397 upcoming events
Do you struggle to find tasty, healthy food while traveling, camping, or backpacking? With good preparation, it doesn't have to be that way!
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Wednesday, August 12 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, August 12 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich We spend much of our time being sedentary, lost in our minds. Yet each movement you make throughout your day is an opportunity to be present. Self-Breema exercises are simple and dynamic, and offer a direct experience of body-mind connection. As you practice in class, you increase your ability to be present during your day. You will leave class nurtured, revitalized, and with newfound positivity! You are also welcome to drop in to this class in person at Hummingbird Valley (free of charge; no registration required). Registration for the online attendance of this class is available via the ticket link. Registering for in-person or online is completely free.
Wednesday, August 12 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Join the circle and write a poem in a supportive and creative environment.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Thursday, August 13 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, August 13 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
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 District’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.
Thursday, August 13 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
We are a 5-piece group led by LA-based guitarist and vocalist Ladi Oyediran, with the rest of us in Dallas: myself, Kayla Scales on keyboard and vocals, backed by Jelen Farrow on drums, Aaron Payton on bass, and Rafael Powell on saxophone. Our set can be an hour of originals up to two hours, including covers from SZA and Rex Orange County. We make R&B, Rock, and Soul for fans of The Internet and Steve Lacy.
Free Holistic Class: Your Invitation to a Calmer, Happier You On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the public is invited to a free introductory class in a practice that reduces stress, helps the body heal, quiets the mind, and opens the heart, ultimately gifting the practitioner with the experience of unconditional love. The free event will be held on the beach below Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz from 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Beach access stairs are on 20th Avenue with street parking on East Cliff between 18th & 19th Avenue and any side streets. The practice, called Sheng Zhen, includes moving and non-moving meditation; the Thursday class will focus on meditative movements done standing up led by local teachers Edward Willey and Kathy Welch. Anyone interested in inner peace, physical or emotional healing, spiritual awakening or creating a more peaceful, harmonious world is encouraged to attend. The event is hosted by Sheng Zhen Santa Cruz, which is also hosting a five-day retreat for Sheng Zhen teachers and practitioners from around the country who want to deepen their practice. Retreat participants will be at the public event. For more information about Sheng Zhen and the nonprofit organization, visit www.shengzhenamericas.org For more information about the Thursday event or ongoing Sheng Zhen classes offered in Santa Cruz, contact Kathy Welch at [email protected].
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Free Public Tours of the City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility are here. Don't miss this educational community favorite activity! Summer Public Tours Are Back! Public Tours of the Resource Recovery Facility will be offered every Friday at 10 AM from June 12th through August 14th, 2026. A single Saturday will also be offered on July 25th. Out of consideration for others, please only sign up on Saturday if Fridays are not an option for you. Come join us! Get ready to discover the journey your recycling and food scraps take—and see firsthand how your actions make a difference! Visitors will see what happens to the 30 to 50 tons of material that Santa Cruzians place into their blue recycle bins every single day. We will also learn why it is important to “recycle right,” avoid “wish-cycling," and why we can't rely on a triangle and a blue bin anymore. Visitors will see a mountain of scrap metal, learn about the facility’s Household Hazardous Waste Program, and see the Food Scrap Pre-Processor Machine. Don’t miss out on this chance to become a waste reduction pro! Tours are limited to 20 people. Children must be at least 8 years old. Youth ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes 48 hours before the tour date. No Drop-Ins. Safety Notice: This tour includes stairs and standing/walking for approximately 45 minutes. On this tour, you may be exposed to loud noises, dust, or tight spaces. Please note that this is a working industrial facility with potential hazards, and your safety is our top priority. Please wear closed-toe sturdy shoes and long pants. We will provide safety vests, eye protection, ear protection, and hard hats. Please inform City staff before your tour date if you will need accommodations.
Art for Healing: Using the power of the creative process to provide support, insight and a deeper relationship with yourself in a safe and nurturing environment. No art experience necessary. All art supplies provided.Meets 2nd Friday of the month, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. (Space is limited so please check with WomenCARE re: availability) Facilitated by Dayna Lea
Friday, August 14 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Celebrate Bookstore Romance Day at Bookshop Santa Cruz: Camp Daydream is in session! Join us this Bookstore Romance Day for a day full of camp-inspired activities! Bunk-up with fellow romance...
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Santa Cruz Schnauzer Meet Up Saturday, August 15th at Ocean View Dog Park. Bring your schnauzer, or schnauzer mix, or terrier. All sizes are welcome. This event starts at 9:30 am. We will take a group photo at 10:30, and disperse soon after. Meet at the off leash area. Please keep your pet on leash until you find us. Come for the socialization. Stay for the fun.
With so many things requiring our attention each day, it can be difficult to find balance. This can lead to nervous system dysfunction, indicated by fatigue, overwhelm, anxiety, insomnia, and even illness. Breema Bodywork, Self-Breema Exercises, and the Nine Principles of Harmony offer practical tools to balance your nervous system, and bring more presence and vitality into your life. In this workshop you will learn: —Simple partner Breema bodywork exercises that are as nurturing to give as to receive —Self-Breema exercises that can be practiced throughout the day to harmonize and balance your mind, body, and feelings —Breema’s Nine Prinicples of Harmony that support you to discover a new energy, clarity, and enthusiasm for life! This workshop is ideal for those new to Breema’s transformational perspective on ways to live simply and meaningfully, as well as those with prior experience! Each workshop offers new material that will support you to have a more balanced, harmonious, and grounded perspective on life. Please be comfortable sitting, moving, and working on a well padded floor. $50 if paid by August 5 (use coupon code EARLYBIRD), $60 thereafter. For more information please contact the Breema Center: 510-428-0937 or [email protected] Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Denise Berezonsky and Dena Ehrlich
A fun and easy-to-learn way of drawing structured patterns to create beautiful images. The Zentangle Method makes drawing patterns, or tangles, accessible to almost anyone of all ages since tangles are created from basic pen strokes. If you can write your name, you can create art with Zentangle. As you draw tangles you will likely experience increased focus, calm, creativity and well-being. For those of you who attended the Introductory Zentangle class on February 20, this class will also introduce Zentangle and review the Zentangle Method. However, we will be doing variations of previously taught tangles and/or new tangles, so you will create a completely different Zentangle tile than before. Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.Facilitated by Cynthia Balthaser.
Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer celebration – take the whole family, including your dog! Enjoy local craft beer, wine, great food, ice cream, games, music and fun in the pool for adults, children and your dog too! Sign up for your dog’s swim time before the event.
Join Santa Cruz County Parks Department and the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for the 11th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party FUNdraiser at the Simpkins Family Swim Center! Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer celebration with great food, music, and fun in the pool for adults, children, and your dog, too! Get your ticket now and join in on the fun on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM! All proceeds will benefit County Parks youth programs and Animal Shelter programs. Plus, don't miss out on our amazing raffle with prizes worth up to $1,600! Learn more at bit.ly/parksandrexinfo Ticket information: Adults are $15 presale/ $20 day of and kids are $5 presale/ $10 day of. Dogs are free!Sign up for your presale tickets and tickets for dog swims all on Rec.us. One presale swim time per dog and a minimum of one handler to one dog is required. Additional human tickets are available as “Tickets Without Dogs”. Entry tickets are for the whole event, but your dog’s 20-minute swim window will be indicated on your ticket. You can check in with WoofPack day of for additional swim times, subject to availability
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:
Finding Shape, Color & Composition in Everyday Materials Collage begins with learning to see. In this introductory, hands-on workshop, participants will explore the elements of design and principles of composition using found papers, photographs, maps, botanical imagery, magazines, and printed ephemera. Through demonstrations and guided exercises, you'll learn how framing, cropping, layering, repetition, and thoughtful composition can transform ordinary materials into dynamic works of art. We'll explore visual concepts, including the Rule of Thirds, the Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Spiral), balance, rhythm, contrast, and focal point, as we create several collage studies and one finished piece. Participants will mat and frame one completed collage to take home, ready to display. Techniques Explored ● Elements of design: shape, line, color, texture, pattern, and negative space ● Framing and cropping to discover strong compositions ● Layering, repetition, and abstraction using found papers and photographs ● Creating balance, rhythm, movement, and focal points ● Editing and refining compositions through scale, contrast, and placement Materials A wide selection of found papers, magazines, photographs, vintage ephemera, maps, botanical imagery, and collage tools will be provided. Participants are also encouraged to bring personal photographs, paper scraps, or printed materials they'd like to incorporate into their work. About Gina Gina Gaiser is an Oakland-based artist working in photography, collage, and digital media. Her work begins with photographs of the built environment and the natural world, where she is drawn to overlooked patterns, textures, and structures. She cuts apart and reassembles these images into layered compositions that explore repetition, abstraction, and transformation. She earned a BA in Studio Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, studied printmaking and art history at Il Bisonte in Florence, Italy, and received an MFA in Digital Media,
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 District’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.
