Do you love local food and farms? Want to get to know your farmer better and get a behind-the-scenes look into our regions vibrant working agricultural landscape? During the 2026 Open Farm Tours, you can meet the farmers and learn what it takes to bring your favorite high-quality local farm products to your plate. All farms implement sustainable agriculture practices & are family owned. The greatest part about Open Farm Tours is learning what makes every farm unique. Press apples for fresh juice at one farm, taste over 10 varieties of figs at another and then head over to another farm to pick tomatoes. Touring farms is a fantastic outdoor family activity to do together and October is a great time to get out and explore! Each ticket admits one car load of up to 5 people for both days.
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
★ Featured Event
The Kick Off - Sonivore Listening Lounge
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 Crew, and a first taste of Sonivore — just days before our Kickstarter closes. Donation-based entry. To RSVP in advance, pledge at least the minimum tier on Kickstarter, or Venmo a donation to @sonivoremusic with “Fundraiser” in the note. You can also donate at the door. Come through and help us bring the lounge to life.
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. In addition to music, there will be vendors, food trucks, and late night showings of the exhibitions Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez: Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá and Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still . This event is FREE and open to the public. Afrobeats Nite at the IAS is a collaboration with Visualizing Abolition , an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to contribute to the unfolding collective story and alternative imagining underway to create a future free of prisons. Jase “Monk” Earl is a Santa Cruz–based DJ, curator, cultural producer, educator, and writer whose understanding of community is rooted in Hip Hop culture and shaped by his upbringing in the immigrant-rich neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. As the founder of Afroscope Promotions and founder, curator, and resident DJ of Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz, he creates public spaces where African and diasporic music become catalysts for connection, cultural exchange, and collective celebration. DJ Mai Girl plays festivals, clubs, shows, and private events all over the West Coast and beyond. Her unique blend of genres and hand-picked selections– whether it be hip hop, soul, house, jazzy vibes, old school jams, Afro, Caribbean or Latin rhythms– keep people moving all night. She consistently plays one Stevie or Prince song every set to remind herself of why she started DJing in the first place.
★ Featured
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 Festival World Tour Adventure Night October 10th at 7 pm, Rio Theatre Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Join us when we screen this all new Adventure line up of films featuring BEST DAY EVER, the Audience Choice Award Winner and Best Film: Mountain Sports along with five other audience favorites. This year’s films are bound to showcase an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. The Rio Theatre has been hosting the annual adventure night since 2013. Guaranteed to sell out! Visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2026/10/10/banffcentremountain for a complete list of films and tickets.
Coming up
Kishi Bashi:: Rio Theatre Santa Cruz 10/6
(((folkYEAH!))) presents KISHI BASHI Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA October 6, 2026 Doors 7pm / Show 8pm All Ages
Coming up
Dual Demons - CLASS
A recurring dance class in Santa Cruz. Check with the venue for specific style and level.
☀️ Happening today
Tuesday, October 655 events on today. No plans required, just go. See the full day →
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Filter by category, date, or area. Everything listed is in person, county-wide.
Showing 90 of 148 upcoming events · from 2026-10-10 · to 2026-10-11
Check out the Classic, Vintage and Retro Thunderbirds on display then stick around to enjoy fabulous shopping and/or grab a bite at one of the many fine local eateries with the best views in Santa Cruz!
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or flowers at the campus farm! When : U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, July 11–August 22, or while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE that u-pick will not occur on Saturday, July 4. Where : Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please do not park in the dirt lot at the farm’s back gate. Please walk to the check-in table near the strawberries/flowers at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate. Cost: UCSC students with valid ID get 25% off produce. Strawberry pints – $4 each Strawberry flats (12 pints) – $44 Flowers – $25 for 32oz deli container Flower buckets – $75 Payment : Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually). Dogs are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (service animals are OK).
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!
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20-minute train ride, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. ACTIVITIES Photos with Thomas, Percy & Sir Topham Hatt Thomas Train Play Tables Pick-A-Pumpkin Bounce Houses Bubble station Live Music with Peter Apel Mr. Miraculous the Magician AND MORE!
Learn the how, where and why fire is used to manage the natural landscape at the Central Coast Good Fire Fair on Saturday, Oct. 10. The fair is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton in Santa Cruz County. The event is sponsored by the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network & Santa Cruz Mountains Forests Program and California State Parks. "If conditions are right, you'll be able to see a prescribed fire carried out by local resource managers right in the heart of a Santa Cruz Mountains coast redwood grove" said Brian Woodward, UC Cooperative Extension forest advisor for Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. The Good Fire Fair will offer educational activities for children and adults: Learn how to safely build, tend and extinguish a campfire Watch a live prescribed fire of redwood understory growth (likely between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on the weather and permitting safe and favorable conditions) Savor sandwiches, burgers and Venezuelan food from local food trucks Observe demonstrations and visit informative booths Learn how to make your home more resilient to wildfire Test your fire knowledge and win prizes “The event will also include organizations from across our region related to good fire, home hardening, and natural resource management, with lots of fun activities for those of all ages,” said Woodward. The event is free, but parking at the park is $10. No registration required.
