Oct
8
Join us for the Women in Business Summit: The Future of Work: Women Leading, Whatβs Next. Our annual event brings professional women throughout Santa Cruzβ¦
Santa Cruz Scene: What's happening in Santa Cruz County
From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.
Santa Cruz Scene (santacruzscene.com) is a free daily calendar of in-person events across Santa Cruz County, California.
See what's on this weekend βIn-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.
β Featured this season
β
Featured Event
Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Β· 7:00 PM
The Kick Off - Sonivore Listening Lounge
π Sonivore Β· Downtown Santa Cruz Β· $25
THE KICK OFF is a one-night fundraiser for the Sonivore Listening Lounge at 701 Front Street. DJs, live performances, visual art by Made Fresh Crewβ¦
Art & Culture
Music
π Downtown Santa Cruz
Details β
β
Featured
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
Afrobeats Nite at the IAS
Join us for a night of dancing, joy, and community organized by Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz featuring DJ Mai Girl and DJ Monk Earl. Inβ¦
Education
π Westside
β
Featured
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 Β· Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Adventure Night
Rio Theatre & Sante Adairius Midtown Portal team up to support Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship Join us for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festivalβ¦
Art & Culture
π Midtown
Coming up
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· The Crepe Place
THE GUITARSONISTS
A live set from The Guitarsonists, bringing blues and R&B to a local stage.
Music
π Midtown
Coming up
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Β· Discretion Brewing
Blue Lemonade
5:30-7:30pm Blue Lemonade is an Americana band based out of Santa Cruz/Santa Barbara playing both originals and covers from bluegrass and folk to blues andβ¦
Music
π Soquel
βοΈ Happening today
Thursday, October 871 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day β
9:00 AM
$150
Women in Business Summit
π Mission Springs
Community
9:00 AM
See listing
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (4/6)
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Bay Tree Building Furniture Sit Test Open House
π McHenry Library
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Bilingual Toddler Storytime
π Main Library
Family
10:30 AM
See listing
Wings Birth Certificate & Notary Services
π Downtown Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
See listing
Demystifying the IRB: ask us anything!
π McHenry Library
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Astrophotography With Keith Kirk
π Scotts Valley Branch Library
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
π Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Rabid Reader Book Discussion Group @ La Selva Beach
π La Selva Beach Branch Library
Community
What's happening
Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
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Cultural Event
Showing 90 of 544 upcoming events Β· from 2026-10-08 Β· to 2026-10-15
Oct
8
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE SEWING (4/6)
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 9:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Katy Kenyon-Abel
Oct
8
Bay Tree Building Furniture Sit Test Open House
π McHenry Library
π 10:00 AM β 2:00 PM Β· See listing
Help shape the future of the Bay Tree Building! Students and staff are invited to stop by a furniture βsit testβ open house and shareβ¦
Oct
8
Rabid Reader Book Discussion Group @ La Selva Beach
π La Selva Beach Branch Library
π 10:30 AM Β· See listing
Join our book club every second Thursday to explore great reads and share engaging conversations with fellow book lovers.
Oct
8
Demystifying the IRB: ask us anything!
π McHenry Library
π 10:30 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Have you ever wondered what really happens to your protocol after you hit submit? Join us for an informal, in-person conversation with IRB members toβ¦
Education
π UCSC
Oct
8
For ages 0-5
Oct
8
A bilingual storytime for toddlers, with stories, songs, and activities in two languages to support early literacy.
Oct
8
Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Oct
8
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
π Roaring Camp Railroads
π 10:30 AM β 3:00 PM Β· $26.45
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history ofβ¦
Oct
8
Keith will present a collection of stunning space photographs as well as the equipment he uses to capture these images, with time at the endβ¦
Oct
8
Come join Librarian Jackie for stories, songs, and lots of fun for preschoolers and their caregivers in our lovely Felton Community Room every Thursday atβ¦
Oct
8
Open Studios Preview Exhibition
π m.k. contemporary art gallery
π 11:00 AM β 5:00 PM Β· FREE
We will be hosting the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, showcasing the work of all the 330+ Santa Cruz County Open Studios Artists who are participatingβ¦
Oct
8
Tech Talks: Digital Safety Tips (Apple)
π Santa Cruz Public Libraries
π 11:00 AM Β· See listing
Are you using iPhone settings and features to stay safe?
Community
Education
Oct
8
A tech-oriented professional event exploring current topics in technology, held in a creative venue.
