Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
19 upcoming events Β· Family Β· from 2026-07-21 Β· to 2026-07-21
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 8:30 AM β 3:30 PM Β· $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.
π All About Theatre
π 9:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· $345
A one-week theater intensive where young performers rehearse and stage Moana Jr., building confidence and ensemble skills in a supportive creative environment.
π All About Theatre
π 9:00 AM β 4:00 PM Β· $895
A three-week summer theater program culminating in a full production of Moana Jr., giving participants a deeper dive into performance, character work, and stagecraft.
π Roaring Camp Railroads
π 10:00 AM β 4:00 PM Β· $32
From Trees to Shining Seas β 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. Todayβs 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.
π Watsonville
π 11:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· 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 childβs 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. ΒΏBusca actividades interactivas y entretenidas para su hijo? Se les invita a participar en nuestro programa EstΓmulo Sensorial en la Biblioteca Principal el tercer martes de cada mes a las 11 am. Cada mes habrΓ‘ un tema diferente y nuevas formas de estimular los sentidos de su hijo. Las actividades pueden incluir: juegos con agua, arena cinΓ©tica, mesas para tocar y ver, slime, pintar con los dedos, exploraciΓ³n de instrumentos, experiencias aromΓ‘ticas y nuevos sabores. Audiencia: NiΓ±os de 1 a 5 aΓ±os y sus cuidadores.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 11:00 AM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Scoop, Pour, Imagine, Explore! Dive into the world of sensory play at the library.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 11:00am - 11:45am Come join Librarian Emily for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Scotts Valley Library Branch every Tuesday at 11am.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Puppets, Songs and toys, Oh My!
π Comicopolis
π 12:00 PM Β· FREE
It's time to get those crayons sharpened, paints mixed and markers at the ready for our Summer 2026 PokΓ©mon Art Contest for kids 5-12! To join in, create a picture of your favorite PokΓ©mon 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 PokΓ©mon:Chaos Rising 11x17 mini-poster (while supplies last) when you hand in your art.
π Veterans Memorial Building
π 1:00 PM β 4:00 PM Β· See listing
A youth basketball camp during Parks and Recreation Month, offering skill development and fun for young players.
π Watsonville Library
π 4:00 PM β 5:30 PM Β· 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: β¨ Free Sewing Classes β¨ 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.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:00 PM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Scotts Valley Branch Library!
π Sego Lily Events
π 4:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Teens are invited to channel their inner food critic at our monthly Teen Taste-Off Program ~ each month will feature a new snack in a variety of flavors that they will get to taste and vote on their favorite. This program will take place every third Tuesday of the month at the Main Library from 4:00-5:00pm. Audience: Teens Invitamos a los jΓ³venes ser un crΓtico de comida ~ participa en nuestro programa mensual Concurso de Sabores para JΓ³venes. Cada mes presentaremos un nuevo bocadillo en distintos sabores para que lo prueben y voten por su favorito. Este programa se llevarΓ‘ a cabo el tercer martes de cada mes en la Biblioteca Principal de 4:00-5:00pm. Audiencia: Adolescentes
π The 418 Project
π 4:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
π Freedom Branch Library
π 4:00 PM β 5:30 PM Β· See listing
β¨ Free Sewing Classes β¨ 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
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:30 PM Β· See listing
Tuesday, July 21 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm This Bingo program for people with special abilities (disabilities) is adaptable to all because it uses pictures!
π Satori Arts
π 7:00 PM β 9:00 PM Β· See listing
InterAct Open Mic at Satori Arts. FREE community poetry jam featuring Kaily Dorfman Are you ready to get your poetry on? Join us on July 21, 2026 at Satori Arts for InterAct , a FREE open mic night, from 7-9 pm, featuring poet Kaily Dorfman. Kaily Dorfman was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, and completed her MFA in poetry at UC Irvine and her PhD in English and literary arts at the University of Denver. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and the Best New Poets anthology, and is published or forthcoming at journals including New England Review, Tar River Poetry, Painted Bride Quarterly, The New Criterion, and Summerset Review. Come share your spoken word work or poetry with the community, or come out to support our local readers! Sign up to read starting at 6:30 pm. Limited seating. For more information, visit https://www.satoriarts.org/upcoming-events. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Free. Satori Arts, 815 Almar, #9, Santa Cruz (warehouse building near the back, follow signs)
π Santa Cruz Maker Studios
π 9:00 PM β 2:00 PM Β· $720
Join us this summer for a maker experience where students (ages 7 β 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 β $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 β June 5 Arcades and Games β $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,