Do you love local food and farms? Want to get to know your farmer better and get a behind-the-scenes look into our regions vibrant working agricultural landscape? During the 2026 Open Farm Tours, you can meet the farmers and learn what it takes to bring your favorite high-quality local farm products to your plate. All farms implement sustainable agriculture practices & are family owned. The greatest part about Open Farm Tours is learning what makes every farm unique. Press apples for fresh juice at one farm, taste over 10 varieties of figs at another and then head over to another farm to pick tomatoes. Touring farms is a fantastic outdoor family activity to do together and October is a great time to get out and explore! Each ticket admits one car load of up to 5 people for both days.
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
★ Featured Event
The Kick Off - Sonivore Listening Lounge
THE KICK OFF is a one-night fundraiser for the Sonivore Listening Lounge at 701 Front Street. DJs, live performances, visual art by Made Fresh Crew, and a first taste of Sonivore — just days before our Kickstarter closes. Donation-based entry. To RSVP in advance, pledge at least the minimum tier on Kickstarter, or Venmo a donation to @sonivoremusic with “Fundraiser” in the note. You can also donate at the door. Come through and help us bring the lounge to life.
★ Featured
Afrobeats Nite at the IAS
Join us for a night of dancing, joy, and community organized by Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz featuring DJ Mai Girl and DJ Monk Earl. In addition to music, there will be vendors, food trucks, and late night showings of the exhibitions Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez: Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá and Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still . This event is FREE and open to the public. Afrobeats Nite at the IAS is a collaboration with Visualizing Abolition , an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to contribute to the unfolding collective story and alternative imagining underway to create a future free of prisons. Jase “Monk” Earl is a Santa Cruz–based DJ, curator, cultural producer, educator, and writer whose understanding of community is rooted in Hip Hop culture and shaped by his upbringing in the immigrant-rich neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. As the founder of Afroscope Promotions and founder, curator, and resident DJ of Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz, he creates public spaces where African and diasporic music become catalysts for connection, cultural exchange, and collective celebration. DJ Mai Girl plays festivals, clubs, shows, and private events all over the West Coast and beyond. Her unique blend of genres and hand-picked selections– whether it be hip hop, soul, house, jazzy vibes, old school jams, Afro, Caribbean or Latin rhythms– keep people moving all night. She consistently plays one Stevie or Prince song every set to remind herself of why she started DJing in the first place.
★ Featured
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night
Rio Theatre & Sante Adairius Midtown Portal team up to support Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Join us for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night October 10th at 7 pm, Rio Theatre Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Join us when we screen this all new Adventure line up of films featuring BEST DAY EVER, the Audience Choice Award Winner and Best Film: Mountain Sports along with five other audience favorites. This year’s films are bound to showcase an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. The Rio Theatre has been hosting the annual adventure night since 2013. Guaranteed to sell out! Visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2026/10/10/banffcentremountain for a complete list of films and tickets.
Coming up
Kishi Bashi:: Rio Theatre Santa Cruz 10/6
(((folkYEAH!))) presents KISHI BASHI Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA October 6, 2026 Doors 7pm / Show 8pm All Ages
Coming up
Dual Demons - CLASS
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
☀️ Happening today
Tuesday, October 655 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day →
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
14 upcoming events · Food & Drink · from 2026-10-10 · to 2026-10-11
Saturday mornings at Cabrillo College in Aptos, 8 to noon. A certified farmers' market with the week's fresh produce and plenty of free parking. Show up early and shop the good stuff first.
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!
Meet local farmers and explore working farms while learning how food is grown. South County farms welcome visitors Saturday, followed by North County farms Sunday. Check the activity guide for individual schedules.
Meet your farmers and tour multiple local & family-owned farms on Saturday & Sunday, October 10th – 11th at Open Farm Tours! Learn what is involved in growing our food and get a behind-the-scenes look into our region’s vibrant working agricultural landscape. Participate in farm activities like apple juicing, tastings, U-Picks, workshops, demos & more. Learn about the sustainable agriculture methods used to grow our food and spend a day outside getting to know our farming community. Healthy food, farms and families is what we’re all about! Friends and Family Weekend Pass - $25 admits 1 carload of up to 5 people to farms both Saturday and Sunday.
Santa Cruz Bake & Gather is a friendly baking potluck where everyone is welcome. It is the intent of this event that at least one attendee from each group bring a baked good to showcase and share on the day of the event. All attendees are asked to register so we can maintain an accurate headcount, as space at this venue is limited. Whether you are an experienced baker or just giving it your best shot, this event is about sharing recipes, enjoying great desserts, and meeting your neighbors. No competition, no pressure, just good food and good company. Santa Cruz Bake & Gather is a free event and open to all. Tickets are available at no cost. While donations are never required, they are deeply appreciated and help cover venue and event costs. Contributions can be made during ticket registration on Eventbrite or through our donation page. Our goal is simple. To build community one slice at a time.
On October 10th, we cordially invite you to join Community Alliance with Family Farmers at Pajaro Pastures, an ecological ranch in the beautiful Pajaro Valley in Corralitos, CA. Enjoy dinner on the farm by renowned Chef Jessica Yarr, featuring locally-grown products by the farmers of our region, locally crafted libations, and a farm tour with the farmer himself—all in support of those who nourish us.
Enjoy Discretion on a boat! For schedule of beer cruises & tickets, visit the links below. We'll see you out on the ocean… Chardonnay Sailing Charters Discretion sails on 5/27, 8/26, 9/16, 10/21 O'Neill Yacht Charters Discretion sails on 6/27, 7/30, 8/9, 9/19, 10/11
Meet your farmers and tour multiple local & family-owned farms on Saturday & Sunday, October 10th – 11th at Open Farm Tours! Learn what is involved in growing our food and get a behind-the-scenes look into our region’s vibrant working agricultural landscape. Participate in farm activities like apple juicing, tastings, U-Picks, workshops, demos & more. Learn about the sustainable agriculture methods used to grow our food and spend a day outside getting to know our farming community. Healthy food, farms and families is what we’re all about! Friends and Family Weekend Pass - $25 admits 1 carload of up to 5 people to farms both Saturday and Sunday.
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
Community Music School of Santa Cruz hosts their annual fundraiser at Steel Bonnet’s shady dog-friendly beer garden in Scotts Valley on Sunday, October 11th, from 2-5pm. The first two hours will be a concert of live music from throughout the Celtic world. The last hour will be a traditional Irish session, where audience members can bring their instruments and join the performers. An assortment of beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, as well as snacks. A huge “pick-your-prize” raffle also awaits! All proceeds will go towards funding Community Music School's youth programming. Details and tickets at CommunityMusicSchool.org, or call 831-471-5184.
3:00-5:00pm The Owls are Bob O'Neill-songwriter & founding member of Snail-on vocals & guitar, Craig Owens-bass player and vocalist extraordinaire and Harpin Jonny- virtuoso harmonica player & vocalist in the Larry Hosford band and many others. This unique trio has come together to create a brilliant balance of blues, R&B, and original tunes. The Owls will take you on a fascinating musical flight!
On October 11th, we cordially invite you to join Community Alliance with Family Farmers at Pajaro Pastures, an ecological ranch in the beautiful Pajaro Valley in Corralitos, CA. Enjoy dinner on the farm by renowned Chef Jessica Yarr, featuring locally-grown products by the farmers of our region, locally crafted libations, and a farm tour with the farmer himself—all in support of those who nourish us.
Sam Reider, jazz accordionist? Probably with a bass or hammered dulcimer.
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.
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