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📍 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.

★ Featured this season

Promotional image for Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute! ★ Featured Event
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 · 4:00 PM

Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute!

📍 The Puppetry Institute · Capitola · See listing

Important News from The Puppetry Institute Like many arts organizations, we’ve been navigating the realities of a challenging economic landscape. Running two separate locations has become increasingly difficult, and after a great deal of thought we’ve made the decision to move from our previous location and reopen our art school inside our MIDDLEOF space, unit D-06 in the Capitola Mall. While change is never easy, we truly believe this move creates something exciting. By bringing everything together under one roof, we’ll be able to continue offering our incredible workshops while also having enough space for our interactive puppetry installations, art gallery, and live performances. It allows us to create a home where imagination, education, and immersive art can exist side by side. These are difficult times for the arts, and organizations like ours are constantly finding creative ways to keep the magic alive. We believe this move will help ensure that we can continue sharing our unique brand of creativity, storytelling, and wonder with the Central Coast community we’re proud to call home for the past 10 years Thank you to everyone who has supported us through every chapter of this journey. Your encouragement, attendance, donations, and belief in what we do continue to make all of this possible. We’re excited for this next adventure and can’t wait to welcome you into this new chapter of The Puppetry Institute. Learn more about who we are and what we do please visit us Sept 4th from 4-7pm for a tour of our classroom and our magical 5000 sq ft

Art & Culture Family 📍 Capitola Details →
Promotional image for 43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival ★ Featured
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 · Capitola Village

43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

Stroll the festival with friends and family, sipping exceptional wines from Santa Cruz Mountain wineries while admiring the artistic talents of over 100 fine artists. Sway to live music and be inspired by local dance groups while taking in the ocean breeze and breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay. Feed your cravings with tantalizing cuisine from local food purveyors, and cruise through the Artisans Marketplace for locally handcrafted goods. If that isn’t enough, Capitola Village is filled with restaurants for every taste and charming boutiques to satisfy a shopper’s dream. Art, wine, music, and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Village…summer’s last hurrah, and truly a weekend in paradise! This event is from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, September 12 and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 13. See link to the event in the orange box above.

Food & Drink 📍 Capitola
Promotional image for Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 · Breath + Oneness

Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course

⚡ Ceremony of Sound ⚡ Breath+Oneness’ 100-hour Sound Healing Certification Course Get Certified in 4 weekends over 4 months ✨ Designed for beginner and intermediate musicians, healers, yoga teachers, therapists, and anyone who wants to use resonance and vibration in their offerings, ceremonies, and classes. ♢ Add to your current career or start a new one as you share your gift of sound healing with the world ♢ Become who you are meant to be! Follow your purpose, passion, and artistic expression into the embrace of sound healing 🎵🎵🎵 _____________________________ 📅 Fall Session 2026 | 4 Weekends over 4 Months All days are 8:30am-5:30pm 9/4-9/6 10/3-10/4 11/7-11/8 12/4-12/6 🙌 EARLY BIRD pricing! Register by May 31st to save $250 on tuition. 😍 In order to provide each participant with personal feedback and to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with our cohort, we keep the group size limited. Register early for early bird pricing and to reserve your spot! Staff teachers: Lead Teacher: Dallas McKenzie Co-Lead Teacher: Adron Beene Support Teachers: Alex Harrison, Sam David, and Carrie Arlah Burr _____________________________ This course is for you if you want to: - Initiate or expand your relationship with music, sound, resonance, and vibration - Deepen your ability to heal and offer healing to others - Play many different instruments (including renowned brands Meinl Sonic Energy and Crystal Tones crystal singing bowls) and develop further with the ones you resonate with most - Set and hold ceremonial space through prayer, intention, and sound - Take people on journeys, sound baths, potent yoga classes, and more - Explore vibrational healing instruments such as Crystal Tones crystal bowls, your voice, drums, flute, digeridoo, chimes, gong, and much more - Deepen and expand your self-expression and artistry - Connect with an intimate group of no more than 15 students along with your mentors and teachers for ample individualized attention and personal practice _____

Music 📍 Capitola
Promotional image for September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary! Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 · Treehouse Dispensary

September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary!