Saturday, August 15 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Saturday, August 15 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm In this two-part short story workshop, writers will explore how to shape a story from an initial idea into a more focused, compelling draft.
The Saltwater Market - Vintage - Thrift - Upcycle Come by the Santa Cruz Harbor 2222 East Cliff Drive on Saturday August 15 from 12-4pm The market will feature local vintage resellers, clothing vendors, artists, and makers, transforming the Santa Cruz Harbor into an open-air shopping experience with a distinctly coastal vibe.
Saturday, August 15 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm Scrapbooking group meets every third Saturday of the month.
Saturday, August 15 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Saturday, August 15 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm Nothing Like Normal is a tender coming of age story about growing up with an older sister who developed schizophrenia at the tender age of 15.
A night of Improv comedy. 6 troupes, 16 performers . Buckets of fun all for your enjoyment.
Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you'll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, the duo performs vintage country & cowboy music, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads and trail songs. Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame, and Carolyn is the current Academy of Western Artists Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year. They front the award winning five piece band, The Carolyn Sills Combo, which has released three albums to date. Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on standard guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
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 District’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.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Monday, August 17 2026 12:30pm - 2:30pm Brought to you by Village Santa Cruz - Topics covered are personal, legal, medical, financial, insurance, real estate, living options, daily living, crisis plan, home health, hospice and end of life.
Monday, August 17 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Monday, August 17 2026 6:30pm - 8:00pm Library Advisory Commission
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Tuesday, August 18 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic provides evaluations, screenings, and treatment and connects you to services that support physical and mental health on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Hrs: 9-12 & 1-3. Bilingual.
Ready to explore new career opportunities? Join fellow UC alumni from across all 10 UC campuses at the HireUC Alumni Career Summit – Irvine, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with 75+ employers actively recruiting UC talent . This complimentary, expo-style event brings together accomplished job seekers and employers representing a wide range of industries and career fields. Meet face-to-face with hiring representatives, learn about current opportunities, expand your professional network, and discover what’s next in your career journey. Tuesday, August 18, 2026 UCI Student Center Whether you’re actively searching for your next role or exploring future possibilities, we invite you to join us for a day of meaningful connections and career discovery. Complimentary for alumni attendees. Advance registration is required. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Tuesday, August 18 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, August 18 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, August 18 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Tuesday, August 18 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm This Bingo program for people with special abilities (disabilities) is adaptable to all because it uses pictures!
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Wednesday, August 19 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, August 19 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich We spend much of our time being sedentary, lost in our minds. Yet each movement you make throughout your day is an opportunity to be present. Self-Breema exercises are simple and dynamic, and offer a direct experience of body-mind connection. As you practice in class, you increase your ability to be present during your day. You will leave class nurtured, revitalized, and with newfound positivity! You are also welcome to drop in to this class in person at Hummingbird Valley (free of charge; no registration required). Registration for the online attendance of this class is available via the ticket link. Registering for in-person or online is completely free.
Wednesday, August 19 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm Join us for free Pilates at the Library! All levels welcome. Bring your own mat and water. Enjoy a fun, energizing workout led by volunteer Jennifer Balboni. First come, first served!
Wednesday, August 19 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm Join us for a movie matinee for the family with California Film and Cultural Center. Enjoy our popcorn or bring your own snacks! Free!
Play the new board game Aqua Cruz! There’s a lot that goes into keeping the water flowing in Santa Cruz, which is completely dependent on local rainfall for the City’s water supply. To show customers what it takes to plan for a reliable water future, the Santa Cruz Water Department has developed Aqua Cruz, a board game that puts players in charge. Every decision counts in the race to close the water supply gap. Aqua Cruz players will strategize which projects to pursue while navigating real-world challenges to keep the water flowing! The event is free to attend and no RSVP is necessary. Aqua Cruz is recommended for ages 13 and older.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Steve Hawk, former editor of Surfer, who will share his thrilling new novel Nearshore, a mix of literary suspense and coastal noir which follows an...
SUBMERGE exists for the dancers and for the artists. It's a dance party, a movement meditation and a fantastic workout all at once. Drawing inspiration from the great dances of music festivals and burning man, as well as the best parts of the ecstatic dance movement, SUBMERGE exists to provide dancers a deep canvas for movement, and also for experienced artists (often with decades of wisdom) to get fairly paid. 100% of ticket revenues go to the artists.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
A writing workshop the 55+ age group to reflect on awareness of the natural environment and climate change. This encourages community, socialization, and creativity among the older individuals who may be at higher risk for isolation and mental health. Stephany Buswell has been in writers’ group for approximately ten years. What has grown out of this was her memoir, published in 2022. She is currently working on her second book, both memoir and comedy writing, telling stories of her cake disasters and interesting situations. Stephany is a retired pastry chef and has spent the last fifty years making cakes for all occasions. Writing has become her new passion after retiring as a pastry chef instructor. Elbina Batala Rafizadeh is a published writer, poet, and Cal Poet teacher. Her first book of poetry was published in 2024. She is also co-editor of an anthology of peace poetry published in 2024. She has facilitated short story and poetry writing groups since 1997. She is a member of the Writers of Color and a California Poet teacher. She is now semi-retired and teaches one health class at West Valley Mission College. Her cultural heritage and experiences in the natural world inform her writing. Third Thursdays Jan-May and Jul-Nov; not held in-branch June and December. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=writing+group+for+55&r=range&start=2026-01-01&end=2026-12-30
Thursday, August 20 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, August 20 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.
Thursday, August 20 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Thursday, August 20 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
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 District’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.
Thursday, August 20 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm How are you using generative AI?
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Thursday, August 20 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm Quarterly meetings to support parents and educators.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Friday, August 21 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm Share what you're reading and discover new favorites! Bring any book: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or more - and join a welcoming group for lively discussion and recommendations.
Friday, August 21 2026 12:10pm - 12:50pm A popular monthly series of free noon-time concerts at the Downtown Branch. Pieces and performers vary from month to month. Bring your lunch and enjoy some music!
Friday, August 21 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Join a diverse group of cyber security enthusiasts every 3rd Friday of the month from 1-3PM or on the 1st Sunday of the month from 3-5PM.
Come visit the JOHI showroom to learn about a Santa Cruz furniture studio dedicated to functional design and unique form. We will be showcasing hardwood furniture and a look into the process of creating long lasting designs. Led by husband-wife product and interior design partners Raja Badr-El-Din and Holly Apau Badr-El-Din, who launched JOHI in 2019. Since the beginning, we’ve kept people at the heart of our work, celebrating meaningful connections at home and in our community. We welcome you to come to our showroom to touch and explore local craftsmanship.
Friday, August 21 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
Unwind at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park with an old-fashioned campfire event this summer! From 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, visitors can enjoy a campfire at the state historic park, listen to live music and make fresh tortillas on the comal! Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food for an evening picnic and listen to the musical guest. The event is free and the state park is located at 144 School St Santa Cruz CA 95060.
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Saturday, August 22 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
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:
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 District’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.
Free pet adoptions at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter on August 1, 22 and 29, 11am to 6pm.
Saturday, August 22 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games.Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary.
Ready for an adventure beneath towering Coast Redwoods? This program is for you! Join us for an easy 0.5 mile hike through a gorgeous grove to share an experience with the redwood trees, and learn a little bit about their life history. We'll meet at the Old Tree Trail head, just down the road from the Visitor Center, at 1:00pm. Please wear weather-appropriate attire and be prepared to walk about 1 mile on easy trail. Click here to RSVP .
A Santa Cruz Premiere! Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Santa Cruz for the first time in a fully staged production with a live orchestra. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a lonely high school student struggling with social anxiety who longs to feel like he belongs. After a misunderstanding following the death of a classmate, Evan finds himself caught in a lie that unexpectedly brings him closer to the grieving family—and gives him the connection he’s always wanted. But as the truth becomes harder to hide, Evan must face the consequences of the choices he’s made. Filled with unforgettable songs by Academy Award, Grammy, and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), Dear Evan Hansen is a moving story, with both humor and deep emotionality, about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the universal desire to be seen and accepted. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Contains themes of suicide, grief, mental health, and strong emotional content.
