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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 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†’
Promotional image for Sacred Return Retreat: A Psilocybin Ceremony Retreat Coming up
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Β· Sacred Owl Land

Sacred Return Retreat: A Psilocybin Ceremony Retreat

Sacred Return Retreat offers a trauma-informed container for ceremony, breathwork, yoga, sound healing, and deep inner work. Facilitated in collaboration with Dr. Leta Jussila and Dallas McKenzie at Sacred Owl Land, this immersive retreat supports healing, transformation, and personal growth through intentional preparation, ceremony, and integration.

Wellness
Promotional image for Skypark: Scotts Valley 60th Celebration Coming up
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Β· Skypark

Skypark: Scotts Valley 60th Celebration

Enjoy a full day of 60’s nostalgic vibes including storytelling, family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, and music! 10:30am: Storytelling 11:30am: Birthday Song & Dessert 12:00pm: Activities, Booths, Food Trucks and Fun

Festivals πŸ“ Scotts Valley
Promotional image for Scotts Valley 60th Birthday Bash Coming up
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Β· Skypark

Scotts Valley 60th Birthday Bash

Celebrate 60 Years of Scotts Valley! Join us as we celebrate Scotts Valley's 60th Birthday Bash on Sunday, August 2nd at Skypark for an unforgettable community celebration! Event Highlights: Share Your Story (submit at [email protected]) Birthday Song & Birthday Dessert, Live Music, Roller Skating, Food Trucks, Kids Activities, Interactive History, Family Fun for All Ages! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we celebrate six decades of community, memories, and hometown pride. Whether you've lived here your whole life or are new to Scotts Valley, this is the perfect opportunity to come together and celebrate everything that makes our city so special. Sunday, August 2, 2026 Skypark – Scotts Valley 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM FREE Event Let's make history together as we celebrate 60 incredible years of Scotts Valley! We can't wait to see you there!

Festivals πŸ“ Scotts Valley
Promotional image for Watsonville Strawberry Festival Coming up
Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Β· Historic Downtown Watsonville

Watsonville Strawberry Festival

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival returns to historic downtown Watsonville on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2! This free, family-friendly festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, kid's activities, local artisans, business and specialty vendors and a mouthwatering variety of food. Strawberry lovers can look forward to creative berry-infused treats like pizza, tacos, churros, popcorn, shortcake, beer and more! Be sure to catch crowd favorites like the Pie-Eating Content and Berry Best Dressed Contest. Don't miss this cherished Watsonville tradition that celebrates community, creativity and all things strawberry. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends for a weekend packed with fun, food and festivities! For more info: **watsonvillestrawberryfestival.com** or IG/FB @watsonvillestrawberryfestival Saturday, August 1 | 11AM-8 PM Sunday, August 2 | 11 AM-7 PM

Festivals πŸ“ Watsonville

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Sunday, August 2

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

9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak Farmers' Market
πŸ“ East Cliff Village
Markets
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$20
Wildlife Cameras and Other Methods for Assessing Backyard Biodiversity
πŸ“ Hay Barn
Education
9:00 AM
See listing
Farmers Market Live Oak
πŸ“ Mission St & Western
Markets
9:00 AM
FREE
Live Oak: Farmers Market
πŸ“ Live Oak Farmers’ Market
Markets
9:00 AM
$800
Sacred Return Retreat: A Psilocybin Ceremony Retreat
πŸ“ Sacred Owl Land
Wellness
9:00 AM
See listing
Drop-in Meditation
πŸ“ Land of Medicine Buddha – In the Gompa
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
CLAY INDEPENDENT LAB TIME
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family

What's happening

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12 upcoming events Β· Music Β· from 2026-08-02 Β· to 2026-08-02

Aug
2

Chamber Choir Auditions

πŸ“ Westside Locations
πŸ•’ 12:12 PM – 12:12 PM Β· FREE

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.

Aug
2

2026 Cabrillo Festival

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· FREE

Led by Conductor-in-Residence Octavio MΓ‘s-Arocas, the beloved free Family Concert features Paul Dooleyβ€˜s The Conductor’s Spellbook, an interactive musical adventure introducing audiences of all ages to the orchestra through playful storytelling, alongside Gala Flagelloβ€˜s vibrant fanfare Bravado. A β€œTour of the Orchestra” invites curious minds of all ages to explore the instruments that bring the music to life. In a special partnership with El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, select honor students will open up the concert with a short presentationβ€”continuing the Festival’s commitment to access, education, and mentorship.