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.
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:00am - 3:00pm Gently used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, puzzles and games will be sold. Proceeds support the programs and activities at the Scotts Valley Branch Library.
Santa Cruz Maker Studios at the Seymour Center
Check out Santa Cruz Maker Studios at the Seymour Center. Hands-on Activities include: Build and test a seawall Make a wooden sea creature Ocean-themed 3D kits Create felt ocean ornamentsActivities included with admission. While supplies last.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Sandhills Tour
Get ready to hike around an ancient seafloor! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Sandhills, which will last approximately 2 hours, participants can meander through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800 feet above present day sea level. Explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. The hike is recommended for ages 8 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Plan to meet in the parking lot of the campground (located off Graham Hill Rd.).
Writing Circle: Open to the writer in each of us, this group allows for creative exploration in a supportive space right where you are. Each session is a surprise. Your creations are prompted by writing activities and the stories of your life—bring your notebook and invite your muse. Meets the 2nd Saturday of every month, 10 am to 12 noon at WomenCARE’s Soquel office.
Meet your farmers and tour multiple local & family-owned farms on Saturday & Sunday, October 10th – 11th at Open Farm Tours! Learn what is involved in growing our food and get a behind-the-scenes look into our region’s vibrant working agricultural landscape. Participate in farm activities like apple juicing, tastings, U-Picks, workshops, demos & more. Learn about the sustainable agriculture methods used to grow our food and spend a day outside getting to know our farming community. Healthy food, farms and families is what we’re all about! Friends and Family Weekend Pass - $25 admits 1 carload of up to 5 people to farms both Saturday and Sunday.
The Land Speaks Community Folk Opera
A 4-act journey to heal our colonialist history through story, community singing and grief practices
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:00am - 1:00pm Join us each Saturday morning for a relaxing time crafting with your neighbors.
Learn to extract vibrant colors from cochineal, marigold, and indigo to create a range of hues for dyeing natural fiber yarns used throughout the workshop. Felise teaches not only the technical steps of the process, but also encourages a deep-rooted connection with nature, transforming the ancient alchemy of the art into a practice of presence. Explore frame loom tapestry weaving with naturally dyed yarns from Oaxaca. Samuel is a wisdom keeper who teaches through storytelling, connecting the art form to indigenous cosmology. This is a special opportunity to weave your own tapestry while learning about the ancient symbols encoding the oral history and beliefs of the Zapotec people.
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us each Saturday morning for a relaxing time crafting with your neighbors.
Join us for a mini market on October 10th with local makers, vintage, art, treasures, tunes, and more!! 345 Swift Street, 10am-4pm. No place you'd rather be!
Join Thrill the World Santa Cruz for free community dance classes and spooky Halloween performances! Learn Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” choreography—no dance experience required—and join us for the official worldwide Thrill the World dance on October 24 at 3 PM in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Weaving / Colors: Traditional Zapotec Weaving and Natural Dyeing
Dive into the world of weaving and natural color. Learn to work a loom and to draw rich, living color from plants — two ancient, intertwined crafts. We’ll explore traditional weaving techniques alongside natural dyeing — cochineal, marigold and indigo — learning the history, materials, and hands-on practice of turning fiber and plant into finished cloth. Learn to extract vibrant colors from cochineal, marigold, and indigo to create a range of hues for dyeing natural fiber yarns used throughout the workshop. Felise teaches not only the technical steps of the process, but also encourages a deep-rooted connection with nature, transforming the ancient alchemy of the art into a practice of presence. Explore frame loom tapestry weaving with naturally dyed yarns from Oaxaca. Samuel is a wisdom keeper who teaches through storytelling, connecting the art form to indigenous cosmology. This is a special opportunity to weave your own tapestry while learning about the ancient symbols encoding the oral history and beliefs of the Zapotec people.
Meet local farmers and explore working farms while learning how food is grown. South County farms welcome visitors Saturday, followed by North County farms Sunday. Check the activity guide for individual schedules.
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:15am - 12:30pm Join Saturday Shakespeare at Aptos Library for five lively sessions with guest experts, group readings, and discussions, ending with a shared play viewing. Attend in person or on Zoom!
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm A joint meeting between the League of Women Voters and AAUW to discuss the initiatives on the November ballot.
Seymour Center’s Seaside Storytime
Get ready to set sail on a storybook adventure! 📚 ✨ It’s the ultimate weekend treat to spark big imaginations, foster a love for nature, and nurture the next generation of ocean heroes! 🌊 🐚 📖 Our friends at Bookshop Santa Cruz have hand-selected a collection of books about the environment that are perfect for young readers. We hope to see you there! Join Seaside Storytime on the second Saturday of every month!
