Skip to content
πŸ“ 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.

In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.

β˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! β˜… Featured Event
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 Β· 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

πŸ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing Β· Downtown Santa Cruz Β· See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you won’t want to miss. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole phamily! Get tickets for the whole day celebration here: TICKETS

Music Festivals πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details β†’
Music
β˜… Featured
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 Β· Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Now Auditioning

Beati Quorum, a new and growing Ensemble, is seeking new local members. Beati Quorum is a small, hybrid professional / volunteer ensemble based in Santa Cruz. We focus on a cappella singing, Renaissance through contemporary works, and collaborations with artists from our local network to international groups. Visit www.beatiquorum.org to set up an audition today.

Music πŸ“ Westside
Promotional image for Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” β˜… Featured
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 Β· Stevenson College

Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

The DSAS Center for Leadership and Involvement and Summer Edge invite you to join us for our Movie Night Under the Stars event screening β€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”: Date: Tuesday, July 28th Screening Time: Event entry begins at 7:30 p.m. | Movie starts at 8:00 p.m. Location: Stevenson College Knoll *Bring your own blanket! Limited chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.* Free movie snacks will be available! For any questions or accommodations, please email [email protected] . You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeβ€”whether a student service, faculty program, or community eventβ€”is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications .

Education πŸ“ UCSC
Promotional image for Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts β˜… Featured
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Harbor Beach

Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

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

Food & Drink πŸ“ Seabright & Harbor
Promotional image for Zen Buddhist Meditation Coming up
Sat, Jul 25, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Zen Center

Zen Buddhist Meditation

Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Saturday, July 25

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

12:00 AM
$7
SC Beach Boardwalk: National Carousel Day
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Family
8:00 AM
FREE
Cabrillo Farmers Market
πŸ“ Cabrillo College
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Scotts Valley Farmers' Market
πŸ“ Joe and Linda Aliberti Boys and Girls Club
Markets
8:00 AM
FREE
Rally in the Pajaro Valley
πŸ“ Franich Park
Outdoors
8:30 AM
FREE
Zen Buddhist Meditation
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Zen Center
Music
8:39 AM
FREE
Chamber Choir Now Auditioning
πŸ“ Westside Locations
Music
9:00 AM
FREE
UC Santa Cruz Farm U-Pick
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Food & Drink
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
πŸ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community

What's happening

Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Area Clear all

14 upcoming events Β· LGBTQ+ Β· from 2026-07-25 Β· to 2026-08-01

Jul
25

Write Queer, a creative writing group @TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Write Queer, a creative writing group Date: May 9, and the Second and Fourth Saturdays in March, April, and May Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 Noon Cost: Free Location: The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Ages: 18+ Join Jesse and Peggy for all or part of this series, running from March through May. Unleash your creativity at Write Queer, an 18+ group for writers of all levels. Respond to provided prompts, or bring your own projects. Meetings include writing time, optional sharing and positive feedback. Please bring a pen and paper or a laptop. .

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
25

RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o (Community Offering)

πŸ“ 7 Hangar Way suite b, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
πŸ•’ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Β· FREE

Event: RAINBOW PLAYGROUP @ RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o 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 Β‘Grupo de Juego Arcoiris! Un grupo de juego bilingΓΌe para familias LGBTQIA+ y aliados El cuarto sΓ‘bado del mes 10:30am-12pm, RaΓ­ces y CariΓ±o, 7 Hangar Way, Suite B, Watsonville, CA 95076 Este grupo de juego es para niΓ±os de 10 aΓ±os o menos y cuidadores, y se admiten hermanos. Tendremos un

Jul
25

LGBTQ+ Gamers Group @ TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Β· See listing

LGBTQ+ Gamers Group Date: Saturday, July 25 Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center Ages: 18+ For gamers of all types, to socialize and game. Join for our monthly meetup, and bring your favorite board games and card games to play! In the group’s Discord we discuss event times, computer games, and other gaming topics.

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
25

Queer Speed Dating @ Little Giant Collective

πŸ“ Little Giant Collective
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:45 PM Β· $5

Queer Speed Dating is back after a brief hiatus! Skip the apps and come find some summer lovin' at our July event hosted at Little Giant Collective. All gender identities and sexual orientations welcome and encouraged to attend. This time we're trying something a little different... Our first round from 6:00-7:15pm will be for speed daters ages 35+ Our second round from 7:30-8:45 we will be for daters aged 25-40 We've got a packed schedule, so please arrive on time for the start corresponding with your age group! Priced on a sliding scale $5–15 | NOTAFLOF Be kind, be respectful, be sexy! See y'all there πŸ‰πŸ’‹ Follow us @queerspeeddatingsc on instagram --- Little Giant Collective is located next to Mobo Sushi on115 River Street South, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Accessibility notes: Ground floor location, restrooms available (gendered single stalls, restrooms are shared with other businesses in the Galeria). Centrally located in downtown Santa Cruz.

