Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
📍 City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
🕒 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM · FREE
Free Public Tours of the City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility are here. Don't miss this educational community favorite activity! Summer Public Tours Are Back! Public Tours of the Resource Recovery Facility will be offered every Friday at 10 AM from June 12th through August 14th, 2026. A single Saturday will also be offered on July 25th. Out of consideration for others, please only sign up on Saturday if Fridays are not an option for you. Come join us! Get ready to discover the journey your recycling and food scraps take—and see firsthand how your actions make a difference! Visitors will see what happens to the 30 to 50 tons of material that Santa Cruzians place into their blue recycle bins every single day. We will also learn why it is important to “recycle right,” avoid “wish-cycling," and why we can't rely on a triangle and a blue bin anymore. Visitors will see a mountain of scrap metal, learn about the facility’s Household Hazardous Waste Program, and see the Food Scrap Pre-Processor Machine. Don’t miss out on this chance to become a waste reduction pro! Tours are limited to 20 people. Children must be at least 8 years old. Youth ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes 48 hours before the tour date. No Drop-Ins. Safety Notice: This tour includes stairs and standing/walking for approximately 45 minutes. On this tour, you may be exposed to loud noises, dust, or tight spaces. Please note that this is a working industrial facility with potential hazards, and your safety is our top priority. Please wear closed-toe sturdy shoes and long pants. We will provide safety vests, eye protection, ear protection, and hard hats. Please inform City staff before your tour date if you will need accommodations.
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE
Young adventurers are invited to join the Junior Ranger Program at Wilder Ranch State Park this summer! The free program is 11 a.m. to noon. Kids ages 7-12 are invited. Parents and guardians can learn more and register their young adventurers online. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park.
📍 Comicopolis
🕒 12:00 PM · FREE
It's time to get those crayons sharpened, paints mixed and markers at the ready for our Summer 2026 Pokémon Art Contest for kids 5-12! To join in, create a picture of your favorite Pokémon having a fun moment or striking a cool, dynamic pose. Submissions should be on 8.5 x 11 paper. You can use any medium you like, such as paint, marker, crayon, pencil, etc. No digital art. There will be prizes awarded to two age groups, 5-7 and 8-12. Entries accepted June 1st-July 31st. Winners will be announced on August 6th. BONUS: All participants will receive a free Pokémon:Chaos Rising 11x17 mini-poster (while supplies last) when you hand in your art.
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 12:30 PM · FREE
Friday, July 24 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm Join us for great stories and a fun craft. Ages 4-6
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 1:30 PM · See listing
Friday, July 24 2026 12:30pm - 2:30pm Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
📍 Midtown Block Party Lot
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · 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.
📍 Santa Cruz
🕒 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM · FREE
Free summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live music, food trucks, local artists, makers, and family fun.
📍 Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
🕒 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Unwind at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park at a old-fashioned campfire event this summer! From 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, July 24, visitors can enjoy a campfire at the state historic park, listen to live music and make fresh tortillas on the comal! Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food for an evening picnic and listen to the musical guest Ramblin Rebels. The event is free. Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is at 144 School St., Santa Cruz CA 95060.
📍 Madson Wine
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Rebecca Coupe Franks / Trumpet Nancy Heth / Vocals and Piano
📍 Garfield Park Branch Library
🕒 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM · FREE
Local author Rosemary Hayward will be reading and answering all your questions about her novel about the suffragettes, Strait Lace. "What Rosemary Hayward does so well is bring the feminist cause right into the parlor, the dining room and even the scullery. Her message is clear; votes for women, and at all levels of society. Her research is outstanding. Readers will close the book knowing much more about the When the Why and the Who of the fight for female emancipation. And she is not scared to confront the How either. The merits and morality of using violence and hunger strike for the greater good is discussed with passion around the Edwardian family`s dining table, whilst Harriet, the main protagonist, goes much further; seizing the moment to take brave and resolute action for her beloved feminist cause." Patricia Román (Author) Copies will be for sale The library asks you to register at https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14614149 since seating is limited in this delightful and beautifully restored little library.
📍 Watsonville City Plaza
🕒 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · FREE
You are invited for two outdoor movie nights this Summer! Join us on July 10 and July 24 at the Watsonville City Plaza. Movies begin at dusk. This event is FREE, so grab your lawn chair, blanket, picnic style dinner and your family and friends
📍 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
🕒 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM · FREE
Stay for the entertainment from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the Colonnade Deck! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by Magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Admission is free! Monday, June 15, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Tuesday, June 16, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan Wednesday, June 17, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Fire Peach Friday, June 19, 2026 – Free showing of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off movie on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 22, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game Friday, June 26, 2026 – Free showing of the movie Kicking and Screaming on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 29, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Tuesday, June 30, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with El Brick Friday, July 3, 2026 – Independence Day Celebrations Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday,
📍 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
🕒 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM · FREE
Every Friday night on the beach in front of the Colonnade, bring your family and your blanket or low-back chair to experience the ultimate movie night! Watch your favorite movies while munching on mouthwatering Boardwalk treats, from kettle corn and saltwater taffy to corn dogs and turkey legs. Seating is first come, first served and each movie will have a 15-minute intermission. June 12, 2026: The Lost Boys June 19, 2026: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off June 26, 2026: Kicking and Screaming July 10, 2026: 13 Going on 30 July 17, 2026: Back to the Future July 24, 2026: A Minecraft Movie July 31, 2026: Jurassic Park August 7, 2026: The Goonies
📍 Santa Cruz Boardwalk
🕒 9:00 PM · See listing
Get the full lineup: bit.ly/Free-Movies-on-the-Beach FREE Movies on the Beach Friday Nights at 9pm June 12 – August 7, 2026 (Except July 3) Beach in front of the Colonnade A Minecraft Movie - July 24 at 9 PM There’s nothing quite like watching your favorite movies under the stars with your toes in the sand, enjoying the nostalgic flavors of classic Boardwalk treats. Grab your blankets and your favorite people for a Boardwalk movie night packed with unforgettable fun! Admission FREE! • Each movie will include a 15-minute intermission. • Seating is first-come, first-served. • Low-back chairs and blankets are encouraged for seating; please allow others space and a good view. • Smoking is not permitted on the beach or Boardwalk. Alcohol and glass are prohibited on the beach. • A limited number of assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available for check-out at the Mini Golf Kiosk inside Neptune's Kingdom. • If you require other special accommodations or would like to request Closed Captioning, please contact the Manager on Duty at least 48 hours in advance of the movie at (831) 423-5590. Free Movies on the Beach is sponsored by KDON, KOCN, KWAV, KCDU, and the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Printable Schedule: coming soon... ENJOY THE SHOWS!
