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Showing 30 of 123 upcoming events · Free · from 2026-07-24 · to 2026-07-31
📍 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!
📍 Franich Park
🕒 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM · FREE
Join us at Rally in the Pajaro Valley, our annual community softball tournament! It’s an event that brings together local organizations, businesses, and residents to raise funds and awareness for programs supporting our youth in the Pajaro Valley. Rally is all about celebrating our community spirit, building connections, and making a positive impact together. Everyone is invited to come out for free, cheer on the teams, and learn about the amazing local nonprofits making a difference. Feel free to stop by to donate on-site during the event, every little bit helps support these important causes. See you there!
📍 Santa Cruz Zen Center
🕒 8:30 AM – 9:10 AM · FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
📍 East Lake Village Shopping Center
🕒 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM · 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!
📍 UC Santa Cruz
🕒 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE
Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or flowers at the campus farm! When: U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, July 11–August 22, or while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE that u-pick will not occur on Saturday, July 4. Where: Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please do not park in the dirt lot at the farm’s back gate. Please walk to the check-in table near the strawberries/flowers at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate. Cost: UCSC students with valid ID get 25% off produce. Strawberry pints – $4 each Strawberry flats (12 pints) – $44 Flowers – $25 for 32oz deli container Flower buckets – $75 Payment: Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually). Dogs are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (service animals are OK).
📍 City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
🕒 10:00 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 relay on a triangle and a blue bin any more. 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.
📍 7 Hangar Way suite b, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
🕒 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE
Event: RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ Raíces y Cariño Date: 4th Saturday of the Month Saturday, January 25 Time: 10:30 am -12:00 pm Location: RC Fam 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Ages: 0-10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. Cost: FREE Event Description: A monthly bilingual playgroup for LGBTQIA+ families and allies. This play group is for children who are 10 years old and younger and their caregivers, with siblings welcome. We will have an art activity, a story, some light snacks, and PLAY! Please, do not bring sick children to Rainbow Playgroup. Families are asked to maintain the confidentiality of all playgroup attendees and no photography is permitted. RSVP Form ¡Grupo de Juego Arcoiris! Un grupo de juego bilingüe para familias LGBTQIA+ y aliados El cuarto sábado del mes 10:30am-12pm, Raíces y Cariño, 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Este grupo de juego es para niños de 10 años o menos y cuidadores, y se admiten hermanos. Tendremos un
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 11:00 AM · See listing
Saturday, July 25 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us each Saturday morning for a relaxing time crafting with your neighbors.
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
🕒 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · FREE
Soak up the sun with family-friendly festivities, food, and fun. Kids of all ages will enjoy an afternoon of food trucks, interactive activities, sweet treats, live animals, and so much more! There will be shows taking place in the amphitheater throughout the day and activities across Tyrrell Park. As a bonus, there will be free admission to the Museum, so you won’t miss the excitement taking place inside, too! Amphitheater Programming Schedule: 11:30am – 12:15pm: Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe Hummaya Singers and Dancers 12:30 – 1:15pm: Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center Animal Program 1:30 – 2:15pm: Full Circle Falconry Show
📍 Branciforte Branch Library
🕒 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · FREE
We're offering a wide range of books, from classic novels to contemporary reads. Discover hidden gems and enjoy a cozy atmosphere while making great finds.
📍 Santa Cruz Harbor
🕒 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · FREE
Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM · FREE
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🕒 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM · FREE
Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don’t want to miss this! Meet at the visitor center. Although the event is free, the vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!
📍 Fruition Brewing
🕒 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM · FREE
Two days of fun, kitchen specials, pop-ups, and music to celebrate how lucky we feel to have made it 7 years!
📍 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.
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · See listing
Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions?Call (669)758-1963or email [email protected]
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🕒 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM · See listing
Learning about different tree species? How in-tree-guing! During this 1 mile walk, we'll be chattin' about a handful of trees that reside in the park, and giving you the tools you need to identify species during your future park visits. Beleaf us, it'll be a great time! This free program will meet in front of the Visitor Center and meander down River Trail and back through the Redwood Grove. Hard rain cancels! Hope to see you there! Click here to RSVP.
