Skip to content
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 Sylvia Cuenca's Bridging Generations feat. Wallace Roney Jr Coming up
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Β· Kuumbwa Jazz

Sylvia Cuenca's Bridging Generations feat. Wallace Roney Jr

In 2026, jazz is often considered an old person’s genre. Let’s face it, it’s not like the jazz clubs are the hot spots all the kids are clamoring to get into. However, Sylvia Cuenca is trying to change that. A powerhouse drummer from the San Francisco and New York scenes, Cuenca is bringing together multiple generations of musicians together to play original numbers as well as standards throughout America’s past. Featuring saxophonist Rico Jones, pianist David Kikoski, Wallace Roney Jr. on trumpet, and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet, they are showing every generation why jazz will never go out of style. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Comedy Night! Coming up
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Β· Woodhouse Blending & Brewing

Comedy Night!

Do not miss this showcase!

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Young and Dead Coming up
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Β· Felton Music Hall

Young and Dead

Purchase tickets here Show 8pm // 21+ ***This is a standing room general admissions show. There will be a limited number of chairs located in the back of the concert hall. Seating will be first come first served. Bar and food will be open at 5pm.

Music πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley
Promotional image for Anthony Arya Coming up
Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Anthony Arya

Anthony Arya plays the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with his band on the Colonnade stage Thu August 6th 8:30-9:30 pm.

Music πŸ“ Beach & Boardwalk

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Thursday, August 6

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

12:00 AM
See listing
National IPA Day - Laughing Monk
πŸ“ Laughing Monk Brewing
Comedy
12:00 AM
See listing
Submerge - Going Deep in Dance
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Yoga
Art & Culture
9:00 AM
See listing
Joe Melendrez
πŸ“ Christian Retreat Center
Music
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (2/6)
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
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
10:30 AM
See listing
Bilingual Toddler Storytime
πŸ“ Watsonville Civic Plaza
Family
11:00 AM
FREE
Guided Mindfulness for Queers and Friends Hosted by TDC @ TDC
πŸ“ 1117 Soquel Ave.
LGBTQ+

What's happening

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

Quick: Today This weekend Next 7 days Area Clear all

7 upcoming events Β· Sports Β· from 2026-08-06 Β· to 2026-08-13

Aug
7

Mindful Movement with Horses

πŸ“ BEYOND liberty
πŸ•’ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Β· $10

Mindful Movement with Horses Blending Tai Chi, Qigong, Horses and Mindfulness and informed by Polyvagal Theory, this class supports nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and safe connectionβ€”with yourself, the herd, and the natural world. All proceeds benefit BEYOND liberty, a nonprofit horse sanctuary and equine education center improving the lives of both humans and horses through education, experiential learning and wellness and enrichment programs. $10 drop-in. Registration required: https://BeyondLibertyandPMR.as.me/MindfulnessThroughMovement

Aug
9

Tri Santa Cruz

πŸ“ Cowell Beach
πŸ•’ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Β· $102.2

Tri Santa Cruz is one of the most fun and scenic events on the west coast. The race has a sprint and international (Olympic) distance triathlon, with relays and aquabike categories for both races. There is a special, non-competitive Family & Friends wave for people who are new to triathlon or just want to have a fun day. The sheltered swim and flat bike and run course make this a perfect place for a first race. The bike ride is a totally closed course and both the bike and run courses follow the coastline to create one of the most scenic races around! It also makes cheering on your athlete a vacation itself!

Aug
10

Paradigm Sport Defense Clinic

πŸ“ Jade Street Park
πŸ•’ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Β· $250

A Softball specific weekly clinic designed to keep our gloves and our feet smooth on defense. This clinic is held once a week at Jade Street Park by our college level coaches that are working on fundamentals, form, and execution. Clinic is for 12+ athletes.

Aug
12

Paradigm Sport Fall Softball Offense Clinic

πŸ“ Jade Street Park
πŸ•’ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Β· $250

This is a clinic for Softball Athletes 12+, designed specific to athletes by athletes. Throughout three 4-week sessions, athletes will focus on every aspect of becoming a complete offensive player. We'll cover hitting mechanics, swing fundamentals, approach at the plate, pitch selection, live pitching, front toss, situational execution, base running, and the mental side of the game.

Aug
12

Gay Beach Volleyball (Outside Community Series)

πŸ“ Court 16, Santa Cruz Main Beach Volleyball, 270 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
πŸ•’ 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM Β· FREE

Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball Date : Wednesdays, last session October 28 Time : 5:30 - 10:00 pm Location : Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) Cost : Free Santa Cruz Gay Beach Volleyball has been fabulizing Main Beach since 1979. We meet at 5:30 pm on Main Beach Court 16 (across from La Bahia) every Wednesday evening during Daylight Saving Time and play till it's too dark or too cold or we're just hungry. All skill levels - including no skill at all - are welcome. We're here to have fun, connect and yes, sometimes even play surprisingly good volleyball. Socializing on the sidelines is often as busy as the playing on our courts. Afterwards we head to dinner at a local restaurant or sometimes a potluck. Free to participate. ALL (yes, we mean you!) are welcome. Come out and play! .

Aug
13

FREE Event: Invitation to a Calmer, Happier You

πŸ“ Beach Access Stairs on 20th Avenue Villa Maria Del Mar
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Β· FREE

Free Holistic Class: Your Invitation to a Calmer, Happier You On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the public is invited to a free introductory class in a practice that reduces stress, helps the body heal, quiets the mind, and opens the heart, ultimately gifting the practitioner with the experience of unconditional love. The free event will be held on the beach below Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz from 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Beach access stairs are on 20th Avenue with street parking on East Cliff between 18th & 19th Avenue and any side streets. The practice, called Sheng Zhen, includes moving and non-moving meditation; the Thursday class will focus on meditative movements done standing up led by local teachers Edward Willey and Kathy Welch. Anyone interested in inner peace, physical or emotional healing, spiritual awakening or creating a more peaceful, harmonious world is encouraged to attend. The event is hosted by Sheng Zhen Santa Cruz, which is also hosting a five-day retreat for Sheng Zhen teachers and practitioners from around the country who want to deepen their practice. Retreat participants will be at the public event. For more information about Sheng Zhen and the nonprofit organization, visit www.shengzhenamericas.org For more information about the Thursday event or ongoing Sheng Zhen classes offered in Santa Cruz, contact Kathy Welch at [email protected].

Sports Free Details β†’

Never miss a beach day, show, or street fair.

Join the Santa Cruz Scene newsletter for local discounts, community highlights, and the best curated events delivered to your inbox each month.

We use your email only to send the newsletter. How we handle your info

No spam, just the Scene. Curious who we are? Read our story.

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 β†’