Aug
2

SC Civic Auditorium: Free Family Orchestral Concert

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· FREE

Led by Conductor-in-Residence Octavio MΓ‘s-Arocas, the beloved free Family Concert features Paul Dooleyβ€˜s The Conductor’s Spellbook , an interactive musical adventure introducing audiences of all ages to the orchestra through playful storytelling, alongside Gala Flagelloβ€˜s vibrant fanfare Bravado . A β€œTour of the Orchestra” invites curious minds of all ages to explore the instruments that bring the music to life. In a special partnership with El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, select honor students will perform alongside orchestra musicians!

Aug
2

Mark Van Haren – '70s pop-soul

πŸ“ Brookdale Lodge
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Β· See listing

Step back into the golden era of ’70s pop-soul with Mark Van Harenβ€”guitarist, vocalist, and lifelong devotee of the music that made AM radio magic. Raised on Stevie Wonder, Hall & Oates, Al Green, James Taylor, Steely Dan, Bill Withers, Bacharach, and the Beatles, Mark brings that era’s warmth, melody, and heart to life. His sets blend rich vocals, rhythmic guitar, and harmonically complex arrangements, mixing familiar-but-forgotten favorites like β€œBaby Come Back” with soulful deep cuts such as β€œKnocks Me Off My Feet.” Every song is chosen for connectionβ€”music that feels good, hits deep, and brings audiences together.

Aug
2

Fleur bleuΒ·e

πŸ“ Streetlight Records
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM Β· See listing

The best way to describe Fleur bleu.e is hazy dream pop with a twinge of early 1960s Euro aesthetic. Which makes sense considering the duo consisting of Delphine Lucy Lam and Vlad Swann are originally from France. However, they have since relocated to Pennsylvania but kept the sound of their home country, a choice that was definitely for the best. Their music is soft and sweet without being boring, or pretentious. Check out their self-described β€œmusic made of dreams and nightmares” with their new album Question Marked Upon The World then catch them for free thanks to Santa Cruz’s oldest, friendly, neighborhood record store. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz

Aug
2

Escaping Queens

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Actors' Theatre
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· $16

A story written by Capitola’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 father’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 Oritz’s own memoir, Pastinaβ€”My Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’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 parents’ mistakes. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz

Aug
2

Sister Act, The Musical

πŸ“ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM Β· $25

The Cabrillo Theater is preparing for a dazzling production of Sister Act. This uplifting story follows Deloris, a bold and loving nightclub singer, as she is sent to a convent for her own protection. While there, Deloris teaches the nuns to sing with passion and joy. The nuns and Deloris learn how to step into their own power. Promising mischief and friendship, the fun never stops during Sister Act. The audience will glow with laughter throughout the comedic production. The infectious and high-energy songs will light up attendees long after the curtain falls. Goes until August 2nd. -Isabella Marie Sangaline

Art & Culture Music πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
2

Karaoke with Moondog

πŸ“ Fast Eddy's Billiards Dart Room
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM Β· FREE

Sing your heart out! We will start at 3pm....ends when the cops show up or when I throw in the towel....No way you can be too late to get into the rotation.....We use Karafun, so the artists who own the songs get paid ROYALTIES via BMI or ASCAP. Venmo & TIP JAR FOR THE KJ. Beer and Wine , Bar Food Menu. Plenty of free parking.

Aug
2

The Back Porch Boys

πŸ“ Discretion Brewing
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

3:00-5:00pm The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin' to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.

Music Food & Drink πŸ“ Soquel Details β†’
Aug
2

WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy

πŸ“ London Nelson Community Ctr.
πŸ•’ 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Β· FREE

The Tony Award-Winning San Francisco Mime Troupe opens their 67th Season with: WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy. The show asks the political question: How are we going to survive and rebuild in the rubble left from the economic, social, and psychological devastation of the idiotic kleptocrats? London Nelson Community Center – Outdoors (Santa Cruz) Sat., Aug. 1 - 3:00 pm (Music 2:30) Sun., Aug. 2 - 3:00 pm (Music 2:30) 301 Center St., Santa Cruz 95060 FREE - ($20 suggested donation)

Music Free Details β†’
Aug
2

Jenny O'Leary Quartet

πŸ“ Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
πŸ•’ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· See listing

The Jenny O'Leary Quartet, led by the swinging and masterful jazz vocalist Jenny O'Leary. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she is the daughter of children's music legend Minnie O'Leary. Joined by a trio of bass, guitar and drums, they joyfully and passionately play standards, bossa novas, blues and pop tunes.

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