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19 upcoming events Β· Family Β· from 2026-07-31 Β· to 2026-07-31
π Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
π 1:00 AM β 12:59 AM Β· $500
The Dickens Universe is a unique cultural event that brings together scholars, teachers, students, and members of the general public for a week of stimulating discussion and festive social activity on the beautiful Santa Cruz campus of the University of Californiaβall focused on one or two Victorian novels, usually (but not always) one by Charles Dickens. In 2026, the Dickens Universe will feature Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Dickensβs ninth novel, published between 1852-1853, shines a light on social injustice and the devastating effects of a corrupt legal system, following the entangled lives of those caught in the never-ending Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Told in alternating narrative voices, this rich literary experiment plays with a variety of genres from detective fiction and social realism to melodrama and satire. As characters move from city to suburb, from mansions to slums, we discover unexpected connections among classes, plots, and characters. Now in its 46th year of operation, the Dickens Universe combines features of a scholarly conference, a festival, a book club, and a summer camp. Participants include people of all ages and walks of lifeβdistinguished scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, retirees, young professionals, high school teachers, and anyone who loves reading and enjoys long Victorian novels. Here are some things that make the Universe such a special experience. The college lifestyle: participants live on campus, eat together in the student dining hall, and have time to meet and come to know each other in different ways. Everyone is reading the same book. We all have this one important thing in common. The activities include formal lectures, small discussion groups, films, daily Victorian teas, performances, and Victorian dancing. The Universe offers a week of total immersion in the world of Victorian fiction with friendly, like-minded colleagues in a beautiful setting. Whether weβre returning to a Dickens novel that everyone know
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 8:30 AM β 3:30 PM Β· $300
Are you a green thumb or a budding botanist? Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the Beginning Botany camp this summer to learn about the natural world by studying plants, trees, and much more. Campers will build friendships while investigating nature, playing games, and creating awesome crafts!
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 8:30 AM β 3:30 PM Β· $300
Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive into the world of birds!
π Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
π 9:30 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show up ready to work! All ages are welcome to help, including high school students seeking community service hours. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Please bring a mask and your own bottled water. For more information, email [email protected]
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 Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
π 11:00 AM β 8:00 PM Β· FREE
The first annual Aloha Music & Arts Festival Santa Cruz will take place Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, bringing together local musicians, hula schools, artists, food vendors, and community organizations for a weekend celebrating Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Pacific cultures. Gates open daily at 11 a.m. Admission to the festival is free. Donations are welcome. Parking will be available for $20 per vehicle. No in-and-out privileges will be allowed, and re-entry fees will be enforced. Produced by Victor Ohana Productions LLC, the festival aims to celebrate the Spirit of Aloha while creating a new cultural tradition for the Central Coast community. Organizers say the event was created to strengthen connections among local Polynesian communities, while offering residents and visitors a new summer cultural experience in Santa Cruz County. βThis festival is about bringing people together through music, dance, food, art, and community,β said Marie Victor, founder of Victor Ohana Productions. βSanta Cruz has deep cultural and historical connections to HawaiΚ»i through surf culture and the ocean lifestyle. We wanted to create an event that celebrates those shared influences while showcasing the incredible local talent we have here in Northern California.β Rather than featuring a national headliner, the festival will spotlight local bands and performers from throughout Santa Cruz County and the surrounding region. Organizers said the focus of the event is community participation and cultural authenticity. Festival attendees can expect: β Food vendors featuring Pacific-inspired cuisine β Local arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors β Information booths from community nonprofits and organizations β Family-friendly cultural activities and entertainment Local Live Music β Victor Ohana 3 Generations β Ho' Omana β Hunawai β Kanalu β Laule'a Hawaiian Band β Ka La'i O Mele β George Kahumoku Jr (Grammy Award Winner in
π Wilder Ranch State Park
π 11:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· FREE
Young adventurers are invited to join the Junior Ranger Program at Wilder Ranch State Park this summer! The free program is 11 a.m. to noon. Kids ages 7-12 are invited. Parents and guardians can learn more and register their young adventurers online. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park.
