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๐Ÿ“ 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.

โ˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Phamily Time! โ˜… Featured Event
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 ยท 4:00 PM

Phamily Time!

๐Ÿ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing ยท Downtown Santa Cruz ยท See listing

Phamily Time, presented by Phreeborn is back with a summer edition you wonโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz Details โ†’
Promotional image for SC Beach Boardwalk: Free Minecraft Movie on the Beach โ˜… Featured
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 ยท Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

SC Beach Boardwalk: Free Minecraft Movie on the Beach

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 Buellerโ€™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

Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Beach & Boardwalk
Promotional image for Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€ โ˜… Featured
Tue, Jul 28, 2026 ยท Stevenson College

Movie Night Under the Stars: Screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€

The DSAS Center for Leadership and Involvement and Summer Edge invite you to join us for our Movie Night Under the Stars event screening โ€œSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseโ€: 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 Californiaโ€™s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiativeโ€”whether a student service, faculty program, or community eventโ€”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 ๐Ÿ“ UCSC
Promotional image for Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts โ˜… Featured
Thu, Jul 30, 2026 ยท 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 ๐Ÿ“ Seabright & Harbor
Promotional image for North Bookmobile Pajaro Park - Tie-Dye Coming up
Fri, Jul 24, 2026 ยท Pajaro Park

North Bookmobile Pajaro Park - Tie-Dye

Tie-Dye: Join MCFL staff to tie-dye a book bag. Adult and Teen Workshops - Ages 13 and up Registration required - Materials provided - No experience needed Call the branch directly to register Please note, programs will be cancelled if no one is registered 24 hours before the program This program is brought to you by the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries. Sign up for the Summer Reading Club at any MCFL branch between June 1st and July 31st. Or sign up online at https://emcfl.beanstack.com/reader365

Festivals ๐Ÿ“ Watsonville

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Friday, July 24

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

8:30 AM
$400
Art and Science in Nature Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$345
Summer Production (1-week): Moana Jr.
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$895
Summer Production (3-weeks): Moana Jr
๐Ÿ“ All About Theatre
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
$10
Mindful Movement with Horses
๐Ÿ“ BEYOND liberty
Sports
9:30 AM
See listing
Evergreen Volunteer Days
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
CLAY INDEPENDENT LAB TIME
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
10:00 AM
FREE
Resource Recovery Public Summer Tours
๐Ÿ“ City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
Community

What's happening

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Showing 30 of 99 upcoming events ยท Music ยท from 2026-07-24 ยท to 2026-07-31

Jul
24

Silent Movie Night - The General - at The Landing

๐Ÿ“ The Landing
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท $12

Step back in time to the Golden Age of cinema! With live piano accompaniment by Kylan deGhetaldi, you wonโ€™t want to miss this unique silent movie experience. Buster Keaton's The General is one of the most revered comedies of the silent era. Released in 1926, this marks the 100th anniversary of this classic film. This is a fundraiser. All proceeds benefit The Landing. Doors open at 6 PM and the movie starts at 7 PM. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Jul
24

WASABI

๐Ÿ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
๐Ÿ•’ 6:30 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท See listing

The power trio plays primarily original music, with a few select covers, rooted in a meld of funk/rock/jazz/world/hip hop/dance music. Wasabiโ€™s tunes draw from the personal journeys of its members and a revolving collection of special guests who frequently sit in on various instruments and vocals

Jul
24

Escaping Queens

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Actors' Theatre
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท $16

A story written by Capitolaโ€™s very own, Joe Ortiz, comes to life at The SC Actors Theatre. Escaping Queens follows an immigrant family as they navigate the challenges of poverty and a fatherโ€™s problems with gambling, alcohol, and women. This funny, edgy, ultimately hopeful musical paints a cast of colorful characters, from neighborhood bookies to a doo wop group to all the shades and personalities in a mixed Italian and Puerto Rican family. Based on Oritzโ€™s own memoir, Pastinaโ€”My Fatherโ€™s Misfortune, My Motherโ€™s Good Soup, the emotional turbulence of navigating an escape from New York is presented as a compelling and sophisticated story that asks if children are fated to repeat their parentsโ€™ mistakes. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz

Jul
24

Felton Music Hall presents... 60 juno

๐Ÿ“ Felton Music Hall
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

60 Juno is proof that it doesnโ€™t matter where you are from; you can create music that transcends your boundaries. Originally a โ€œone-man army,โ€ 60 Juno was created by Jericho Tejeda in his home in Fresno during COVID. Now a full band (that Jericho met on IG chats) with Daniel Gonzรกlez (guitar), Justin Suรกrez (drums), and Marcus Felix (bass), Juno 60 sounds like acid surf meets soaring โ€™90s pop music. Out of the gate, 60 Juno hit international acclaim with their second single โ€œJ Song.โ€ A short West Coast tour before they head to Spain keeps 60 Juno on the move. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz

Jul
25

Didgeridoo Down Under

๐Ÿ“ La Selva Beach Branch Library
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท See listing

Join us for an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, and audience participation. The show also includes storytelling and information about didgeridoo history and crafting. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16206168

Jul
25

All About Theatre Presents "Moana Jr"

๐Ÿ“ The Colligan Theater
๐Ÿ•’ 1:30 PM ยท $18

Disneyโ€™s Moana JR. is a musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Moana JR. features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tonyยฎ, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaโ€™i, and Mark Mancina, including โ€œHow Far Iโ€™ll Go,โ€ โ€œShiny,โ€ and โ€œYouโ€™re Welcome.โ€ This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.

Jul
25

Rivets & Rust

๐Ÿ“ Discretion Brewing
๐Ÿ•’ 5:30 PM โ€“ 7:30 PM ยท See listing

5:30-7:30pm Formed in 2022, Rivets & Rust are a Santa Cruz Rock, Folk, Americana Band. Their music encompasses a unique variety of singer-songwriter originals as well as a collection of classic covers. The band's delivery of a mellow vibe with soaring vocals and smoking guitar passages resonates with a wide range of audiences. Rivets & Rust are: Tim Bennett- Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocals, Angela Bennett- Keys/Harmony Vocals, Glenn MacPherson- Lead Guitar, Jeff Arlt- Drums, and Mark Hull- Bass.

Music Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Jul
25

Fernando Ortega Concert

๐Ÿ“ Mount Hermon Camp & Conference Center
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

In the early 1990s, young composer and pianist Fernando Ortega, classically trained and musically complex, entered the Christian music scene. His distinctively earthy sound perplexed and even defied the pop status quo. Descended from eight generations of Mexican weavers, this son of the Rio Grande entwined thoughtful melodies with Celtic, bluegrass, classical and Latin American influences to create something unique and rare. Today, Fernando is one of Christian musicโ€™s most respected artists, his works encompassing modern hymns, liturgical songs, and Inspirational and praise & worship favorites. With three Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and a Billboard Latin Music Award to his credit, Fernandoโ€™s Christian radio hits include โ€œThis Good Day,โ€ โ€œJesus, King of Angelsโ€ and โ€œSleepless Night.โ€ Renowned for his stirring arrangements of beloved hymnsโ€” โ€œGive Me Jesusโ€ and โ€œBe Thou My Vision,โ€ among othersโ€” his solo discography features 18 projects in a heralded career spanning more than 25 years. His latest offering, the much-anticipated The Crucifixion of Jesus, follows the same devotional trajectory of 2011โ€™s Come Down O Love Divine, this time centering on the events of Holy Week. Co-produced with Bernard Chadwick in a customized recording space in Fernandoโ€™s Albuquerque home, itโ€™s the most intentionally devotional project heโ€™s ever released, a meticulous labor of love. Engineered and mixed by GRAMMYยฎ Award-winner Brandon Bell, the project was an epiphany of sorts for Fernando. โ€œIt was about finding my way through the mystery of Holy Week,โ€ he explains, โ€œworking my way through the events leading up to Christโ€™s death, the betrayal, the communionโ€ฆall of it a meditation.โ€ Featuring 11 contemplative songs and six readings, the album is a sweeping narrative which carries the listener from Palm Sunday to the Crucifixion. In stark and stunning compositions like โ€œIn My Fatherโ€™s Kingdomโ€ (the Last Supper), โ€œStay With Me Hereโ€ (Garden of Getsemane), โ€œAh Holy Jesus, How Have You

Jul
25

Escaping Queens

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Actors' Theatre
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท $16

A story written by Capitolaโ€™s very own, Joe Ortiz, comes to life at The SC Actors Theatre. Escaping Queens follows an immigrant family as they navigate the challenges of poverty and a fatherโ€™s problems with gambling, alcohol, and women. This funny, edgy, ultimately hopeful musical paints a cast of colorful characters, from neighborhood bookies to a doo wop group to all the shades and personalities in a mixed Italian and Puerto Rican family. Based on Oritzโ€™s own memoir, Pastinaโ€”My Fatherโ€™s Misfortune, My Motherโ€™s Good Soup, the emotional turbulence of navigating an escape from New York is presented as a compelling and sophisticated story that asks if children are fated to repeat their parentsโ€™ mistakes. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz

Jul
25

Jurrasic Jungle Book โ€“ A Three Hour Tour

๐Ÿ“ Park Hall Ben Lomond
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท See listing

Little Peopleโ€™s Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little Peopleโ€™s Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of โ€œscientistsโ€ came to โ€œstudyโ€ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7โ€“14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. Itโ€™s alternative childrenโ€™s musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.