Saturday, August 22 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm Lois Flood, an authority on Isadora Duncan's life and legacy, including her dance style, will give a presentation about the life of Isadora Duncan and her contributions to the dance world.
Nestled in the steep, coastal Santa Cruz mountains are the terraced, heritage vines of Rosscienda Vineyards - where the warm climate is met with morning mists that cool the vines. Enjoy balanced wines with distinct flavors that beautifully represent the unique terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Featuring Chef Brad Briske of HOME Restaurant. Experience a feast of summer flavor as we look ahead to the harvest season while dining al fresco on a beautiful August evening. Participating Wineries: to be announced Event Address: to be announced About the Taste of Terroir Dinner Series Explore the unique boutique wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains through the Taste of Terroir dinner series, an intimate culinary and wine experience of tasting salons and dinners held throughout the AVA. The dinners typically start with a 1.5 hour walk-around wine tasting reception followed by a seated full-course meal prepared by local chefs who pride themselves on sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Meet the winemakers and fellow wine enthusiasts! Tickets are $175* *All ticket pricing is inclusive of food, wines and gratuities. All events are open to the public and reserved for guests 21 and over. Tickets are non-refundable. Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine club members receive a 15% discount on up to 2 tickets - for more information, reach out to contact@scmwa.
Rod Stinson is a local Sacramento musician playing reggae-inspired covers and originals.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
More Than Paper is a mixed-media collage workshop that uses layers, texture, and composition to tell stories, preserve memories, and explore themes. Using paper as a starting point, participants will combine photographs, text, fabric, stitching, drawing, paint, stamps, stencils, and found materials to create expressive work on wood panels or other sturdy surfaces. Students will use layering, obscuring, repetition, and juxtaposition to explore how materials create meaning. The class also emphasizes cohesive composition and the development of a personal visual language through recurring shapes, symbols, colors, and imagery. Techniques Explored • Collage composition and storytelling • Using vintage photos, text, maps, and ephemera • Sewing into paper and cloth • Layering tissue and translucent materials • Drawing,mark-making, and paint • Adding dimension with nails, tacks, thread, and stitching • Adhesives and basic archival practices This class encourages experimentation and discovery while helping participants bring ideas and narratives to life through mixed-media techniques. About Wendy Wendy Aikin is a Watsonville, California-based artist whose encaustic, collage and assemblage works weave stories from wax, found objects, and memory. A co-founder of Wax Works West, she helped share the magic of encaustic with over 1,000 students worldwide. Largely self-taught but endlessly curious, she continues to explore and experiment in her Corralitos studio, where most days she’s happily elbow-deep in wax and glue.
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 District’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.
Sunday, 7:00 PM - Performing with "PATTIE GILBERT & THE WANDERLUST"
Monday, August 24 2026 12:00am - 11:59pm R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12. By appointment only. Please, no drop-ins! To make an appointment, call 831-427-7713
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Monday, August 24 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers.
Monday, August 24 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 10:00am - 11:30am A free legal clinic on the topic of Planning for the Future, hosted by Senior Legal Services for Seniors aged 60+.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 10:00am - 3:00pm Providing equitable care with a monthly visit on the 4th Tuesday of the month to the Boulder Creek Branch Library.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Virtual Author Talk with Award-Winning Plant Biologist and Author Beronda Montgomery. When Trees Testify: Reclaiming America’s Black Botanical Legacy.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
Tuesday, August 25 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm Join us for Neighbors for Neighbors: Belonging Builds Community, presented by Housing Matters in partnership with Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Join us for a powerful evening of poetry and reflection! Celebrate the release of Winter in America (Still, a sequel anthology that includes a range of voices respond...
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Wednesday, August 26 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, August 26 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich We spend much of our time being sedentary, lost in our minds. Yet each movement you make throughout your day is an opportunity to be present. Self-Breema exercises are simple and dynamic, and offer a direct experience of body-mind connection. As you practice in class, you increase your ability to be present during your day. You will leave class nurtured, revitalized, and with newfound positivity! You are also welcome to drop in to this class in person at Hummingbird Valley (free of charge; no registration required). Registration for the online attendance of this class is available via the ticket link. Registering for in-person or online is completely free.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 26 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm Reading in the Redwoods book group meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the Felton Teen Room, except in Nov. & Dec.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Thursday, August 27 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, August 27 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Virtual Author Talk with Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Guest List and The Midnight Feast.
Thursday, August 27 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
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 District’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.
Thursday, August 27 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Kylan deGhetaldi is a pianist, singer and composer specializing in ragtime and other early jazz genres. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Kylan was drawn to the music of Scott Joplin and other ragtime composers from an early age. After starting one of the first YouTube channels featuring ragtime and “stride” piano, Kylan soon began performing on the trad jazz circuit, and eventually he founded and directed his own ragtime festival in Santa Cruz in 2016/17. Kylan is also a touring member of the international sensation Postmodern Jukebox, with whom he has performed in over 50 cities on 4 continents. Locals Love: The Alley Oop! atmosphere of an intimate, windowless 50-seat speakeasy with leather booths, a 1952 Baldwin baby grand piano, and vintage French fashion posters. First Timers Miss: The dress code is “Dress sharp, speak easy”. Leave your flip flops at the beach. Insights: There are no reservations. It is all first come, first served. The entrance off Jazz Alley and Birch Street has no prominent signage. There is no cover, but they focus on vintage cocktails and high end shared plates of food you will not want to miss. Happy hour is from 5-6pm.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Dave Evans, co-founder of the Life Design Lab at Stanford University, for a discussion about his new book How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Desi...
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Friday, August 28 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Join us for an hour of fun, inclusive, and creative activities and social opportunities for adults with developmental differences and their caregivers every last Friday of the month!
Friday, August 28 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
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 District’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.
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:
Saturday, August 29 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Free pet adoptions at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter on August 1, 22 and 29, 11am to 6pm.
Saturday, August 29 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Long Term Care planning is all about protecting your loved ones.
Saturday, August 29 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
Saturday, August 29 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm Want to better manage your screen time? Join others in person who are curious to learn more about healthy digital habits and screen time at this free library workshop.
Enjoy a reception and dinner on the UCSC Farm followed by dancing in the Hay Barn! This event will feature music, appetizers, tours, and local wine followed by a four-course, family-style dinner on the farm provided by Feel Good Foods. As the sun sets, head down to the Hay Barn for music, dancing, and dessert. Want to skip dinner and join us for dancing and dessert in the Hay Barn only? Tickets for the barn dance portion only are available for $30. Wine and beer provided by local winemakers and breweries. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available. The evening’s program: 4:00pm: Reception and farm tours followed by dinner 7:00pm: Dancing in the Hay Barn
Saturday, August 29 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm Stop procrastinating and start producing.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
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 District’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.
Monday, August 31 2026 12:00am - 11:59pm Kids search for pictures of picture books for a prize.
Monday, August 31 2026 12:00am - 11:59pm Grab & Go crafts
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Monday, August 31 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Since the early ’90’s when they first achieved national television fame on PBS’s Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?, they’ve toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it fresh along the way. With buckets of catchy original pop songs, and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling pop and soul classics, plus an unbeatable Christmas tour and catalog, this group has always been the one to watch. ”Often imitated – never duplicated” applies here. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more influential group out there in this Era of A Cappella, with movies and network television a cappella exposure, a cappella Grammy awards, and innumerable college groups on campuses everywhere. As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of “contemporary” a cappella, Rockapella has shown every audience the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. “There’s nothing in the way between the audience and the us; it’s very human music,” says Rockapella’s human beatbox, Jeff Thacher. No instruments, no hidden tracks, no mirrors…and never lame. Now they’re better than ever! “We make it rock and make it interesting,” explains Scott Leonard, the group’s chief songwriter, arranger, and an architect of their ever-evolving and imitated dynamic sound. USA Today summed up their lasting appeal: “The best musical instrument of all is the human voice – if you’ve seen Rockapella, you know that’s the truth.” The New York Times agrees: they’re “Pure entertainment”! “People have a hard time believing it’s just us making all of that music. It’s still those same familiar elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies,” says Scott. With a cappella groups multiplying across the world, Jeff adds “we know our longtime success is in the art of it – it’s not what you do, but how you do it!” Rockapella has indeed proven that original pop & soul magic onstage is what sets them apart.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic provides evaluations, screenings, and treatment and connects you to services that support physical and mental health on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Hrs: 9-12 & 1-3. Bilingual.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Award-Winning Historian and Bestselling Author of Impeached and The Summer of 1787 discusses his newest book, The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Christine has used Ancestry.com as her main research platform since 2000, and will share the methods she uses to keep her research organized, flexible, and meaningful.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Join us for process-focused art workshops using various mediums, prompts, and mindfulness to boost wellbeing and ease stress. No experience needed; materials provided.