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
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 of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Write Queer, a creative writing group @TDC
Write Queer, a creative writing group Date: May 9, and the Second and Fourth Saturdays Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 Noon Cost: Free Location: The Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Ages: 18+ Join Jesse and Peggy for all or part of this series, running from March through May. Unleash your creativity at Write Queer, an 18+ group for writers of all levels. Respond to provided prompts, or bring your own projects. Meetings include writing time, optional sharing and positive feedback. Please bring a pen and paper or a laptop. .
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Celebrate different ways of learning and experiencing the world with a special storytime focused on dyslexia awareness.
Saturday, October 10 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.
Saturday, October 10 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm The Zentangle Method is a fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Join Certified Zentangle Teacher Lisa Hoesing for an introductory workshop and monthly meetup.
Agricultural History Project
Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come out to enjoy good old-fashioned activities such as spinning wool, cheese making, wooden cow milking and ice cream making! You can even drive a tractor and go on a hayride. Local Santa Cruz County 4-H clubs will be hosting their Annual Spring Fair. This action-packed day is admission free, and donations are gladly accepted. It’s fun for the whole family! Activities include: Farm Animals to see and pet Ice cream making the old-fashioned way Butter churning Fresh cheese making Rope making Hay wagon rides with tractors Wooden cow milking Hay cutting from real oats, wheat and barley Kids (real) tractor driving Puppet Show Old-fashioned hoops Crafts and so much more! 2025 Schedule: March 8th – Birds, Bees & Butterflies April 12th – Easter on the Farm with Egg Hunt May 10th – Springtime on the Farm June 14th – Olden Days on the Farm July 12th – Summertime Fun on the Farm August 9th – Round-Up at the Ranch September 13th – Visit Yesterday’s Farm during the Santa Cruz Fair October 11th – Tractor-or-Treat November 8th – Harvest on the Farm December 13th – Holidays on the Farm
Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Scout family and friends—you're invited to experience this exciting overnight event! Includes: • Camping under the stars on the Boardwalk • Exclusive Free Play in the Arcade • Dinner & Breakfast • Outdoor movie • Exclusive time on the Looff Carousel & Pirate Ship on Friday night • Sand Sculpture Competition • Event patch • Ride Wristband for Saturday • Discounted parking $99.95 per person Deadline October 4, 2026, or until full. Register today: bit.ly/Fall-Scout-Overnight
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk
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.
Saturday, October 10 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm Visit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries booth in the kids' corner at the Seacliff Street Fair!
Martial Arts Japanese Food Arts and Crafts Kids Activities Ikebana and Bonsai Live Music and Dance Free parking will be available at the Santa Cruz Government Center located in the designated parking area for the fair where you may access a free shuttle to the fair at the historical Mission Plaza.
Starting in April, on both Saturday and Sunday of the second weekend of each month, the City of Santa Cruz staff will lead tours of Loch Lomond Reservoir on the Newell Jewell (pontoon boat). The tours start at 11AM on both days and lasts about an hour. Attendance is limited to 25 people and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The Loch Lomond Recreation Area is a 180-acre reservoir and part of the 2,800-acre watershed land holdings that the City of Santa Cruz Water Department manages in the Newell Creek watershed. It is open daily from late March through mid-October when the park closes for the season.
Saturday, October 10 2026 11:00am - 6:00pm Visit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries booth at The Japanese Cultural Fair, an event dedicated to the presentation and preservation of the cultural traditions of Japan.
Open Studios Art Tour - 5 Artists at One Location
Join Us for 2 Weekends of Art! 205: Martine Mahoudeau – Painting 206: David Sunoo – Jewelry – Metalsmithing 207: Lynn Jaye – Painting 208: Martina Goulart – Painting 209: Kathy Coulston – Painting Experience a wide and unique variety of Art Expressions
Step back in time at the Agricultural History Project with hands-on farm activities and demonstrations. Bring lunch and enjoy a family picnic on the farm.
Explore artists’ working spaces throughout North County, from Santa Cruz neighborhoods to mountain communities. Meet makers and discover a range of techniques and media.
6th Annual Seacliff Village Street Fair
Get ready for an afternoon of fun at the 6th Annual Seacliff Village Street Fair on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM! The adorable Doggie Parade kicks off the fair at 11:30 AM on Broadway between Santa Cruz and Center Avenues in Seacliff. Groove to live music by the Steven Graves Band and The Joint Chiefs. There will be local vendors selling their crafts, food trucks, and a Kids’ Corner packed with activities. Hosted by the Seacliff Business Partnership and the Seacliff Improvement Foundation, this free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate community and kick off the fall season!
Seacliff Village: Street Fair
Enjoy the best of Seacliff! Get ready for an afternoon of fun at the 6th Annual Seacliff Village Street Fair! The adorable Doggie Parade kicks off the fair at 11:30 AM Delicious bites from the food trucks, Local Vendor Stalls Live music by the Steven Graves Band and The Joint Chiefs. Crafts Ice Cream a Kids’ Corner packed with activities. This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off the fall season!
