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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

Cannabis
โ˜… Featured Event Treehouse
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 ยท 5:00 PM

Treehouse Dispensary First Friday

๐Ÿ“ Treehouse Dispensary ยท Soquel ยท FREE

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.

Cannabis Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Promotional image for Abbott Square: Comedy Night Coming up
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 ยท 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.

Comedy ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Keyon Harrold Coming up
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 ยท Kuumbwa Jazz

Keyon Harrold

โ€œKeyon 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 โ€˜Bop 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 โ€œBeautiful Dayโ€ which received world-wide radio play.

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Contact Improv Coming up
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 ยท The 418 Project

Contact Improv

Contact Improv dance session at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, offered weekly on Mondays.

Comedy ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Music
Coming up
Mon, Aug 24, 2026 ยท The Cruz Room

Trivia Night โ€” 2026-08-24

8 - 10pm ยท Weekly trivia night โ€” gather your team and come test your knowledge!

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Monday, August 24

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

1:00 AM
See listing
ReView
๐Ÿ“ Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
Education
1:00 AM
See listing
R.E.A.D: Reach Every Amazing Detail Sign Ups Start Today
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
11:30 AM
See listing
Mahjong Club @ Branciforte
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:30 AM
See listing
Seniors Share @ Felton Library
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:30 AM
See listing
Aptos Bridge Club
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
12:00 PM
FREE
The Spoken Experience
๐Ÿ“ Capitola Branch Library
Art & Culture

What's happening

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Showing 30 of 77 upcoming events ยท Music ยท from 2026-08-24 ยท to 2026-08-31

Aug
24

Open Mic ยท Every Monday 5-8p

๐Ÿ“ The Ugly Mug
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

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!

Aug
24

Keyon Harrold

๐Ÿ“ Kuumbwa Jazz
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

โ€œKeyon 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 โ€˜Bop 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 โ€œBeautiful Dayโ€ which received world-wide radio play.

Aug
25

La Luz

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

With over a decade of carving out a sound that belongs entirely to them, La Luzโ€™s 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 Luzโ€™s 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

Aug
26

Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

๐Ÿ“ Motion Pacific at The Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center
๐Ÿ•’ 1:00 PM โ€“ 2:15 PM ยท FREE

Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinsonโ€™s 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 Parkinsonโ€™s 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 Parkinsonโ€™s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinsonโ€™s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinsonโ€™s 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.

Aug
26

Built to Spill :: Rio Theatre :: Santa Cruz 8/26

๐Ÿ“ Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM ยท $55.58

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 โ€œindie rock,โ€ itโ€™s kind of a vague catch-all like โ€œAmericana.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 โ€œindieโ€ part. Regardless, itโ€™s 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

Art & Culture Music ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Aug
27

RoCreate Jewelry Pop-Up + Live Music

๐Ÿ“ Discretion Brewing
๐Ÿ•’ 3:00 PM โ€“ 7:30 PM ยท See listing

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.

Aug
27

The Joint Chiefs LIVE at Thursday Night Music!

๐Ÿ“ Bargetto Winery
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท See listing

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

Aug
27

Bite Me!

๐Ÿ“ Cat Alley Street
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 1:30 AM ยท FREE

BITE ME! No Cover โ€ข 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: โ€ข Jewelry and clothing makers โ€ข Tintype photography โ€ข Goth makeovers โ€ข 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, itโ€™s totally worth it! Weโ€™ve created a beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming vampire lounge and canโ€™t 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!

Aug
27

Bargetto Winery's Thursday Night Music

๐Ÿ“ Bargetto Winery
๐Ÿ•’ 6:00 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

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

Aug
27

Simon Phillips & Protocol 6

๐Ÿ“ Kuumbwa Jazz
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

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

Aug
27

Santa Cruz Synth Cooperative: Electronic Music Open Mic

๐Ÿ“ Indexical
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM ยท See listing

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

Aug
27

Dear Evan Hansen

๐Ÿ“ Colligan Theater
๐Ÿ•’ 7:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท $28

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 familyโ€”and gives him the connection heโ€™s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices heโ€™s 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

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