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Showing 30 of 136 upcoming events ยท from 2026-08-01 ยท to 2026-08-02
๐ Humanities and Social Sciences Facility
๐ 1:00 AM โ 12:59 AM ยท $500
The Dickens Universe is a unique cultural event that brings together scholars, teachers, students, and members of the general public for a week of stimulating discussion and festive social activity on the beautiful Santa Cruz campus of the University of Californiaโall focused on one or two Victorian novels, usually (but not always) one by Charles Dickens. In 2026, the Dickens Universe will feature Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Dickensโs ninth novel, published between 1852-1853, shines a light on social injustice and the devastating effects of a corrupt legal system, following the entangled lives of those caught in the never-ending Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Told in alternating narrative voices, this rich literary experiment plays with a variety of genres from detective fiction and social realism to melodrama and satire. As characters move from city to suburb, from mansions to slums, we discover unexpected connections among classes, plots, and characters. Now in its 46th year of operation, the Dickens Universe combines features of a scholarly conference, a festival, a book club, and a summer camp. Participants include people of all ages and walks of lifeโdistinguished scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, retirees, young professionals, high school teachers, and anyone who loves reading and enjoys long Victorian novels. Here are some things that make the Universe such a special experience. The college lifestyle: participants live on campus, eat together in the student dining hall, and have time to meet and come to know each other in different ways. Everyone is reading the same book. We all have this one important thing in common. The activities include formal lectures, small discussion groups, films, daily Victorian teas, performances, and Victorian dancing. The Universe offers a week of total immersion in the world of Victorian fiction with friendly, like-minded colleagues in a beautiful setting. Whether weโre returning to a Dickens novel that everyone know
๐ Landmark Elementary School
๐ 7:45 AM โ 10:00 AM ยท See listing
The 5th annual Strawberry Jam 1K/5K Fun Run/Walk coordinated by the Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services will kick-off the Watsonville Strawberry Festival on Saturday August 1, 2026. The Jam begins and ends at the temporary location, Landmark Elementary School in Watsonville while Ramsay Park is being renovated. This is an easy and fun course that includes Watsonville's beautiful slough system with an out and back section on Ohlone Parkway. See photo of course. No dogs please, but families and strollers are welcome. Register on Active.com. Races will be coordinated by the Santa Cruz Track Club.
๐ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
๐ 8:00 AM โ 10:00 AM ยท See listing
We are offering a bird-watching program on August 1st at 8:00 am. Join us to learn all about life histories, behaviors, field markings, etc. On this 1-mile walk, we will make specific observations about characteristics that will certainly help us quack the case for many bird identifications! Let's plan to meet in the campground off of graham hill road. Hope to see you there! Make sure to bring binoculars and weather-appropriate attire. RSVP for this event at this page .
๐ Santa Cruz Zen Center
๐ 8:30 AM โ 9:10 AM ยท FREE
Zen Meditation. Open to all. Free of charge.
๐ Dynomite Farm
๐ 9:00 AM โ 5:00 PM ยท $59
Enjoy Dynomite Farmโs 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.
๐ UC Santa Cruz
๐ 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM ยท FREE
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 11โAugust 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 farmโs 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 โ $4 each Strawberry flats (12 pints) โ $44 Flowers โ $25 for 32oz deli container Flower buckets โ $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).
๐ East Lake Village Shopping Center
๐ 9:00 AM โ 11:00 AM ยท 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!
๐ Deer Park Shopping Center
๐ 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM ยท See listing
Monterey Bay Iris Society is having its annual iris rhizome sale next to the Red Apple Cafe. This is your chance to get some healthy iris rhizomes from the private gardens of the members of the Monterey Bay Iris Society. This annual sale is well-known for its large selection of tall bearded iris. The rhizomes are $5 each or 10 for $40. At the sale, expert iris growers will be on hand to help you with your selection and will have printed handouts on how to grow iris. The sale is popular so get there early to get the best selection. If you can't make this sale, they will be available on August 8th at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. They will also be available on August 15th at 2716 Mission Street in Santa Cruz next to the Santa Cruz Farmers Market.
๐ Desert Dreams Dance
๐ 9:15 AM โ 11:00 AM ยท See listing
This is a mixed-level ballet class for adult ballet dancers with Elizebeth Randall Rains.
๐ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
๐ 10:00 AM โ 2:00 PM ยท See listing
0 booked, 4 available Glazing
๐ Boulder Creek
๐ 10:00 AM โ 3:00 PM ยท $642.09
Shilpa Vir
๐ Cabrillo College
๐ 10:00 AM โ 11:30 AM ยท $38
Join Dr. Michelle Bean, Dr. Leta Jussila, and Cindy Hill-Ford for an introductory exploration of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Learn about ketamine-assisted therapy, preparation and integration practices, safety considerations, clinical applications, and current research shaping this evolving field of healing and mental health.
๐ La Selva Beach Clubhouse
๐ 10:00 AM โ 4:00 PM ยท FREE
Craft Fair with 50 unique arts and crafts booths. Huge book sale with books of all genres. Bake sale and prize raffle of vendor donations. Local craft beers on tap. Live music from That Country Feeling Band. Tacos el Jesse and S&B Burgers food trucks. Free admission! Contact: [email protected]
๐ Ben Lomond County Park
๐ 10:00 AM โ 2:00 PM ยท 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 youโre shopping for unique goods, savoring local flavors, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the Village is a must-visit event.
