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πŸ“ 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.

β˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! β˜… Featured Event
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

πŸ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing Β· Downtown Santa Cruz Β· See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you won’t want to miss. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole phamily! Get tickets for the whole day celebration here: TICKETS

Music Festivals πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Promotional image for Zen Buddhist Meditation Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Zen Center

Zen Buddhist Meditation

Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Music
Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· 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.

Music πŸ“ Westside
Music
Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· The Ugly Mug

Carolyn and Gerard play Django

No set up - nothing special just stage space

Music πŸ“ Soquel
Promotional image for Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Coming up
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· Abbott Square Marketplace

Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival

The Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Thursday August 6th – Sunday August 9th, 2026 Free admission for all events! Contact [email protected] Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected β€” The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument - or guitar, banjo, and brass - it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Calendar of events: Thursday August 6th, 5:45-7:30 pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill. 120 Union St. Downtown Santa Cruz. Β· Join the Trolley Drops at their monthly jug band sing and play along. Bring your voice and/or instruments and your good humor. Lyrics projected on the wall. It’s free. Friday August 7th, 6-9 pm at Abbott Square Market and the MAH, 725 Front St. Santa Cruz Β· 6 pm in the MAH lecture hall: β€œThe Wild & Wacky History of Jug Band Music”, a presentation by the Trolley Drops. Β· 7 pm at Abbott Square: The Puffball Collective plays dance music, β€œProhibition to Psychedelia: Jug Band Roots as Rock.” Saturday August 8th, Noon-9 pm at Abbott Square. 725 Front St. Santa Cruz Β· Five bands will play one hour sets with sing-alongs or solo performances between sets. Β· Alphabetically the bands are: The Rivertown Skifflers The Quake City Jug Band The San Lorenzo Valley Ramblers The Trolley Drops The Washboard Rhythm Company Sunday August 9th, 2-5 pm at Shanty Shack Brewing. 138 Fern St. Santa Cruz. Β· Jug Band Happy Hour: various members of the five Jug Bands will perform some of their favorite songs in a more intimate setting.

Festivals

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Saturday, August 8

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Weekend with Shakespeare
πŸ“ UCSC Arboretum
Art & Culture
1:00 AM
See listing
Weekend with Shakespeare
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
8:00 AM
FREE
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Joe and Linda Aliberti Boys and Girls Club
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Cabrillo Farmers Market
πŸ“ Cabrillo College
Markets
8:30 AM
FREE
Zen Buddhist Meditation
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Zen Center
Music
8:39 AM
FREE
Chamber Choir Now Auditioning
πŸ“ Westside Locations
Music
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
FREE
Westside Santa Cruz Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Mission St Extension & Western Dr
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Cars and Coffee
πŸ“ East Lake Village Shopping Center
Food & Drink

What's happening

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

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16 upcoming events Β· Education Β· from 2026-08-08 Β· to 2026-08-08

Aug
8

Weekend with Shakespeare

πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 1:00 AM – 12:59 AM Β· See listing

Dig deeply into this season’s Shakespeare productions with a special weekend of lectures, discussions and hands-on activities. In partnership with UCSC’s Shakespeare Workshop and The Humanities Institute, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about each play during the day and then enjoy the production that same evening. This year, Weekend with Shakespeare will be held at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park on August 8th ( Much Ado About Nothing ) and August 9th ( Macbeth ). Admission is free to all, but seating is limited. Please register below to reserve your seats . Schedule for Weekend with Shakespeare Saturday, 8/8 – Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare 11:00 a.m. – Welcome (Sean Keilen, UCSC) 11:15 a.m. – Actor Panel (Charles Pasternak and members of the company, SCS) 12:15 p.m. – Boxed lunch (courtesy of Shakespeare Workshop) 1:00 p.m. – Visiting Scholar (Eli Simon, UC Irvine) 2:00 – End of program Sunday, 8/9 – Macbeth by William Shakespeare 1:00 a.m. – Welcome (Sean Keilen, UCSC) 11:15 a.m. – Actor Panel (Charles Pasternak and members of the company, SCS) 12:15 p.m. – Boxed lunch (courtesy of Shakespeare Workshop) 1:00 p.m. – Visiting Scholar (Eli Simon, UC Irvine) 2:00 – End of program Sean Keilen is Professor of Literature and UC Santa Cruz, the founder of Shakespeare Workshop , and Head of Dramaturgy at Santa Cruz Shakespeare . Charles Pasternak is Artistic Director at Santa Cruz Shakespeare , before which served as Artistic Director of The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Co in Los Angeles for over fifteen years. He has had a wide-ranging career as an actor and director at theatres across this country including American Players Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, three seasons with The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and four with Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Eli Simon is a Chancellor’s Professor of Drama at UC Irvine, where he has served as chair and head

Education Free πŸ“ UCSC Details β†’
Aug
8

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Sandhills Guided Hike

πŸ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
πŸ•’ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Β· See listing

Sandhills Tour - Hike around an ancient seafloor?! Yes please! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Santa Cruz Sandhills, we'll be meandering through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800' above present-day sea level! Join us on August 8th at 9:00 am to explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. RSVP for this event here . Let's plan to meet in the campground parking lot (located off Graham Hill Rd.). We hope to see you there! Hard rain cancels.

