you Are A Star! Come share what you love ยท what you are working on Every Monday 5pm - 8pm ยท Lottery signups begin @5:15 One 5 minute song or two 3 minute songs We welcome: Poetry ยท Spoken Word ยท Music ยท Originals & Covers Hosted by SteveV Beer, Coffee, Tea and Cafe Snacks are always available. Non-performers are always welcomed & Appreciated We Cannot Wait to see you!
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
Treehouse Dispensary First Friday
Treehouse Dispensary hosts a monthly First Friday event on the first Friday of every month. These events feature live music, local artists, makers, and an art market with up to 20 different vendors, along with shop-wide discounts and community activities. The shop is open 8:00 AM to 9:45 PM daily. We're proud to offer everyday savings for our community: New Members: 10% off your first order Wisdom Discount (65+): 5% off Medical Patients: 10% off Students & Teachers: 20% off with valid ID Veterans: 20% off *Please note that discounts do not stack with other deals. Ask staff for exclusions.
Coming up
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.
Coming up
Keyon Harrold
โKeyon Harrold is the future of the trumpetโ โ Wynton Marsalis Keyon Harrold is an award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Harrold first came into the international spotlight for his critically acclaimed album, The Mugician, and his work as the trumpet voice behind the GRAMMY winning Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead. As a bandleader, he has created a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock, and American folk. As a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register; creating drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizing live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation. Harrold has collaborated with many of the top hip hop and pop artists including: Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton, as well as rock legends Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. His current touring ensemble can best be described as โBop Pop Hip-Hop Jazz.โ Rooted in jazz, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music into a sonic expression. Keyon Harrold โ Foreverland will showcase his GRAMMY nominated recording Foreverland, an acclaimed crossover success, which features a bevy of collaborators, along with the single โBeautiful Dayโ which received world-wide radio play.
Coming up
Contact Improv
Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.
Trivia Night โ 2026-08-24
8 - 10pm ยท Weekly trivia night โ gather your team and come test your knowledge!
โ๏ธ Happening today
Monday, August 2434 events on today. No plans required, just go.
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
Showing 30 of 77 upcoming events ยท Music ยท from 2026-08-24 ยท to 2026-08-31
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
6 - 10pm ยท Weekly Board Game Night โ open & hosted games, taught on the spot.
โKeyon Harrold is the future of the trumpetโ โ Wynton Marsalis Keyon Harrold is an award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Harrold first came into the international spotlight for his critically acclaimed album, The Mugician, and his work as the trumpet voice behind the GRAMMY winning Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead. As a bandleader, he has created a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock, and American folk. As a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register; creating drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizing live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation. Harrold has collaborated with many of the top hip hop and pop artists including: Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton, as well as rock legends Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. His current touring ensemble can best be described as โBop Pop Hip-Hop Jazz.โ Rooted in jazz, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music into a sonic expression. Keyon Harrold โ Foreverland will showcase his GRAMMY nominated recording Foreverland, an acclaimed crossover success, which features a bevy of collaborators, along with the single โBeautiful Dayโ which received world-wide radio play.
8 - 10pm ยท Weekly trivia night โ gather your team and come test your knowledge!
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
Weekly kids' classes in traditional hula and Tahitian dance, led by Te Hau Nui School at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz.
A weekly music jam session in downtown Santa Cruz, featuring lights and fun for all musicians.
Free live music every Tuesday night with the Del Mar Trio at Callahan's in Santa Cruz.
With over a decade of carving out a sound that belongs entirely to them, La Luzโs blend of surf noir, garage rock, and haunted psychedelia wraps listeners in layered harmonies somewhere between doo-wop and folk. Guitarist and songwriter Shana Cleveland, the band's founding member, is one of indie rock's most original voices. Through metaphysical poetry, she takes listeners to rural Californian landscapes and science fiction dimensions. La Luzโs most recent album, News of the Universe, is ambitious, brutal, and blissful. They bring an electric energy to the stage with Soul Train-inspired dance contests and swaggering riffs that spin the room into action. -Shelly Novo; Good Times Santa Cruz
7pm sign-ups ยท Weekly pinball competition for players of all skill levels.
Motion Pacific: Dance for PD
Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโs Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PDยฎ program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinsonโs teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinsonโs at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโs, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโs is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
Motion Pacific- Beginning Hip Hop House
A weekly beginning hip hop house dance class. Participants will learn foundational movements, rhythms, and combinations in a structured, studio setting.
HELLO MAGGIE - Willie Ito Tribute Night
A music tribute night honoring Willie Ito with a cover set at The 418 Project, bringing a curated evening of performance to Santa Cruz.