Oct
8
Guided Mindfulness for Queers and Friends Hosted by TDC @ TDC
π The Diversity Center
π 11:00 AM β 12:00 PM Β· FREE
Well-being offering: Guided Mindfulness Group Date: Weekly on Thursdays Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: The Diversity Center 1117 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz Agesβ¦
Oct
8
Songs and Stories
Oct
8
Guided Mindfulness for Queers and Friends Hosted by TDC @ TDC
π The Diversity Center
π 11:30 AM β 12:30 PM Β· See listing
Well-being offering: Guided Mindfulness Group Date: Weekly on Thursdays New Time! 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Location: The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruzβ¦
Oct
8
Cognitive Health: The Many Ways to Exercise β Wellness in Action Series
π UC Santa Cruz
π 12:00 PM β 12:30 PM Β· See listing
Thursday, October 8, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM Register for the Zoom link. Did you know that physical movement and cognitive training work together to reshapeβ¦
Oct
8
UCSC: Victor βMarka27β Exhibition
π UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
π 12:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· FREE
βNi de aquΓ, ni de allΓ‘β (βneither from here, nor thereβ), is a phrase commonly used by bilingual, bicultural communities. In the exhibition the phraseβ¦
Oct
8
Love Apple Farms in Scotts Valley is holding their first ever free-entry pumpkin patch and winter plant sale. Featuring a haunted greenhouse, gorgeous flower andβ¦
Oct
8
Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still
π UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
π 12:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· See listing
Carlos Mottaβs When Time Stands Still, the artistβs second solo show with the IAS , features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting theβ¦
Oct
8
Step into the MAH's Archives Reading Room during our weekly Open Archives hours. Meet the archivist, see a unique item from the collection on displayβ¦
Oct
8
The Aptos Library Book Discussion Group meets 2nd Thursdays, 1-2:30pm, in-person or via Zoom. Adult readers choose thought-provoking fiction & nonfiction. Email [email protected].
Oct
8
Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
Oct
8
Are you stuck with a technology question? You can make a free appointment with a tech savvy library staff member!
Oct
8
Far West Fungiβs Santa Cruz Store & CafΓ© is launching Myco-Mixers, Enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fungi! Each Myco-Mixer will feature complimentary bitesβ¦
Oct
8
R.E.A.D.: Read Every Amazing Detail @ Live Oak Library Annex
π Live Oak Branch Library
π 3:00 PM Β· See listing
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading and comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade.
Oct
8
Fall 2026 Afterschool & Maker Sundays at SCMS!
π Santa Cruz Maker Studios
π 3:00 PM β 5:00 PM Β· $37
Fall Semester Maker Classes (August 11, December 20, 2026) Join us for a semester of hands-on creativity at SC Maker Studios! Students explore 3D printingβ¦
Oct
8
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12. By appointment only. Please, no drop-ins! To make an appointment, call 831-427-7713.
Oct
8
R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ Downtown
π Downtown Branch Library
π 3:00 PM Β· See listing
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12. By appointment only. Please, no drop-ins! To make an appointment, call 831-427-7713.
Oct
8
Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Felton Branch Library! Age 6+
Oct
8
BOULDER CREEK ELEMENTARY (4/5)
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 3:00 PM β 4:30 PM Β· See listing
Rae Rodriguez
Oct
8
Afternoon STEAM: Minecraft @ Branciforte
π Branciforte Branch Library
π 3:00 PM Β· See listing
Learn how to craft, build, and survive in the world of Minecraft.edu.
Oct
8
Bring your decks and get ready to play
Oct
8
R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ Felton
π Felton Branch Library
π 3:00 PM Β· See listing
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12. By appointment only. Please, no drop-ins! To make an appointment, call 831-427-7713
Oct
8
Girls Who Code is a nation-wide organization dedicated to teaching girls not only the language and skills of coding, but about finding their confidence, learningβ¦
Oct
8
Stop by each week for a new creative craft.
Oct
8
Junior Animal Care Team (Ages 11+) Ready to level up your animal skills? If you love animals and want real, hands-on experience, the Junior Animalβ¦
Oct
8
Shingu Arts & Cultural Exchange
π Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
π 4:00 PM β 6:00 PM Β· See listing
Join the City of Santa Cruz Sister Cities for an afternoon celebrating traditional Japanese and Japanese-inspired arts, crafts, and culture! A special delegation of artistsβ¦
Oct
8
A casual tech-themed cafe session where participants can explore digital art tools and doodle with digital pens.