Community LGBTQ+ Details β†’
Jul
27

Queer & Trans Yoga Hosted by Sapphire Yoga Collective @ TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Β· FREE

Queer & Trans Yoga by Sapphire Yoga Collective Weekly Yoga Class @ TDC Mondays from 6:00 PM -7:15 PM This is a trauma-sensitive, all-levels, all-bodies/abilities class taught by a rotating queer-identifying yoga teacher each week. We highlight self nurturance through yoga asana and meditation, a somatic and mindfulness healing practice that resources us for our own resilience as well as community care. No prior yoga experience necessary. Ultimately, this is a brave space for LGBTQIA++ identifying folks to gather and take deep care. Please bring your our yoga mat and water bottle. Cost: $10-20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds! @sapphireyogacollective and @yogaforallmovement Questions? Contact Tara Maxon, Well-being Coordinator email: tara.maxon @diversitycenter.org

Jul
27

A rare solo performance on German cowbells (almglocken) by composer/musician Sarah Hennies. Moderated by UCSC Scholar and educator Madison Heying, this evening peels back the layers of accepted reality. Hennies resides in upstate New York and has had her compositions performed around the world, often with Hennies on percussion. So much of art is about intention, and Hennies' passionate focus on queer & trans identity, psychoacoustics, and the social and neurological conditions underlying creative thought imbues the evening with context. β€œIndexical has done it again,” as Mr. Magoo might say. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz

Music LGBTQ+ Details β†’
Jul
28

Karaoke Sing-a-long Music Bingo Tea Party with Juno and Tara! - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC

πŸ“ 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· See listing

Date: Every Tuesday, except Holidays Time: 10am - 12:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center Event Description: Join your community every Tuesday between 10am-12pm at the Diversity Center. Nic is ready with a different activity or workshop each week, and volunteers are on hand with snacks, beverages, and community. July Activities: July 7: Santa Cruz MAH Queer History Tour! To cap off Pride season, we are going to take a field trip to the MAH to visit the Queer Santa Cruz exhibit. Meet us at the MAH at 10:00 am (tour starts at 10:05). This event is free to attend. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited downtown parking. July 14: Trauma-informed Chair Yoga with Irene Easeful, playful, all-levels chair yoga July 21: Screaming Queens: The Riot of Compton’s Cafeteria documentary and discussion Watch a one hour documentary about the LGBTQ+ uprising in the Bay Area that happened 3 years before Stonewall and discuss afterwards July 28 : Karaoke Sing-a-long Music Bingo Tea Party with Juno and Ta

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Jul
28

Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)

πŸ“ Insight Santa Cruz, 740 Front Street (2nd floor of the Galleria building)
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· See listing

Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .

Jul
29

Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)

πŸ“ Court 16, Santa Cruz Main Beach Volleyball, 270 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM Β· FREE

Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .

Jul
30

Guided Mindfulness for Queers and Friends Hosted by TDC @ TDC

πŸ“ 1117 Soquel Ave.
πŸ•’ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· FREE

Well-being offering: Guided Mindfulness Group Date: Weekly on Thursdays Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center 1117 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Ages: Adults and teens welcome Cost: FREE Program description: Give your brain a break, and reconnect with the present moment, using guided breathing and mindfulness techniques. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome. If you have questions about this well-being offering, please contact Tara Maxon, Wellbeing Coordinator, at: [email protected] View our Community Agreements for Diversity Center groups.

Aug
1

SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK

πŸ“ SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· FREE

SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK - Saturday May 2nd, 12pm - 3pm at SubRosa (703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz). Trans ppl!!! Bring ur friends! * Make Trans Friends * Share Food * Build Community Community announcements at 2pm. This can include things like board game nights or dinners, more formal planned events, or a milestone you feel like sharing with the community! This is a dry space (no alcohol) - Masks encouraged (available at SubRosa). Send feedback or suggestions to: [email protected] β€”@@@@@β€” SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a constellation of projects that support skill-sharing, appropriate re/use of resources, and interconnected, creative communities - since 1994! More about the Hub i

Aug
1

Remembering Your Belonging Workshop with Mo Katzman (OUTSIDE COMMUNITY EVENT)

πŸ“ The Diversity Center
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Remembering Your Belonging Workshop with Mo Katzman (OUTSIDE COMMUNITY EVENT) Date : Saturday, August 1st Time : 1-7pm Location : Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center in Santa Cruz. RSVP : You can register for the workshop here Event description: A workshop to give you... Relational skills to get out of isolation and into community and embodiment skills to move away from shame and towards what you want and care about. This is an introductory workshop to a larger unfolding offering! There will be: Movement Somatic practices Discussions Journaling Large and small group shares Guided visualizations Tea and snacks! Come home to your wholeness We'll have a seat for you.

Never miss a beach day, show, or street fair.

Join the Santa Cruz Scene newsletter for local discounts, community highlights, and the best curated events delivered to your inbox each month.

We use your email only to send the newsletter. How we handle your info

No spam, just the Scene. Curious who we are? Read our story.

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 β†’