Oct
1
Join us for Santa Cruz County’s largest job fair for a chance to meet with companies currently hiring for a broad range of positions!
Beach & Boardwalk
17 upcoming events · Main Beach · Wharf
Oct
2
Calling all Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors—this exciting overnight adventure is just for you! 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 Friday night • Sand Sculpture Competition • Event Patch • Ride Wristband for Saturday • Discounted Parking Package Price: $99.95 per person Deadline September 27, 2026, or until full. Register today! bit.ly/Fall-Girl-Scout-Overnight
Oct
3
Calling all Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors—this exciting overnight adventure is just for you! 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 Friday night • Sand Sculpture Competition • Event Patch • Ride Wristband for Saturday • Discounted Parking Package Price: $99.95 per person Deadline September 27, 2026, or until full. Register today! bit.ly/Fall-Girl-Scout-Overnight
Oct
7
Boardwalk Fright Flicks: Killer Klowns from Outer Space
📍 Santa Cruz Boardwalk
🕒 7:30 PM · See listing
Wednesdays, October 7-28, 2026 Doors 7:30pm, Movie 8pm Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy your favorite scary movies in the historic ballroom at The Grove: Santa Cruz Event Center. 21+ Event Oct 7 - Killer Klowns from Outer Space Oct 14 - Shaun of the Dead Oct 21 - Get Out Oct 28 - The Sixth Sense $18 Entry Fee Includes: Beach Chair seating (first come, first served) and Banquet Chair seating plus one hosted drink ticket. $30 Premium Seating - SOLD OUT Includes: Reserved premium seating with inflatable chairs, one hosted drink ticket, and popcorn plus sweet treat. 21+ only- IDs will be checked at the entrance. Themed giveaways for the first 50 attendees each night! Full bar featuring signature drinks Snacks available for purchase Beach chair seating available on a first-come, first-served basis You are encouraged to come in costume, but please adhere to the following rules: • No weapons of any kind • No masks • Costumes should not display offensive symbolism or gestures • No outside food or drink allowed
Oct
9
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
Oct
10
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!
Oct
10
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
Oct
14
Wednesdays, October 7-28, 2026 Doors 7:30pm, Movie 8pm Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy your favorite scary movies in the historic ballroom at The Grove: Santa Cruz Event Center. 21+ Event Oct 7 - Killer Klowns from Outer Space Oct 14 - Shaun of the Dead Oct 21 - Get Out Oct 28 - The Sixth Sense $18 Entry Fee Includes: Beach Chair seating (first come, first served) and Banquet Chair seating plus one hosted drink ticket. $30 Premium Seating - SOLD OUT Includes: Reserved premium seating with inflatable chairs, one hosted drink ticket, and popcorn plus sweet treat. 21+ only- IDs will be checked at the entrance. Themed giveaways for the first 50 attendees each night! Full bar featuring signature drinks Snacks available for purchase Beach chair seating available on a first-come, first-served basis You are encouraged to come in costume, but please adhere to the following rules: • No weapons of any kind • No masks • Costumes should not display offensive symbolism or gestures • No outside food or drink allowed
Oct
17
Go see an exciting musical parade as 55 Northern California high school and junior high school marching bands compete next to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the ONLY band review with warm sand, cool surf, and hot rides!
Oct
21
Wednesdays, October 7-28, 2026 Doors 7:30pm, Movie 8pm Bring your friends for a night of fun and frights! With a cocktail in your hand, enjoy your favorite scary movies in the historic ballroom at The Grove: Santa Cruz Event Center. 21+ Event Oct 7 - Killer Klowns from Outer Space Oct 14 - Shaun of the Dead Oct 21 - Get Out Oct 28 - The Sixth Sense $18 Entry Fee Includes: Beach Chair seating (first come, first served) and Banquet Chair seating plus one hosted drink ticket. $30 Premium Seating - SOLD OUT Includes: Reserved premium seating with inflatable chairs, one hosted drink ticket, and popcorn plus sweet treat. 21+ only- IDs will be checked at the entrance. Themed giveaways for the first 50 attendees each night! Full bar featuring signature drinks Snacks available for purchase Beach chair seating available on a first-come, first-served basis You are encouraged to come in costume, but please adhere to the following rules: • No weapons of any kind • No masks • Costumes should not display offensive symbolism or gestures • No outside food or drink allowed
Oct
24
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili! Boardwalk admission is free! Just purchase a Tasting Kit to sample chili from dozens of competitors. Tasting Kits include eight (8) taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot. Purchase your tasting kit(s) onsite at any ticket booth.