Photo: Ariel Taylor with artwork Deeper FIRST FRIDAY at TREEHOUSE! Celebrate the last month of Summer with us! Community over everything. <3 We offer specials on our featured cannabis brands, discounts on artists who have work on display, and a penny wheel for you to spin when you spend over $50! Specials run all day! Resident Artists on Display: Cole Lemke (aka Chump Magic), Ariel Taylor, Brittany Costanzo, & Mio Kamstra-Brown Featured Cannabis Brands (Some will be here in person from 11:00am – 1:00pm!): • Allswell • Arcata Fire • Auntie Aloha • BLOOM • Daze Off • Glass House Farms • Give Thanks/ Stony's Reserves • Greenline • Habitat • Heavy Hitters • Jetty • Kanha • KwikEase • Maven Genetics • Not Your Father's • Pabst • Pacific Stone • PLUS • Punch • Pure Beauty • Raw Garden • Shooters • Space Craft • St. Ides •. UpNorth • Follow us on Instagram @treehousedispensary_sc! Head to our website for all the details! www.OurTreehouse.io · (831) 471-8289 · 3651 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA · C10-0000105-LIC · 21+ only please We can't wait to see you there! 🙂 Swing by to look at the art on our walls & take advantage of our dope deals!

Art & Culture 📍 Soquel
Promotional image for Free First Friday Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 · 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 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz

☀️ Happening today

Friday, September 4

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

1:00 AM
See listing
ReView
📍 Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
Education
8:30 AM
$2600
Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course
📍 Breath + Oneness
Music
9:00 AM
$10
First Friday $10 Coworking
📍 NextSpace Santa Cruz
Community
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
📍 Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Mindful Movement with Horses
📍 BEYOND liberty
Sports
9:30 AM
See listing
Evergreen Volunteer Days
📍 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Mothersong
📍 Watsonville
Art & Culture
11:00 AM
See listing
September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary!
📍 Treehouse Dispensary
Art & Culture

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Showing 60 of 128 upcoming events · from 2026-09-05 · to 2026-09-06

Sep
5

ReView

📍 Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
🕒 1:00 AM – 12:59 AM · See listing

Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery August 13-September 19, 2026 Opening celebration and Artist Talk Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30 p.m Light refreshments will be served. Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm ReView: UC Santa Cruz Arts Alumni Exhibition features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, ReView includes a wide variety of media and techniques highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time. This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UC Santa Cruz. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community. ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation. ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community. Admission is free and open to the public. More Information

Education Free 📍 UCSC Details →
Sep
5

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Birding for Beginners

📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🕒 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM · FREE

Learn all about life histories, behaviors, field markings, etc. On this 1-mile walk, you will make specific observations about characteristics that will certainly help you quack the case for many bird identifications! Make sure to bring binoculars and weather appropriate attire. For this month, meet in front of the Henry Cowell Visitor Center, near the redwood loop trail. Free event. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park or beach, you have paid for parking at all of them, and there are over 14 in Santa Cruz County alone!

Sep
5

Farmers Market Aptos

📍 Cabrillo College Aptos Campus
🕒 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing

For many of us the upcoming Labor Day is the end of summer. That may be but that is hardly the end of the most delicious produce available anywhere. There are still many summer fruits and certainly a wide variety of beautiful vegetables to be had. Come out and talk to the vendors about new and interesting recipes to delight your palate and your eye. More sites and times are available at https://www.montereycfb.com

Markets Food & Drink 📍 Midtown Details →
Sep
5

Cars and Coffee

📍 East Lake Village Shopping Center
🕒 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM · FREE

Classic cars and coffee every Saturday morning, in East Lake Village Shopping Center. It doesn't get much better. Come walk around the expansive parking lot, look at some beautifully restored cars, drink delicious coffee, and visit with your community. Stay awhile and enjoy one of the many great eateries in the shopping center!

Food & Drink Free 📍 Watsonville Details →
Sep
5

Beach Clean up

📍 Moran Lake Beach
🕒 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM · FREE

Please join Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz and Save Our Shores to help keep our coastline pristine. It’s a great way to connect with neighbors and protect our local marine life. We provide gloves, bags, fresh donuts, and hot coffee. Meet us at the East Cliff Drive parking lot.

Sep
5

Volunteer@ Lighthouse Field!

