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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 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
Music
โ˜… Featured
Sat, Aug 1, 2026 ยท Westside Locations

Chamber Choir Now Auditioning

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 ๐Ÿ“ Westside
Promotional image for Motion Pacific: Dance for PD Coming up
Wed, Jul 29, 2026 ยท The 418 Project

Motion Pacific: Dance for PD

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.

Music ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Wig Out Wednesday Coming up
Wed, Jul 29, 2026 ยท Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room + Wine Bar

Wig Out Wednesday

Every Wed from 4 to 8 pm at our Downtown Santa Cruz Tasting Room + Wine Bar Join us for a night of wigging out in Downtown Santa Cruz! Wear a wig, and weโ€™ll have a surprise for you. Weโ€™ll play cool music, games, trivia, and much more! Letโ€™s wig out and keep Santa Cruz weird! Wig Out Wednesday Special: 2 empanadas and a glass of wine (Riesling, Rose, or Homestead) for $19.

Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Wednesday, July 29

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

12:00 AM
See listing
Santa Cruz Shakespeare Family Days
๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
Family
1:00 AM
$500
The Dickens Universe featuring โ€˜Bleak Houseโ€™
๐Ÿ“ Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
Education
8:30 AM
$300
Beginning Botany Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Family
8:30 AM
$300
World of Birds Summer Camp
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Outdoors
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Pilates & Posture in the Pasture
๐Ÿ“ Beyond Liberty
Wellness
10:00 AM
See listing
Baby Dance Jam
๐Ÿ“ The 418 Project
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
July is Parks and Recreation Month | Arts & Crafts with Grandchildren
๐Ÿ“ Watsonville Senior Center
Outdoors
10:00 AM
See listing
Mobile Health Clinic
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

What's happening

Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.

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Showing 30 of 72 upcoming events ยท Outdoors ยท from 2026-07-29 ยท to 2026-08-05

Jul
29

World of Birds Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 AM โ€“ 3:30 PM ยท $300

Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive into the world of birds!

Jul
29

Pilates & Posture in the Pasture

๐Ÿ“ Beyond Liberty
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 10:00 AM ยท $10

Horses are deeply attuned to nonverbal cues; our posture, breath, and inner state shape how they respond. When weโ€™re centered, they notice. This gentle, horse aligned class explores the power of postureโ€”and how we show up . Through foundational Pilates-based movement, youโ€™ll deepen postural alignment, improve stability, and cultivate a calm, grounded presence.No experience needed.$10/class Free with membership: https://beyondliberty.org/groupwellnessmembership

Jul
29

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farmโ€™s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.

Community Outdoors Details โ†’
Jul
29

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $32

From Trees to Shining Seas โ€“ Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Todayโ€™s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
29

Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing

๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 PM โ€“ 3:00 PM ยท $25

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience Shakespeareโ€™s Much Ado About Nothing, un-der the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruzโ€™s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare Directed by Charles Pasternak One of Shakespeareโ€™s wittiest and most beloved comedies, the 2026 season will open with Shakespeareโ€™s Much Ado About Nothing. Of all the couples in Shakespeare, perhaps none is more widely loved than Beatrice and Benedick. Their battle of wits; their antagonism turned to eroticism; their history. Before the play begins, they already seem to define each other. The audience, like the other characters in the play, wait with excitement as their wits clash, and eventually, as their love blossoms. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 11 โ€“ August 30. More information or to purchase tickets, follow the link in the orange above, or contact the box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4pm at the number listed above.

Outdoors Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Jul
29

Santa Cruz: Wednesday Night Sailboat Races

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐Ÿ•’ 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.