๐ UCSC Farm
๐ 10:00 AM โ 11:30 AM ยท See listing
Take a free, guided tour of the 30-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and childrenโs garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Heavy rain cancels. Tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following dates (please RSVP for the tour of your choice): Saturday, July 11 Saturday, August 1 Saturday, September 12 Saturday, October 3
๐ Santa Cruz
๐ 10:00 AM โ 1:00 PM ยท 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 SoulCollageยฎ 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, SoulCollageยฎ 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 SoulCollageยฎ cards! We use scissors, glue, and images cut from magazines to create our cards. Youโll take home several finished cardsโand 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
๐ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐ 10:00 AM โ 4:00 PM ยท $32
From Trees to Shining Seas โ 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. Todayโs 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.
๐ UC Santa Cruz
๐ 10:00 AM โ 11:30 AM ยท FREE
Take a free, guided tour of the 30-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and children's garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Heavy rain cancels.
๐ Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center
๐ 10:00 AM โ 11:30 AM ยท See listing
Join us on a 0.5-1.5 mile tour based on group preference. Trails available are the Marsh Trail, the Hoover Loop Trail, or both. Our Nature and History Center will be open to explore immediately after the walk. Register Here
๐ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
๐ 11:00 AM โ 5:00 PM ยท $423.34
Dive into crafting killer screen stories & boost your writing skills with fellow creatives at our educational, hands- intensive 3 day class!
๐ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐ 11:00 AM ยท See listing
Saturday, August 01 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
๐ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐ 11:00 AM ยท See listing
Saturday, August 01 2026 10:00am - 4:00pm Enjoy shopping for books and crafts, live music, food trucks, local craft beers, and more at the Books & Brews event at the the La Selva Beach Clubhouse and Florido Lawn from 10 am to 4 pm.
๐ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐ 11:00 AM ยท See listing
Saturday, August 01 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us each Saturday morning for a relaxing time crafting with your neighbors.
๐ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐ 11:00 AM โ 6:00 PM ยท 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 Districtโs 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.
๐ Wilder Ranch State Park
๐ 11:00 AM โ 1:30 PM ยท 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.
๐ Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
๐ 11:00 AM โ 8:00 PM ยท FREE
The first annual Aloha Music & Arts Festival Santa Cruz will take place Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, bringing together local musicians, hula schools, artists, food vendors, and community organizations for a weekend celebrating Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Pacific cultures. Gates open daily at 11 a.m. Admission to the festival is free. Donations are welcome. Parking will be available for $20 per vehicle. No in-and-out privileges will be allowed, and re-entry fees will be enforced. Produced by Victor Ohana Productions LLC, the festival aims to celebrate the Spirit of Aloha while creating a new cultural tradition for the Central Coast community. Organizers say the event was created to strengthen connections among local Polynesian communities, while offering residents and visitors a new summer cultural experience in Santa Cruz County. โThis festival is about bringing people together through music, dance, food, art, and community,โ said Marie Victor, founder of Victor Ohana Productions. โSanta Cruz has deep cultural and historical connections to Hawaiสปi through surf culture and the ocean lifestyle. We wanted to create an event that celebrates those shared influences while showcasing the incredible local talent we have here in Northern California.โ Rather than featuring a national headliner, the festival will spotlight local bands and performers from throughout Santa Cruz County and the surrounding region. Organizers said the focus of the event is community participation and cultural authenticity. Festival attendees can expect: โ Food vendors featuring Pacific-inspired cuisine โ Local arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors โ Information booths from community nonprofits and organizations โ Family-friendly cultural activities and entertainment Local Live Music โ Victor Ohana 3 Generations โ Ho' Omana โ Hunawai โ Kanalu โ Laule'a Hawaiian Band โ Ka La'i O Mele โ George Kahumoku Jr (Grammy Award Winner in
๐ Sacred Owl Land
๐ 11:00 AM โ 9:00 PM ยท $800
Sacred Return Retreat offers a trauma-informed container for ceremony, breathwork, yoga, sound healing, and deep inner work. Facilitated in collaboration with Dr. Leta Jussila and Dallas McKenzie at Sacred Owl Land, this immersive retreat supports healing, transformation, and personal growth through intentional preparation, ceremony, and integration.
๐ Historic Downtown Watsonville
๐ 11:00 AM โ 7:00 PM ยท FREE
This free, family-friendly festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, kidsโ activities, local artisans, business and specialty vendors, and a mouthwatering variety of food. Strawberry lovers can look forward to creative berry-infused treats like pizza, tacos, churros, popcorn, shortcake, beer, and more! Be sure to catch crowd favorites like the Pie-Eating Contest and Berry Best Dressed Contest. Open 11:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday and 11:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday
๐ Santa Cruz
๐ 11:00 AM โ 12:00 PM ยท See listing
Staff offers a guided adobe tour centered on the experiences of Native communities in the Santa Cruz mission providing insight into daily life, cultural change, and the impacts of the mission system. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and enduring presence of Indigenous people in the region. Reservation Link:
๐ UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
๐ 11:00 AM โ 12:15 PM ยท $10
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretumโs 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.