Tuesday, September 01 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Michelin star restaurateur Pim Techamuanvivit (Kin Khao, Nari, Nahm) and her co-author Andrea Nguyen (award-winning author of seven cookbooks) for ...
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Wednesday, September 02 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, September 02 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich We spend much of our time being sedentary, lost in our minds. Yet each movement you make throughout your day is an opportunity to be present. Self-Breema exercises are simple and dynamic, and offer a direct experience of body-mind connection. As you practice in class, you increase your ability to be present during your day. You will leave class nurtured, revitalized, and with newfound positivity! You are also welcome to drop in to this class in person at Hummingbird Valley (free of charge; no registration required). Registration for the online attendance of this class is available via the ticket link. Registering for in-person or online is completely free.
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
Wednesday, September 02 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm Join us for free Pilates at the Library! All levels welcome. Bring your own mat and water. Enjoy a fun, energizing workout led by volunteer Jennifer Balboni. First come, first served!
Wednesday, September 02 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm Do you love ping pong? Drop-in to the Felton Library Community Room anytime between 3-5 every 1st Wednesday to have some fun. Adult players of any level are welcome! A waiver must be signed to play.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
Wednesday, September 02 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm Virtual Writers' Open Mic Night offers you an environment to read your works aloud every first Wednesday of the month and get feedback, if desired. This program requires registration for a Zoom link.
SUBMERGE exists for the dancers and for the artists. It's a dance party, a movement meditation and a fantastic workout all at once. Drawing inspiration from the great dances of music festivals and burning man, as well as the best parts of the ecstatic dance movement, SUBMERGE exists to provide dancers a deep canvas for movement, and also for experienced artists (often with decades of wisdom) to get fairly paid. 100% of ticket revenues go to the artists.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Thursday, September 03 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, September 03 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Thursday, September 03 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
Thursday, September 03 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm ¡Una hora de cuentos en español!
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Friday, September 04 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm Join us at the Downtown Library and enjoy free jazz music by local musicians.
Friday, September 04 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm Fix Your Digestion, Boost Your Energy Learn how stress and imbalances affect digestion and discover tools to improve energy, weight, and wellbeing in this free talk with nutritionist Rebecca Hazelton.
Friday, September 04 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
On the first Friday evening of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists. With a block party-like vibe, the multi-venue event provides an opportunity to discover local creative talent in a fun and festive setting. Many venues entice attendees with yummy cheese-and-wine-filled spreads, while others have food trucks joining in on the fun.
Offshore Sounds First Friday in Santa Cruz. Late hours at the record shop with local vinyl DJs and new arrivals.
Please join Vets 4 Vets Santa Cruz and Save Our Shores to help keep our coastline pristine. It’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.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
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 SoulCollage® 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, SoulCollage® 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 SoulCollage® cards! We use scissors, glue, and images cut from magazines to create our cards. You’ll take home several finished cards—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
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 District’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.
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.
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 they’re packing them in a BRAND NEW VENUE that’s 20,0000sq ft! Your favorite food spots/makers, and so many bangers you can’t wait to see! All in one spot. All for one day!
Saturday, September 05 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Saturday, September 05 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Have you been hankering for an in-person book club? Join us on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30AM-12PM in our cozy Fireside Room for a friendly book discussion group.
Saturday, September 05 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, September 05 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
Saturday, September 05 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm Manifest your visions, desires, and dreams through the art of Soul Collage!
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
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 District’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.
Sunday, September 06 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm Join a diverse group of cyber security enthusiasts every 3rd Friday of the month from 1-3PM or on the 1st Sunday of the month from 3-5PM.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
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 District’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.
🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Bar | Open Mic Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come enjoy the vibes! 🍗 Southern Fried Chicken & Fish Dinners — starting at $20 (Cash Only) 🍽️ Served from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💙 Donations Appreciated — Proceeds benefit the VFW Relief Program
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 10:00am - 3:00pm Join us at the Boulder Creek Library for Quilting with Friends every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (subject to holiday closures)
Tuesday, September 08 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm We will sing, move, and play musical instruments together in Spanish and English. Juntos, cantaremos, nos moveremos y tocaremos instrumentos musicales en inglés y español.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 12:15pm - 2:15pm Join a health book club with educational discussions led by Dr. Rabia Barkins, a licensed holistic health practitioner. Improve overall health with lifestyle changes to diet, exercise, and more.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Tuesday, September 08 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm 2026 Pulitzer Prize Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of Whalefall and Angel Down on A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew.
Tuesday, September 08 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm Dark Star: Reclaiming Lilith is a mythic fantasy epic that follows a woman born with a cosmic legacy as she transforms from a powerful witch in the witch-hunt era into a protective warrior for Earth.
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Wednesday, September 09 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, September 09 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich We spend much of our time being sedentary, lost in our minds. Yet each movement you make throughout your day is an opportunity to be present. Self-Breema exercises are simple and dynamic, and offer a direct experience of body-mind connection. As you practice in class, you increase your ability to be present during your day. You will leave class nurtured, revitalized, and with newfound positivity! You are also welcome to drop in to this class in person at Hummingbird Valley (free of charge; no registration required). Registration for the online attendance of this class is available via the ticket link. Registering for in-person or online is completely free.
Wednesday, September 09 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Creativity time for teens and tweens at the library!
Wednesday, September 09 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Join the circle and write a poem in a supportive and creative environment.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop welcomes beloved local writer Laurie R. King (New York Times bestselling author of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series) for an event celebrating her new book T...
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Thursday, September 10 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, September 10 2026 10:30am - 11:00am Meow-wow! Come read and learn about kittens with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter!
Thursday, September 10 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm Join Dr. Illana Berger, Roshi, a Zen teacher and spiritual elder guide with more than 25 years of experience for this four week course on the spirituality of aging.
Thursday, September 10 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
Thursday, September 10 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Thursday, September 10 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm ¡Una hora de cuentos en español!
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Art for Healing: Using the power of the creative process to provide support, insight and a deeper relationship with yourself in a safe and nurturing environment. No art experience necessary. All art supplies provided.Meets 2nd Friday of the month, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. (Space is limited so please check with WomenCARE re: availability) Facilitated by Dayna Lea
Friday, September 11 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Friday, September 11 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
FRIDAY
Friday, 7:00 PM - Performing with "WOODMILL"
Head to Moran Lake Beach to watch the pros compete at skimboarding! Stop 1 of the 2026 West Coast Skim Tour Local and professional skimboarders Free to watch, $50 to register for competition. (See link in orange button above.)
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Saturday, September 12 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Saturday, September 12 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Meow-wow! Come read and learn about kittens with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter!
Saturday, September 12 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.
Saturday, September 12 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.
Saturday, September 12 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm From organizing your physical photo collection to scanning and backing it up, Lisa Krigsman will share her best tips to ensure your memories are safely preserved for generations to come.
Saturday, September 12 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!
Based out of Santa Cruz, California, The Puffball Collective consistently performs extended musical journeys crafted to lift you up. We present this music to scintillate your souls, soar your spirits, groove your bodies, and bounce your booties, sending all to “Higher Ground” "We’ll take you there" by performing the kickin' music of The Allman Brothers, The new Mastersounds, The Grateful Dead, Peter Rowan, Puffball'ized Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, Billy Preston, The Band, & The Beatles! The Puffball Collective also features an amazing catalogue of original compositions ranging from acid jazz to freaky funk, Americana to bluegrass, rock~a~billy to sweet soul, and blues to psychedelic rockers”.