Free Skool tea party
Free Skool tea party
Carlos Motta’s When Time Stands Still features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting the artist’s preoccupation with the historical and aesthetic productions of difference and marginalization that shape the present. The selection of artworks in the exhibition explore the unsettling experience of living in a time that seems violently stuck on repeat. Archetypal figures from art history (a fool, a siren, a witness, a victim) reappear in the current moment as containers of time, bringing the past of imperialism, colonization, and displacement into a present marked by the rise of anti-immigration politics, climate injustice, and other forms of disposability. Some works challenge this violent repetition of time. The clock moves, if gruelingly, in an endurance-based video performance, No One, 2025. For forty-six minutes, the artist undertakes to keep his eyes open, witnessing, withstanding, confronting, and resisting the bombardment of images, both historical and otherwise, that normalize harm. In another video work, Gravity, 2024, performers enact rescue carries, supporting each other until they can’t bear the weight. Together, the artworks act as a proposal about how to rethink time—how to slow time—with a poetic and aesthetic cadence that might counter the numbing reverberations of living in the present. When Time Stands Still is organized as part of Visualizing Abolition, an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to create a future free of prisons. About the Artist Carlos Motta (b. 1978, Colombia) is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice documents the social conditions and political struggles of sexual, gender, and ethnic communities, challenging normative discourses through acts of self-representation. His work has been the focus of several survey exhibitions.
2nd Annual Yoga For All Day in Downtown Santa Cruz
YOGA FOR ALL MOVEMENT IS TURNING 10 — AND CELEBRATING WITH FREE YOGA IN THE STREETS! The milestone free celebration will transform Pacific Avenue, which will be closed at Cooper Street, into a vibrant hub for healing and connection. Attendees will experience yoga, meditation, live music, sound baths, and mindfulness activities for the whole family, fostering an inclusive space centered on equity and wellness. Headlining the celebration are DJ Drez and Marti Nikko, the internationally recognized husband-and-wife duo known for blending hip-hop, reggae, and Indian raga into music made for movement and meditation alike. Their sound has soundtracked yoga spaces and dance floors around the world, and their appearance marks a special addition to YFAM's flagship event.
Victor ‘Marka27’ Quiñonez: Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá
Organized in partnership with the Center for Art and Advocacy, located in Brooklyn, New York, Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá ( Not From Here, Not From There ) by multidisciplinary artist Victor ‘Marka27’ Quiñonez features a wide range of artworks that issue a bold declaration of dual belonging, including altars, an elaborately immersive botanica, paintings referencing visual symbolism drawn from textiles, graffiti and community traditions, and, in a series called I.C.E. Scream , large, brightly colored resin sculptures in the shape of melting Mexican paletas (popsicles). As the exhibition title suggests (a phrase widely used in bilingual and bicultural communities), these artworks reflect the artist’s interest in the experience of living between worlds even as violent notions of nationalism and identity pervade. Accompanying the exhibition, Elevar la Cultura , an immersive sculptural installation featuring a twenty-two-foot-tall pyramid built from ice coolers adorned with ancestral textiles, sacred symbols, and mural work will be on view at Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos (1817 Soquel) November 7, 2026- March 7, 2027. As Quiñonez explains, this sculpture epitomizes the contradictions of living—and laboring—as an immigrant in the United States: “Most people see the cooler as a tool for leisure…for barbecues, tailgating, and celebrations. But for immigrant communities, the cooler is a tool and symbol for opportunity and independence. In every major city, you see families and vendors selling fruit, food, and water out of these coolers on the streets and in subway stations. They’re a necessity for survival and a way to start an honest living,” the artist shares. The Institute of Arts and Sciences will be the second venue to successfully present Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá to the public. First organized by Boston University Art Galleries and curated by Kate Fowle in September of 2025, the exhibition debuted to critical acclaim before gaining national attention after its abrupt removal from
Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still
Carlos Motta’s When Time Stands Still, the artist’s second solo show with the IAS , features new and recent installations, videos, and sculptures highlighting the artist’s preoccupation with the historical and aesthetic productions of difference and marginalization that shape the present. The selection of artworks in the exhibition explore the unsettling experience of living in a time that seems violently stuck on repeat. Archetypal figures from art history (a fool, a siren, a witness, a victim) reappear in the current moment as containers of time, bringing the past of imperialism, colonization, and displacement into a present marked by the rise of anti-immigration politics, climate injustice, and other forms of disposability. Some works challenge this violent repetition of time. The clock moves, if gruelingly, in an endurance-based video performance, No One , 2025. For forty-six minutes, the artist undertakes to keep his eyes open, witnessing, withstanding, confronting, and resisting the bombardment of images, both historical and otherwise, that normalize harm. In another video work, Gravity , 2024, performers enact rescue carries, supporting each other until they can’t bear the weight. Together, the artworks act as a proposal about how to rethink time—how to slow time—with a poetic and aesthetic cadence that might counter the numbing reverberations of living in the present. When Time Stands Still is organized as part of Visualizing Abolition, an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to create a future free of prisons. Carlos Motta (b. 1978, Colombia) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work has been shown widely nationally and internationally. Solo exhibitions venues include the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona; Nikolaj Kunsthal, Copenhagen; Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá; Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH ; Röda Sten Konsthall, Gothenburg, Sweden; Galeria Vermelho, São Paulo; Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM); Tate Modern, London; and
Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk
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!
