This event is all about personal health and conscious economics. We're offering a full day event where attendees can sample movement classes, place-based workshops and more, from a dozen local small businesses. Our goal? To give you an affordable opportunity to discover as many local healing outlets as possible and promote those dedicating their lives to helping others. NOTE: Though we call ourselves a "festival", this will be a more intimate event, taking place at a private redwood estate in Scotts Valley with a maximum of 100 guests. We hope you'll take the time to connect with others, especially any practitioner who amazed you. Catered lunch from Julia's Vegetarian Restaurant + live music is included in the ticket
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.
โ Featured this season
โ
Featured
Naturalist Night: Plankton 101
Did you know that every other breath we take comes from phytoplankton? Dive into the hidden world of plankton and discover the tiny organisms that form the foundation of Monterey Bayโs rich marine ecosystem. Join marine scientist and educator Jane Silberstein for an engaging introduction to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the remarkable roles they play in supporting ocean life. After the talk, youโll have the opportunity to observe live plankton under a microscope and get an up-close look at these incredible microscopic organisms. Whether youโre a curious beachgoer, an aspiring naturalist, or simply fascinated by the ocean, this lecture will leave you with a new appreciation for the life drifting just beneath the surface. These amazing organisms form the base of the marine food web, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, influence the color of the ocean, and support countless species throughout Monterey Bay and beyond. REGISTER HERE Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Ticket Price: $12 Discounts: $5 member discount About the Speaker : Jane Silberstein brings more than 40 years of experience studying and teaching about the marine life of Monterey Bay. She earned her undergraduate degree in science with an emphasis in marine science from UC Santa Cruz and her graduate degree in Invertebrate Marine Ecology from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. During her 33 years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jane worked on all three plankton guide stations, sharing the fascinating world of plankton with visitors from around the globe. She has also taught plankton through Cabrillo Collegeโs Pacific Plankton Program for nearly six years, inspiring students to explore the remarkable microscopic organisms that support life in the ocean. Jane is passionate about making the microscopic world accessible to audiences of all ages and helping others discover the incredible diversity of life drifting just beneath the surface. Accessibility and Logistics : This program will take place
โ
Featured
Steve Hawk
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Steve Hawk, the longest serving editor of Surfer (1991-1998), who will share his thrilling new novel Nearshore , a mix of literary suspense and coastal noir which follows an unlikely trio on the California coast who investigate a nuclear terrorist act. Hawk will be in conversation with Charles Duhigg at this event.
Coming up
Motion Pacific: Dance for PD
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
Coming up
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
โ๏ธ Happening today
Wednesday, August 1239 events on today. No plans required, just go.
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
3 upcoming events ยท Festivals ยท from 2026-08-12 ยท to 2026-08-19
Wellness Day at Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival
TherapyWorks, in collaboration with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the first-ever Wellness Day at this yearโs Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival! As the host of Wellness Day, TherapyWorks is honored to help create a dedicated space highlighting local health, wellness, prevention, education, and community care providers. This new festival experience is designed to bring meaningful visibility to the many organizations, practitioners, and businesses supporting the well-being of individuals and families throughout Scotts Valley and the greater Santa Cruz County community. Although Wellness Day is a brand-new addition to the festival for 2026, the vision for creating a dedicated health and wellness experience has been in the works for years. We are so excited to finally bring this idea to life. Interested in applying to be a Wellness Vendor? To reserve your vendor space, please complete the registration form and submit your payment below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjcET4ItwBlluPZRk8-IgUym6a53UXyxPZ81jna8e7J0S0cA/viewform?usp=send_form
11th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party Fundraiser!
Join Santa Cruz County Parks Department and the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for the 11th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party FUNdraiser at the Simpkins Family Swim Center! Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer celebration with great food, music, and fun in the pool for adults, children, and your dog, too! Get your ticket now and join in on the fun on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM! All proceeds will benefit County Parks youth programs and Animal Shelter programs. Plus, don't miss out on our amazing raffle with prizes worth up to $1,600! Learn more at bit.ly/parksandrexinfo Ticket information: Adults are $15 presale/ $20 day of and kids are $5 presale/ $10 day of. Dogs are free!Sign up for your presale tickets and tickets for dog swims all on Rec.us. One presale swim time per dog and a minimum of one handler to one dog is required. Additional human tickets are available as โTickets Without Dogsโ. Entry tickets are for the whole event, but your dogโs 20-minute swim window will be indicated on your ticket. You can check in with WoofPack day of for additional swim times, subject to availability
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 โ