Skip to content
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.

๐Ÿ“
In-person only, on purpose.

Every listing is something you can actually show up to, from Davenport down to Watsonville.

No webinars No livestreams Just show up โœ“

โ˜… Featured this season

Cannabis โ˜… Featured Event Treehouse
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 ยท 5:00 PM

Treehouse Dispensary First Friday

๐Ÿ“ Treehouse Dispensary ยท Soquel ยท FREE

Treehouse Dispensary hosts a monthly First Friday event on the first Friday of every month. These events feature live music, local artists, makers, and an art market with up to 20 different vendors, along with shop-wide discounts and community activities. The shop is open 8:00 AM to 9:45 PM daily. 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†’
โ˜… Featured
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 ยท Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Enthusiastic Bird Watchers @ La Selva Beach

Tuesday, July 21 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm Join us for a bird talk and guided walk in La Selva Beach to spot local birds and enjoy nature together!

Community ๐Ÿ“ Aptos & Seacliff
โ˜… Featured
Wed, Jul 22, 2026 ยท SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

The Art of Building a Future (RSSC Discussion Group)

Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafรฉ for discussion and practice for creating the future we want to live in, now! Hosted by @rojavasc1 Bring your thoughts and experience and enjoy some light refreshments. Will be held in the courtyard weather permitting. COVID precautions encouraged. 6pm - 8pm // totally free! // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Also part of the @freeskoolsantacruz 2026 session - more info about other class in bio at @freeskoolsantacruz and @subrosa_space โ€”@@@@@โ€” 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. Letโ€™s 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

Community ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
โ˜… Featured
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 ยท Capitola Village

43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

Stroll the festival with friends and family, sipping exceptional wines from Santa Cruz Mountain wineries while admiring the artistic talents of over 100 fine artists. Sway to live music and be inspired by local dance groups while taking in the ocean breeze and breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay. Feed your cravings with tantalizing cuisine from local food purveyors, and cruise through the Artisans Marketplace for locally handcrafted goods. If that isnโ€™t enough, Capitola Village is filled with restaurants for every taste and charming boutiques to satisfy a shopperโ€™s dream. Art, wine, music, and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Villageโ€ฆsummerโ€™s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise! This event is from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, September 12 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 13. See link to the event in the orange box above.

Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ Capitola
โ˜… Featured
Mon, Sep 21, 2026 ยท The Cruz Room

The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night

The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโ€™d board games 5 โ€“ 8 Trivia 8 โ€“ 10

Family ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Tuesday, July 21

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Bruno's Bar and Grill: Kick-Off Chaos!
๐Ÿ“ Bruno's Bar & Grill
Food & Drink
8:30 AM
$400
Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$345
Summer Production (1-week): Moana Jr.
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Screaming Queens: The Riot of Comptonโ€™s Cafeteria documentary and discussion - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC
๐Ÿ“ 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
LGBTQ+
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
11:00 AM
See listing
In-person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
See listing
Build Your Own Sensory Bin
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
FREE
Backgammon @ the Library
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

What's happening

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

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Go somewhere Clear all

Showing 30 of 146 upcoming events ยท Family ยท from 2026-07-20 ยท to 2026-07-27

Jul
20
โ˜… Featured

Experiments in Nature Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 AM โ€“ 11:59 PM ยท See listing

Are you a future scientist? We invite kids to join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for Experiments in Nature camp to perform experiments and studies in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, ocean studies, and climate science. Explore nature while learning more about how scientists study the natural world that surrounds us. Times: Drop-off 8:30-9 a.m. | Pick-up 3-3:30 p.m. Grades: Entering 5th through 6th grade (ages 10-11) Price : $400 | $20 Sibling Discount | $20 Off for Members (family and above) REGISTER HERE Scholarship applications open January 1-15, 2026 Member registration opens January 30, 2026, and opens January 31, 2026, for the public Museum Members get early access to camp registration, discounts, and more! Learn More

Jul
20

Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 AM โ€“ 11:59 PM ยท See listing

CAMP FULL โ€“ CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by what we discover. Times: Drop-off 8:30-9 a.m. | Pick-up 3-3:30 p.m. Grades: Entering K through 2nd grade (ages 5-7) Price : $400 | $20 Sibling Discount | $20 Off for Members (family and above) Scholarship applications open January 1-15, 2026 Member registration opens January 30, 2026, and opens January 31, 2026, for the public Museum Members get early access to camp registration, discounts, and more! Learn More

Jul
20

Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 AM โ€“ 3:30 PM ยท $400

Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by what we discover.