Downtown Santa Cruz: Yoga In The Streets
This celebration will transform Pacific Avenue, which will be closed at Cooper Street, creating a vibrant hub for healing and connection. Attendees will experience: yoga, meditation, live music, sound baths, and mindfulness activities This celebration available to the whole family will feature DJ Drez and Marti Nikko, the internationally recognized husband-and-wife duo known for blending hip-hop, reggae, and Indian raga into music made for movement and meditation alike. Their sound has soundtracked yoga spaces and dance floors around the world.
UCSC: Victor “Marka27” Exhibition
“Ni de aquí, ni de allá” (“neither from here, nor there”), is a phrase commonly used by bilingual, bicultural communities. In the exhibition the phrase becomes a bold declaration of dual belonging against a violent notion of nationalism and identity. Through paintings, immersive installations, sculptural works, and a curated soundscape, Marka27 invites gallery goers into a vibrant, layered world where street culture meets Indigenous tradition, and personal memory collides with collective truth and activism. Curated by internationally recognized curator Kate Fowle, this exhibition is organized in partnership with The Center for Art & Advocacy and as part of Visualizing Abolition, an arts-based initiative that reaches across prison borders to contribute to the unfolding collective story and alternative imagining underway to create a future free of prisons. ABOUT THE ARTIST: Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez is a renowned visual artist working at the intersections of contemporary art, graffiti, vinyl toys, fashion and design, and art activism.
Second Saturday: Adelante Watsonville
Join Ecology Action's EVs for Everyone team for a fun community event in collaboration with Pajaro Valley Arts Second Saturday (October 10th, 12pm-4pm)! Many fun activities will include Electric Vehicle test drives, static EVs on display, mariachi music, a resource fair, delicious food, an e-bike demo, and a bike raffle! This will be a great chance for the community to learn about electric vehicles and the incentives/rebates that are available. We hope to see you there! ¡Únase a nosotros para un divertido evento comunitario en colaboración con Pajaro Valley Arts Second Saturday el 10 de octubre, de 12:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m.! Habrá muchas actividades emocionantes, incluyendo pruebas de manejo de vehículos eléctricos, exhibición de vehículos eléctricos, música de mariachi, una feria de recursos comunitarios, deliciosa comida, una demostración de bicicletas eléctricas y un sorteo de bicicletas. Esta será una excelente oportunidad para que la comunidad aprenda más sobre los vehículos eléctricos y los incentivos o reembolsos que podrían estar disponibles para ellos. ¡Esperamos verlos allí!
Saturday, October 10 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games. Bring your own or play some of the library's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. 18+. Every 2nd Saturday.
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!
🎉 Join the Party at the 5th Annual Beach Hill Bash! 🎉 Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 10th from 1:00–4:00 PM and come celebrate 35 incredible years of hospitality, community, and global connection with the Santa Cruz Hostel! The Beach Hill Bash is back and bigger than ever, bringing together locals, travelers, neighbors, and friends for an unforgettable afternoon filled with live music, local vendors, tasty food and drinks, family-friendly fun, and plenty of Beach Hill spirit. Come dance to live music, discover amazing local makers, enjoy delicious eats and drinks, and raise a toast to 35 years of bringing people together. Whether you’re a longtime local, a former hostel guest, or visiting for the first time, there’s a place for you at the Bash! 🌎 Celebrate Community. Celebrate Travel. Celebrate 35 Years. 🌎 See you on Beach Hill!
Wilder Ranch State Park - Ranch History Tour
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]
Saturday, October 10 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Write a poem in a creative and supportive environment.
The Sovereign Sanctuary: Ancient Healing & Modern Science
New Moon in Libra: with an immersive landscape of sound, Peggy will guide you into a healing state of powerful intentions for the season.
We are hosting a Fall Market at Woodhouse Brewery on October 10th. I have a flyer I can send you
Santa Cruz Bake & Gather is a friendly baking potluck where everyone is welcome. It is the intent of this event that at least one attendee from each group bring a baked good to showcase and share on the day of the event. All attendees are asked to register so we can maintain an accurate headcount, as space at this venue is limited. Whether you are an experienced baker or just giving it your best shot, this event is about sharing recipes, enjoying great desserts, and meeting your neighbors. No competition, no pressure, just good food and good company. Santa Cruz Bake & Gather is a free event and open to all. Tickets are available at no cost. While donations are never required, they are deeply appreciated and help cover venue and event costs. Contributions can be made during ticket registration on Eventbrite or through our donation page. Our goal is simple. To build community one slice at a time.
Come learn about the tiny aquatic life in the slough and use microscopes!
