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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.

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In-person only, on purpose.

Every listing is something you can actually show up to, from Davenport down to Watsonville.

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β˜… Featured this season

Cannabis β˜… Featured Event Treehouse
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Β· 5:00 PM

Treehouse Dispensary First Friday

πŸ“ Treehouse Dispensary Β· Soquel Β· FREE

Treehouse Dispensary hosts a monthly First Friday event on the first Friday of every month. These events feature live music, local artists, makers, and an art market with up to 20 different vendors, along with shop-wide discounts and community activities. The shop is open 8:00 AM to 9:45 PM daily. We're proud to offer everyday savings for our community: New Members: 10% off your first order Wisdom Discount (65+): 5% off Medical Patients: 10% off Students & Teachers: 20% off with valid ID Veterans: 20% off *Please note that discounts do not stack with other deals. Ask staff for exclusions.

Cannabis Art & Culture πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
β˜… Featured
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 Β· Capitola Village

43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

Stroll the festival with friends and family, sipping exceptional wines from Santa Cruz Mountain wineries while admiring the artistic talents of over 100 fine artists. Sway to live music and be inspired by local dance groups while taking in the ocean breeze and breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay. Feed your cravings with tantalizing cuisine from local food purveyors, and cruise through the Artisans Marketplace for locally handcrafted goods. If that isn’t enough, Capitola Village is filled with restaurants for every taste and charming boutiques to satisfy a shopper’s dream. Art, wine, music, and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Village…summer’s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise! This event is from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, September 12 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 13. See link to the event in the orange box above.

Food & Drink πŸ“ Capitola
β˜… Featured
Mon, Sep 21, 2026 Β· The Cruz Room

The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night

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

Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Thursday, July 23

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Busy
πŸ“ The 418 Project
Art & Culture
8:30 AM
$400
Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
πŸ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
See listing
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (6/6)
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
9:00 AM
$345
Summer Production (1-week): Moana Jr.
πŸ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Chen, X. (STAT) – Changepoint Detection and Clustering Methods for Multivariate Time Series and Attributed Networks
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
10:00 AM
See listing
CLAY INDEPENDENT LAB TIME
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Art & Culture
10:30 AM
See listing
Storytime in the Park: Read and Ride
πŸ“ Watsonville
Outdoors

What's happening

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Showing 30 of 39 upcoming events Β· Food & Drink Β· from 2026-07-23 Β· to 2026-07-30

Jul
23

Far West Fungi: Myco-Mixer

πŸ“ Far West Fungi
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· FREE

Far West Fungi’s Santa Cruz Store & CafΓ© is launching Myco-Mixers – Enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fungi! Each Myco-Mixer will feature complimentary bites, product samples, and happy hour discounts on cafΓ© favorites. Guests can meet the Far West Fungi team, learn about unique mushroom products, and discover new flavors to take home. Head Far West in Santa Cruz each week to taste house-made tacos, explore featured products, and find your new favorite mushroom treats. Whether you’re a foodie, mushroom enthusiast, or just looking for a fun Thursday outing, Myco-Mixers are the perfect way to experience local one-of-a-kind flavors!

Food & Drink Free πŸ“ Westside Details β†’
Jul
23

Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special

πŸ“ Persephone Restaurant
πŸ•’ 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $40

Every Thursday along with our regular menu we offer a prix fixe pasta dinner! Enjoy three courses starting with a fresh farmers market mixed green salad, your choice of Pappardelle Bolognese, Truffled Tortiglioni or our seasonal risotto. Finish with a scoop of our housemade chocolate gelato or seasonal sorbet. Three courses for $40!

Markets Food & Drink πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Jul
23

Crow’s Nest: Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy a family-friendly party on the beach at no charge! There will be local bands and DJs performing on the outdoor stage, providing music for dancing and socializing. There will be BBQ food and drinks for purchase all in a beachside setting providing stunning views of the ocean and Walton Lighthouse. Parking is limited in the area, so consider enjoying a free water taxi ride from other parking areas! 2026 Lineup: May 21, 2026: Sambada May 28, 2026: Space Heater June 4, 2026: James Durbin & The Lost Boys June 11, 2026: Ancestree June 18, 2026: Jive Machine June 25, 2026: Cake by the Ocean July 2, 2026: Ripatti Rose Band July 9, 2026: Extra Large July 16, 2026: Fishhook July 23, 2026: Harry & The Hitmen July 30, 2026: Matt Masih & The Messengers August 6, 2026: The Houserockers August 13, 2026: The Joint Chiefs August 20, 2026: La Familia August 27, 2026: Alex Lucero Band September 3, 2026: Sambada