Oct
8
Conversations in EspaΓ±ol - Community club to foster fluency
π Garfield Park Branch Library
π 4:30 PM Β· See listing
This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Oct
8
130th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Cruz County Law Library
π Santa Cruz
π 4:30 PM β 6:00 PM Β· FREE
Join us for a friendly reception to celebrate 130 years of the Santa Cruz County Law Library!
Oct
8
UCSC: Fall Exhibitions
π UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
π 5:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· FREE
The Institute of the Arts and Sciences (IAS) is pleased to announce its Fall/Winter season of exhibitions. On view are exhibitions highlighting two artists whoseβ¦
Oct
8
A weekly Congo dance class in Santa Cruz. Participants learn traditional African dance movements in a group setting at The 418 Project.
Oct
8
A dance session centered on Congolese movement, held at a Santa Cruz arts space. For dancers curious to explore rhythm, style, and cultural tradition throughβ¦
Oct
8
Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special
π Persephone Restaurant
π 5:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· $40
Every Thursday along with our regular menu we offer a prix fixe pasta dinner! Enjoy three courses starting with a fresh farmers market mixed greenβ¦
Oct
8
Bruce H. Jennings in conversation with Mayor Fred Keeley
π UCSC Haybarn
π 5:30 PM β 7:30 PM Β· FREE
Join us and Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley for a conversation with Author Bruce H. Jennings about his new book, Revolutionary Science: The Struggle forβ¦
Oct
8
A live set from The Guitarsonists, bringing blues and R&B to a local stage.
Music
π Midtown
Oct
8
Motion Pacific: Adult Intermediate Modern
π London Nelson Community Center
π 5:30 PM β 7:00 PM Β· See listing
This is Motion Pacific's Adult Intermediate Modern class for adult dancers.
Oct
8
5:30-7:30pm Blue Lemonade is an Americana band based out of Santa Cruz/Santa Barbara playing both originals and covers from bluegrass and folk to blues andβ¦
Oct
8
The VOTE is here at last! Join us to pick the 2027 OCR book for our community!
Oct
8
AA/PI/SWANA Community Welcome: Hatch Into Your Next Chapter!
π Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room
π 6:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· See listing
Hatch into your next chapter on Thursday, October 8th from 6-8:30pm at the College 9 and John R. Lewis College Multipurpose Room (MPR) β.Λβ‘ ΰ£ͺβ¦
Oct
8
The VOTE is here at last! Join us to pick the 2027 OCR book for our community!
Oct
8
Naturalist Night: The Story of Bones
π Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
π 6:00 PM β 8:00 PM Β· See listing
Hear the story of Phernado, the Mt. Lion, his life, his death, how he came to the UCSC Norris Center, and his second life teachingβ¦
Oct
8
Mattie Brice / Presentation on Post-Apocalyptic Video Games & Play
π The 418 Project
π 6:00 PM β 9:30 PM Β· See listing
A talk exploring post-apocalyptic video games and the cultural role of play, led by Mattie Brice.
Oct
8
INSPIRED BY NATURE: BEGINNING HANDBUILDING (3/5)
π Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
π 6:00 PM β 8:30 PM Β· See listing
Kathryn Pierno
Oct
8
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 willβ¦
Oct
8
The VOTE is here at last! Join us to pick the 2027 OCR book for our community!
Oct
8
β
Featured
Afrobeats Nite at the IAS
π UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences
π 6:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· See listing
Join us for a night of dancing, joy, and community organized by Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz featuring DJ Mai Girl and DJ Monk Earl. Inβ¦
Oct
8
Swing into Fall with East Coast Swing Basics
π Capitola Recreation Center
π 6:30 PM β 8:45 PM Β· $59
If you love big band music, traditional or contemporary, then East Coast Swing is for you (7:00 Mondays starting Sept 17th). This is the basicβ¦
Oct
8
Creative Resilience: A Transformational Journey through the Five Elements
π Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz
π 6:30 PM β 8:00 PM Β· $60
Five weekly sessions starting Oct 8 - Nov 5. Join us in exploring this collection of simple and practical methods of transforming habits and emotionalβ¦
Oct
8
Ben Flocks is a saxophonist and storyteller with a clear, warm, and purposeful voice. A veteran performer and educator, Flocks has been lucky to playβ¦
Music
π Downtown Santa Cruz
Oct
8
7 - 10pm Β· Live improvisational modular synth performance by M31 Transport.