Artist Talks: Jean Carla Rodea, Dorothy R. Santos, and Abram Stern
Join us for a series of daytime talks with SPAM artists Jean Carla Rodea, Dorothy R. Santos, and Abram Stern. Program Jean Carla Rodea - The Archive is a Body. Rather than presenting a chronological review of my practice, this session investigates how memory is recorded, distorted, embodied, and reconstructed. Dorothy R. Santos - untitled talk Abram Stern - untitled talk About the Artists Jean Carla Rodea Jean Carla Rodea is an interdisciplinary artist with a research-based practice, originally from Mexico City and currently based between San Francisco, CA, and Brooklyn, NY. Their work spans music, sound, vocality, performance, poetry, photography, video, and sculpture, moving fluidly between solo projects and collaborative, cross-disciplinary environments. They draw from shifting identities, immigration, ritual, performance, ecology, construction work, and improvisation, engaging deeply with time-based media and the diverse spaces where these interactions take place. A central focus of their practice is the exploration of critical socio-political issues, including the politics of the body, gender, memory, and imbalanced human relationships. They are particularly invested in how time is constructed through memory, and how those memories-whether embodied or embedded within spaces-are recorded, fragmented, and continually reconstructed. This investigation opens pathways for fiction and speculative dimensions to disrupt and challenge dominant narratives. Archival research is a recurring methodology in their work, encompassing both institutional and personal archives. From these materials, they craft speculative histories, responding to documents, physical traces, and spaces. In their engagement with the archive, they embody multiple performative roles: witness, observer, participant, and researcher, each inhabiting the temporary sites where events unfold. Dorothy R. Santos, Ph. D. Dorothy R. Santos, Ph. D. (she/they) is a Filipino-American writer, artist, and media sch
Saturday, October 10 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm Downtown Library Youth Chess Club. Open to players ages 6 to 18. Instructor is Chess Master Gjon Feinstein.
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 Christopher Sergel. This production is directed by high school seniors Ryan Jones and Benjamin Rotte. Performance dates are October 2nd-10th.
Enjoy music, dancing and a social afternoon by the bay. All levels and a variety of swing styles are welcome.
Playing with Verse: A poetry Workshop with Mason Leopold
Saturday, October 10 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Join us for a teen poetry workshop and free pizza!
Saturday, October 10 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Get ready for a frightfully fun afternoon of creativity and sweet treats at the Branciforte Branch!
Saturday, October 10 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Learn about volunteer opportunities and how teens like you can create change in your library! Followed by a chill activity and free snacks (and get your volunteer hours just for showing up)! ACT now!
It's About Time - Great Moments in Timekeeping History
Saturday, October 10 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm Explore the fascinating history of clocks and watches, from railroad time zones to Captain Cook's voyages. See historic Aptos timepieces and bring your own clock or watch to discuss.
3:00-5:00pm High energy covers of favorites from all genres and eras
Madson is celebrating our ten-year anniversary, and we'd love to celebrate with all of you who have made Madson Wines what it is today!
On October 10th, we cordially invite you to join Community Alliance with Family Farmers at Pajaro Pastures, an ecological ranch in the beautiful Pajaro Valley in Corralitos, CA. Enjoy dinner on the farm by renowned Chef Jessica Yarr, featuring locally-grown products by the farmers of our region, locally crafted libations, and a farm tour with the farmer himself—all in support of those who nourish us.
A Show!
Etiquette, Poppyfield, Adam and the Sandlers Show! Alex Backlining
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 whose explorations in video, installation, painting, and sculpture examine some of the most enduring and challenging issues of our time: Carlos Motta: When Time Stands Still, a poetic and aesthetically rich exploration of the historical and aesthetic manifestations of difference and marginalization that inform current anti-immigration politics and climate injustices; and Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez: Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá (Not From Here, Not From There), which grapples with issues of migration and belonging—and gained national attention after it was abruptly censored by the University of North Texas. Also as part of IAS programming, an outdoor installation of Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez: Elevar la Cultura, a public sculpture project, will be at Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos November 7, 2026–March 5, 2027. An opening celebration for the exhibitions open on October 2, 2026, 5–8 p.m., with a performance by vocal artist and composer Samita Sinha, celebrations with the artists, and more. Elevar la Cultura opens at Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos on November 7, 2026, 2–6 p.m., with a celebration with the artist, featuring lowriders, free food, live entertainment, vendors, and more. The exhibitions and opening events are free and open to the public.