Jul
20

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $32

From Trees to Shining Seas โ€“ Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Todayโ€™s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
20

Natural Bridges Little Rangers Program

๐Ÿ“ Natural Bridges State Beach
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 11:00 AM ยท FREE

Little Rangers programs at Natural Bridges State Beach are happening this summer! This free program is best for 3 to 6-year-old kids and includes hands-on activities, play-acting and sharing. Parents or caregivers are required to stay and encouraged to help facilitate the fun and games. Themes this summer include insects, beach exploring, bird watching and nature art. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park. One reservation per family and please write in the names and ages of participating children.

Outdoors Family Details โ†’
Jul
20

Redwood Music Kid Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Waldorf School
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 3:00 PM ยท $275

Redwood Music Kid Camp is a two-week day camp for children ages 7โ€“13 who can already play an instrument. Camp takes place July 20โ€“31, from 10amโ€“3pm daily, at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. A final concert will be presented to family and friends on Saturday, August 1st at 10am. A one-week option (July 20-24) is available for first-time campers.

Music Family Details โ†’
Jul
20

POKEMON ART CONTEST FOR KIDS!

๐Ÿ“ Comicopolis
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM ยท FREE

It's time to get those crayons sharpened, paints mixed and markers at the ready for our Summer 2026 Pokรฉmon Art Contest for kids 5-12! To join in, create a picture of your favorite Pokรฉmon having a fun moment or striking a cool, dynamic pose. Submissions should be on 8.5 x 11 paper. You can use any medium you like, such as paint, marker, crayon, pencil, etc. No digital art. There will be prizes awarded to two age groups, 5-7 and 8-12. Entries accepted June 1st-July 31st. Winners will be announced on August 6th. BONUS: All participants will receive a free Pokรฉmon:Chaos Rising 11x17 mini-poster (while supplies last) when you hand in your art.

Jul
20

The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night

๐Ÿ“ The Cruz Room
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท FREE

The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted micโ€™d board games 5 โ€“ 8 Trivia 8 โ€“ 10

Jul
20

Community Talks: Gardening & Nature Connections

๐Ÿ“ Watsonville
๐Ÿ•’ 5:30 PM โ€“ 6:30 PM ยท See listing

Deepen your connections to nature and your community ~ Join us for a pair of talks with guest speakers from local organizations focused on community building and our environment. Learn from Watsonville Wetlands Watch in an interactive activity connecting nature, community, and collective action. Discover how our community is working together to reduce food waste, care for urban trees, restore local wetlands, and how you can be a part of larger efforts to protect and improve our shared environment. This presentation will take place on Monday, July 13, at 5:30pm at the Main Library. Hear about the Homeless Garden Projectโ€™s work to make a difference through organic gardening. Learn about the organizationโ€™s social impact, community building efforts, and sustainable gardening practices. This presentation will take place on Monday, July 20, at 5:30pm at the Main Library. Audience: All ages ESPAร‘OL Profundiza su conexiรณn con la naturaleza y su comunidad ~ Acompรกรฑanos en una serie de charlas con invitados de organizaciones locales dedicadas al desarrollo comunitario y al medio ambiente. Aprende con Watsonville Wetlands Watch en una actividad interactiva que une la naturaleza, la comunidad y la acciรณn colectiva. Descubre cรณmo nuestra comunidad estรก trabajando en conjunto para reducir el desperdicio de alimentos, cuidar los รกrboles urbanos, restaurar los humedales locales, y cรณmo puedes formar parte de iniciativas mรกs amplias para proteger y mejorar nuestro entorno comรบn. Esta presentaciรณn se llevarรก a cabo el lunes, 13 de julio a las 5:30pm en la Biblioteca Principal. Descubre la labor del Homeless Garden Project a travรฉs de la jardinerรญa orgรกnica. Conoce el impacto social de la organizaciรณn, sus iniciativas de fortalecimiento comunitario y sus prรกcticas de jardinerรญa sostenible. Esta presentaciรณn se llevarรก a cabo el lunes, 20 de julio a las 5:30pm en la Biblioteca Principal. Audiencia: Para todas las edades

Jul
20

Summer Camp (ages 7-12) Santa Cruz Maker Studios

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Maker Studios
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 PM โ€“ 2:00 PM ยท $720

