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Showing 30 of 59 upcoming events · Family · from 2026-08-22 · to 2026-08-29
📍 Año Nuevo State Park
🕒 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE
Join State Parks staff for a morning of volunteer work along the scenic coastal terrace at Año Nuevo State Park. Volunteers can expect to weed out invasive plants, sheet mulch, collect native plant seeds and more! This work helps improve habitat for local wildlife, including the endangered San Francisco Garter Snake. Volunteers should bring closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Training, water, snacks, tools and gloves will be provided. All ages are welcome to this event. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $32
From Trees to Shining Seas – 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. Today’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.
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM · $26.45
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
📍 7 Hangar Way suite b, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
🕒 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE
Event: RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ Raíces y Cariño Date: 4th Saturday of the Month Saturday, January 25 Time: 10:30 am -12:00 pm Location: RC Fam 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Ages: 0-10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. Cost: FREE Event Description: A monthly bilingual playgroup for LGBTQIA+ families and allies. This play group is for children who are 10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. We will have an art activity, a story, some light snacks, and PLAY! Please, do not bring sick children to Rainbow Playgroup. Families are asked to maintain the confidentiality of all playgroup attendees and no photography is permitted. RSVP Form ¡Grupo de Juego Arcoiris! Un grupo de juego bilingüe para familias LGBTQIA+ y aliados El cuarto sábado del mes 10:30am-12pm, Raíces y Cariño, 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Este grupo de juego es para niños de 10 años o menos y cuidadores, y se admiten hermanos. Tendremos un
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM · FREE
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
📍 Soulcare Studios
🕒 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM · $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. 🗓 1st & 3rd Saturdays 🎵 All levels welcome ⚠️ Limited to 10 spots—advance booking recommended
📍 Portola Redwoods State Park
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · See listing
Ready for an adventure beneath towering Coast Redwoods? This program is for you! Join us for an easy 0.5 mile hike through a gorgeous grove to share an experience with the redwood trees, and learn a little bit about their life history. We'll meet at the Old Tree Trail head, just down the road from the Visitor Center, at 1:00pm. Please wear weather-appropriate attire and be prepared to walk about 1 mile on easy trail. Click here to RSVP .
📍 Capitola Branch Library
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM · FREE
Lois Flood, an authority on Isadora Duncan's life and legacy, including her dance style, will give a presentation about the life of Isadora Duncan and her contributions to the dance world. Lois Ann Flood brings the remarkable groundbreaking dancer, Isadora Duncan, to life through storytelling, photos, and dance. Learn how Duncan, the most celebrated dancer-choreographer of the early 20th century, boldly rejected the cultural and legal restrictions placed on women of her day, overcame crushing personal tragedies, and inspired generations dancers with her fluid, natural movements. Lois will demonstrate Isadora's choreography, and you might get to try some dance moves yourself. Light refreshments will be available. Registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome. Register at https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16591517. Lois has been performing the exquisite dances of Isadora Duncan for over 20 years. She has performed and taught master classes in NYC, Paris and San Francisco. Lois is well known in the Northern California area, where she performs lecture/dance programs at theater’s, museums and colleges. Lois grew up in NYC where she initially studied ballet. She has spent many years teaching Duncan Dance to all ages and is the founder of Diablo Dance Theater. Lois currently resides in Danville, California.
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 3:00 PM · See listing
Saturday, August 22 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm Downtown Library Youth Chess Club. Open to players ages 6 to 18. Instructor is Chess Master Gjon Feinstein.
📍 Boulder Creek Fire Station
🕒 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · $30
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance on Saturday, August 22. Firefighters serve a tri-tip and chicken dinner in the apparatus bay, and three live bands (Kentucky Mule, Barnstormers, Bootleg Country Band) play out back with dancing until 11 p.m. There's a bounce house and face painting for kids. Tickets are $30 for dinner and dance, free for kids under 5. Proceeds buy rescue and medical equipment for the all-volunteer department. Tickets and details: bcfd.com
📍 Boulder Creek Fire Department
🕒 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · $30
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance on Saturday, August 22. Firefighters serve a tri-tip and chicken dinner in the apparatus bay, and three live bands (Kentucky Mule, Barnstormers, Bootleg Country Band) play out back with dancing until 11 p.m. There’s a bounce house and face painting for kids. Tickets are $30 for dinner and dance, free for kids under 5. Proceeds buy rescue and medical equipment for the all-volunteer department. Tickets and details: bcfd.com
📍 Boulder Creek Fire Department
🕒 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM · $30
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance on Saturday, August 22, 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13230 Central Ave. Firefighters serve a tri-tip and chicken dinner in the apparatus bay, and three live bands (Kentucky Mule, Barnstormers, and Bootleg Country Band) play out back with dancing until 11 p.m. There's a bounce house and face painting for kids. Tickets are $30, free for kids under 5, with a $100 family 4-pack available online. Proceeds buy rescue and medical equipment for the all-volunteer department. Tickets and details: bcfd.com
📍 The Cruz Room
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing
7:00 PM - 9:30pm · Vocally centric environmental education folk rock. Participatory for all ages. Originals by Peter Weiss and covers by John Gorka, the Banana Slug String Band, the Eagles, and more!
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM · $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 Camp’s 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 Camp’s food services and gift shop will be open.