🌑 New Moon Sound Bath & Guided Meditation 80-Minute Experience | Spa Santangelo, Felton, CA + Online Join Melissa at each New Moon for a deeply restorative journey designed to help you reconnect, set meaningful intentions, and restore your inner balance. Step into a serene, supportive space and allow yourself to fully unwind. This immersive experience combines the healing vibrations of a live sound bath, guided meditation, journaling, and fire release to bring a deeper sense of peace and balance. You’ll be guided through Melissa’s Mystic Meditations—a thoughtfully curated journey inspired by the energy of the New Moon: 🌑 New Moon — BRING IN Set intentions, plant new seeds, and invite the energy, experiences, and possibilities you want to cultivate. The New Moon offers an opportunity for reflection and new beginnings. Take time to turn inward, become clear about what you want to welcome into your life, and intentionally create space for what comes next. Whether you join us in person at Spa Santangelo in Felton, CA, or online from the comfort of your own home, come exactly as you are. In-person groups of up to 10 guests are welcome. Gather your friends, family, or community and share this beautiful experience together. 📚 Extend Your Wellness Journey Continue exploring your path with offerings from The Groovy Goddess, including: ✨ In-person & online sessions 📚 Books 🎧 Guided meditations 🌿 Online transformational courses ✨ Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, centered, inspired, and renewed—with fresh intentions for the journey ahead.
Head to the Quarry Amphitheater to see the pioneers of Sludge Metal, Acid Bath! This historic reunion balances crushing guitar with haunting vocals. This gothic thriller set to music is stacked with Melvins, High on Fire, and Windhand. The Quarry Amphitheater was carved from a former limestone quarry in the 1960’s. The unique terraced asymmetrical design allows for amazing sightlines as you sludge nod with towering redwoods all around you. You won’t want to miss seeing Acid Bath at this venue! Locals Love : The unique venue. First Timers Miss : Bringing a blanket or towel to keep comfortable in a redwood micro-climate. Insights : The Quarry Amphitheater is inside UCSC, so parking fees and lot usage are unpredictable. There are public e-bike stations on campus and throughout Santa Cruz and Capitola. Watch to see if a rally bus is available for the event.
A Queer Line Dance Party & Variety Show
Indian Classical Music: Nishat Khan, sitar, and Nitin Mitta, tabla
Sitar maestro Nishat Khan returns to UC Santa Cruz with tabla maestro Nitin Mitta in an Indian classical music concert. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation for his unique and inspiring work, Khan’s masterful collaborations truly connect music globally. With the strike of a single, unmistakable note, the sound of Khan’s sitar instantly captivates and transforms one’s mood. Listeners are transported to another realm by a sight and sound unlike any other. As a torchbearer of the most recorded musical family in the world, the Imdad Khani Gharana, seven generations of wisdom reside in his fingertips. While grounded in centuries of tradition, Khan forges his own signature sound with a refreshing twist: familiar yet challenging, unfolding with emotional contrasts and surprises at every turn. Touring and performing throughout the world since age 13, Nishat Khan’s unique cosmopolitan perspective has inspired a great sensitivity and connection to the cultures of music of the world. He gave his first public concert at age 7, and was the youngest performer on an All India Radio national programme at age 15. In more recent years, Khan created history in summer 2025 by composing and creating the first ever traditional (Western) opera from the Indian subcontinent, the Taj Mahal Opera . The opera had its premiere at the Grange Park Opera in the UK to sold-out performances and wide critical acclaim. His recent performances in 2026 include a sold-out concert at the Freight in Berkeley, California. The press calls Khan: “Profound and electrifying…pure exhilaration, taking tradition as a blueprint for ecstasy” ( The New York Times ); “Etherial, compelling, sensual, Nishat Khan master of the sitar” ( Los Angeles Times ); “Freewheeling virtuosity inflected with infinite imaginative variety” (BBC Proms, The Guardian ); and “Ferociously gifted…no conceivable limitations…his sitar roars, cries, and exults” ( Times of India ). Nitin Mitta is regarded as one of
Bongo Sidibe is a Traditional Drummer and Vocalist from Conakry Guinea, in West Africa. Bongo Sidibe uses his Traditional background as an Artist to create a unique style of music (Traditional, Funk, Reggae Mandingue, Ragga Murfing and Dancehall). He uses his style of music to send a message to the world about Peace and Community Building
A live music performance by WoodMill at Brookdale Lodge in a Friday night setting.