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 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:30 PM Β· FREE
Friday, July 31 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm Join us for great stories and a fun craft. Ages 4-6
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 12:30 PM Β· See listing
Friday, July 31 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm Come join Librarian Emily for stories, songs, and lots of fun for preschoolers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Scotts Valley Library Branch every Friday at 11:30am.
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:00 PM Β· See listing
Friday, July 31 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm S.T.E.A.M Projects. Explore Your World
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 4:30 PM Β· See listing
Friday, July 31 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
π Santa Cruz
π 5:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· FREE
Free summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live music, food trucks, local artists, makers, and family fun.
π Scotts Valley Skypark
π 5:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
Squeeze in a little more summer before the back-to-school rush at Food Truck Friday! Join us for a great evening outside with dinner, live music by Identity Problem, and Brendaβs Face Painting for the kids. Our food lineup includes Rollin Snack Shack, Taquizas Gabriel, Italia Fire, Pana, Kukiβs, Scrumptious, and Cracked Cookies. Make sure to stop by the SVEF Beer and Wine Garden featuring Laughing Monk beerβevery drink purchased goes directly to supporting our local classrooms. A big thanks to Mari Rossi for sponsoring the event and helping make this community celebration possible. Bring your lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and come enjoy the evening. Parking fills up quickly, so walking, biking, or using nearby public parking is highly recommended.
π All About Theatre
π 5:30 PM β 10:00 PM Β· $595
A theater production of the musical Dear Evan Hansen.
π Santa Cruz Boardwalk
π 6:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· See listing
Aloha, Youβre InvitedβSummer Luau by the Beach! Dress in your best Hawaiian attire and enjoy a tropical buffet, live music, hula dancers, and fun for all ages. Perfect for families, date nights, or those wrapping up their fun day at the Boardwalk! Schedule 6pm Doors Open 6pm-6:30pm Appetizers 6pm-7:30pm Live Music 6:30pm-7:30pm Tropical Buffet Station 7:30pm Hula Dancers $69.95 + tax - Adult $45.95 + tax - Child (2-8) Upgrade to Premium seating! $79.95 + tax - Adult Premium Seating $55.95 + tax - Child (2-8) Premium Seating Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/Boardwalk-Luaus-s Online reservations are available up to one week before the event or until sold out. - Adult beverages available for purchase. - Each attendee will also receive a colorful lei!
π Cabrillo College Crocker Theater
π 7:30 PM β 10:00 PM Β· $20
Cabrillo Stage is a musical theatre company dedicated to presenting high-caliber, large-scale musical productions to the area. They are committed to the creation of musicals with Broadway-level production values. In this way, they foster educational opportunities while giving audiences the highest-quality family entertainment. They aim to be a destination point for the best of live theatre. Sister Act hits the stage with the force of a disco ball struck by divine inspiration. Deloris, a bold and big-hearted nightclub singer, lands in a convent for her own protection and winds up transforming a tuneless choir into a soulful powerhouse. Her energy shakes the dust off every pew as she teaches the nuns to sing with joy, courage, and a little sparkling attitude. By the finale, the once-quiet convent is radiating harmony, friendship, and unstoppable fun. Sister Act delivers a burst of laughter, heart, and high-energy music that leaves the audience glowing long after the curtain falls. Click βMore Event Datesβ in orange above to see other showtimes, or follow the link in the orange button above to purchase tickets. Locals Love: Stunning, creative sets, talented live orchestras, and passionate performances, often at reasonable prices. First Timers Miss: The theaterβs architecture beautifully complements the overall experience, designed for optimal viewing. Insights: Santa Cruz METRO bus lines 1, 2, 55, and 73 all service Cabrillo College, providing access to the campus and the Crocker Theater. If taking a car, parking in Lot L is free.
π Roaring Camp Railroads
π 8:30 PM β 10:00 PM Β· $15.9
This nighttime experience will bring you a magical and immersive perspective on the ancient forest at Roaring Camp. During the 0.8-mile loop walk, you will view 26 unique, lighted lanterns, hung approximately 50 feet above the ground. The lanterns were crafted by local artists including Anna Bobisuthi, Roaring Campβs resident blacksmith, and Chris Butler, who also created the lighting design for Sequoias at Night. Tickets are available at the link in the orange button above. Kids under two enter for free. Roaring Campβs food services and gift shop will be open.
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,