Best Coast Burlesque returns Saturday September 12th for an evening of the very best in burlesque and variety! Starring Ginger Lee Valentine from Los Angeles Featuring performance by Renegade Theater Vyxen Monroe Valerie Veils Rizzo Rogue Babraham Lincoln & More! Now located at Coligan Theater in the Tannery Arts Complex, join us at 8:00 for one spectacular show! Doors at 7:15 Offering 3 tiers of seating: VIP (Right up in the action! Front row seats) Preferred (Still in the splash zone, rows B and C) General Admission (with extra high rise from one row to the next, there isn't a bad seat in the house!) VIP seating is limited, so grab your seats now! Save time in line, purchase your beverage tokens ahead of time! 21 & Up Show. As a small and independently run business, we are no longer able to issue refunds for tickets. If you are no longer able to attend, you may transfer your tickets via private sale or request a ticket transfer to one of our 2025 season shows. Thank you for your support and understanding! We couldn't do it without you!
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Sunday, September 13 2026 10:00am - 1:00pm Local chapter of a global secular (non-religious) movement of people who meet to celebrate life together in congregations and communities around the world. Meets 2nd Sunday of the month 11am to 1 pm.
Immerse yourself in the northern boundary of the AVA where the oak and redwood forested Santa Cruz Mountains meet the bay at the estate winery of Neely Wine. Savor the seasonal cuisine of Chef Ross Hanson of Oak & Rye at a seated dinner and sample premium SCM wines as you taste what makes Santa Cruz Mountains wines so remarkable. Participating Wineries: tba Event Address: 575 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028 About the Taste of Terroir Dinner Series Explore the unique boutique wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains through the Taste of Terroir dinner series, an intimate culinary and wine experience of tasting salons and dinners held throughout the AVA. The dinners typically start with a 1.5 hour walk-around wine tasting reception followed by a seated full-course meal prepared by local chefs who pride themselves on sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Meet the winemakers and fellow wine enthusiasts! Tickets are $175* *All ticket pricing is inclusive of food, wines and gratuities. All events are open to the public and reserved for guests 21 and over. Tickets are non-refundable. Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine club members receive a 15% discount on up to 2 tickets - for more information, reach out to [email protected].
Hawaiian shirts and tropical attire are welcome with your layers to enjoy this evening sail! Your tickets include 2 complimentary drinks. Your meal will feature teriyaki chicken, poke salad, and mini tropical desserts.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Monday, September 14 2026 10:30am - 11:30am A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Monday, September 14 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm In this practice group, you'll get an introduction to many different approaches to meditation and receive guidance on which practices might be best suited for you. Second Monday of the month meetings.
Monday, September 14 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. It’s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: —notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety —discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves —learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Join us on the UCSC farm for a focused conversation on organic seeds — from seed economics and profitability to hands-on care and stewardship practices. We’ll explore varietal selection, storage, germination, and seed saving, along with a practical discussion on the role and legitimacy of community seed libraries in strengthening regional seed security. Perfect for farmers, gardeners, and anyone interested in resilient, locally adapted seed systems. Come walk the fields and dig into the future of organic seed.
Enjoy Dynomite Farm’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.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic provides evaluations, screenings, and treatment and connects you to services that support physical and mental health on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Hrs: 9-12 & 1-3. Bilingual.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm Virtual Author Talk with Bestselling Author, Master Facilitator, and Acclaimed Strategic Advisor.
Tuesday, September 15 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Tuesday, September 15 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm This Bingo program for people with special abilities (disabilities) is adaptable to all because it uses pictures!
Hugging Porcupines Productions presents Trivia Night, every Tuesday evening at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Trivia is always free to play. Grab your team and challenge yourself to 6 rounds of fun trivia.
Wednesday, September 16 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, September 16 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Wednesday, September 16 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Join author Sarah Diaz-Bastin for a special storytime featuring her new book, Kiss-A Dilla, and enjoy making (and eating!) a quesadilla of your own after the story!
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes award-winning author and illustrator Pedro Martin to celebrate the release of Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir. In this extraordinary companion to...
Wednesday, September 16 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm Join us for a movie matinee for the family with California Film and Cultural Center. Enjoy our popcorn or bring your own snacks! Free!
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
SUBMERGE exists for the dancers and for the artists. It's a dance party, a movement meditation and a fantastic workout all at once. Drawing inspiration from the great dances of music festivals and burning man, as well as the best parts of the ecstatic dance movement, SUBMERGE exists to provide dancers a deep canvas for movement, and also for experienced artists (often with decades of wisdom) to get fairly paid. 100% of ticket revenues go to the artists.
A writing workshop the 55+ age group to reflect on awareness of the natural environment and climate change. This encourages community, socialization, and creativity among the older individuals who may be at higher risk for isolation and mental health. Stephany Buswell has been in writers’ group for approximately ten years. What has grown out of this was her memoir, published in 2022. She is currently working on her second book, both memoir and comedy writing, telling stories of her cake disasters and interesting situations. Stephany is a retired pastry chef and has spent the last fifty years making cakes for all occasions. Writing has become her new passion after retiring as a pastry chef instructor. Elbina Batala Rafizadeh is a published writer, poet, and Cal Poet teacher. Her first book of poetry was published in 2024. She is also co-editor of an anthology of peace poetry published in 2024. She has facilitated short story and poetry writing groups since 1997. She is a member of the Writers of Color and a California Poet teacher. She is now semi-retired and teaches one health class at West Valley Mission College. Her cultural heritage and experiences in the natural world inform her writing. Third Thursdays Jan-May and Jul-Nov; not held in-branch June and December. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=writing+group+for+55&r=range&start=2026-01-01&end=2026-12-30
Thursday, September 17 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.
Thursday, September 17 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, September 17 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm Join Dr. Illana Berger, Roshi, a Zen teacher and spiritual elder guide with more than 25 years of experience for this four week course on the spirituality of aging.
Thursday, September 17 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Thursday, September 17 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
A Collage Workshop about Place, Memory & Imagination What if a map didn’t just tell us where to go? What if maps could show where we’ve been, where we long to go, and the landscapes we carry inside ourselves? In this collage workshop, we’ll explore the idea of mapping as a way to explore memory, imagination, longing, and personal experience. Using found images, vintage photographs, maps, textures, symbols, and fragments of language, we’ll create three unique visual maps. Some maps may be recognizable. Others may be imagined, emotional, dreamlike, or entirely invented. This is an invitation to move beyond geography and explore the places that shape us, the places we imagine, and the landscapes we carry within. Iris Weaver studied art on weekends at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam while living and teaching in the Netherlands. Her work has recently been exhibited at Gallery 881 with Broad Magazine in Vancouver, British Columbia (2024) and Postales desde el Limbo in Zaragoza, Spain (2025). Her work has also been featured in Contemporary Collage Magazine, Kolaj Magazine, and Why Collage? Magazine.
Thursday, September 17 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm ¡Una hora de cuentos en español!
Thursday, September 17 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm How are you using generative AI?
Thursday, September 17 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm Take a journey with Tibetan and crystal bowls, a native flute, and kalimba.
Friday, September 18 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm Share what you're reading and discover new favorites! Bring any book: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or more - and join a welcoming group for lively discussion and recommendations.
Friday, September 18 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Friday, September 18 2026 12:10pm - 12:50pm A popular monthly series of free noon-time concerts at the Downtown Branch. Pieces and performers vary from month to month. Bring your lunch and enjoy some music!
Friday, September 18 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Learn the essentials of Medicare and Long-Term Care in this free talk. Get clear guidance on coverage, costs, options, and planning from local specialists.
Friday, September 18 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm Join a diverse group of cyber security enthusiasts every 3rd Friday of the month from 1-3PM or on the 1st Sunday of the month from 3-5PM.
Friday, September 18 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
Lil Maru and MC Bxb w/Special Guest Holland Izz are on the road this fall on the Far From Home Tour, coming to a city near you.
A fun and easy-to-learn way of drawing structured patterns to create beautiful images. The Zentangle Method makes drawing patterns, or tangles, accessible to almost anyone of all ages since tangles are created from basic pen strokes. If you can write your name, you can create art with Zentangle. As you draw tangles you will likely experience increased focus, calm, creativity and well-being. For those of you who attended the Introductory Zentangle class on February 20, this class will also introduce Zentangle and review the Zentangle Method. However, we will be doing variations of previously taught tangles and/or new tangles, so you will create a completely different Zentangle tile than before. Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.Facilitated by Cynthia Balthaser.
