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📍 Santa Cruz County, CA

From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.

Live music, festivals, art walks, surf contests, trail days and everything in between.

In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.

★ Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! ★ Featured Event
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 · 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing · Downtown Santa Cruz · See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you won’t want to miss. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole phamily! Get tickets for the whole day celebration here: TICKETS

Music Festivals 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz Details →
Music
★ Featured
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 · Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Now Auditioning

Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.

Music 📍 Westside
Promotional image for WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy ★ Featured
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 · London Nelson Community Center

WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy

The Tony Award-Winning San Francisco Mime Troupe Opens their 67th Season with: WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy July 3 – Sept. 7, 2026

Art & Culture
Promotional image for Zen Buddhist Meditation Coming up
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 · Santa Cruz Zen Center

Zen Buddhist Meditation

Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.

Music 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Aloha Music & Arts Festival Santa Cruz Coming up
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 · Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

Aloha Music & Arts Festival Santa Cruz

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. “This festival is about bringing people together through music, dance, food, art, and community,” said Marie Victor, founder of Victor Ohana Productions. “Santa Cruz has deep cultural and historical connections to Hawaiʻi 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.” 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: ● Food vendors featuring Pacific-inspired cuisine ● Local arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors ● Information booths from community nonprofits and organizations ● Family-friendly cultural activities and entertainment Local Live Music ● Victor Ohana 3 Generations ● Ho' Omana ● Hunawai ● Kanalu ● Laule'a Hawaiian Band ● Ka La'i O Mele ● George Kahumoku Jr (Grammy Award Winner in

Music 📍 Watsonville

☀️ Happening today

Saturday, August 1

84 events on today. No plans required, just go.

1:00 AM
$500
The Dickens Universe featuring ‘Bleak House’
📍 Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
Education
7:45 AM
See listing
Strawberry Jam 1K and 5K Fun Run and Walk
📍 Landmark Elementary School
Wellness
8:00 AM
FREE
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
📍 Joe and Linda Aliberti Boys and Girls Club
Markets
8:00 AM
See listing
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Birdwatching
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Outdoors
8:00 AM
FREE
Cabrillo Farmers Market
📍 Cabrillo College
Markets
8:30 AM
FREE
Zen Buddhist Meditation
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
Music
8:39 AM
FREE
Chamber Choir Now Auditioning
📍 Westside Locations
Music
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
📍 Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
FREE
UC Santa Cruz Farm U-Pick
📍 UC Santa Cruz
Food & Drink

What's happening

Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.

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14 upcoming events · Festivals · from 2026-08-01 · to 2026-08-08

Aug
2

Scotts Valley 60th Birthday Bash

📍 Skypark
🕒 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM · FREE

Celebrate 60 Years of Scotts Valley! Join us as we celebrate Scotts Valley's 60th Birthday Bash on Sunday, August 2nd at Skypark for an unforgettable community celebration! Event Highlights: Share Your Story (submit at [email protected]) Birthday Song & Birthday Dessert, Live Music, Roller Skating, Food Trucks, Kids Activities, Interactive History, Family Fun for All Ages! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we celebrate six decades of community, memories, and hometown pride. Whether you've lived here your whole life or are new to Scotts Valley, this is the perfect opportunity to come together and celebrate everything that makes our city so special. Sunday, August 2, 2026 Skypark – Scotts Valley 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM FREE Event Let's make history together as we celebrate 60 incredible years of Scotts Valley! We can't wait to see you there!

Festivals Family 📍 Scotts Valley Details →
Aug
2

Watsonville Strawberry Festival

📍 Historic Downtown Watsonville
🕒 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM · FREE

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival returns to historic downtown Watsonville on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2! This free, family-friendly festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, kid's activities, local artisans, business and specialty vendors and a mouthwatering variety of food. Strawberry lovers can look forward to creative berry-infused treats like pizza, tacos, churros, popcorn, shortcake, beer and more! Be sure to catch crowd favorites like the Pie-Eating Content and Berry Best Dressed Contest. Don't miss this cherished Watsonville tradition that celebrates community, creativity and all things strawberry. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends for a weekend packed with fun, food and festivities! For more info: **watsonvillestrawberryfestival.com** or IG/FB @watsonvillestrawberryfestival Saturday, August 1 | 11AM-8 PM Sunday, August 2 | 11 AM-7 PM

Festivals Family 📍 Watsonville Details →
Aug
6

Abbott Square: Jug Band Festival

📍 Abbott Square
🕒 5:45 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE

Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument – or guitar, banjo, and brass – it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! August 6 from 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm: Pono Hawaiian Grill at 120 Union Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Museum of Art and History at 725 Front Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 8 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 9 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz

Aug
6

Abbott Square: Jug Band Festival

📍 Visit Santa Cruz County
🕒 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · FREE

Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument – or guitar, banjo, and brass – it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Click the link in the orange button above for more details. August 6 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Pono Hawaiian Grill at 120 Union Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Museum of Art and History at 725 Front Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 8 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 9 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Shanty Shack Brewing at 138 Fern Street in Santa Cruz

Festivals Free Details →
Aug
7

Community Bridges WIC 19th Annual Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair

📍 Community Bridges Plaza
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE

We invite you to join us for our 19th Annual WIC Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair, on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 3pm. We will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and sharing information about our services and those of our community partners. There will be fun activities for the whole family, music, healthy snacks, raffle prizes, and more. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated around the world to highlight the importance of human milk and it's impact on health.

Festivals Family 📍 Watsonville Details →
Aug
7

Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival

📍 Abbott Square Marketplace
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · FREE

The Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Thursday August 6th – Sunday August 9th, 2026 Free admission for all events! Contact [email protected] Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument - or guitar, banjo, and brass - it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Calendar of events: Thursday August 6th, 5:45-7:30 pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill. 120 Union St. Downtown Santa Cruz. · Join the Trolley Drops at their monthly jug band sing and play along. Bring your voice and/or instruments and your good humor. Lyrics projected on the wall. It’s free. Friday August 7th, 6-9 pm at Abbott Square Market and the MAH, 725 Front St. Santa Cruz · 6 pm in the MAH lecture hall: “The Wild & Wacky History of Jug Band Music”, a presentation by the Trolley Drops. · 7 pm at Abbott Square: The Puffball Collective plays dance music, “Prohibition to Psychedelia: Jug Band Roots as Rock.” Saturday August 8th, Noon-9 pm at Abbott Square. 725 Front St. Santa Cruz · Five bands will play one hour sets with sing-alongs or solo performances between sets. · Alphabetically the bands are: The Rivertown Skifflers The Quake City Jug Band The San Lorenzo Valley Ramblers The Trolley Drops The Washboard Rhythm Company Sunday August 9th, 2-5 pm at Shanty Shack Brewing. 138 Fern St. Santa Cruz. · Jug Band Happy Hour: various members of the five Jug Bands will perform some of their favorite songs in a more intimate setting.

Festivals Free Details →
Aug
7

Abbott Square: Jug Band Festival

📍 Visit Santa Cruz County
🕒 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · FREE

Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument – or guitar, banjo, and brass – it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Click the link in the orange button above for more details. August 6 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Pono Hawaiian Grill at 120 Union Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Museum of Art and History at 725 Front Street in Santa Cruz August 7 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 8 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Abbott Square at 118 Cooper Street in Santa Cruz August 9 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm: Shanty Shack Brewing at 138 Fern Street in Santa Cruz

Festivals Music Details →
Aug
7

First & Third Fridays Community Drumming Class With Jim Greener

📍 Congregational Church of Soquel
🕒 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · $10

Subject: Come Drum, Connect, and Celebrate Life — Now Twice a Month! Dear Friends, Due to continuing requests from our growing circle, I’m very excited to expand our Community Drumming Classes in Soquel Village from gathering on the third Friday of each month to meeting on the FIRST and THIRD FRIDAYS, beginning February 6th! Where: The Congregational Church of Soquel (the white church with the steeple) Parish Hall 4951 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA When: First & Third Fridays of every month 7:00–8:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm Donation: $10 I provide hand drums and percussion instruments, and you’re always welcome to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are warmly welcome at this family-friendly gathering! For beginners, I offer a few fun and easy tips for playing hand drums and percussion instruments, while exploring universal foundation rhythms. From there, I add more advanced elements for experienced players, guiding the group through a step-by-step Rhythm Journey that I've conducted globally for thousands of corporate and community sessions over the past four decades. Along the way, I also demonstrate how rhythm can become the foundation for a playful, positive Life Practice... reinforcing powerful Life Rhythms and supportive patterns of attitude and action. Together, we cultivate a strong, joyful Groove ... the powerful state of entrainment known as the Zone and Flow... personally, and as a community. Gathering in rhythm is one of humanity’s oldest ways of celebrating life, beginning when our ancestors first gathered around the fire... clapping hands, stomping feet, and howling at the stars... we have used rhythm to connect, empower and rejoice. Every beat reminds us that we are part of something ancient and beautiful, linking us across generations and cultures! We humans are at our best when we come together to celebrate the miracle—the blessing—of life, and to uplift and empower one another. Come play! Many Blessings, Jim

Festivals Family 📍 Soquel Details →
Aug
8

Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival

📍 Abbott Square Marketplace
🕒 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM · FREE

The Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival Thursday August 6th – Sunday August 9th, 2026 Free admission for all events! Contact [email protected] Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument - or guitar, banjo, and brass - it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile! Calendar of events: Thursday August 6th, 5:45-7:30 pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill. 120 Union St. Downtown Santa Cruz. · Join the Trolley Drops at their monthly jug band sing and play along. Bring your voice and/or instruments and your good humor. Lyrics projected on the wall. It’s free. Friday August 7th, 6-9 pm at Abbott Square Market and the MAH, 725 Front St. Santa Cruz · 6 pm in the MAH lecture hall: “The Wild & Wacky History of Jug Band Music”, a presentation by the Trolley Drops. · 7 pm at Abbott Square: The Puffball Collective plays dance music, “Prohibition to Psychedelia: Jug Band Roots as Rock.” Saturday August 8th, Noon-9 pm at Abbott Square. 725 Front St. Santa Cruz · Five bands will play one hour sets with sing-alongs or solo performances between sets. · Alphabetically the bands are: The Rivertown Skifflers The Quake City Jug Band The San Lorenzo Valley Ramblers The Trolley Drops The Washboard Rhythm Company Sunday August 9th, 2-5 pm at Shanty Shack Brewing. 138 Fern St. Santa Cruz. · Jug Band Happy Hour: various members of the five Jug Bands will perform some of their favorite songs in a more intimate setting.

Festivals Free Details →
Aug
8

Phamily Time!

📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you won’t want to miss. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole phamily! Get tickets for the whole day celebration here: TICKETS

Aug
8

CONTROL - 2026 CABRILLO FESTIVAL

📍 Civic Auditorium
🕒 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · $26

Conducted by Cristian Măcelaru Clarice Assad: Kontrol (Philippe Quint, Violin) (Festival Commission & world premiere) Jackson A. Waters: Defending Greenwood (West Coast premiere) Hannah Ishizaki: Spin (West Coast premiere) Dan Dediu: Concerto for Orchestra (U.S premiere) A genre-expanding program examining power, agency, and the forces that shape contemporary life. Clarice Assad‘s Kontrol (Festival Commission, world premiere), featuring violinist Philippe Quint, is a genre-defying work for narrator, projections, violin, and orchestra that interrogates the role of technology in human autonomy. Defending Greenwood (Movement III: June 1, 1921) (West Coast premiere) by Jackson A. Waters—winner of the 2026 Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prize—bears witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre, countering historical erasure through musical testimony and remembrance. Merging the Viennese waltz with electronic dance music, Hannah Ishizaki’s Spin (West Coast premiere), evokes motion, disorientation, and suspended time. As elegant triple-meter gestures collide with pulsing, club-like rhythms, the piece blurs past and present, creating a dizzying soundscape that feels both nostalgic and uncannily immediate. Dan Dediu‘s Concerto for Orchestra (U.S. premiere) closes the program with a virtuosic and celebratory showcase of the ensemble, dedicated to Cristian Măcelaru in recognition of their long-standing artistic collaboration.

Aug
8

First & Third Fridays Community Drumming Class With Jim Greener

📍 Congregational Church of Soquel
🕒 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · $10

Subject: Come Drum, Connect, and Celebrate Life — Now Twice a Month! Dear Friends, Due to continuing requests from our growing circle, I’m very excited to expand our Community Drumming Classes in Soquel Village from gathering on the third Friday of each month to meeting on the FIRST and THIRD FRIDAYS, beginning February 6th! Where: The Congregational Church of Soquel (the white church with the steeple) Parish Hall 4951 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA When: First & Third Fridays of every month 7:00–8:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm Donation: $10 I provide hand drums and percussion instruments, and you’re always welcome to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are warmly welcome at this family-friendly gathering! For beginners, I offer a few fun and easy tips for playing hand drums and percussion instruments, while exploring universal foundation rhythms. From there, I add more advanced elements for experienced players, guiding the group through a step-by-step Rhythm Journey that I've conducted globally for thousands of corporate and community sessions over the past four decades. Along the way, I also demonstrate how rhythm can become the foundation for a playful, positive Life Practice... reinforcing powerful Life Rhythms and supportive patterns of attitude and action. Together, we cultivate a strong, joyful Groove ... the powerful state of entrainment known as the Zone and Flow... personally, and as a community. Gathering in rhythm is one of humanity’s oldest ways of celebrating life, beginning when our ancestors first gathered around the fire... clapping hands, stomping feet, and howling at the stars... we have used rhythm to connect, empower and rejoice. Every beat reminds us that we are part of something ancient and beautiful, linking us across generations and cultures! We humans are at our best when we come together to celebrate the miracle—the blessing—of life, and to uplift and empower one another. Come play! Many Blessings, Jim

Festivals Family 📍 Soquel Details →

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