Built to Spill :: Rio Theatre :: Santa Cruz 8/26
After 34 years, Built to Spill is one band that needs no introduction. Since 1992, this powerhouse of an act has had a rotating door of musicians that carried the band through a plethora of genres. While many would call them โindie rock,โ itโs kind of a vague catch-all like โAmericana.โ Their audiences consist of hipsters and hippies, jam band aficionados and punks. Not to mention they were signed to major label Warner Brothers for two decades, which kind of deflates the whole โindieโ part. Regardless, itโs amazing that this band has not only lasted the test of time but continues to keep old fans coming out while earning new ones every tour and album. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz
A concert featuring Twisted Teens at The Crepe Place.
Felton Music Hall presents Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel at Felton Music Hall on August 26th & August 27th Tickets at: https://tixr.com/e/182052
Pre-Saale Begins 4.29.26 - 10 am pst "GASLIGHT26" On Sale - 5.01.26 - 10 am pst
RoCreate Jewelry Pop-Up + Live Music
3:00-7:30pm Grab a beer and browse handmade jewelry by Discretion beer bestower & local artisan Rochelle Ferro of RoCreate! Live music from 5:30-7:30 by The Mike Scott Trio. Hope you pop in! About the artist: My name is Rochelle and I love to design, make and wear jewelry. My hands have been creating fun and unique items since 2013. Originally from Central New York, I've followed in my father footsteps by becoming a jeweler. I work with a wide variety of materials such as sterling silver, copper, brass, leather, stones, local forged sea glass, beads, guitar strings and so much more. Expressing yourself through jewelry is just another way to set yourself apart from others. I want my designs to have a lasting impression and hold meaning for the person wearing them, which is why many of my creations are tailored to the individual. I have been focusing a lot of my designs on Santa Cruz sea glass. I love knowing that each piece is a tiny treasure shaped by time and the tide.
5:30-7:30pm
Live music on the Santa Cruz beach from Alex Lucero Band, with BBQ and drinks available at the Crowโs Nest.
The Joint Chiefs LIVE at Thursday Night Music!
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase by Girasol Pizza Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
BITE ME! No Cover โข Last Thursday of Every Month Cat Alley Street (upstairs above The Catalyst) โ Santa Cruz https://catalleystreet.com A high-energy Goth / Industrial / Deathrock / EBM / Techno night in a swanky new vampire venue. THE DANCE CHAMBER Be among the first to experience our brand-new, state-of-the-art sound system. Our DJs will make you shake your fine goth ass from 6 PM onward. THE BAR Exclusive Bite Me cocktails, including the Banshee and London After Midnight. THE LOUNGE A cozy, quieter space across from the bar featuring hand-picked furnishings curated by the Baron's cat of Cat Alley Street himself. Plus the Macabre Makers Faire: โข Jewelry and clothing makers โข Tintype photography โข Goth makeovers โข Other dark delights BEST DRESSED Select free drink tickets awarded to our most impeccably dressed guest vampires. COME EARLY DJs start at 6 PM, and our new kitchen will be serving pizza. Vampires may not be assumed to eat human pizza, but trust the cat, itโs totally worth it! Weโve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and canโt wait to share it with the greater Goth community and kind-hearted misfits of all sorts. Fly upstairs. Last Thursday of each month. Bite Me!
Open mic! Doors/sign-ups 7:00 pm. Music 7:30 pm. Hosted by critter.
Maxwell
Join us at Bargetto Winery in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! 6-8PM No cover charge. Wine by-the-glass for purchase. Food will be available for purchase. Open seating, no reservations required. No outside food is permitted. For more info please call: (831) 475-2258
Free jazz nights every other Thursday at Abbott Square Market. All ages welcome to enjoy local jazz artists in an outdoor plaza setting.
Simon Phillips is widely known in the rock world for his peerless drumming on albums by Toto, The Who, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Michael Schenker, and Joe Satriani. Rock fans might not know that Phillipsโ interests and skills have long been directed toward jazz as well. Phillips launched his long-running Protocol project with a self-titled album in 1988 and has followed up that tour-de-force with four more albums. The collective's current lineup (dubbed Protocol 6) features keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz, Alex Sill on guitar, bassist Ernest Tibbs and saxophonist Phillip Whack. -Bill Kopp; Good Times Santa Cruz
A sign-up based Open Mic night for anyone involved in making electronic music, whatever the style, genre or format - anything from ambient and drone through synth pop, techno to industrial, noise and beyond! The intent is to showcase live performances of music that is PRIMARILY ELECTRONIC IN NATURE - e.g. acts using hardware or software synthesizers, electronic instruments, laptops, groove boxes, drum machines, sequencers and so forth. Interested in performing? Sign up at
7:00 PM - 9:00 ยท Bird in the Hand is a trio of women who play an eclectic mix of tunes from Americana and traditional to current songs and swinging originals. Members play stand-up bass, mandolin, guitar and all sing with harmonizing vocals. We create a positive vibe and a warm and unique sound.
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving familyโand gives him the connection heโs always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices heโs made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
47 more events further out
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 โ