📍 Lighthouse Field State Beach
🕒 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE

Come get your hands dirty and help native plants thrive in some of the park’s most popular day-use areas and trails! Volunteers will water and weed around previously planted native plants while removing invasive and non-native vegetation, including ice plant, Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, mustard, wild radish, and other weeds. We’ll use hand tools like hori horis, Pulaskis, hand clippers, and loppers, plus 5-gallon buckets and other equipment to haul water to thirsty plants. Ages 8 and older are welcome! Minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed waiver. Snacks will be provided, but we recommend bringing a personal lunch. Want something extra? Steamers Lane Coffee Supply has food, snacks, and refreshments available for purchase. Come lend a hand, get some fresh air, and help keep the park’s native habitat healthy and thriving! 🌿 REGISTER HERE: https://volunteer.calparks.org/opportunity/a3tJw000002qFeXIAU/lighthouse-field-state-beach Meeting Location: 644-670 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Google Link : https://goo.gl/maps/Wowc8kYVpneDUKoV7 The most convenient parking is in the lots near Steamer Lane Coffee Supply. There is also street parking available on Pelton Ave if the lot is full. Carpooling is recommended. Meet in the open field immediately behind Steamer Lane Supply. Volunteer event signs will be posted at the entrances to the parking lots to help guide volunteers to the correct location.

Outdoors Free 📍 Westside Details →
Sep
5

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

📍 Dynomite Farm
🕒 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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 →
Sep
5

Santa Cruz Beach Train

📍 Roaring Camp Railroads
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $32

From Trees to Shining Seas – 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. Today’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.

Sep
5

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

📍 Elkhorn Slough Reserve
🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · FREE

Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

Sep
5

Luz del Valle Farm: U-Pick Apples

📍 Luz de Valle Farm
🕒 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · $12

Ticket price includes 1 pound of apples in addition to what you pick during your timed hour on the farm. Click the link in the orange button above to reserve your hour time slot. Apples are notorious for not reading travel itineraries. Please double check on what is ready to be picked before you go!

Outdoors Food & Drink 📍 Aptos & Seacliff Details →
Sep
5

Ben Lomond County Park: Village Market

📍 Ben Lomond County Park
🕒 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · FREE

Held on the first Saturday of each month from June through October, this vibrant market offers fresh produce, handmade crafts, delicious foods, and live music. Enjoy family-friendly activities and meet talented local creators. Whether you’re shopping for unique goods, savoring local flavors, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the Village is a must-visit event.

Markets Food & Drink 📍 San Lorenzo Valley Details →
Sep
5

Soul Collage

📍 Santa Cruz
🕒 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM · See listing

Call to register or if you have questions: 457-2273 Location will vary so call for details The facilitator will bring photos. You are responsible for purchasing materials (see below). Discover your Wisdom with SoulCollage® Let's explore our inner selves. Using images, imagination and intuition, you will begin to create your own personal deck of collaged cards. Part art project, part spiritual practice, SoulCollage® allows you to deepen your understanding of yourself and tap into your inner wisdom that can guide you on important life decisions. In a fun, creative, and relaxed environment, you will create cards that will reveal parts of your personality, your archetypes, and other guides, allies, and challengers. We will talk about the ways you can use your personal deck of collaged cards to tap into your inner wisdom. No art experience necessary. Anyone can create SoulCollage® cards! We use scissors, glue, and images cut from magazines to create our cards. You’ll take home several finished cards—and no doubt a love for this creative process! Please bring with you : * Scissors * Glue stick (best kind is Pioneer glue stick) * 8 x 5 mat board * Pen & Notebook

Art & Culture Wellness Details →
Sep
5

All-Star Fest

📍 Highway 17 Studios
🕒 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM · FREE

On Saturday, September 5, we're filling a 20,000sq ft event space with an absolutely stacked lineup of restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, makers, artists, and assorted businesses from Santa Cruz and beyond.

Festivals Food & Drink 📍 Westside Details →
Sep
5

Hwy 17 Studios: All-Star Food Fest

📍 Hwy 17 Studios
🕒 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM · FREE

Collective Santa Cruz and DoubleMeatPlease from Instagram are brining together some of the best restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, food trucks, pop ups, and local makers from all over Santa Cruz County. And they’re packing them in a BRAND NEW VENUE that’s 20,0000sq ft! Your favorite food spots/makers, and so many bangers you can’t wait to see! All in one spot. All for one day!

Festivals Food & Drink 📍 Westside Details →
Sep
5

Wilder Ranch State Park: Living History Dairy Ranch

📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · FREE

Go on a trip back in time to experience what life would have been like on a working dairy ranch in the early 1900s. At this living history event, costumed docents will guide you through the past and take you into historic homes, barns, and workshops. Learn all about the park partners and how they help Wilder Ranch and experience old-fashioned crafts, activities, and games at this family-friendly event. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you pay for parking at one state park, you have paid for all of them for the day, and there are over 14 in Santa Cruz County alone!

