📍 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.

Browse events Around the county Surf Report Newsletter

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, Aug 8, 2026 · 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing · Downtown Santa Cruz · 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

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗

Music Festivals 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz Details →

Promotional image for Bluegrass Jam Bazaar (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Coming up

Mon, Aug 3, 2026 · Woodhouse Blending & Brewing

Bluegrass Jam Bazaar (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

This is the place to be on Tuesday! This weekly jam fest features rotating bands, open jam sessions, vendors, activities and all the dance vibes you can manage. Bring your instrument and your dancing shoes!

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗

Music 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz

Music

Coming up

Mon, Aug 3, 2026 · Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse, 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073, United States

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

Venue site ↗

Music 📍 Soquel

Promotional image for Blue Monday Blues Jam

Coming up

Mon, Aug 3, 2026 · VFW Post 7263

Blue Monday Blues Jam

🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Bar | Open Mic Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come enjoy the vibes! 🍗 Southern Fried Chicken & Fish Dinners — starting at $20 (Cash Only) 🍽️ Served from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💙 Donations Appreciated — Proceeds benefit the VFW Relief Program

Event page ↗

Music

Promotional image for Abbott Square: Comedy Night

Coming up

Mon, Aug 3, 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.

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗

Comedy 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz

☀️ Happening today

Monday, August 3

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

9:00 AM

$59

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

Natural Bridges Little Rangers Program

📍 Natural Bridges State Beach

Family

10:00 AM

FREE

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Native Garden Workday

📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Outdoors

10:00 AM

$32

Santa Cruz Beach Train

📍 Roaring Camp Railroads

📍 La Bahia Hotel & Spa

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Community

11:30 AM

See listing

Mahjong Club @ Branciforte

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Community

11:30 AM

See listing

Seniors Share @ Felton Library

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries

What's happening

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

All Music Comedy Festivals Art & Culture Sports Outdoors Food & Drink Markets Family Adults 21+ Community Free Wellness Education Surf Cannabis LGBTQ+ BIPOC

3 upcoming events · LGBTQ+ · from 2026-08-08 · to 2026-08-09

Aug

Write Queer, a creative writing group @TDC

📍 The Diversity Center

🕒 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing

Write Queer, a creative writing group Date: May 9, and the Second and Fourth Saturdays 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. .

Venue site ↗

LGBTQ+ Community 📍 Midtown Details →

Aug

Game Night for Trans and Non-binary Young Adults @TDC

📍 The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · See listing

Game Night for Trans and Non-binary Young Adults, hosted by TransFamilies Date : Saturday, August 8 Time : 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Location : The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Ages : Young adults 18+ Welcoming all Trans and Non-binary young adults (18+) for board games, cards, laughter, and friendship. Pizza and drinks provided. Please bring your favorite game or two to share. .

Venue site ↗

LGBTQ+ Community 📍 Midtown Details →

Aug

Mickey Avalon

📍 Felton Music Hall

🕒 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM · See listing

Mickey Avalon has no shortage of street cred or endless raw raps about male prostitution or smoking crack. Avalon’s early home life reeked of addiction, and he left his father for the streets of Hollywood, California. Slinging weed and trying to find purpose, Avalon even dabbled in orthodox Judaism (his grandmother is a holocaust survivor). A marriage and a family got pushed aside for their own personal raging heroin addiction. But Avalon’s story and music is all about overcoming the odds and pushing past great struggles. Ever since Avalon showed up on MySpace Records with the single, “Jane Fonda,” he have been on the frontline of music’s edge. Punk, Hip Hop, Rap, Glam and Mickey Avalon. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz

Event page ↗

Music LGBTQ+ 📍 San Lorenzo Valley Details →

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 →

From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.

★ Featured this season

☀️ Happening today

What's happening

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

Hosting something rad?