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๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz County, CA

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In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.

โ˜… Featured this season

Promotional image for Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute! โ˜… Featured Event
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 ยท 4:00 PM

Open House Tour at the New Puppetry Institute!

๐Ÿ“ The Puppetry Institute ยท Capitola ยท See listing

Important News from The Puppetry Institute Like many arts organizations, weโ€™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 weโ€™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, weโ€™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 weโ€™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. Weโ€™re excited for this next adventure and canโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ Capitola Details โ†’
Promotional image for 43rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival โ˜… Featured
Sat, Sep 12, 2026 ยท 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 isnโ€™t enough, Capitola Village is filled with restaurants for every taste and charming boutiques to satisfy a shopperโ€™s dream. Art, wine, music, and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beach-side setting of Capitola Villageโ€ฆsummerโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ Capitola
Promotional image for Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 ยท Breath + Oneness

Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course

โšก Ceremony of Sound โšก Breath+Onenessโ€™ 100-hour Sound Healing Certification Course Get Certified in 4 weekends over 4 months โœจ 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. โ™ข Add to your current career or start a new one as you share your gift of sound healing with the world โ™ข Become who you are meant to be! Follow your purpose, passion, and artistic expression into the embrace of sound healing ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽต _____________________________ ๐Ÿ“… 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 ๐Ÿ™Œ EARLY BIRD pricing! Register by May 31st to save $250 on tuition. ๐Ÿ˜ 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 ๐Ÿ“ Capitola
Promotional image for September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary! Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 ยท 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 โ€“ 1:00pm!): โ€ข Allswell โ€ข Arcata Fire โ€ข Auntie Aloha โ€ข BLOOM โ€ข Daze Off โ€ข Glass House Farms โ€ข Give Thanks/ Stony's Reserves โ€ข Greenline โ€ข Habitat โ€ข Heavy Hitters โ€ข Jetty โ€ข Kanha โ€ข KwikEase โ€ข Maven Genetics โ€ข Not Your Father's โ€ข Pabst โ€ข Pacific Stone โ€ข PLUS โ€ข Punch โ€ข Pure Beauty โ€ข Raw Garden โ€ข Shooters โ€ข Space Craft โ€ข St. Ides โ€ข. UpNorth โ€ข Follow us on Instagram @treehousedispensary_sc! Head to our website for all the details! www.OurTreehouse.io ยท (831) 471-8289 ยท 3651 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA ยท C10-0000105-LIC ยท 21+ only please We can't wait to see you there! ๐Ÿ™‚ Swing by to look at the art on our walls & take advantage of our dope deals!

Art & Culture ๐Ÿ“ Soquel
Promotional image for Free First Friday Coming up
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 ยท 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 ๐Ÿ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

โ˜€๏ธ Happening today

Friday, September 4

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

1:00 AM
See listing
ReView
๐Ÿ“ Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
Education
8:30 AM
$2600
Ceremony of Sound: Sound Bath Practitioner Certification Course
๐Ÿ“ Breath + Oneness
Music
9:00 AM
$10
First Friday $10 Coworking
๐Ÿ“ NextSpace Santa Cruz
Community
9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
Community
9:00 AM
$10
Mindful Movement with Horses
๐Ÿ“ BEYOND liberty
Sports
9:30 AM
See listing
Evergreen Volunteer Days
๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Community
10:30 AM
$26.45
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
Cultural Event
10:30 AM
See listing
Mothersong
๐Ÿ“ Watsonville
Art & Culture
11:00 AM
See listing
September First Friday @ Treehouse Dispensary!
๐Ÿ“ Treehouse Dispensary
Art & Culture

What's happening

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Showing 30 of 128 upcoming events ยท from 2026-09-05 ยท to 2026-09-06

Sep
5

ReView

๐Ÿ“ Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
๐Ÿ•’ 1:00 AM โ€“ 12:59 AM ยท 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 Valรฉria Miranda, the Sesnonโ€™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 reevaluationโ€”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 universityโ€™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

Sep
5

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Birding for Beginners

๐Ÿ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 AM โ€“ 10:00 AM ยท 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

๐Ÿ“ Cabrillo College Aptos Campus
๐Ÿ•’ 8:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท 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 ๐Ÿ“ Midtown Details โ†’
Sep
5

Cars and Coffee

๐Ÿ“ East Lake Village Shopping Center
๐Ÿ•’ 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!

Sep
5

Beach Clean up

๐Ÿ“ Moran Lake Beach
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 10:30 AM ยท FREE

Please join Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz and Save Our Shores to help keep our coastline pristine. Itโ€™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!

๐Ÿ“ Lighthouse Field State Beach
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท FREE

Come get your hands dirty and help native plants thrive in some of the parkโ€™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. Weโ€™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 parkโ€™s native habitat healthy and thriving! ๐ŸŒฟ 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.

Sep
5

Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience

๐Ÿ“ Dynomite Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท $59

Enjoy Dynomite Farmโ€™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 โ†’
Sep
5

Sweet Water Farms: U-Pick Apples

๐Ÿ“ Sweet Water Farms
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $2

Enjoy another season of: ๐ŸŽ U-Pick Apples ๐ŸŽƒ Pumpkins ๐ŸŒณ Beautiful Orchard Views ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ Family Fun Apples are notorious for not reading travel itineraries. Please double check on what is ready to be picked before you go!

Sep
5

Santa Cruz Beach Train

๐Ÿ“ Roaring Camp Railroads
๐Ÿ•’ 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. Todayโ€™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

๐Ÿ“ Elkhorn Slough Reserve
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท 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 โ€“ 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

๐Ÿ“ Luz de Valle Farm
๐Ÿ•’ 10:00 AM โ€“ 4:00 PM ยท $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!

Sep
5

Ben Lomond County Park: Village Market

๐Ÿ“ Ben Lomond County Park
๐Ÿ•’ 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 youโ€™re shopping for unique goods, savoring local flavors, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the Village is a must-visit event.

Sep
5

Soul Collage

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz
๐Ÿ•’ 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. Youโ€™ll take home several finished cardsโ€”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 โ†’
Sep
5

All-Star Fest

๐Ÿ“ Highway 17 Studios
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท 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 ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Sep
5

Hwy 17 Studios: All-Star Food Fest

๐Ÿ“ Hwy 17 Studios
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM ยท 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 theyโ€™re packing them in a BRAND NEW VENUE thatโ€™s 20,0000sq ft! Your favorite food spots/makers, and so many bangers you canโ€™t wait to see! All in one spot. All for one day!

Festivals Food & Drink ๐Ÿ“ Westside Details โ†’
Sep
5

Wilder Ranch State Park: Living History Dairy Ranch

๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 3:00 PM ยท 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

๐Ÿ“ UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
๐Ÿ•’ 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 Arboretumโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
5

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Harbor
๐Ÿ•’ 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 Districtโ€™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

๐Ÿ“ Arboretum
๐Ÿ•’ 11:00 AM โ€“ 12:00 PM ยท See listing

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretumโ€™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 ๐Ÿ“ UCSC Details โ†’
Sep
5

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park
๐Ÿ•’ 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.

Sep
5

Family Storytime

๐Ÿ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
๐Ÿ•’ 11:30 AM ยท See listing

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

Community Family Details โ†’

98 more events further out

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