Sep
5

UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours

📍 UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM · $10

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide and the people who join in. You might learn more about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with extreme weather and climate conditions.

Outdoors Education 📍 UCSC Details →
Sep
5

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

📍 Santa Cruz Harbor
🕒 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · 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 District’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.

Sep
5

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum

📍 Arboretum
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide, and the people who join in. For example, you might learn about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with our extreme weather and climate conditions. Tours are free with paid admission.

Education Outdoors 📍 UCSC Details →
Sep
5

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM · FREE

On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Outdoors Family 📍 North Coast Details →
Sep
5

Family Storytime

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 11:30 AM · See listing

Saturday, September 05 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Step into a world of imagination with stories, rhymes, and songs for children ages 0–8, shared with families and caregivers in a warm, welcoming space.

Community Family Details →
Sep
5

The Riveted Readers Book Discussion Club

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 11:30 AM · See listing

Saturday, September 05 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Have you been hankering for an in-person book club? Join us on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30AM-12PM in our cozy Fireside Room for a friendly book discussion group.

Community Education Details →
Sep
5

Harp Lessons for All Ages

📍 Soulcare Studios
🕒 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM · $40

Discover the calming and creative power of music 🎶 Our beginner-friendly harp lessons offer a peaceful space to learn something new, connect with sound, and explore music in a supportive group setting. No experience is needed, and instruments are provided. 🗓 1st & 3rd Saturdays 🎵 All levels welcome ⚠️ Limited to 10 spots—advance booking recommended

Education Family 📍 Soquel Details →
Sep
5

M. K. Art Gallery: Confluence

📍 m.k. contemporary art gallery
🕒 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE

“Confluence”: where separate currents meet. This beautiful exhibition pairs the work of Santa Cruz artists Susana Arias and Glenn Carter, on view August 7 through September 13 at M.K. Contemporary Art Gallery. “Confluence” is exhibited alongside of 25+ local and regional artists whose work we adore. Live improvisational jazz music from “The Leftovers” at the opening on the First Friday of August from 6-8PM

Community Art & Culture 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz Details →
Sep
5

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Redwood Loop Tour

📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🕒 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM · See listing

Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!

Sep
5

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk

📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🕒 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM · FREE

Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don’t want to miss this! Meet at the visitor center. Although the event is free, the vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park, you have paid for them all. There are 14 state parks in Santa Cruz County alone!

Sep
5

SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK

📍 SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
🕒 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · FREE

SANTA CRUZ TRANS POTLUCK - Saturday May 2nd, 12pm - 3pm at SubRosa (703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz). Trans ppl!!! Bring ur friends! * Make Trans Friends * Share Food * Build Community Community announcements at 2pm. This can include things like board game nights or dinners, more formal planned events, or a milestone you feel like sharing with the community! This is a dry space (no alcohol) - Masks encouraged (available at SubRosa). Send feedback or suggestions to: [email protected] —@@@@@— SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a constellation of projects that support skill-sharing, appropriate re/use of resources, and interconnected, creative communities - since 1994! More about the Hub i

Sep
5

Wilder Ranch State Park - Ranch History Tour

📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · See listing

Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions?Call (669)758-1963or email [email protected]

Sep
5

Wilder Ranch: Historic Grounds Tours

📍 Wilder Ranch State Park
🕒 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · FREE

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. Meet at the visitor’s center. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Hold on to that receipt! Once you have paid for parking at one state park or beach, you have paid for the day at all of them! There are over 14 in Santa Cruz County alone. For more information, email [email protected] or call (669)758-1963. Click the link in the orange button above to reserve your spot!

Cultural Event Free 📍 North Coast Details →
Sep
5

Re/View: Alumni Exhibition -- UC Santa Cruz

📍 Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
🕒 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM · FREE

Opening celebration and Artist Talk on Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Re/View: Alumni Exhibition ReView: UCSC Arts Alumni Exhibition, on view August 13-September 19, 2026, features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, includes a wide variety of media and technique highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time. This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UCSC. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community. ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation. ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community. Admission is free and open to the public. Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm

Art & Culture Free 📍 UCSC Details →
Sep
5

Annieglass Craftbar: Glass Coasters Workshop

📍 Annieglass
🕒 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM · $85

Make your own beautiful set of four glass coasters with Smithsonian artist, Annie Morhauser. Everything you need will be provided—glass, stencils, colorful glass enamels, adhesive feet, and expert guidance throughout the process. You’ll design and decorate 4″ glass squares, then load them into the kilns (don’t worry—they’ll be off!). Annieglass will fire your pieces for you, and you can have them shipped to your home. Want a full set of eight? Book two workshops! You’ll also receive 15% off Annieglass first-quality pieces on the day of the event. Sparkling waters provided. Half bottles & bottles of wine available for purchase.

