Oct
17
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
Santa Cruz Scene: What's happening in Santa Cruz County
From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.
Santa Cruz Scene (santacruzscene.com) is a free daily calendar of in-person events across Santa Cruz County, California.
See what's on this weekend →In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.
★ Featured this season
★ Featured Event
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 · 6:30 PM
13th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing · Downtown Santa Cruz · $17.85
13th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival Presented by DNA October 12-17 At Woodhouse: Saturday, October 17th • 6:30 PM 21 Comics • 3 Headliners •…
Music
Family
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
Details →
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Corralitos Cultural Center
Tai Chi with Manny
Improve your energy, balance, strength and coordination.
Music
📍 Watsonville
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Felton Music Hall
20 Years of Nekrogoblikon - Felton, CA - VIP TICKETLESS UPGRADE
Some bands start off with a concept; others develop it along the way. Santa Barbara’s Nekrogoblikon is of the later ilk and the better for…
Music
📍 San Lorenzo Valley
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · The Ugly Mug
Open Mic w/ SteveV, every Monday
It's Monday Open Mic at the Ugly Mug! Sign ups at 5p Beer, Espresso Drinks and Desserts available
Music
📍 Soquel
Coming up
Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · Abbott Square Market
Abbott Square: Comedy Night
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Comedy
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
☀️ Happening today
Monday, October 1250 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day →
9:00 AM
See listing
Beach Cleanup @ Capitola Beach
📍 Capitola Beach next to jetty on East side
Outdoors
9:00 AM
See listing
Capitola Beach Cleanup with Save Our Shores
📍 City of Capitola
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
Beach Cleanup @ Capitola Beach
📍 Esplanade Park
Community
10:00 AM
$105
Halloween Ceramics Camp
📍 Art Factory Studios
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
FUN & FUNCTIONAL HANDBUILDING (2/4)
📍 Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Infant/Toddler Storytime at Capitola
📍 Capitola Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Club de Escucha de Santa Cruz
📍 Capitola Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Mahjong Club @ Branciforte
📍 Branciforte Branch Library
Community
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
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Cultural Event
Showing 30 of 61 upcoming events · Free · from 2026-10-17 · to 2026-10-18
Oct
17
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…
Oct
17
Taste the Difference: An Apple Tasting with Prevedelli Farms
📍 Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
🕒 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM · FREE
Taste the Difference: An Apple Tasting with Prevedelli Farms Think all apples taste more or less alike? One bite may change your mind. Join Prevedelli…
Oct
17
Join Thrill the World Santa Cruz for free community dance classes and spooky Halloween performances! Learn Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” choreography, no dance experience required…
Oct
17
A six month program for experienced practitioners to deepen your sacred sexuality & Tantra skills in community.
Oct
17
In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Oct
17
Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis…
Oct
17
Join us on October 17 as we come together to get out the early vote and say it loud: NO THRONES. NO CROWNS. NO KINGS…
Oct
17
Join trained biologist Coleen Douglas for her free workshop Nature Communication with the Trees. Douglas spent years studying nature through science. Then her heart opened…
Oct
17
Open Studios is your opportunity to explore creativity in Santa Cruz County. For more than 40 years, their goal has been simple: connect artists with…
Community
Art & Culture
Oct
17
We will be hosting the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, showcasing the work of all the 330+ Santa Cruz County Open Studios Artists who are participating…
Oct
17
Celebrate the fall at the Wilder Ranch State Park Harvest Festival! Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more! Taste history during…
Oct
17
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk
📍 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…
Oct
17
Join the Branciforte Friends for a special book sale event!
Oct
17
Catch artists you missed or revisit favorites during the final Open Studios weekend, when participating studios reopen across Santa Cruz County.
Family
Art & Culture
Oct
17
Connect with community on the campus farm at the annual Harvest Festival! Harvest Fest will have activities for all ages including face painting, flower pressing…
Oct
17
Welcome to Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour! Every year over the first three weekends in October, visitors can discover new artists, experience the…
Festivals
Free
Oct
17
We're throwing Fall party for the whole community! Everyone is invited to this family-friendly celebration. We'll offer festival food and drink at modest prices, including…
Music
Family
Oct
17
The Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Office invites families to a free, interactive afternoon exploring how elections work. Kids and adults can learn about voting and…
Family
Free
Oct
17
UCSC: Victor “Marka27” Exhibition
📍 UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
🕒 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE
“Ni de aquí, ni de allá” (“neither from here, nor there”), is a phrase commonly used by bilingual, bicultural communities. In the exhibition the phrase…
Oct
17
Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still
📍 UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
🕒 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE
Carlos Motta’s When Time Stands Still, the artist’s second solo show with the IAS, features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting the artist’s…
Oct
17
Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
Oct
17
Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
📍 London Nelson Community Center
🕒 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM · FREE
Enjoy this FREE annual event! Bring the family for a creative day of mask making, carnival games, Thriller performances plus Nightmares, A Stage Spooktacular. This…
Oct
17
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk
📍 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…
Oct
17
Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely…
Oct
17
Get clear, unbiased info on 2027 Medicare options at HICAP's Annual Enrollment Forum, October 17th, 1:30-3:00 PM at Scotts Valley Library. Free event. Call 831-462-5510…
Oct
17
The Festival of Monsters is an academic conference on the social and artistic research surrounding monsters. Follow the link in the orange button above for…
Oct
17
Join players at Game Santa Cruz for a three free sessions of monster-related board and card games on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, as part of…
Oct
17
Announcing the Philosophy of Yog(a) FREE workshop. There will be two opportunities to attend: Thur, Sept 17, 5-6:30 & Sat. Sept 19, 2-3:30 in person…
Oct
17
By the time you realize you have an addiction or bad habit, you’ve had it a long time. Understanding how they become new normals is…
31 more events further out
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 →