Jul
23

Tacos and Tapas: Celebrate local talent

πŸ“ El Pajaro CDC
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· $80

Tacos and Tapas: Celebrate local talent, one bite at a time, while supporting the small businesses in the community! Watsonville, CA- June 9, 2026- El PΓ‘jaro Community Development Corporation (El PΓ‘jaro CDC) is excited to present Tacos & Tapas, a lively community celebration taking place at our Commercial Kitchen Incubator. This signature fundraising event brings people together to embrace cultural diversity, savor incredible flavors, and support the growth of small businesses. Guests will enjoy an array of unique dishes and refreshments, with all proceeds directly funding El PΓ‘jaro CDC's programs for emerging entrepreneurs. This special evening will feature: An exclusive selection of tacos and tapas Craft beverages from local breweries and wineries Live salsa music by Flor de CaΓ±a, where you can dance to vibrant rhythms We are proud to feature over 20 talented food entrepreneurs, celebrating the creativity and passion, each with a unique story rooted in heritage and tradition. Tacos & Tapas is more than just a night of food and entertainment; it is a perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends and community, all while supporting local businesses and honoring the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in our area. Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: El Pajaro CDC Commercial Kitchen Incubator, 412 Riverside Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076 Tickets: $80 per person (General admission and includes 5 tickets for food and/or drinks. Additional tickets available for purchase at the event.) Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Wells Fargo Bank; our Bronze Chef Sponsors, Rebecca and Bud Colligan; and our Sous Chef Sponsor, Bay Federal Credit Union. For sponsorship opportunities email: [email protected]. About El PΓ‘jaro CDC: Founded in 1979, El PΓ‘jaro Community Development Corporation supports economic development and entrepreneurship through business training, technical assistance, capital and access to other resources. The Commercial Kitchen Incubato

Food & Drink Community πŸ“ Watsonville Details β†’
Jul
23

Bargetto Winery: Music in the Courtyard

πŸ“ Bargetto Winery
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

Head to Bargetto Winery’s creekside courtyard in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! There is no cover charge and wine by the glass and light snacks are available for purchase. May 7, 2026: Alex Lucero May 14, 2026: James Durbin May 21, 2026: The Joint Chiefs May 28, 2026: Sambada June 4, 2026: Alex Lucero June 11, 2026: The Breaux Show June 18, 2026: Beach Cowboys June 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs July 2, 2026: Alex Lucero July 9, 2026: James Durbin July 16, 2026: 10 O’Clock Lunch Band July 23, 2026: Highwater Blues July 30, 2026: The Joint Chiefs August 6, 2026: TBD August 13, 2026: TBD August 20, 2026: TBD August 27, 2026: TBD September 3, 2026: TBD

Food & Drink Free πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Jul
24

Watsonville: Farmers Market

πŸ“ Downtown Watsonville
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

The Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville. Don’t miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Bring your appetite as there are tons of delicious prepared foods to try.

Markets Food & Drink πŸ“ Watsonville Details β†’
Jul
24

Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties

πŸ“ Midtown Block Party Lot
πŸ•’ 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· FREE

Go Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts May 29 to August 28.

Food & Drink Free πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
24

Vine To View Winemaker's Dinner Series

πŸ“ Chaminade Resort & Spa
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us from May to October as Chef Samuels and his culinary team create gourmet four-course dinners expertly paired with wines from local California vineyards. Enjoy a romantic evening in the Chaminade courtyard overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. 21+ only. Tickets and Overnight Packages (two tickets included) on sale now. See 2026 calendar below. Friday, May 1 in partnership with Beauregard Vineyards Friday, June 5 in partnership with Caymus Vineyards Friday, July 10 in partnership with Wente Vineyards Friday, July 24 in partnership with Storrs Winery Friday, August 7 in partnership with Fableist Wine Co. Friday, September 11 in partnership with Serial Wines October Date TBD in partnership with Alfaro Family Vineyards

Food & Drink Adults 21+ πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
25

Cars and Coffee

πŸ“ East Lake Village Shopping Center
πŸ•’ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Β· FREE

Classic cars and coffee every Saturday morning, in East Lake Village Shopping Center. It doesn't get much better. Come walk around the expansive parking lot, look at some beautifully restored cars, drink delicious coffee, and visit with your community. Stay awhile and enjoy one of the many great eateries in the shopping center!

Food & Drink Community πŸ“ Watsonville Details β†’
Jul
25

Lester Estate Wines: Guided Hike

πŸ“ Lester Estate Wines
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Β· $75

Explore and discover the beauty of Deer Park Ranch with a 90-minute guided hike through the vineyards and ranch with Lester Estate brand ambassador, Steve Johnson. Get your heart pumping as you hear about the wine’s journey from soil to glass. Learn about the winery’s history & vineyard practices while taking in 360-degree views of the Monterey Bay. Part education, part exercise, part wine experience with sips and snacks along the way. This is a moderate hike with some small hills. Please note, this experience is not available to those guests who have mobility constraints or require assistance with walking or standing.

Jul
25

Nicholson Vineyards: Summer Series

πŸ“ Nicholson Vineyards
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Β· $25

Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!

Food & Drink Art & Culture πŸ“ Aptos & Seacliff Details β†’
Jul
25

Rivets & Rust

πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Β· See listing

5:30-7:30pm Formed in 2022, Rivets & Rust are a Santa Cruz Rock, Folk, Americana Band. Their music encompasses a unique variety of singer-songwriter originals as well as a collection of classic covers. The band's delivery of a mellow vibe with soaring vocals and smoking guitar passages resonates with a wide range of audiences. Rivets & Rust are: Tim Bennett- Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocals, Angela Bennett- Keys/Harmony Vocals, Glenn MacPherson- Lead Guitar, Jeff Arlt- Drums, and Mark Hull- Bass.

