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 Free First Friday Coming up
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

Free First Friday

Make the MAH your first stop this weekend with FREE First Friday. Explore all three floors of the museum and see our latest exhibitions, check out our giftshop, and hangout among art and history! Then stay into the night dancing to live music out in Abbott Square. First Friday hours are 12-8pm. See you then!

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Community
Coming up
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Β· Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Jazz at the Library

Friday, August 07 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm Join us at the Downtown Library and enjoy free jazz music by local musicians.

Community
Promotional image for Creative Kontrol: AI and the Future of Music Coming up
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Β· Civic Auditorium

Creative Kontrol: AI and the Future of Music

On August 8th, composer Clarice Assad’s new commissioned work, Kontrol, will premiere at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. The afternoon before, Assad will join D. Riley Nicholson, Executive Director of the Cabrillo Festival, and Pranav Anand, Faculty Director of The Humanities Institute, for a pre-rehearsal discussion about the inspirations for the piece, which explores impacts of AI on musical creation and performance, both now and in the near future. Stay afterward for the final rehearsal of Kontrol before the premiere on the 8th. Free and open to the public.

Music πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for Community Bridges WIC 19th Annual Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair Coming up
Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Β· Community Bridges Plaza

Community Bridges WIC 19th Annual Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair

We invite you to join us for our 19th Annual WIC Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair, on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 3pm. We will be celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and sharing information about our services and those of our community partners. There will be fun activities for the whole family, music, healthy snacks, raffle prizes, and more. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated around the world to highlight the importance of human milk and it's impact on health.

Festivals πŸ“ Watsonville

β˜€οΈ Happening today

Friday, August 7

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

9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
πŸ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
First Friday $10 Coworking
πŸ“ NextSpace Santa Cruz
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Mindful Movement with Horses
πŸ“ BEYOND liberty
Sports
9:30 AM
See listing
Evergreen Volunteer Days
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
CLAY INDEPENDENT LAB TIME
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
FREE
Resource Recovery Public Summer Tours
πŸ“ City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
Community
10:00 AM
$32
Santa Cruz Beach Train
πŸ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Family
10:30 AM
See listing
Mothersong
πŸ“ Watsonville
Art & Culture
11:00 AM
See listing
Bridge Club @ La Selva Beach
πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

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 2026-08-07 Β· to 2026-08-14

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†’