Outdoors Free Details โ†’
Jul
29

Audrey Stanley Grove: Live Drama in the Redwoods

๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM โ€“ 11:00 PM ยท $25

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience August Wilsonโ€™s Fences, under the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruzโ€™s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Fences By August Wilson Directed by Susan Dalian August Wilson joins the Santa Cruz Shakespeare stage for the first time in 45 years. Fences is the perfect offering, wonderfully in line with the Santa Cruz Shakespeare seasonโ€™s theme: Till Death Do Us Part. Troy Maxson is one of Wilsonโ€™s great creations; Shakespearean in scope; a wordsmith and brilliant storyteller. He has survived the terrible trauma of his past and built himself a good life. But the backbone of that life, the spine that keeps it standing strong, is his wife Rose. Like all of Wilsonโ€™s best work, Fences is both mythic and intimate; the questions it asks both human and eternal. Fences runs July 28 โ€“ August 28. Tickets available for purchase starting May 1. More information through the link in the orange button above. Seasonal box office hours beginning May 1 are Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. to 4p.m. Call the number above.

Outdoors Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Jul
29

SC Beach Boardwalk: Evenings on the Colonnade

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 PM โ€“ 9:30 PM ยท FREE

Stay for the entertainment from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the Colonnade Deck! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by Magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Admission is free! Monday, June 15, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Tuesday, June 16, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan Wednesday, June 17, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with Fire Peach Friday, June 19, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of Ferris Buellerโ€™s Day Off movie on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 22, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game Friday, June 26, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of the movie Kicking and Screaming on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 29, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Tuesday, June 30, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with El Brick Friday, July 3, 2026 โ€“ Independence Day Celebrations Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday,

Jul
30

Summer Beer Sails

๐Ÿ“ Discretion Brewing
๐Ÿ•’ 12:00 AM ยท See listing

Enjoy Discretion on a boat! For schedule of beer cruises & tickets, visit the links below. We'll see you out on the oceanโ€ฆ Chardonnay Sailing Charters Discretion sails on 5/27, 8/26, 9/16, 10/21 O'Neill Yacht Charters Discretion sails on 6/27, 7/30, 8/9, 9/19, 10/11

Food & Drink Outdoors ๐Ÿ“ Soquel Details โ†’
Jul
30

World of Birds Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 AM โ€“ 3:30 PM ยท $300

Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive into the world of birds!

Jul
30

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farmโ€™s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.

Community Outdoors Details โ†’
Jul
30

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $32

From Trees to Shining Seas โ€“ Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Todayโ€™s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
30

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐Ÿ•’ 5:00 PM โ€“ 9:00 PM ยท FREE

Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port Districtโ€™s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.

Outdoors Free Details โ†’
Jul
30

Crowโ€™s Nest: Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
๐Ÿ•’ 5:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM ยท FREE

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

Jul
30

Audrey Stanley Grove: Live Drama in the Redwoods

๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM โ€“ 11:00 PM ยท $25

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience August Wilsonโ€™s Fences, under the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruzโ€™s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Fences By August Wilson Directed by Susan Dalian August Wilson joins the Santa Cruz Shakespeare stage for the first time in 45 years. Fences is the perfect offering, wonderfully in line with the Santa Cruz Shakespeare seasonโ€™s theme: Till Death Do Us Part. Troy Maxson is one of Wilsonโ€™s great creations; Shakespearean in scope; a wordsmith and brilliant storyteller. He has survived the terrible trauma of his past and built himself a good life. But the backbone of that life, the spine that keeps it standing strong, is his wife Rose. Like all of Wilsonโ€™s best work, Fences is both mythic and intimate; the questions it asks both human and eternal. Fences runs July 28 โ€“ August 28. Tickets available for purchase starting May 1. More information through the link in the orange button above. Seasonal box office hours beginning May 1 are Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. to 4p.m. Call the number above.

Outdoors Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Jul
30

SC Beach Boardwalk: Evenings on the Colonnade

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 PM โ€“ 9:30 PM ยท FREE

Stay for the entertainment from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the Colonnade Deck! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by Magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Admission is free! Monday, June 15, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Tuesday, June 16, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan Wednesday, June 17, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with Fire Peach Friday, June 19, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of Ferris Buellerโ€™s Day Off movie on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 22, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game Friday, June 26, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of the movie Kicking and Screaming on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 29, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Tuesday, June 30, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with El Brick Friday, July 3, 2026 โ€“ Independence Day Celebrations Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday,

Jul
31

World of Birds Summer Camp

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 AM โ€“ 3:30 PM ยท $300

Birds are fascinating and charismatic animals and the study of them is both fun and scientific. Campers will use scientific tools to study the many species of birds that visit the Museum and the surrounding habitats to study the great diversity of birds that call Santa Cruz home during the summer. Join us to dive into the world of birds!