Community Art & Culture 📍 Watsonville Details →
Sep
5

Nicholson Vineyards: Summer Series

📍 Nicholson Vineyards
🕒 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · $25

Enjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from 1pm to 4pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians Pack a picnic spread, gather your friends and family, and sip on their refreshing summer wine flight, featuring the best of our warm-weather selections. Book your reservation today! July 11 & 12: The Clay Chalet and music by Dos Bros July 18 & 19: Indigo and Vine and music by Jo Coleman July 25 & 26: Sour Sammy Sourdough and music by Six String Mixtape August 1 & 2: Scout and Sea and music by Half Pass August 8 & 9: Lili Arnold Studios and music by Eden Edell August 15 & 16: Desert Moon Design and music by Kip Allert August 22 & 23: Papelline Jewelry and music by Zach Bailey August 29 & 30: Anna Gail Designs and music by Jeff Smith September 5 & 6: All You Knead and music by Cake Party!

Food & Drink Music 📍 Aptos & Seacliff Details →
Sep
5

Soul Collage

📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
🕒 1:00 PM · See listing

Saturday, September 05 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm Manifest your visions, desires, and dreams through the art of Soul Collage!

Community Art & Culture Details →
Sep
5

Breath, Beats & Beyond: A Rhythm And Breathwork Journey

📍 Kula Connections
🕒 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM · $35

This is not a drumming class, nor is it simply a breathwork session. It is an invitation to experience how breath and rhythm work together to calm the nervous system, quiet the analytical mind, and awaken a deeper sense of presence. Together, we'll explore belly breathing, vocal toning, gentle body awareness, simple hand drumming, and rhythmic shaker practices that anyone can enjoy, no musical ability required. Each workshop is designed as a complete stand-alone experience while also serving as the foundation for those who wish to continue exploring the transformative relationship between rhythm and breath. Rather than learning increasingly complicated techniques, we'll return to these timeless practices again and again, allowing them to deepen with each experience. No experience is necessary. Drums and rhythm instruments are provided, and each participant will receive two complimentary egg shakers to continue practicing at home. Before language, there was rhythm. Before thought, there was breath. Join wellness educator and breathwork guide Elizabeth Borelli and award-winning percussionist Jim Greiner for an immersive experience that reconnects you with the two rhythms that have guided human life since the beginning: your breath and your heartbeat.

Wellness Music 📍 Capitola Details →
Sep
5

Beehive Dive & Honey Tasting

📍 Chaminade Resort and Spa
🕒 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM · $140

Through the hands-on exploration of a bustling beehive on Chaminade's grounds, you will learn about the intriguing world of honey bees in a way that very few get to experience. Your hive tour, led by Northern Roots Bee Co.’s professional beekeepers, will include suiting up in beekeeping attire and learning about the different roles and contributions that bees make in the colony. We’ll finish the experience with a honey tasting where participants delight in the nuanced flavors of varietal honeys. This experience is open to overnight resort guests and community members.

Outdoors Food & Drink 📍 Midtown Details →
Sep
5

Roberts Ranch: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert

📍 Roberts Ranch Vineyards
🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · $12.51

Acoustic musical guests make for a lively accompaniment to the afternoon! Enjoy a tasting of 5 of the current Roberts Ranch wines complete with abundant charcuterie boards! Meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, chocolate and even warm appetizers make appearances at this lovely and casual tasting experience. (See Seltzer & Charcuterie option for those not partaking in the wine tasting.) Your tasting begins at the crush pad where you will sign in and get your first pour and plate of charcuterie. From there you are welcome to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the views. Pace your tasting and food experience according to your preference. Enjoy a flavorful and relaxing afternoon! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Please sign up for a child’s ticket so they can be prepared with snacks and drinks for the kids.

