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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 Second Sunday AVALON VISIONS PSYCHIC FAIR Coming up
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Β· Avalon Visions

Second Sunday AVALON VISIONS PSYCHIC FAIR

Come to the Second Sunday AVALON VISIONS PSYCHIC and HEALING ARTS FAIR where an array of intuitive professionals is available for your consultation, as well as market stalls filled with inspiring good for purchase. Join us for good vibes the Second Sunday of every month at 2815 Porter Street in Soquel. See you there!

Festivals πŸ“ Soquel
Promotional image for Take Out: Rhythms Within Coming up
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

Take Out: Rhythms Within

Take Out: Rhythms Within performance at Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center.

Art & Culture πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley
Promotional image for Whiskers & Brews Coming up
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Β· Discretion Brewing

Whiskers & Brews

12:00-3:00pm Animal Shelter Relief is coming back to our Beer Garden! Grab a beer, meet adorable adoptable animals, and learn about what ASR does to help our local furry friends. Stay for live music afterwards from 3-5pm! ASR is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) animal rescue based in Santa Cruz, CA. Their mission is to relieve overcrowded animal shelters through rescue, thereby reducing euthanasia. Formed in 2008, Amy Strickland along with 2 former co-workers from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter started Animal Shelter Relief rescue, the ONLY local animal rescue focusing on cats and special needs animals, that existed at the time. The founders knew what help was needed at the County Animal Shelter and formed a rescue to meet those needs and relieve the overcrowding.

Music πŸ“ Soquel
Music
Coming up
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 Β· Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Auditions

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

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Sunday, August 9

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Summer Beer Sails
πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
Food & Drink
12:00 AM
See listing
Weekend with Shakespeare
πŸ“ UCSC Arboretum
Art & Culture
1:00 AM
See listing
Weekend With Shakespeare
πŸ“ UC Santa Cruz
Education
8:00 AM
$102.2
Tri Santa Cruz
πŸ“ Cowell Beach
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Highlights Loop Guided Hike
πŸ“ Visitor Center | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak: Farmers Market
πŸ“ Live Oak Farmers’ Market
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak Farmers' Market
πŸ“ East Cliff Village
Markets
9:00 AM
See listing
Downtown Santa Cruz: Antiques Faire
πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Faire
Markets

What's happening

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9 upcoming events Β· LGBTQ+ Β· from 2026-08-09 Β· to 2026-08-16

Aug
10

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

Aug
11

Qigong with 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. August Activities: August 4: Tote Bag Painting activity with Nic Get your beach bag ready and customize your own tote bag with Nic. All supplies provided. August 11: Qigong with Tara Settle the mind and body and engage in gently movement. All levels welcome. August 18: β€œWord is Out - Stories from Some of Our Lives” (1977) documentary viewing and discussion with Nic One of the most important LGBTQ+ documentaries ever made, it is considered the first documentary about gay people by gay people. Though it is criminally under-watched, Word is Out had a huge impact, even on pioneers like Vito Russo. This film was made by six LGBTQ+ filmmakers and features interviews with 26 LGBTQ+ pe

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
11

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 . .

Aug
12

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! .

Aug
13

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. View our Community Agreements for Diversity Center groups.

Aug
14

Watsonville Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire! @ Palm Beach State Park

πŸ“ Palm Beach State Park Entrance Station, 2660 W Beach Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· See listing

Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire D Name: Watsonville Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire! Date: Friday, August 14 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Location: Palm Beach State Park, Watsonville Ages: 11-17 RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/tdcrainbowbonfire Event Description: Have fun, toast marshmallows and hot dogs, play beach games, and more! Bring anything that helps you enjoy the beach - games, towels, etc. NOTE: we will not be swimming. Questions? [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accessibility Information: Music will be playing, so bring headphones if you are sound sensitive! We will have vegan and meat hot dogs, vegan and regular marshmallows, and beverages. The bathrooms at the beach are gendered, but we will be going in groups and a staff member will stand outside the bathroom you choose to use and prevent others from coming in while you use it. Enter through the parking lot near the restrooms. Follow signs for the bonfire. This bea

Aug
15

Queer Movie Club at TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

Queer Movie Club Date: Every third Saturday of the month Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center Ages: 18+ Cost : Free! Join us for a movie matinee! We’ve got popcorn, snacks, and a big screen, and we’re ready for some fun and conversation. For more information, check the newsletter or call us at the Center at 831-524-5422.

LGBTQ+ Community πŸ“ Midtown Details β†’
Aug
16

Senior Men’s Social Pool Party (RSVP for location)

πŸ“ The Diversity Center
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· See listing

Name: Senior Men’s Social Pool Party Date: Sunday, August 16 Time: 12:00 - 3:00 pm Location: RVSP for location Ages: Older Adults Event Description: Join your fellow men for a summer social at Hal’s house, featuring pool time and a buffet lunch! Contact Tom at [email protected] for details and location. $10 suggested donation to cover the lunch, but no one turned away for lack of funds.

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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.

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