Music
π Westside
Oct
8
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: When free speech and access to information are threatened, the DIY scene rises to the challenge! Join Bookshop Santa Cruz staff andβ¦
Oct
8
The SLV Theatre Department is proud to present The Outsiders, a dramatic coming-of-age novel originally written by S.E. Hilton and adapted to stageplay by Christopherβ¦
Oct
8
Come kick off the weekend early with The Thursday Night Wine Down. Grab a glass of wine at Cocoa Vino in Capitola Village and settleβ¦
Oct
8
Music
π Soquel
Oct
8
Back in the wild 1970s, multiple-Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones was busy waiting tables and singing songs in dive bars. In a somewhat famous storyβ¦
Music
π Midtown
Oct
8
Analog Dog at Felton Music Hall on Thursday, October 8th 2026 Tickets at: https://www.prekindle.com/event/29513-analog-dog-felton
Music
π San Lorenzo Valley
Oct
8
Most widely known for the eponymous hit, βCrank That (Soulja Boy),β the hip hop icon takes the stage performing classic anthems that defined a generationβ¦
Oct
8
Maya DeVitry & Mark Erelli LIVE at Lille Aeske Arthouse
π Lille Aeske Arthouse
π 8:00 PM β 10:00 PM Β· See listing
Nashville singer-songwriter and fiddler Maya DeVitry came to prominence as part of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania alt-country/folk trio The Stray Birds. With that group she releasedβ¦
Oct
9
Celebrate fall migration through guided bird walks, workshops and community events around Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay region. Advance registration is required forβ¦
Family
Outdoors
Oct
9
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Birding Walk
π Wilder Ranch State Park
π 9:00 AM β 1:00 PM Β· 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 theβ¦
Oct
9
Cypress Health Institute Certified Massage Therapist Program
Oct
9
Evergreen Volunteer Days
π Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
π 9:30 AM β 12:00 PM Β· See listing
Leave your mark on Santa Cruz history by volunteering at the historic Evergreen Cemetery every Friday from 9:30am-12pm. No need to register, just show upβ¦
Oct
9
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
π Roaring Camp Railroads
π 10:30 AM β 3:00 PM Β· $26.45
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history ofβ¦
Oct
9
A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Oct
9
Art for Healing: Using the power of the creative process to provide support, insight and a deeper relationship with yourself in a safe and nurturingβ¦
Wellness
Art & Culture
Oct
9
Open Studios Preview Exhibition
π m.k. contemporary art gallery
π 11:00 AM β 5:00 PM Β· FREE
We will be hosting the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, showcasing the work of all the 330+ Santa Cruz County Open Studios Artists who are participatingβ¦
Oct
9
We are knitting at Live Oak Library on Fridays.
Oct
9
What Got You Here WILL Get You There - Approaching the Job Search Over 55
π Capitola Branch Library
π 11:00 AM β 2:00 PM Β· See listing
This 6-session series is an opportunity to evaluate your skills, talents and experiences through a new lens. Are you 55+ and want or need toβ¦
Oct
9
Join our Bridge Club for friendly games and social fun, open to players of all skill levels.
Oct
9
Produce Pop-Up is a twice-weekly organic farmstand open to all members of the UC Santa Cruz community. The program is dedicated to increasing access toβ¦
Oct
9
This 6-session series is an opportunity to evaluate your skills, talents and experiences through a new lens.
Oct
9
A supportive space where family care-partners tending for a loved one with a cognitive impairment can connect, share experiences, and find support.
Oct
9
Come join Librarian Emily for stories, songs, and lots of fun for preschoolers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Scotts Valley Library Branch everyβ¦
Oct
9
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are hosting a special story time with stories and songs in English and Spanish!
Oct
9
Join Aquarium staff for some bilingual, ocean-learning fun through stories, songs, and movement.
Oct
9
Love Apple Farms in Scotts Valley is holding their first ever free-entry pumpkin patch and winter plant sale. Featuring a haunted greenhouse, gorgeous flower andβ¦
Oct
9
Santa Cruz County: Monterey Bay Festival of Birds
π All of Santa Cruz County
π All day Β· FREE
Mark the fall migration at one of the most beautiful places on the planet for the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds featuring field trips, workshopsβ¦
Family
Outdoors
454 more events further out
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.
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