Sep
5

Soundacruz

📍 Summit Gazebo and Mountain Community Complex
🕒 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE

Soundacruz is a free festival of sound arts in the Santa Cruz mountains. Hear unique sounds and music in a natural setting

Festivals Free Details →
Sep
5

1st Saturdays with Love Creek

📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · See listing

5:30-7:30pm Love Creek is a folk-rock/jam band from Santa Cruz, California. Current band members consist of Malakai Lawton (vocals/guitar), Alex Bahler (lead guitar), Ryan Jensen (bass/vocals), Ed Levy (keys), and Rob Borella (drums). Love Creek pulls from a musical headwaters of jam band and folk rock influences, creating original material that is both heartfelt and powerful, both lyrically and instrumentally. Along with a growing repertoire of original songs, Love Creek also performs music written by artists such as: Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Jerry Garcia Band, The Cure, Van Morrison, Marshall Tucker Band, Rusted Root, America, as well as many others. Catch them every 1st Saturday of the month!

Music Food & Drink 📍 Soquel Details →
Sep
5

Hardcore show

📍 SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
🕒 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing

“Do you wanna dance?” Well… fun hardcore show at SubRosa Saturday September 5th! With… * Eliminators - SF straightedge - @acexedge ** Different Method - SF hardcore - @differentmethod_hc *** ForestAvenue - punx on tour from 530 - @forest_ave_band **** Cross Checked - SF/Sac straightedge punk - @cross_checked__ Doors 6pm & Music 7pm - 10pm // $15 at door - notaflof!* // all-ages // dry space // safe(r) space // anti-capitalist space // respect the space and each other! *no one turned away for lack of funds SubRosa is at 703 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA —@@@@@— SubRosa is a collectively run anarchist community space - a place to meet people, share resources and ideas, challenge our assumptions and act on our passions. Let’s create together the world(s) we want to live in now. @subrosa_space And SubRosa is part of the Hub Community Center at 703 Pacific Ave in downtown Santa Cruz - a constellation of projects that support skill-sharing, appropriate re/use of resources, and in

Sep
5

Bash at the Shack: Birthday Party and Concert

📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
🕒 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM · $10

The waters are chummed, the amps are cranked and costumed-themed-surf-metal act Shark in the Water from Oakland, CA are ready to devour absolutely everyone on the patio of Shanty Shack Brewing. Helping to tenderize the crowd are Santa Cruz's own surfabilly sensations The Surf Creeps and Pacific Groves skate punk rascals Apricot Court. If you skip this you may find yourself hunted in the water next time you go to the beach. It's a tiki party (sorta)! If you wanna get down with the spirit of the evening bring a tiki cup for your beer and wear your grooviest Hawaiian shirt! Shark in the Water like their food gift-wrapped in loud patterns with a pineapple garnish. Actual Food (For Humans): Delicious Hawaiian food will be available on-site so you can eat while Shark in the Water prepare to eat you! All-ages!

Music Family Details →
Sep
5

A Tribute To Sly & The Family Stone

📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing

This ensemble of mostly Bay Area/Marin musicians played what was supposed to be a “two-off” Sly & The Family Stone tribute this past March at Hopmonk Novato and Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz. Magic happened during those two shows, and everyone agreed, just with facial expressions and body language, that we must keep this going and do more shows. Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, Vicki Randle, Ray White, Mookie Siegel, Ezra Lipp, Steve Adams, Marcus Stephens and Brendan Liu were the perfect ensemble to interpret Sly’s music those two fantastic evenings. Vocals, instrumentation, passion and spirit all turned up to 11. For the September ’26 shows, we are thrilled to announce that Natalie Cressman will be joining the ensemble on trombone and vocals. She’s a tenured member of the Trey Anastasio Band among other incredible projects. This project is FUN and it fully delivered in March. That was just a warmup! These Sept shows will be talked about and cherished for a very long time! Tickets: Booking powered by FareHarbor fareharbor.com

Sep
5

Private Lives by Noel Coward, presented by Santa Cruz Shakespeare

📍 The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga
🕒 7:00 PM · See listing

There’s a thin line between love and hate and sometimes, it’s the barrier between balconies. That’s the premise of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. Two divorced lovers find themselves spending their new honeymoons next door to one another at the same hotel. Both are egotistical, passionate, and selfish, so how are they going to manage to live next to each other at a hotel? Better yet, how are they going to live without each other? This laugh-out-loud comedy is rich, witty and as sharp as Cupid’s arrow. See the play on Friday, September 4th for a matinee preview or check out one of the multiple showings through October 4th. -Mat Weir; Good Times Santa Cruz

Art & Culture Outdoors 📍 Midtown Details →

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