May) PAWS Ambassadors: Wednesday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May)

Family Education Details โ†’
Sep
30

The World Cafe: Food, Tea, and Conversations that Matter

๐Ÿ“ Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

The World Cafรฉ โ€” food, tea, and conversations that matter. Every other Wednesday, 5โ€“7pm, RCC Dining Hall. All students welcome, every college and major. Free with a meal plan, or pay at the door. This quarter: Sept 30 โ€” Conversation Cafรฉ: What conversations matter to you this year? Oct 14 โ€” Activism Cafรฉ: How can we be more effective agents of social change? Oct 28 โ€” Mental Health Cafรฉ: How can we thrive together? Nov 11 โ€” Immigration & ICE Cafรฉ: What do we owe each other when neighbors are at risk? Hosted by the Right Livelihood Center at UCSC.

Education Community Details โ†’
Sep
30

Sip & Draw: Butterflies In Flight

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

Butterflies are known for intricate wing patterns and flitting flight patterns. They are also indicators of the health of our environment and ecosystems, especially those that migrate across our state and region. Join Megan Gnekow, a local scientific illustrator, for an evening exploring the beauty and resilience of some of our most famous flying friends as you sip on wine, beer or seltzer water of your choice. With materials provided by the instructor, you will practice techniques for illustrating them accurately in colored pencil. For your illustrations, Megan will provide specimens and photographs to help illuminate the details needed to create accurate and life-like illustrations. PROGRAM FULL โ€“ Email [email protected] to join the waitlist About the Speaker Megan Gnekow is an artist and scientific illustrator whose work focuses on ecological relationships that support special-status species in California. She represents the 7th generation of her family with deep ties to Santa Cruz. She has supported the Art of Nature exhibit as both a juror and participant since 2010. Megan is the Chair of the Collections Committee and a member of the Governance Committee, where her work in civil rights for the University of California helps support the museumโ€™s ongoing efforts to build an inclusive, welcoming museum for all. Capacity : 20 Ticket Price: $40 General Discounts : $5 Off Members Age limit : 12+, Kids must be accompanied by adults Accessibility and Logistics This program will take place indoors at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Refreshments will be provided. Parking is available on Pilkington and street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Please allow a few extra minutes to find parking and get settled before the program begins. Cancellation Policy

Oct
1

Make & Explore Barrio Science STEAM Workshops

๐Ÿ“ Capitola Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 3:30 PM โ€“ 4:30 PM ยท See listing

These hands-on science workshops introduce Next Generation Science Standards skills through interactive projects. Led by Barrio Science Workshop's Salvador Lua and his team of dedicated volunteers, each week will feature a different theme-focused project, covering subjects such as biology, ecology, engineering, art, chemistry, physics and more. Bring your curiosity and prepare to be inspired! All materials and instructions will be provided. Register here: https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=explore&l=Capitola+Branch&r=range&start=2026-09-01&end=2026-10-31

Oct
1

Girls Who Code

๐Ÿ“ Scotts Valley Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท See listing

Girls Who Code is a nation-wide organization dedicated to teaching girls not only the language and skills of coding, but about finding their confidence, learning teamwork and the drive to succeed in the world, especially in science and technology. Girls and non-binary youth will be invited to get together and learn coding skills while having fun, challenging themselves and creating friendships. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=girls+who+code&r=range&start=2026-09-01&end=2026-12-31

Oct
1

SPCA Junior Animal Care Team

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz SPCA
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM ยท $75

Junior Animal Care Team (Ages 11+) Ready to level up your animal skills? If you love animals and want real, hands-on experience, the Junior Animal Care Team gives you the chance to go behind the scenes at the Santa Cruz SPCA! Start with a three-week training program where youโ€™ll learn how to safely support shelter animals and prepare for your role on the team. Each session includes one hour of hands-on animal care projectsโ€”creating enrichment, preparing supplies, and helping support the shelter teamโ€”followed by one hour socializing with our shelter animals. After graduating, youโ€™ll become a Junior Animal Care Team Member, returning for ongoing sessions to build your skills, take on more responsibility, and make a real difference for animals in need. A progressive step before becoming an SPCA volunteerโ€”perfect for future animal care professionals and passionate animal advocates! Junior Animal Care Team Training: Tuesday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May) Junior Animal Care Team Sessions: Thursday 4pm-6pm (September โ€“ May)

