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Showing 30 of 146 upcoming events Β· Family Β· from 2026-07-22 Β· to 2026-07-29
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 Watsonville Senior Center
π 10:00 AM β 11:00 AM Β· See listing
Arts and crafts sessions for grandparents and grandchildren at Watsonville Senior Center. Part of Parks and Recreation Month activities.
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 The 418 Project
π 10:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
A free weekly dance jam for babies and their caregivers at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, with movement, music, and play in a joyful environment.
π Watsonville Library
π 10:30 AM β 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Event date: July 22, 2026 Event Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: 2021 Freedom Blvd Freedom, CA 95019 Watsonville, CA 95076
π Watsonville Civic Plaza
π 11:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Event date: July 22, 2026 Event Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: 275 Main Street, Suite #100 Watsonville, CA 95076
π Watsonville Library
π 11:30 AM β 12:30 PM Β· See listing
Event date: July 22, 2026 Event Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: 2021 Freedom Blvd Freedom, CA 95019 Watsonville, CA 95076
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 10:30am - 11:00am Join us at the Garfield Park Branch Library for Storytime!
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Join us for great stories followed by a hands-on craft.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Join us for Story Time featuring songs, rhymes, and stories designed to help preschoolers develop early literacy skills.
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 Watsonville Library
π 12:00 PM β 1:00 PM Β· See listing
Event date: July 22, 2026 Event Time: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Location: 2021 Freedom Blvd Freedom, CA 95019 Watsonville, CA 95076
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Come join us for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers in our beautiful Boulder Creek Library Branch every Wednesday at 11am.
π Garfield Park Branch Library
π 3:00 PM β 4:30 PM Β· See listing
Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, including model building, and exploration of the environment around us. Children will need an adult present to help them. Expect to get messy!
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm Tales to Tails is a literacy program designed to help children improve their reading skills by providing the opportunity to read to certified therapy dogs. Registration is required.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Wednesday, July 22 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm Lego Fun for Kids
π SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
π 6:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
Join us 4th Wednesdays, 6-8pm at SubRosa for The Art of Building a Future - a cafΓ© 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 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
π Park Hall Ben Lomond
π 7:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· See listing
Little Peopleβs Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little Peopleβs Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of βscientistsβ came to βstudyβ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7β14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. Itβs alternative childrenβs musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.
π Park Hall Ben Lomond
π 7:00 PM Β· $22
Little People's Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little People's Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of βscientistsβ came to βstudyβ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7β14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. It's alternative children's musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.
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,
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 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 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 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 Callaghan Park
π 10:30 AM β 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Itβs storytime in the park with an exciting twistβbikes. Join us for storytime and stay at the park for a special bike series hosted by Ecology Action. These programs will take place at 10:30am at Callaghan Park (225 Sudden St) on the following dates: July 16: Bike rodeo on the basketball courts July 23: Bike safety talk with the SC Bike Team July 30: Family bike ride with the SC Bike Team Bring blankets, hats, and sunscreen. Biking is optional. All participants who want to ride must have a parent signed waiver and be fitted with a helmet before biking. Audience: Children aged 0-5 and their caregivers. ESPAΓOL Es la hora de cuentos en el parque, pero con un toque divertido: las bicicletas. AcompÑñanos a la hora de cuentos y quΓ©date en el parque para disfrutar de una serie especial de actividades con bicicletas organizadas por Ecology Action. Estos programas se llevarΓ‘n a cabo a las 10:30am en el Parque Callaghan (225 Sudden St) las siguientes fechas: 16 de julio: Rodeo en bicicleta en las canchas de bΓ‘squetbol 23 de julio: Charla sobre seguridad en bicicleta con SC Bike Team 30 de julio: Paseo familiar en bicicleta con SC Bike Team No se le olvide traer cobijas, sombreros y protector solar. Montar en bicicleta es opcional. Todos los participantes que quieran montar deben traer un casco puesto, y sus padres deben firmar una exenciΓ³n de responsabilidad. Audiencia: NiΓ±os de 0 a 5 aΓ±os y sus cuidadores.
π Watsonville
π 10:30 AM β 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Event date: July 23, 2026 Event Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: 225 Sudden Street Watsonville, CA 95076
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 11:30 AM Β· See listing
Thursday, July 23 2026 10:30am - 11:30am For ages 0-5
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Thursday, July 23 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Songs and Stories