📍 Santa Cruz Maker Studios
🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · $245
Youth Robot Series at Santa Cruz Maker Studios Join us for our 3-week Robot Series designed for youth (ages 7-12) who love building, problem-solving, and technology. Each Sunday, students will work through exciting engineering challenges while building and programming their very own robot. Time: 3 Sunday Sessions 10am -12pm for youth (7-12 years old). Please see available sessions. Cost Overview: $245 per series (includes all robot materials) Register Here: https://scmakerstudios.com/robot-series-registration-form/
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $32
From Trees to Shining Seas – 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. Today’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.
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM · $26.45
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
📍 Santa Cruz Maker Studios
🕒 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM · $245
Teen Robot Series at Santa Cruz Maker Studios Join us for our 3-week Robot Series designed for teens (ages 11-17) who love building, problem-solving, and technology. Each Sunday, students will work through exciting engineering challenges while building and programming their very own robot. Time: 3 Sunday Sessions 12:30-2:30pm for teens (11-17 years old). Please see available sessions. Cost Overview: $245 per series (includes all robot materials) Register Here: https://scmakerstudios.com/robot-series-registration-form/
📍 Willow Pond Ranch
🕒 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at a local horse ranch! We will be having a fundraiser on Sunday, August 23, 1-5pm. For details, please see here: https://www.jcfsantacruz.org/horses Willow Pond Ranch will be open to visitors. Small donations requested to support the Japanese Cultural Fair of Santa Cruz. Pony rides available! Ranch tour: See the horses, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks and hear about what goes on at a horse ranch.
📍 Mathnasium
🕒 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM · See listing
The new school year is just around the corner, and we’re celebrating with a FREE Back to School Open House on Sunday, August 23rd, from 1:30–3:30pm! Families can enjoy an afternoon of board games, face painting, math games, and opportunities to win exciting raffle prizes. It’s a great chance to kick off the school year with fun activities, connect with other local families, and celebrate the start of another exciting school year. Don’t forget to bring a friend (kids or adults) for an extra chance to win a prize—the more the merrier! The event will take place in our center at 245 Mt. Hermon Road, Suite J. Whether you’re a current Mathnasium family, want to learn more about Mathnasium, or are just looking for a fun back-to-school event, everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there!
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 1:30 PM · See listing
Monday, August 24 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm Join us every Monday at the Felton Branch for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome.
📍 Jade Street Park
🕒 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM · $250
A Softball specific weekly clinic designed to keep our gloves and our feet smooth on defense. This clinic is held once a week at Jade Street Park by our college level coaches that are working on fundamentals, form, and execution. Clinic is for 12+ athletes.
📍 The Cruz Room
🕒 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM · 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 mic’d board games 5 – 8 Trivia 8 – 10
📍 Santa Cruz Maker Studios
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $37
Fall Semester Maker Classes (August 11 – December 20, 2026) Join us for a semester of hands-on creativity at SC Maker Studios! Students explore 3D printing, laser engraving, woodworking, sewing, robotics, beading, arts & crafts, and more, creating projects to take home each week. All materials are included (except electronic robot components). Weekly Class Times: Youth (Ages 6½–12) Tuesdays: 3:00–5:00 PM Wednesdays: 1:00–3:00 PM & 3:00–5:00 PM Thursdays: 3:00–5:00 PM Sundays: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM Teens (Ages 11–17) Sundays: 12:30–2:30 PM Register for the full semester to reserve your spot [https://scmakerstudios.com/fall-semester-2026/], or join us for individual Maker Sunday drop-in sessions [https://scmakerstudios.com/sunday-maker-registration/]. Spaces are limited!
📍 Community Through Art
🕒 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM · $255
Youth Bloom Studio Art with Sarah Orre, nurtures creativity, confidence, and curiosity through hands-on learning. Each class encourages young artists to explore new materials, techniques, and ideas while building foundational art skills in a supportive studio environment. From painting and drawing to air dry clay and mixed media, students learn to see like artists and express their own unique voice. Enroll in as many sessions as you like!
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · See listing
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 4:30 PM · See listing
Tuesday, August 25 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Aptos Youth Chess Club. Open to players ages 6 to 18 with knowledge of basic rules (how the pieces move). Instructor is Chess Master Dana Mackenzie.
📍 The 418 Project
🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · 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.
📍 Freedom Branch Library
🕒 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM · See listing
A bilingual storytime for toddlers with stories, songs, and rhymes in English and Spanish, promoting early literacy and language skills.
📍 Santa Cruz Maker Studios
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $37
Fall Semester Maker Classes (August 11 – December 20, 2026) Join us for a semester of hands-on creativity at SC Maker Studios! Students explore 3D printing, laser engraving, woodworking, sewing, robotics, beading, arts & crafts, and more, creating projects to take home each week. All materials are included (except electronic robot components). Weekly Class Times: Youth (Ages 6½–12) Tuesdays: 3:00–5:00 PM Wednesdays: 1:00–3:00 PM & 3:00–5:00 PM Thursdays: 3:00–5:00 PM Sundays: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM Teens (Ages 11–17) Sundays: 12:30–2:30 PM Register for the full semester to reserve your spot [https://scmakerstudios.com/fall-semester-2026/], or join us for individual Maker Sunday drop-in sessions [https://scmakerstudios.com/sunday-maker-registration/]. Spaces are limited!