Saturday, September 19 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Join us for the 2nd Annual Santa Cruz Mac & Cheese Cook-Off on September 19th at 11AM to 2PM benefiting Vets 4 Vets! Sample delicious homemade mac & cheese from veteran teams and individual competitors, vote for your favorite, enjoy live music by Sound Squad, and help support local veterans. Come out for an afternoon of tasty competition and great entertainment. Located at VFW Post 7263, 2259 7th Ave, Santa Cruz 95062
Saturday, September 19 2026 10:15am - 12:00pm Join AAUW for a discussion with Supervisor Kim De Serpa and Health Services Director Connie Moreno-Peraza on women's health, local services, and improving care in Santa Cruz County.
Saturday, September 19 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, September 19 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm Scrapbooking group meets every third Saturday of the month.
Saturday, September 19 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm Play tabletop board games and have some fun!
Saturday, September 19 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm The Firewise program brings neighbors together to reduce wildfire risks through community organizing, outreach, and shared preparedness projects.
"SCRIPT, PLEASE!” - Six short plays by two local playwrights to be performed as Staged Readings. Performances will be held on Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th, at 2pm, at The Market Street Theater and Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz, CA. If you have enjoyed the Reader’s Theatre Short Play Festival, offered by NextStage Productions, or 8 10’s@8, “Best of the Rest,” you will love this afternoon of live theater. Requested donation: $15
Lil Maru and MC Bxb w/Special Guest Holland Izz are on the road this fall on the Far From Home Tour, coming to a city near you.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
"SCRIPT, PLEASE!” - Six short plays by two local playwrights to be performed as Staged Readings. Performances will be held on Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th, at 2pm, at The Market Street Theater and Senior Center, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz, CA. If you have enjoyed the Reader’s Theatre Short Play Festival, offered by NextStage Productions, or 8 10’s@8, “Best of the Rest,” you will love this afternoon of live theater. Requested donation: $15
Monday, September 21 2026 10:30am - 11:30am A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Monday, September 21 2026 12:30pm - 2:30pm Brought to you by Village Santa Cruz - Topics covered are personal, legal, medical, financial, insurance, real estate, living options, daily living, crisis plan, home health, hospice and end of life.
Monday, September 21 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. It’s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: —notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety —discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves —learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Tuesday, September 22 2026 10:00am - 3:00pm Providing equitable care with a monthly visit on the 4th Tuesday of the month to the Boulder Creek Branch Library.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm Join us Tuesdays at Aptos Library to learn, play, and compete in Backgammon! All skill levels welcome - enjoy strategy, fun, and friendly competition in a relaxed social setting.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 10:30am - 11:30am Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm Housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Practice your English and make new friends!
Tuesday, September 22 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm Learn about Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions.
Tuesday, September 22 2026 3:45pm - 5:45pm An exciting four-week STEM adventure designed for kids 8-12! This four-week series meets weekly from September 22nd through October 13th. Registration is required.
Wednesday, September 23 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering to offer services that support the health of patrons with weekly Wednesday visits to the Scotts Valley branch library.
Wednesday, September 23 2026 10:30am - 2:30pm Participants will craft a small vessel with all materials provided in their own personal felt making kit.
Wednesday, September 23 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm A 12 week series on Wednesdays from 10:30AM-12PM that introduces foundational digital literacy concepts and teaches useful digital skills.
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes local icon Curtis Reliford who will share his new memoir Madness to Surrender-a story of transformation, truth, and spreading peace and joy. From...
Wednesday, September 23 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm Reading in the Redwoods book group meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the Felton Teen Room, except in Nov. & Dec.
Thursday, September 24 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Thursday, September 24 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm Join Dr. Illana Berger, Roshi, a Zen teacher and spiritual elder guide with more than 25 years of experience for this four week course on the spirituality of aging.
Thursday, September 24 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm Play Mahjong with fellow enthusiasts! Beginners welcome with weekly Hong Kong Style lessons. Other styles offered too. Tiles provided or bring your own.
Thursday, September 24 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm Virtual Author Talk with GRAMMY Award-Winning Artist and Celebrated Children?s Author Lucky Diaz. A Journey of Neighborhood, Music, and Art.
Thursday, September 24 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm ¡Una hora de cuentos en español!
Thursday, September 24 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm This club is designed for intermediate-level participants, so if you're just starting out, you might find it a bit challenging at first.
Thursday, September 24 2026 5:00pm - 5:30pm Charla virtual del autor artista ganador del premio GRAMMY y aclamado autor de libros infantiles.
Friday, September 25 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm Join us for an hour of fun, inclusive, and creative activities and social opportunities for adults with developmental differences and their caregivers every last Friday of the month!
Friday, September 25 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Friday, September 25 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm Learn the essentials of Medicare and Long-Term Care in this free talk. Get clear guidance on coverage, costs, options, and planning from local specialists.
Friday, September 25 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! No registration necessary.
Please join us during this free intro night where you can discover self-care exercises, partner bodywork, and Nine Principles of Harmony. Register for this event and full weekend retreat by visiting: breema.info/hvweekend Join us for an evening of bodywork sessions, Breema class and refreshments as we find the path towards body comfortable. In this evening, you will receive Breema bodywork in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, learn Self-Breema exercises, and experience how you can use the Nine Principles of Harmony to increase body-mind connection. We will introduce perspectives that can help you let go of fear, and replace it with inner strength, balance, and vitality. We will learn a simple bodywork sequence that you can go home and practice on friends and family! Breema supports you to have an experience of presence and body-mind connection that can extend into your daily activities. 6:30-7:00pm Mini-sessions for new students, along with light refreshments 7:00-8:30pm Class Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Please join us during this retreat weekend where you can discover self-care exercises, partner bodywork, and Nine Principles of Harmony. There are four relationships in our lives. By paying attention to them, we can bring more balance and harmony to everything we do. The first two relationships, our relationship to our body and our relationship to the outer world (job, money, friends, family), usually take most of our energy. The fourth relationship, our relationship to Existence, connects us to the greater meaning of life. To bridge these, Breema introduces us to a third relationship—the relationship to yourself. Through the third relationship, we connect mind and body, and learn to respond to life in ways that bring more harmony and balance to ourselves and those around us. In this weekend workshop, we will learn Breema bodywork and Self-Breema exercises, to acquire practical tools that can enable us to bring Breema’s harmonizing philosophy and principles into daily life. You can participate in the entire weekend, or attend just one or more of the four workshops. Pre-registration is recommended. Call or email the Breema Center for more information. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Weekend Schedule Friday Open House: 6:30-7:00 Mini-sessions No Charge 7:00–8:30pm Class Workshop: Saturday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Cost 10% discount if paid by September 15, 2026 — Use coupon code EARLYBIRD $200 for the weekend ($180 if paid by September 15) $60 per 3-hour workshop ($54 if paid by September 15) Meals are not included. Camping and limited accommodations are available onsite. Find suggestions here. Instructors: Jon Schreiber, Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson, Dena Ehrlich, Birthe Kaarsholm, Angela Porter, Roxanne Caswell, Alexis Mulhauser, Denise Berezonsky, Susan Mankowski, Ariadne Thompson and John Galloway
Please join us during this retreat weekend where you can discover self-care exercises, partner bodywork, and Nine Principles of Harmony. There are four relationships in our lives. By paying attention to them, we can bring more balance and harmony to everything we do. The first two relationships, our relationship to our body and our relationship to the outer world (job, money, friends, family), usually take most of our energy. The fourth relationship, our relationship to Existence, connects us to the greater meaning of life. To bridge these, Breema introduces us to a third relationship—the relationship to yourself. Through the third relationship, we connect mind and body, and learn to respond to life in ways that bring more harmony and balance to ourselves and those around us. In this weekend workshop, we will learn Breema bodywork and Self-Breema exercises, to acquire practical tools that can enable us to bring Breema’s harmonizing philosophy and principles into daily life. You can participate in the entire weekend, or attend just one or more of the four workshops. Pre-registration is recommended. Call or email the Breema Center for more information. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Weekend Schedule Friday Open House: 6:30-7:00 Mini-sessions No Charge 7:00–8:30pm Class Workshop: Saturday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Cost 10% discount if paid by September 15, 2026 — Use coupon code EARLYBIRD $200 for the weekend ($180 if paid by September 15) $60 per 3-hour workshop ($54 if paid by September 15) Meals are not included. Camping and limited accommodations are available onsite. Find suggestions here. Instructors: Jon Schreiber, Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson, Dena Ehrlich, Birthe Kaarsholm, Angela Porter, Roxanne Caswell, Alexis Mulhauser, Denise Berezonsky, Susan Mankowski, Ariadne Thompson and John Galloway
Saturday, September 26 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm In partnership with the Volunteer Center Literacy Program
Saturday, September 26 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm As summer winds down, it's a perfect time to prepare your fall vegetable garden. Join Master Gardener volunteers as we share strategies and recommendations for creating a healthy fall garden.