Aug
8

Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center: Plankton Walk

πŸ“ Sanctuary Exploration Center
πŸ•’ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Β· $35

You will be going out to the Santa Cruz Wharf to collect the plankton and take data on the physical conditions. You will then go to a lab at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Center to look closely at your subjects (plankton) under the microscopes. These are the microscopic organisms that produce half the oxygen you breathe (phytoplankton) and the zooplankton, that form the base of the food chain.

Aug
8

Pacific Plankton Walk

πŸ“ Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
πŸ•’ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us for a morning filled with plankton! These are the microscopic organisms that produce half the oxygen we breathe (phytoplankton) and the zooplankton, that form the base of the food chain. We will be going out to the Santa Cruz Wharf to collect the plankton and take data on the physical conditions. We will then go to a lab at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Center to look closely at our subjects (plankton) under the microscopes. REGISTER About the Speaker Jane Silberstein received her undergraduate degree in science (emphasis on marine science) at UCSC, and later obtained her graduate degree at Moss Landing Marine Labs in Invertebrate Marine Ecology. She has spent the last 40 years learning and teaching about the marine life in the bay and ways to engage audiences with this information. Jane has been teaching about plankton for 10 semesters at Cabrillo College with a program called the Pacific Plankton Program, and worked on plankton projects for many years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Accessibility and Logistics There will be two parts in this program (field work and lab portion) β€” Please note that transportation between venues is not provided, so plan accordingly. Dress in comfortable layers, long pants, hat, sunglasses,and closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops or sandals). Please plan to bring any water and snacks you will want during the program. Please bring a notebook if you have one, otherwise, we’ll bring paper, to draw and describe the amazing microscopic drifters we find in the Monterey Bay! Capacity : 20 Ticket Price: $35 General | $25 Student Discounts : $5 member discount Age limit: 10+. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Aug
8

Plankton Walk

πŸ“ Sanctuary Exploration Center
πŸ•’ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Β· $35

You will be going out to the Santa Cruz Wharf to collect the plankton and take data on the physical conditions. You will then go to a lab at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Center to look closely at your subjects (plankton) under the microscopes. These are the microscopic organisms that produce half the oxygen you breathe (phytoplankton) and the zooplankton, that form the base of the food chain.

Aug
8

Seymour Center’s Seaside Storytime

πŸ“ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Β· See listing

Get ready to set sail on a storybook adventure! πŸ“š ✨ It’s the ultimate weekend treat to spark big imaginations, foster a love for nature, and nurture the next generation of ocean heroes! 🌊 🐚 πŸ“– Our friends at Bookshop Santa Cruz have hand-selected a collection of books about the environment that are perfect for young readers. We hope to see you there! Join Seaside Storytime on the second Saturday of every month!

Aug
8

How to Start a Short Story

πŸ“ Scotts Valley Branch Library
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

In this two-part short story workshop, writers will explore how to shape a story from an initial idea into a more focused, compelling draft. Register here: https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16763798 We’ll look at what makes a story feel alive on the page, with an emphasis on helping each writer better understand what their story is really about. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work, receive constructive feedback, and discuss practical strategies for strengthening a draft. The workshop is designed to be supportive, thoughtful, and generative, whether you are starting a new story, revising an existing one, or trying to figure out where a piece wants to go next. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. The goal is not to leave with a perfect story, but to leave with a clearer sense of direction, stronger tools for revision, and renewed confidence in the work. Devin Shoop is an MFA candidate and a published author. Photo credit: Aaron Burden.

Art & Culture Education πŸ“ Scotts Valley Details β†’
Aug
8

Harp Lessons for All Ages

πŸ“ Soulcare Studios
πŸ•’ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Β· $40

Discover the calming and creative power of music 🎢 Our beginner-friendly harp lessons offer a peaceful space to learn something new, connect with sound, and explore music in a supportive group setting. No experience is needed, and instruments are provided. πŸ—“ 1st & 3rd Saturdays 🎡 All levels welcome ⚠️ Limited to 10 spotsβ€”advance booking recommended

Education Family πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
8

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Redwood Loop Tour

πŸ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Β· See listing

Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!

Aug
8

Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences

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

Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right , the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj , a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies , a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art. The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public. Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons. Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas. Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in time

Education Art & Culture πŸ“ Westside Details β†’
Aug
8

Companions of the Sun A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima B

πŸ“ Scotts Valley Branch Library
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM Β· See listing

Learn about the origins and practice of Iranian dance in this talk and performance by Dr. Farima Berenji. She will discuss Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions. There will be a short performance and audience participation dance as part of the program. Registration is recommended, and walk-ins are welcome. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16520725 Rooted in one of the world's oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue to inspire cultures worldwide, preserving a legacy of mysticism and artistic expression. Author Dr. Farima Berenji presents her research upon the evolutionary origins and practice of Iranian rituals, beliefs, and dances, exploring how Iranian culture permeated global music and dance traditions, developing distinctly from its sister nations. All this is explored in her book Companions of the Sun. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Aug
8

Companions of the Sun

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM Β· See listing

Saturday, August 08 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Learn about Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions.

Community Education Details β†’
Aug
8

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Star Walk Tour

πŸ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
πŸ•’ 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Β· See listing

Star Walks - Astronomy-based program where participants are guided up to the observation deck, where they will participate in activities and learn about the night sky. This involves a 1 mile round trip hike. Meet in the campfire center of the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park campground. RSVP for this hike here .

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