Join us this summer for a maker experience where students (ages 7 โ€“ 12) design and build custom creations they can proudly take home. Our summer camps combine creativity, engineering, and craftsmanship in a supportive studio environment designed for both first time makers and returning students. Each camp week provides access to our 3D printing, woodworking, and textiles stations, with dedicated instructors in each area guiding students through tools, techniques, and projects. Every week also features a themed focus that inspires ideas across our maker zones and gives students a starting point for their creations. While themes provide structure, students are encouraged to explore projects that interest them, combine ideas across weeks, or pursue custom builds with instructor support. Camp Schedule and Daily Flow Summer camp runs from May 29 through July 31, 2026, with ten themed camp sessions offered throughout the season. Camp hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Camps are designed for students ages 7 to 12 and take place at Santa Cruz Maker Studios, located at 427 A. Swift Street in Santa Cruz. Session 1: May 27 & 29 (Two-Day Camp) Choose Your Mini Project โ€“ $144.00 This one day camp is designed for creative exploration and flexibility. Students choose a mini project based on their interests and skill level and spend the day designing, building, and finishing something they are excited about. Projects may include woodworking builds, simple robots, sewing projects, laser cut designs, or 3D printed creations. This session is a great introduction for new students and a fun option for returning makers looking to try something new. Session 2: June 1 โ€“ June 5 Arcades and Games โ€“ $720.00 Students step into the role of game designers and builders. Using woodworking, laser cutting, and 3D printing, campers create playable arcade style games such as a mini foosball table and mini-golf course. Others may design custom board games, chess boards and pieces,

Jul
21

Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 AM โ€“ 3:30 PM ยท $400

Calling young artists and scientists curious about nature! This summer, young explorers can join us on a journey to investigate symmetries, patterns, and curiosities in the natural world. Spend the week exploring nearby beach, creek, and garden habitats, and making all sorts of art inspired by what we discover.

Jul
21

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $32

From Trees to Shining Seas โ€“ Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Todayโ€™s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
21

Sensory Play

๐Ÿ“ Watsonville
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท See listing

Looking for interactive and engaging activities for your child? Join us for Sensory Play at the Main Library on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11am. Each month will feature a different theme and new ways to stimulate your growing childโ€™s senses. Activities may include: water play, kinetic sand, touch-and-see tables, slime, finger painting, instrument exploration, aromatic experiences, and new tastes. Audience: Children aged 1-5 and their caregivers. ยฟBusca actividades interactivas y entretenidas para su hijo? Se les invita a participar en nuestro programa Estรญmulo Sensorial en la Biblioteca Principal el tercer martes de cada mes a las 11 am. Cada mes habrรก un tema diferente y nuevas formas de estimular los sentidos de su hijo. Las actividades pueden incluir: juegos con agua, arena cinรฉtica, mesas para tocar y ver, slime, pintar con los dedos, exploraciรณn de instrumentos, experiencias aromรกticas y nuevos sabores. Audiencia: Niรฑos de 1 a 5 aรฑos y sus cuidadores.

Jul
21

POKEMON ART CONTEST FOR KIDS!

๐Ÿ“ Comicopolis
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM ยท FREE

It's time to get those crayons sharpened, paints mixed and markers at the ready for our Summer 2026 Pokรฉmon Art Contest for kids 5-12! To join in, create a picture of your favorite Pokรฉmon having a fun moment or striking a cool, dynamic pose. Submissions should be on 8.5 x 11 paper. You can use any medium you like, such as paint, marker, crayon, pencil, etc. No digital art. There will be prizes awarded to two age groups, 5-7 and 8-12. Entries accepted June 1st-July 31st. Winners will be announced on August 6th. BONUS: All participants will receive a free Pokรฉmon:Chaos Rising 11x17 mini-poster (while supplies last) when you hand in your art.

Jul
21

Sewing Classes

๐Ÿ“ Freedom Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 5:30 PM ยท See listing

โœจ Free Sewing Classes โœจ Ready to unleash your creativity and learn a new skill? Whether you're a total beginner or an experienced sewer, our free sewing classes are for you. Join us for a fun, hands-on experience where you can: Learn sewing basics - no experience required. Build your skills - Pick the project that matches your skill level. Meet new friends - all ages and backgrounds encouraged. Bring your own projects - get help with what you want to create. This program will take place on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:30pm at the Freedom Library, Creative Cafe. All ages & skill levels welcome. These classes will be facilitated in English. https://www.watsonville.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=7326

Jul
21

Sewing Classes

๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Library
๐Ÿ•’ 4:00 PM โ€“ 5:30 PM ยท See listing

Event date: July 21, 2026 Event Time: 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM Location: 2021 Freedom Blvd Freedom, CA 95019 Watsonville, CA 95076 Description: โœจ Free Sewing Classes โœจ Ready to unleash your creativity and learn a new skill? Whether you're a total beginner or an experienced sewer, our free sewing classes are for you. Join us for a fun, hands-on experience where you can: Learn sewing basics - no experience required. Build your skills - Pick the project that matches your skill level. Meet new friends - all ages and backgrounds encouraged. Bring your own projects - get help with what you want to create. This program will take place on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:30pm at the Freedom Library, Creative Cafe. All ages & skill levels welcome. These classes will be facilitated in English.

116 more events further out

Never miss a beach day, show, or street fair.

Join the Santa Cruz Scene newsletter for local discounts, community highlights, and the best curated events delivered to your inbox each month.

No spam, just the Scene. Curious who we are? Read our story.

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 โ†’