Jul
31

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farmโ€™s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.

Community Outdoors Details โ†’
Jul
31

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Birding Walk

๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 1:00 PM ยท FREE

On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good walking shoes. Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. *Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.

Jul
31

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $32

From Trees to Shining Seas โ€“ Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Todayโ€™s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. The Beach Train will run weekends and holidays through May, and then daily June through the first week of August, then back to weekends and holidays to the end of September. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.

Jul
31

Wilder Ranch Junior Rangers Program

๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท FREE

Young adventurers are invited to join the Junior Ranger Program at Wilder Ranch State Park this summer! The free program is 11 a.m. to noon. Kids ages 7-12 are invited. Parents and guardians can learn more and register their young adventurers online. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park.

Jul
31

Audrey Stanley Grove: Much Ado About Nothing

๐Ÿ“ Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 PM โ€“ 11:00 PM ยท $25

Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites you to experience Shakespeareโ€™s Much Ado About Nothing, un-der the trees and stars of the Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruzโ€™s DeLaveaga Park this summer. Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare Directed by Charles Pasternak One of Shakespeareโ€™s wittiest and most beloved comedies, the 2026 season will open with Shakespeareโ€™s Much Ado About Nothing. Of all the couples in Shakespeare, perhaps none is more widely loved than Beatrice and Benedick. Their battle of wits; their antagonism turned to eroticism; their history. Before the play begins, they already seem to define each other. The audience, like the other characters in the play, wait with excitement as their wits clash, and eventually, as their love blossoms. Much Ado About Nothing runs July 11 โ€“ August 30. More information or to purchase tickets, follow the link in the orange above, or contact the box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4pm at the number listed above.

Outdoors Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Jul
31

SC Beach Boardwalk: Evenings on the Colonnade

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 PM โ€“ 9:30 PM ยท FREE

Stay for the entertainment from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the Colonnade Deck! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by Magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Admission is free! Monday, June 15, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Tuesday, June 16, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan Wednesday, June 17, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with Fire Peach Friday, June 19, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of Ferris Buellerโ€™s Day Off movie on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 22, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game Friday, June 26, 2026 โ€“ Free showing of the movie Kicking and Screaming on the beach at 9pm Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Monday, June 29, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Tuesday, June 30, 2026 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins Wednesday, July 1, 2026 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee! Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ Live Music with El Brick Friday, July 3, 2026 โ€“ Independence Day Celebrations Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm โ€“ DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company Sunday,

Jul
31

Roaring Camp: Sequoia Lights

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 8:30 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM ยท $15.9

This nighttime experience will bring you a magical and immersive perspective on the ancient forest at Roaring Camp. During the 0.8-mile loop walk, you will view 26 unique, lighted lanterns, hung approximately 50 feet above the ground. The lanterns were crafted by local artists including Anna Bobisuthi, Roaring Campโ€™s resident blacksmith, and Chris Butler, who also created the lighting design for Sequoias at Night. Tickets are available at the link in the orange button above. Kids under two enter for free. Roaring Campโ€™s food services and gift shop will be open.

Aug
1

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Birdwatching

๐Ÿ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 AM โ€“ 10:00 AM ยท See listing

We are offering a bird-watching program on August 1st at 8:00 am. Join us to learn all about life histories, behaviors, field markings, etc. On this 1-mile walk, we will make specific observations about characteristics that will certainly help us quack the case for many bird identifications! Let's plan to meet in the campground off of graham hill road. Hope to see you there! Make sure to bring binoculars and weather-appropriate attire. RSVP for this event at this page .

Aug
1

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farmโ€™s show-quality dahlia beds for intimate, unhurried cutting experiences where you and your friends have the field to yourselves. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your people, and a thousand flowers. Companion passes are available for guests who want to join the fun, explore the farm, and take in the beauty without cutting flowers. Friendly chickens roam the property, there are swings for little ones.

Community Outdoors Details โ†’

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