Oct
24
It's the sizzling showdown you've been waiting for! Professional and amateur chefs put their best recipes to the test in an epic battle for the title of Best Chili. Come hungry and experience the flavor-packed fun! ️ Event happens rain or shine COOK-OFF SCHEDULE 9am-10am Chef's prep (no heat) 10am-1pm Chili cook time 10am Tasting Kits go on sale 1pm Public tasting begins 4pm Winners announced at the Colonnade stage Try Some Chili! Boardwalk admission is free! Just purchase a Tasting Kit to sample chili from dozens of competitors. Tasting Kits are $15 each and include eight (8) taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot. Purchase your tasting kit(s) onsite at any ticket booth. Portion of Proceeds A portion of proceeds from each tasting kit sold will benefit the Youth Resource Bank of Santa Cruz County, an all-volunteer nonprofit that helps meet the needs of vulnerable children and youth. Since 1988, YRB has provided essentials such as backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and sports equipment through partnerships with local social workers, teachers, and public health professionals. ✅ Enter your team today: bit.ly/Chili-Cook-Off-fb Awards include plaques, cash prizes, and bragging rights! Registration Deadline: Oct 12, 2026 or until full
Oct
24
Join Us for the 30th Annual Strike Out Against Cancer Bowlathon! It's time to lace up your bowling shoes and help make a difference! Join WomenCARE on Saturday, October 24 at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Bowl for one of our favorite events of the year—a fun-filled afternoon of bowling, costumes, prizes, raffles, and community, all while raising critical funds to support local women facing cancer. Can't make it in person? No problem! Register a Virtual Team and collect pledges from wherever you are. Register as: A Team Captain (grab up to 4 friends!) Join an existing team Register as an individual bowler Create a Virtual Team Choose Your Session: Session 1: 1:00–2:15 PM Session 2: 2:30–3:45 PM Virtual Team: Fundraise from anywhere! Start collecting pledges today! Our goal is $500 per team, but we encourage you to aim even higher as we work together toward our fundraising goal. Every bowler receives: ✔️ Bowling shoes ✔️ One raffle ticket ✔️ Complimentary refreshments Prizes awarded for: Highest fundraising team Highest individual fundraiser Highest bowling scores Best team costumes …and more! Get creative! Pick a fun team name, dress in costume, bowl in honor or memory of someone special, and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join the fun. Can't bowl? You can still make a difference. Please consider making a donation to support WomenCARE's free cancer support services in Santa Cruz County. Every dollar helps ensure no one has to face cancer alone. Register, donate, download pledge forms, and learn more: StrikeOutAgainstCancer.org Questions? Email: [email protected] ☎️ 831-457-2273 We can't wait to see you on the lanes!
Oct
31
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and spooktacular Boardwalk fun! It’s always free to enter the Boardwalk, but if you would like to receive a collectible Boardwalk bag with a punch card for trick-or-treating, follow the link in the orange button above! Head to the Main Entrance photo op banner to take a costume photo to enter the costume contest. If you win, your prize will be mailed to you! Will you be brave enough to venture under the Boardwalk? Fright Walk has been upgraded with additional scares and more square footage. There will be some high-tech surprises and some good old-fashioned frights.
Nov
7
Check out hundreds of sweet hot rods, street rods, vintage, muscle, custom, and classic cars in the Boardwalk Parking Lot. Free admission!
Dec
4
The Boardwalk Holiday Bash is BACK! This is the ultimate holiday party for small businesses and groups—no stress, all fun. We handle everything. You just show up and celebrate! Tickets Include: • Buffet Dinner • Unlimited Soft drinks and iced tea • Free Arcade Play, including Mini Golf and Laser Tag • Photo Booths with festive props • Caricaturist and Airbrush Tattoos • DJ entertainment and dancing • Your favorite Boardwalk sweet treats • And more special surprises Cost per person: $69.99+tax Reserve Now: https://bit.ly/Boardwalk-Holiday-Bash Reservation Deadline: November 16, 2026 Advance reservations are required. Minimum of 8 for new registrations. Must be 16 years and older. Full, no-host bar open all evening. Drink tickets available for purchase for those 21+. For more information, email [email protected] or call (831) 460-3359.
Dec
12
Come enjoy holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine!🎅 📸Take photos with Santa! ☃️ Checkout Wharf Business Specials! ❄️Play in the snow area with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen! 🎈Enjoy custom balloon designs from Lee Balloons! 🎨 Get your face painted or feathers in your hair!
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