Family Education Details โ†’
Oct
1

Miriam Pawel โ€“ California Dreams

๐Ÿ“ Bookshop Santa Cruz
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

Bookshop Santa Cruz and The Humanities Institute welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Miriam Pawel for a reading and signing of her new book California Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the University of California โ€”an epic story of one of the worldโ€™s elite public universities, its sweeping social impact, and hopeful lessons about endurance in troubled times. Your RSVP helps us plan for your arrival and keep in touch with any changes. Thank you for registering! Distinguished by its founding mission as an engine of upward mobility, the University of Californiaโ€”a constitutionally independent public trustโ€”is a great American experiment that has persevered through fraught battles over access, funding, and leadership. The University has been at the nexus of nearly every public policy debate and social movement since the Civil War, from womenโ€™s rights to student protests, from academic freedom to affirmative action, shaping policies that reverberate throughout the United States. California Dreams narrates UCโ€™s rise and resilience through the lens of those whose lives it has transformed-in particular, five pioneering graduates whose diverse paths underscore why the University remains, in the words of Berkeley graduate Joan Didion, โ€œCaliforniaโ€™s best idea of itself.โ€ At a time of staggering inequality and uncertainty, as higher education faces unprecedented threats, that role has never been more crucial. Drawing on extensive research in ten archives and dozens of interviews, California Dreams weaves together the linked history of the school and state in all its drama, significance, and humanity; the result is a magisterial narrative of both a remarkable public institution of higher education, and also California itself. Miriam Pawel is an award-winning reporter and editor who spent twenty-five years working for Newsday and the Los Angeles Times . She is the author of The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty that Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation , which was

Oct
2

Produce Pop-Up

๐Ÿ“ UC Santa Cruz
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 3:00 PM ยท See listing

Produce Pop-Up is a twice-weekly organic farmstand open to all members of the UC Santa Cruz community. The program is dedicated to increasing access to fresh, healthy, and affordable organic produce, with offerings sourced from the UCSC Farm and other local organic growers. Academic year hours and locations: Beginning Oct. 2 Wednesdays: 11 a.m. โ€“ 3 p.m. at McHenry Library Fridays: 11 a.m. โ€“ 3 p.m. at Science and Engineering Library How does it work? Just stop by during open hours to browse and pick up fresh produce! Items are available at low or no cost to support student food access. Stay updated on produce availability and locations by following Produce Pop-Up Instagram . For questions, email [email protected] or visit the Center for Agroecology website .

Education Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Oct
2

Victor โ€˜Marka27โ€™ Quiรฑonez: Ni de Aquรญ, Ni de Allรก

๐Ÿ“ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท See listing

Organized in partnership with the Center for Art and Advocacy, located in Brooklyn, New York, Ni de Aquรญ, Ni de Allรก ( Not From Here, Not From There ) by multidisciplinary artist Victor โ€˜Marka27โ€™ Quiรฑonez features a wide range of artworks that issue a bold declaration of dual belonging, including altars, an elaborately immersive botanica, paintings referencing visual symbolism drawn from textiles, graffiti and community traditions, and, in a series called I.C.E. Scream , large, brightly colored resin sculptures in the shape of melting Mexican paletas (popsicles). As the exhibition title suggests (a phrase widely used in bilingual and bicultural communities), these artworks reflect the artistโ€™s interest in the experience of living between worlds even as violent notions of nationalism and identity pervade. Accompanying the exhibition, Elevar la Cultura , an immersive sculptural installation featuring a twenty-two-foot-tall pyramid built from ice coolers adorned with ancestral textiles, sacred symbols, and mural work will be on view at Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (1817 Soquel) November 7, 2026- March 7, 2027. As Quiรฑonez explains, this sculpture epitomizes the contradictions of livingโ€”and laboringโ€”as an immigrant in the United States: โ€œMost people see the cooler as a tool for leisureโ€ฆfor barbecues, tailgating, and celebrations. But for immigrant communities, the cooler is a tool and symbol for opportunity and independence. In every major city, you see families and vendors selling fruit, food, and water out of these coolers on the streets and in subway stations. Theyโ€™re a necessity for survival and a way to start an honest living,โ€ the artist shares. The Institute of Arts and Sciences will be the second venue to successfully present Ni de Aquรญ, Ni de Allรก to the public. First organized by Boston University Art Galleries and curated by Kate Fowle in September of 2025, the exhibition debuted to critical acclaim before gaining national attention after its abrupt removal from