Saturday, September 26 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.
Oktoberfest Santa Cruz is the longest running independent-neighborhood Oktoberfest event in Santa Cruz County. We will be celebrating of 27th Anniversary! Our event is a celebration of German-Bavarian culture. Messiah Lutheran Church on Santa Cruz’s west side has been hosting the event since it’s inception. We are a family friendly event with lots of children’s and family friendly activities. Come and enjoy……….. * Homemade German Food. * The largest selection of German beers and wines in the county. * Live German polka music featuring The Thirsty Nine! * Family activities including a Petting Zoo w/ Face painting and Balloons, Noon to 2 PM. * Adult German Costume Contest 3 PM. Admission is FREE!! Adult meals are $20. Children’s meals (ages 12 and under) Free! For more information call 831-423-8330 or visit us on the web at Oktoberfest Santa Cruz.com
Saturday, September 26 2026 12:45pm - 5:00pm Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games.Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary.
Saturday, September 26 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm Stop procrastinating and start producing.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Please join us during this retreat weekend where you can discover self-care exercises, partner bodywork, and Nine Principles of Harmony. There are four relationships in our lives. By paying attention to them, we can bring more balance and harmony to everything we do. The first two relationships, our relationship to our body and our relationship to the outer world (job, money, friends, family), usually take most of our energy. The fourth relationship, our relationship to Existence, connects us to the greater meaning of life. To bridge these, Breema introduces us to a third relationship—the relationship to yourself. Through the third relationship, we connect mind and body, and learn to respond to life in ways that bring more harmony and balance to ourselves and those around us. In this weekend workshop, we will learn Breema bodywork and Self-Breema exercises, to acquire practical tools that can enable us to bring Breema’s harmonizing philosophy and principles into daily life. You can participate in the entire weekend, or attend just one or more of the four workshops. Pre-registration is recommended. Call or email the Breema Center for more information. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Weekend Schedule Friday Open House: 6:30-7:00 Mini-sessions No Charge 7:00–8:30pm Class Workshop: Saturday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm 2:00-5:00 pm Cost 10% discount if paid by September 15, 2026 — Use coupon code EARLYBIRD $200 for the weekend ($180 if paid by September 15) $60 per 3-hour workshop ($54 if paid by September 15) Meals are not included. Camping and limited accommodations are available onsite. Find suggestions here. Instructors: Jon Schreiber, Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson, Dena Ehrlich, Birthe Kaarsholm, Angela Porter, Roxanne Caswell, Alexis Mulhauser, Denise Berezonsky, Susan Mankowski, Ariadne Thompson and John Galloway
Monday, September 28 2026 10:00am - 1:00pm This 6-session series is an opportunity to evaluate your skills, talents and experiences through a new lens.
Monday, September 28 2026 10:30am - 11:30am A time for free play for children with a participating adult.
Monday, September 28 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers.
Monday, September 28 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm A poetry workshop anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. It’s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: —notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety —discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves —learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
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!
FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Miriam Pawel for a reading and signing of her new book California Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the Universi...
Be inspired. Get support. Network with small business owners.
Offshore Sounds First Friday in Santa Cruz. Late hours at the record shop with local vinyl DJs and new arrivals.
On the first Friday evening of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists. With a block party-like vibe, the multi-venue event provides an opportunity to discover local creative talent in a fun and festive setting. Many venues entice attendees with yummy cheese-and-wine-filled spreads, while others have food trucks joining in on the fun.
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 SoulCollage® 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, SoulCollage® 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 SoulCollage® cards! We use scissors, glue, and images cut from magazines to create our cards. You’ll take home several finished cards—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
Discover the stunning beauty of the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden on a guided tour! Led by our docents, you’ll explore our world-class plant collections and learn about our history, our unique Mediterranean climate, and the work we do to conserve and display the world’s incredible biodiversity of plants. When: First Saturday of every month Cost: Free with paid admission (Members get in free!) Reserve your spot(s) by registering on our website at: forms.gle/767hWuW9JpAuRiwD9 Walk-ins are welcome. Please note that registration forms are updated the Tuesday after the previous tour. Consider becoming a member! Membership includes free admission, local nursery discounts, and reciprocal entry to 345+ gardens nationwide. For more information, please visit our website.
Harvest Festival returns to Downtown Santa Cruz. We'll be throwing up tents, popping popcorn, stacking hay bales and setting up a slew of silly, throw-back games and fun activities for all of you. Think of a sweet nook version of county fair meets a school fair but, filled with local farms and businesses. This vibrant community event is produced in partnership with The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets . The Harvest Festival offers tons of activities for all ages, including: Carnival Games ~ Enjoy classic carnival games! Mechanical Bull Who's gonna try it? Wreath Making Station, sponsored by the Santa Cruz Warriors Striker, Glitter Tattoos, sponsored by Pacific Cookie Co. Face Painting, sponsored by Go Ask Alice Plinko, Froggy Fly, sponsored by Game Santa Cruz Corn Hole & Foosball, sponsored by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz.. Food ~ Savor delicious fall flavors! Popcorn, sponsored by Downtown Association of SC Churros by La Casa de Churros more announced soon. Live Music ~ Wreath Making ~ Enjoy this free fall craft sponsored by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market. Garden Variety Cheese Farm Animal Meet & Greet ~ Rebecca King brings baby sheep, ewes and chicks for viewing & handling.
Get your tickets for Santa Cruz High School's 60th Reunion on Saturday, October 3rd at the Portugurese Hall in Harvey West Park. Socializing! No Host Bar! Mexican Buffet Dinner! Music & Dancing. $50 per person. Please purchase tickets by August 31!
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Bar | Open Mic Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come enjoy the vibes! 🍗 Southern Fried Chicken & Fish Dinners — starting at $20 (Cash Only) 🍽️ Served from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💙 Donations Appreciated — Proceeds benefit the VFW Relief Program
A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. It’s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: —notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety —discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves —learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.
Mark the fall migration at one of the most beautiful places on the planet for the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds featuring field trips, workshops, family-fun activities, and keynote speakers. Activities are planned throughout the Monterey Bay area in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Salinas, and Monterey. Check out the website linked below to register for field trips, workshops and birding activities for everyone. Many events are free, and some are paid. All events are free to children 12 and under but must be accompanied by an adult.
Art for Healing: Using the power of the creative process to provide support, insight and a deeper relationship with yourself in a safe and nurturing environment. No art experience necessary. All art supplies provided.Meets 2nd Friday of the month, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. (Space is limited so please check with WomenCARE re: availability) Facilitated by Dayna Lea
Preteen PAWS Tier 2, for returning students 10-12 years old, builds upon the children’s knowledge and skills about animals in PAWS Tier 1. It runs for three weeks and refines the children’s animal handling skills. The program establishes awareness of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare and engages students in stories of animal rescues. Participants play games about animal welfare, train dogs, walk dogs, make enrichments and write descriptions of shelter animals for the SPCASC website. Register now for animal snuggles!
Ripatti & Rose - Live at Stockwell Cellars
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.
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.
Friday, 7:00 PM - Performing with "WOODMILL"
FRIDAY
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
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.
Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich What’s the remedy for fear and confusion? Body-mind connection. When we have it, we discover an inner strength that allows us to respond harmoniously to the events of life, instead of reacting to them in ways that cause harm to ourselves and others. Body-mind connection is the foundation on which we can build real understanding. In this workshop, we’ll use Breema bodywork, Self-Breema exercises, and the Nine Principles of Harmony to increase body-mind connection, and introduce perspectives that can help you let go of fear and replace it with inner strength, balance, and vitality. $20 per class Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up.