Jul
25

LPRT Presents: Jurassic Jungle Book -A Three Hour Tour

๐Ÿ“ Park Hall Ben Lomond
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM ยท $22

Little People's Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little People's Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island is sparsely populated by talking jungle animals, Village People, Mowgli (a boy raised by wolves), Huntriz, three singing dino-hunters, four ninja turtles, and Indominus Khan, a tiger who became a mutant after a sinister group of โ€œscientistsโ€ came to โ€œstudyโ€ the island, with the hidden motive of transforming the island into a prehistoric theme park. This sweet and silly mash-up features more than twenty musical numbers. The cast includes children ages 7โ€“14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop songs and classic rock hits. It's alternative children's musical theatre like no other! Shows regularly sell out, so reserve your tickets early. Ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org. Performances will be held at Park Hall in Ben Lomond from July 15 through July 25. Please visit the website for specific show times.

Jul
25

Sean and the Skinwalkers

๐Ÿ“ Joe's Bar
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 PM ยท See listing

Sean and the Skinwalkers is a blues rock trio from Monterey County California. Just as comfortable playing traditional blues as they are tearing through a psychedelic rock song, the common thread is always the blues and the intensity that they bring to every performance. No two performances are ever the same as everything is raw and changes on the fly, with improvised wild guitar solos that often take place in the audience. Sometimes compared to the legends of the 70s blues rock scene, Sean and the Skinwalkers does cover a wide range of music in addition to playing originals. You'll hear covers and inspiration from artists like Led Zeppelin, Rory Gallagher, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, Free, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Marcus King, Stray Cats, Jeff Healey, Tab Benoit and more, but always with the Skinwalker's unique flavor. Keep your camera ready as you never know what to expect, Sean is likely to jump into the audience and use your beer bottle to play slide guitar or ask you to hit the strings while he frets notes for a solo and has a conversation with you about your day. Nobody ever forgets a Sean and the Skinwalkers performance! Original music on every streaming platform, with a new album releasing soon! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wolfmanblues/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6AQRQZEOJxIlim78Gi7HIt?si=9htrXeE1RXG2cVjmWyFnbQ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa2wGtmVpbPZNtThEKxERS_PTsXxzYZIK

Jul
25

Fully Fullwood Band ft. Ginger Roots w/ Militia of Love

๐Ÿ“ Moe's Alley
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 PM ยท See listing

Moes Alley presents Fully Fullwood Band ft. Ginger Roots, plus Militia of Love! Saturday, July 25, 2026Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm$25 in advance / $30 day of show21+ * All sales are final* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event====FULLY FULLWOODA truly well-earned recognition as being one of the Greats of the music industry, deeply creative and positively innovative, we introduce Fully Fullwood. Fully Fullwood is one of the most popular and well-known bass players in the world and has worked and recorded with every major artist out of Jamaica. His list of credits reads like a whos-who of the twentieth centurys most important musical artists. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Michael Rose, Mikey Dread, The Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru, Joe Higgs, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Frankie Paul, Big Youth, U-Roy, Sister Carol, John Holt, Judy Mowatt, Ken Boothe, Andrew Tosh, Delroy Wilson, and many more have utilized the outstanding talents of this absolutely amazing composer, producer and musician. The originator and leader of the Soul Syndicate Band, Fully Fullwood has the distinction of also being a member of reggae superstar Peter Toshs famous band, Word, Sound and Power whom he recorded with and also toured with extensively until the singers untimely passing.

Jul
25

Lawnmover

๐Ÿ“ Jury Room
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 PM ยท $10

Those familiar with the darker, seedier, drunker corners of the Santa Cruz music scene probably already know Lawnmower. For everyone else, listen up! Formed in 2024, Lawnmower is a degenerate trio of punks who play a โ€œwho cares about practicingโ€ brand of the genre mixed with a tinge of downbeat sludge. In all honesty they actually do practice and write some of the funniest-without-being-satire songs currently in the scene. Lawnmower is raw with hoarse vocals screamed with all the fury and honesty of someone who identifies with Michael Douglas in Falling Down. This band rules and their show at the Jury Room with Total Joke and Apricot Court will be anything but a buzzkill. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz

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