Education Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Oct
2

Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still

๐Ÿ“ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท See listing

Carlos Mottaโ€™s When Time Stands Still, the artistโ€™s second solo show with the IAS , features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting the artistโ€™s preoccupation with the historical and aesthetic productions of difference and marginalization that shape the present. The selection of artworks in the exhibition explore the unsettling experience of living in a time that seems violently stuck on repeat. Archetypal figures from art history (a fool, a siren, a witness, a victim) reappear in the current moment as containers of time, bringing the past of imperialism, colonization, and displacement into a present marked by the rise of anti-immigration politics, climate injustice, and other forms of disposability. Some works challenge this violent repetition of time. The clock moves, if gruelingly, in an endurance-based video performance, No One , 2025. For forty-six minutes, the artist undertakes to keep his eyes open, witnessing, withstanding, confronting, and resisting the bombardment of images, both historical and otherwise, that normalize harm. In another video work, Gravity , 2024, performers enact rescue carries, supporting each other until they canโ€™t bear the weight. Together, the artworks act as a proposal about how to rethink timeโ€”how to slow timeโ€”with a poetic and aesthetic cadence that might counter the numbing reverberations of living in the present. When Time Stands Still is organized as part of Visualizing Abolition, an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to create a future free of prisons. Carlos Motta (b. 1978, Colombia) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work has been shown widely nationally and internationally. Solo exhibitions venues include the Museu dโ€™Art Contemporani de Barcelona; Nikolaj Kunsthal, Copenhagen; Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotรก; Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH ; Rรถda Sten Konsthall, Gothenburg, Sweden; Galeria Vermelho, Sรฃo Paulo; Pรฉrez Art Museum Miami (PAMM); Tate Modern, London; and

Education Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Oct
2

First Friday: Museum of the Macabre

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

Join us as we kick off Museum of the Macabre, a month where we explore the strange, the eerie, and the curious side of nature. Enjoy a special Cabinet of Curiosity exhibit alongside live taxidermy demos, real snakes, spooky crafts and more! Enjoy FREE admission to the Museum all day with special activities indoors from 5-8pm. Costumes welcome! Featuring: Partners : The Center for Monster Studies, UCSC | The Norris Center for Natural History | Bay Area Herpetological Society Activities : Special Exhibit | Face Painting | Spooky Crafts! Food : Areperia 831 Drinks : Donation-based bar with wine, beer and non-alcoholic options

Oct
2

Evergreen Cemetery Illustrated Lecture w/ Traci Bliss

๐Ÿ“ The 418 Project
๐Ÿ•’ 7:30 PM โ€“ 9:30 PM ยท $10

Friday, Oct. 2nd โ€“ 7:30 PM โ€“ SMALL THEATER Illustrated Lecture: โ€œHOW THE VISIONARIES OF EVERGREEN CEMETERY SHAPED SANTA CRUZ'S CREATIVE SOULโ€ โ€“ by Dr. Traci Bliss How did an isolated seaside town of only 3,500 residents become an unlikely cultural powerhouse? The answer lies at Evergreen Cemetery, where remarkable early artists, musicians, and educators rest within a stone's throw of one another. Discover their extraordinary, interconnected stories of sacrifice, heartbreak, bold ambition, and an unwavering belief that the arts could transform a community. Their influence not only endures but thrives in today's Santa Cruz. Award-winning professor, historian, and author Dr. Traci Bliss brings a uniquely personal perspective to Evergreen Cemetery. Her ancestors donated the land that promised Santa Cruz a burial ground welcoming to all, and more than two dozen relatives are buried thereโ€”including a beloved opera star who helped make Santa Cruz a center of musical life. Bliss's lifelong interest in cultural history solidified while an Art History major at Stanford University, which included extended study in Florence, Italy. She is the author of Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Cruz, designated a Goodreads Book, co-author of Santa Cruz's Seabright, and author of Big Basin Redwood Forest: Santa Cruz's Oldest State Park. As President of the Santa Cruz History Forum at the Museum of Art & History (MAH), she is dedicated to preserving and sharing the remarkable stories that shaped our community. Bliss will sign copies of Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Cruz at the conclusion of the event. The book is available at a 20% discount: $20 cash or check only. Tickets: $10 advance / $15 at the door. Doors open at 7:00 PM, lecture at 7:30 PM at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate.

Oct
3

UCSC Farm U-Pick

๐Ÿ“ UCSC Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท See listing

Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or flowers at the campus farm! When : U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, July 11โ€“August 22, or while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE that u-pick will not occur on Saturday, July 4. Where : Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please do not park in the dirt lot at the farmโ€™s back gate. Please walk to the check-in table near the strawberries/flowers at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate. Cost: UCSC students with valid ID get 25% off produce. Strawberry pints โ€“ $4 each Strawberry flats (12 pints) โ€“ $44 Flowers โ€“ $25 for 32oz deli container Flower buckets โ€“ $75 Payment : Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually). Dogs are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (service animals are OK).

Education Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Oct
3

Free Guided Tour of the UCSC Farm

๐Ÿ“ UCSC Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 1:30 PM ยท See listing

Take a free, guided tour of the 30-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and childrenโ€™s garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Heavy rain cancels. Tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following dates (please RSVP for the tour of your choice): Saturday, July 11 Saturday, August 1 Saturday, September 12 Saturday, October 3

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