The Santa Cruz Film Festival is not the kind of festival where you simply watch a movie, clap politely, and head home. Step inside the wonderfully unpredictable world of independent film—where original stories, fearless filmmakers, curious audiences, and the creative spirit of Santa Cruz come together for five unforgettable days. Explore narrative films, documentaries, animation, experimental work, environmental stories, student projects, locally produced films, and voices that challenge the familiar. Meet the filmmakers behind the screen, ask questions during live Q&As, and discover how an idea becomes a script, a production, and eventually a story shared with an audience. And because some of the best conversations happen after the credits roll, the festival experience extends far beyond the theater. Enjoy industry panels, filmmaker mixers, live music, culinary events, beer and cider tastings, mixology demonstrations, beachside s’mores, parties, and gatherings in some of Santa Cruz’s most memorable locations. Whether you are a lifelong film lover, a filmmaker searching for inspiration, a student exploring the industry, or simply someone who enjoys discovering something new, Santa Cruz Film Festival offers a place to connect, celebrate, learn, laugh, and be surprised. Come for the films. Stay for the stories, the food, the people, the parties, and the wonderfully cinematic energy of Santa Cruz. This October, don’t just watch the festival. Be part of it.
This 5-day academic conference explores monsters in our culture. Oct. 14-18, 2026.
Get ready to experience the ultimate gathering of top experts and enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area at Apex Masters Expos!
A writing workshop the 55+ age group to reflect on awareness of the natural environment and climate change. This encourages community, socialization, and creativity among the older individuals who may be at higher risk for isolation and mental health. Stephany Buswell has been in writers’ group for approximately ten years. What has grown out of this was her memoir, published in 2022. She is currently working on her second book, both memoir and comedy writing, telling stories of her cake disasters and interesting situations. Stephany is a retired pastry chef and has spent the last fifty years making cakes for all occasions. Writing has become her new passion after retiring as a pastry chef instructor. Elbina Batala Rafizadeh is a published writer, poet, and Cal Poet teacher. Her first book of poetry was published in 2024. She is also co-editor of an anthology of peace poetry published in 2024. She has facilitated short story and poetry writing groups since 1997. She is a member of the Writers of Color and a California Poet teacher. She is now semi-retired and teaches one health class at West Valley Mission College. Her cultural heritage and experiences in the natural world inform her writing. Third Thursdays Jan-May and Jul-Nov; not held in-branch June and December. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=writing+group+for+55&r=range&start=2026-01-01&end=2026-12-30
This 5-day academic conference explores monsters in our culture. Oct. 14-18, 2026.
Get ready to experience the ultimate gathering of top experts and enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area at Apex Masters Expos!
This 5-day academic conference explores monsters in our culture. Oct. 14-18, 2026.
Get ready to experience the ultimate gathering of top experts and enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area at Apex Masters Expos!
A fun and easy-to-learn way of drawing structured patterns to create beautiful images. The Zentangle Method makes drawing patterns, or tangles, accessible to almost anyone of all ages since tangles are created from basic pen strokes. If you can write your name, you can create art with Zentangle. As you draw tangles you will likely experience increased focus, calm, creativity and well-being. For those of you who attended the Introductory Zentangle class on February 20, this class will also introduce Zentangle and review the Zentangle Method. However, we will be doing variations of previously taught tangles and/or new tangles, so you will create a completely different Zentangle tile than before. Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.Facilitated by Cynthia Balthaser.
Open Studios is your opportunity to explore creativity in Santa Cruz County. For more than 35 years, their goal has been simple: connect artists with people who love art. For the first three weekends in October, artists from the redwoods to the bay open their studios so that friends, neighbors, and strangers from near and far can discover art in this stunning county.
Step back in time at the Wilder Ranch State Park Harvest Festival! Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more! Taste history during the Heritage Apple Tasting hosted by the California Rare Fruit Growers Association! Questions? Email us at [email protected]
2026 Celebration Days: February 21, June 20 and October 17, 2026 Mobile Passports are available for purchase within the SCM Wine app on Google Play or the Apple Store. Wine passport booklets can be purchased in person from our partners here. Call ahead to make sure passports are still in stock. The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport is the ultimate way to explore the region's award-winning wineries. This exclusive pass provides access to over 30 participating wineries, each offering unique tasting experiences and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. With the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport, you'll be able to taste a flight of wines at each stop and discover the unique flavors and characteristics that make each winery so special. With your Passport in hand, you'll be able to explore the stunning vineyards, enjoy a complimentary tasting flight at each winery, as well gain as access to exclusive events and promotions throughout the year. On Celebration Days, passport holders are welcomed into participating wineries throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, each offering a unique winery experience from special flights and entertainment to food trucks and more - making them perfect days to explore the region. The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport is available for purchase online or at any participating winery. Please note: If you want to receive your passport prior to Passport Celebration Day, please order at least 2 weeks in advance or we cannot guarantee it will arrive in the mail on time. Passports are valid for one year from the date of purchase and entitle the bearer to a Passport experience one time per participating winery. Passports must be presented at each winery visited. Wineries open on non-Passport days will accept Passports during their regular hours of operation unless otherwise noted. Passport rules are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association (SCMWA). SCMWA's Passport program offers
Enjoy this FREE annual event! Bring the family for a creative day of mask making, carnival games, Thriller performances plus Nightmares – A Stage Spooktacular. This event has been a Halloween tradition for families for over 25 years! Mask Making Halloween Games Thriller the World Santa Cruz Performance Theater Performances
This 5-day academic conference explores monsters in our culture. Oct. 14-18, 2026.
A clever and hilarious comedy, rife with Tom Stoppard's legendary wit. Two established playwrights hoping to refresh their careers take their show on the road. Or, rather, on the high seas, along with their two established stars. The plan is to ride the wake of a brilliant young musician - who happens to be engaged to one of the aforementioned stars - who will compose their new musical. But when the writers and composer stumble across a tryst between the actors, they'll need to pull out all the stops to keep their young phenom from going overboard.
Get ready to experience the ultimate gathering of top experts and enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area at Apex Masters Expos!
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
This 5-day academic conference explores monsters in our culture. Oct. 14-18, 2026.
A new 6-week series, beginning Monday, September 14. Each session builds on the one before it, inviting you to let go of tension, balance your nervous system, and learn how you can move through life without draining your energy during unexpected or uncomfortable events. It’s for the busy parent who feels depleted, the professional who is chronically tired, those healing from a stressful time of life, and anyone wishing to relate to life with more positivity, energy and enthusiasm. In the non-judgmental atmosphere of Breema, the series will support you to: —notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety —discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves —learn simple bodywork treatments that support you to be present, and that you can practice on friends and family, and Self-Breema exercises that you can do during the day $20 per class or $100/series Open to all levels You’ll need to be reasonably comfortable moving and working on a padded floor with other participants. Wear comfortable long pants and socks. No fragrances, please. Class dates include: 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. Please note no class 10/12 due to Breema Intensive in Oakland. For more information, please contact Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center at (510) 455-8008, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Continuing Education may be available for this event. Visit breema.info/ce for more information and to sign up. Instructors: Alexandra Johnson, MD, Kevin Johnson and Dena Ehrlich
Zwergenmusik - German Parent Toddler Class Session 3 October 20 to Nov 10, 2025 Montags 4:30-5:15 Music, singing, movement, instrument exploration, and craft activities for kids in German with Tatjana on Mondays. $100 per session. 50% off for siblings 9 months and older. Sliding scale available. For questions or to join contact Tatjana [email protected]
A tasting of NV Duc de Romet at Soif in Santa Cruz.
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!
The Santa Cruz Marathon, Half, and 5k will be a run on the edge in every sense. Rugged bluffs, crashing breaks, and a boardwalk that’s weathered storms, bands, and even vampires will set the stage for miles with attitude.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
The Official Halloween event of the century on October 31st, 2026!
Experience a “spooktacular” evening of trick-or-treating at Santa Cruz Harbor! Wind your way through an eerie adventure, jump aboard the pirate-commandeered water taxi, and collect Halloween treats along the way! Follow the link in the orange button for more information.
Started in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Cello music group meets at the German Cultural Center in Santa Cruz, a recurring session for cello players to practice together.
🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Bar | Open Mic Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come enjoy the vibes! 🍗 Southern Fried Chicken & Fish Dinners — starting at $20 (Cash Only) 🍽️ Served from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 💙 Donations Appreciated — Proceeds benefit the VFW Relief Program
If it's happening in person anywhere in Santa Cruz County, whether it's a show, a market, a paddle-out, or a gallery night, we want it on the calendar. Submissions are free and reviewed by our editors.
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