Music Food & Drink πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Jul
25

Moonlight Dinner Party

πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· See listing

This is the one folks. Head out into the woods for some good ol' fashioned fun! Your night begins at the town of Roaring Camp with a delicious BBQ dinner and enjoy just-like-Grandma-made-it apple pie. After dinner, board the historic steam train and head to the top of the mountain for music and hot cider

Jul
26

Local Specials

πŸ“ La Bahia Hotel & Spa
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Β· FREE

For a more casual local draw, Low Tide features weekly dining specials including The Monday Slice ($20 signature pizzas), Wine Down Wednesdays (Β½ price bottles under $80), and Sunday Golden Hour offerings (4PM-6PM with $6 draft beer and house wine)

Jul
26

Corralitos Farm and Garden Market

πŸ“ Corralitos farm and garden market
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Β· FREE

A small but mighty amazing community market. In beautiful Corralitos, which is located in south Santa Cruz county. The country feel is real with local produce, local flowers, local honey, baked goods, plants, crafts, and so much more. An amazing Jewel hidden in the south County of Santa Cruz also we are right next to Aldridge Park and the famous Corralitos meat market. See you all there. Rain or Shine. Located 127 Hames Road Corralitos 11-3pm plenty additional parkiing @Aldridgepark

Jul
26

Nicholson Vineyards: Summer Series

πŸ“ Nicholson Vineyards
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Β· $25

Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!

Food & Drink Art & Culture πŸ“ Aptos & Seacliff Details β†’
Jul
26

Lefty Rosa

πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

3:00-5:00pm Lefty Rosa was born in Santa Cruz county but has traveled far and wide to perfect its dreamy brand of original Americana music. It features Ezzie DeGiovanni (acoustic guitar/vocals), Joel Murach (Telecaster/vocals/harmonica), Chris Weinress (upright bass), and Tom Murach (drums).

Music Food & Drink πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Jul
27

Local Specials

πŸ“ La Bahia Hotel & Spa
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Β· FREE

For a more casual local draw, Low Tide features weekly dining specials including The Monday Slice ($20 signature pizzas), Wine Down Wednesdays (Β½ price bottles under $80), and Sunday Golden Hour offerings (4PM-6PM with $6 draft beer and house wine)

Jul
27

The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night

πŸ“ The Cruz Room
πŸ•’ 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· 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

Jul
28

Santa Cruz Farmers Markets

πŸ“ The Felton Market
πŸ•’ 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM Β· See listing

The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering place – started in 1987 it is the second longest running market in Santa Cruz County. SCCFM took over operations in 2009 and our team has developed deep ties to the community. Every Tuesday a quality collection of regional farms and food businesses throw up their tents to sell a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, seafood and other staple foods. Connecting residents directly with local farms, the Felton Market is an essential part of the regional food system as well as a resource for nutritious organic foods and basic agricultural education.

Jul
28

Santa Cruz Wharf: Live Concert Series

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Wharf
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· FREE

Welcome back to Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Common’s stage! Every 2 nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, head to the Wharf for live music and additional shows from 6 to 8pm. Check out Wharf Business pop ups, or make a dinner reservation before the shows. Be sure to bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes! May 26, 2026: SambaDΓ‘ June 9, 2026: The Viva Santana Show June 23: 2026: The Unauthorized Rolling Stones July 14: 2026: Sweet VooDoo July 28: The Lost Boys Featuring James Durbin August 11, 2026: Santa Cruda August 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs September 8, 2026: Extra Large After parties after every show will take place upstairs at Vino by the Sea !

Jul
28

Tacos & Trivia

πŸ“ Bruno's Bar & Grill
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· See listing

As with everything we do, we bring the fun! This isn’t your average ordinary trivia. It’s β€œBruno’s Style”. We sing, we play instruments, we dance and we drink. Fill up on Tacos and Margs and get ready for a night of fun! ​ If you’re looking for a quiet night with boring trivia for the brainiacs you won’t find it at Bruno’s. With musical clues for our players – we have the most fun trivia around. We turn the music up loud and we make a lot of noise! It’s free to play with prizes for the winners. With $3 tacos and the buy a Margarita or Modelo and get a free taco deal, you’re going to have a great night at the best bar in town. Bring your friends and form a team or come by yourself and make some new friends, you’ll have a blast!

Jul
28

Trivia Tuesdays at Discretion

πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
πŸ•’ 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM Β· See listing

Join us for Trivia Tuesdays at Discretion! Every Tuesday 6:30-8:00pm Hosted by Michael Cahalan Pair one of our 16 beers on tap with some lively Trivia, every Tuesday at 6:30pm. No sign-ups required - just come a little early to snag a table in the beer garden. Free to play | Prizes | Up to 6 per team

Food & Drink Free πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’

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