Indian Classical Music: Nishat Khan, Sitar, and Nitin Mitta, Tabla
Sitar maestro Nishat Khan returns to UC Santa Cruz with tabla maestro Nitin Mitta in an Indian classical music concert. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation for his unique and inspiring work, Khan’s masterful collaborations truly connect music globally. With the strike of a single, unmistakable note, the sound of Khan’s sitar instantly captivates and transforms one’s mood. Listeners are transported to another realm by a sight and sound unlike any other. As a torchbearer of the most recorded musical family in the world, the Imdad Khani Gharana, seven generations of wisdom reside in his fingertips. While grounded in centuries of tradition, Khan forges his own signature sound with a refreshing twist: familiar yet challenging, unfolding with emotional contrasts and surprises at every turn. Touring and performing throughout the world since age 13, Nishat Khan’s unique cosmopolitan perspective has inspired a great sensitivity and connection to the cultures of music of the world. He gave his first public concert at age 7, and was the youngest performer on an All India Radio national programme at age 15. In more recent years, Khan created history in summer 2025 by composing and creating the first ever traditional (Western) opera from the Indian subcontinent, the Taj Mahal Opera. The opera had its premiere at the Grange Park Opera in the UK to sold-out performances and wide critical acclaim. His recent performances in 2026 include a sold-out concert at the Freight in Berkeley, California. The press calls Kahn: “Profound and electrifying…pure exhilaration, taking tradition as a blueprint for ecstasy” (New York Times); “Etherial, compelling, sensual, Nishat Khan master of the sitar” (Los Angeles Times); “Freewheeling virtuosity inflected with infinite imaginative variety” (BBC Proms, The Guardian); and “Ferociously gifted…no conceivable limitations…his sitar roars, cries, and exults” (Times of India). CHECK EVENTBRITE.COM FOR UPDATED TICKET INFOR
Saturday, 7:00 PM - Performing with "WOODMILL"
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 Festival World Tour Adventure Night October 10th at 7 pm, Rio Theatre Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Join us when we screen this all new Adventure line up of films featuring BEST DAY EVER, the Audience Choice Award Winner and Best Film: Mountain Sports along with five other audience favorites. This year’s films are bound to showcase an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. The Rio Theatre has been hosting the annual adventure night since 2013. Guaranteed to sell out! Visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2026/10/10/banffcentremountain for a complete list of films and tickets.
7:30pm - 9:30pm · Hard rock and grunge band from Martinez, bringing a heavy mix of familiar covers and original music. Their sound pulls from the raw energy of 90s grunge and hard rock, with loud guitars, driving rhythms, and plenty of attitude. Expect songs you know alongside their own material, all delivered with the same gritty, high energy sound.
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
In the spring of 1895, Oscar Wilde was the most celebrated playwright in London — An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest were both playing in the West End. By the end of May he was in prison, sentenced to two years' hard labor for "gross indecency". Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde tells the story of that crushing downfall: the libel suit Wilde brought against the Marquess of Queensberry — the father of his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas — and the two criminal trials that followed when the suit collapsed. He died in destitution three years later. Moisés Kaufman's play, first staged Off-Broadway in 1997, is created from the historical record: trial transcripts, letters, newspaper accounts, memoirs, and Wilde's own writings. The result is part courtroom drama, part Greek tragedy — a company of actors taking on dozens of roles to examine not just what happened to Wilde, but what his trials reveal about art, morality, celebrity, and the law. The questions the play raises were recognized and debated in 1895, were highly relevant in 1997 when the play was first produced, and resonate just as strongly today when questions of identity and gender are still contentious to the point of violence. Kaufman however goes beyond a simple moralistic story (as evidenced by the quote above, which he uses to frame his play). Wilde is extraordinary not only in his intellect and wit but also in his arrogance and disregard for so many people he uses in his pursuit of pleasure. Human nature in all its complexity is on full display here. Kaufman went on to write and direct The Laramie Project, one of the most performed plays in the American repertoire, exploring some of the same issues in a more contemporary context. Gross Indecency was his breakthrough though — named one of the year's best plays by Time, the New York Times, and many others. It remains his most theatrically daring work, confronting the relationship between societal norms and individual freedom, draw
Damien Jurardo at Felton Music Hall on Saturday, October 10th 2026 Tickets: https://tixr.com/e/191035
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.
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm-10pm through October. Opening weekend July 10-11! Experience the magic once again as this beloved art and light installation returns to the Santa Cruz Mountains for its second year. Lighted lanterns hang high overhead surrounded by thousand year old redwoods that are uplit to create a unique and awe-inspiring retreat back to nature.
Cruz Patrol plays 90s-to-current rock, pop, and dance party music in a casual setting.
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 Camp’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 Camp’s food services and gift shop will be open.
Moe's Alley Presents: Coffee Zombie Collective w/ special guests
It's the triumphant return of the outrageously amazing sounds of Coffee Zombie Collective! Dance to your favorite hits that have been completely reimagined and blended together for your enjoyment. Saturday, October 10, 2026 Doors: 8pm // Show: 9pm $15 in advance // $20 day of the show 21+ * No Refunds | All sales are final * Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com * Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event * Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event ==== COFFEE ZOMBIE COLLECTIVE Coffee Zombie Collective formed in 2010 as a loose group of sleep-deprived musicians playing their favorite lesser-heard songs alongside karaoke barn burner hits. The band has continued to evolve, mixing in their own originals alongside twisted acoustic reimaginings of contemporary pop hits such as Lourde's "Royals" and cult classics such as Motörhead's "Ace of Spades." Coffee Zombie Collective takes the songs you love, or love to hate, and weaves them into medlies, or upside-down interpretations that always leaves audiences smiling. The band's high-energy stage performances whip audiences into a sing-along dance frenzy. The repeated on-stage mantra is "If you know the words, sing along. If you don't know the words, sing louder!" If you're at the show, you're part of the collective, and highly encouraged to contribute in the frisky, sweaty, ad-libbed sound explosion that is Coffee Zombie Collective. It's never the same show twice.
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