Oct
17
What do ancient seafloors, Swiss cheese and portions of the Santa Cruz Mountains have in common? Probably not much, but tell that to the bedrock…
Santa Cruz Scene: What's happening in Santa Cruz County
From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.
Santa Cruz Scene (santacruzscene.com) is a free daily calendar of in-person events across Santa Cruz County, California.
See what's on this weekend →In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.
★ Featured this season
★ Featured Event
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 · 6:30 PM
13th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing · Downtown Santa Cruz · $17.85
13th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival Presented by DNA October 12-17 At Woodhouse: Saturday, October 17th • 6:30 PM 21 Comics • 3 Headliners •…
Music
Family
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
Details →
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Corralitos Cultural Center
Tai Chi with Manny
Improve your energy, balance, strength and coordination.
Music
📍 Watsonville
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Felton Music Hall
20 Years of Nekrogoblikon - Felton, CA - VIP TICKETLESS UPGRADE
Some bands start off with a concept; others develop it along the way. Santa Barbara’s Nekrogoblikon is of the later ilk and the better for…
Music
📍 San Lorenzo Valley
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · The Ugly Mug
Open Mic w/ SteveV, every Monday
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
Music
📍 Soquel
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Abbott Square Market
Abbott Square: Comedy Night
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Comedy
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
☀️ Happening today
Monday, October 1250 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day →
9:00 AM
See listing
Beach Cleanup @ Capitola Beach
📍 Capitola Beach next to jetty on East side
Outdoors
9:00 AM
See listing
Capitola Beach Cleanup with Save Our Shores
📍 City of Capitola
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
Beach Cleanup @ Capitola Beach
📍 Esplanade Park
Community
10:00 AM
$105
Halloween Ceramics Camp
📍 Art Factory Studios
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
FUN & FUNCTIONAL HANDBUILDING (2/4)
📍 Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Infant/Toddler Storytime at Capitola
📍 Capitola Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Club de Escucha de Santa Cruz
📍 Capitola Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Mahjong Club @ Branciforte
📍 Branciforte Branch Library
Community
What's happening
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Cultural Event
29 upcoming events · Family · from 2026-10-17 · to 2026-10-18
Oct
17
A fun and easy-to-learn way of drawing structured patterns to create beautiful images. The Zentangle Method makes drawing patterns, or tangles, accessible to almost anyone…
Art & Culture
Family
Oct
17
Roaring Camp: Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $24.85
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20-minute train ride, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. ACTIVITIES Photos with…
Family
📍 San Lorenzo Valley
Oct
17
https://landofmedicinebuddha.org/retreat-guru/2029/parenting-with-compassion-wisdom-copy/
Oct
17
Step into a world of imagination with stories, rhymes, and songs for children ages 0?8, shared with families and caregivers in a warm, welcoming space.
Oct
17
Seymour Center’s Art in the Aquarium
📍 Seymour Marine Discovery Center
🕒 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM · See listing
Dive into your creative side and make a splash with us! 🎨🌊 Bring the whole family and unleash your inner artist while surrounded by fascinating…
Oct
17
Join us at Farm Discovery for a day full of fall flavor! We will be picking apples, pressing fresh cider, and baking galettes to share!
Oct
17
Celebrate the fall at the Wilder Ranch State Park Harvest Festival! Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more! Taste history during…
Oct
17
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk
📍 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…
Oct
17
Catch artists you missed or revisit favorites during the final Open Studios weekend, when participating studios reopen across Santa Cruz County.
Family
Art & Culture
Oct
17
Connect with community on the campus farm at the annual Harvest Festival! Harvest Fest will have activities for all ages including face painting, flower pressing…
Oct
17
We're throwing Fall party for the whole community! Everyone is invited to this family-friendly celebration. We'll offer festival food and drink at modest prices, including…
Music
Family
Oct
17
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…
Oct
17
The Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Office invites families to a free, interactive afternoon exploring how elections work. Kids and adults can learn about voting and…
Family
Free
Oct
17
Join the fun! Celebrate your right to vote at Watsonville’s No Kings Day on October 17 from noon to 2. The festive rally will include…
Oct
17
Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
📍 London Nelson Community Center
🕒 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy this FREE annual event! Bring the family for a creative day of mask making, carnival games, Thriller performances plus Nightmares, A Stage Spooktacular. This…
Oct
17
Family democracy day brings fun, learning, and civic engagement to Santa Cruz County La democracia familiar trae diversión, aprendizaje e involucramiento cívico al Condado de…
Oct
17
Enjoy live music, food trucks and local wine, beer and cider in a garden setting. The fundraiser benefits local youth, hospice and hospital programs.
Family
Food & Drink
Oct
17
Register for tickets HERE! This year, we are combining the fun of our Light Up the Night event with our Annual Floating Pumpkin Patch to…
Oct
17
Simpkins Swim Center: Floating Pumpkin Patch
📍 Simpkins Family Swim Center
🕒 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM · $20
The Santa Cruz County Parks Department hosts an annual Floating Pumpkin Patch at Simpkins Family Swim Center in Santa Cruz, California. The event allows people…
Family
📍 Midtown
Oct
17
Amélie Farren, Lilith Max, Rabbitology - The Three Wishes Tour
📍 Felton Music Hall
🕒 5:30 PM · See listing
Purchase tickets here Show 5:30pm // All Ages ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located…
Oct
17
13th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival Presented by DNA October 12-17 At Woodhouse: Saturday, October 17th • 6:30 PM 21 Comics • 3 Headliners •…
Oct
18
Pancakes in the Park & Bake Sale!
📍 Highlands Park Senior & Community Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM · $5
---- EVERY 3RD SUNDAY, April - October --- This event is for all generations to enjoy: kids, parents, grandparents, singles, and friend groups. This pancake…
Oct
18
Roaring Camp: Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $24.85
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20-minute train ride, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. ACTIVITIES Photos with…
Family
📍 San Lorenzo Valley
Oct
18
Browse more than 40 local makers and artists on Pacific Avenue for a family-friendly Sunday of handmade goods and downtown exploring.
Oct
18
Youth Robot Series - Santa Cruz Maker Studios
📍 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…
Oct
18
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…
Oct
18
The Olive Tree: A Santa Cruz Poetry Open Mic
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
🕒 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM · $2
The Olive Tree is a poetry mic and public gathering space hosted by local poet Gabriel Kittle-Cervine. This monthly event seeks to honor the deeply…
Oct
18
LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration - Never the Last Love Letter AIDS Documentary Screening & Queer Santa Cruz Walking Tour @ MAH
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
🕒 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM · See listing
Name: LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration - Never the Last Love Letter AIDS Documentary Screening & Queer Santa Cruz Walking Tour Date: Sunday, October 18 Time…
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 →