Skip to content

Things to do in Santa Cruz with kids

217 upcoming, page 4 of 4. In person only, on purpose.

Saturday, Dec 12

Sat
Dec
12

Tannery Arts Center: Winter Art Market

Where: Tannery Arts Center
When: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

Get into the holiday spirit and explore Santa Cruz’s creative heart at the Annual Winter Art Market, presented by the Arts Council Santa Cruz County…

Markets Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Sat
Dec
12

Downtown Santa Cruz: Free Family Movies

Where: Del Mar Theatre
When: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Β· Price: FREE

The Downtown Association and Landmark Theaters present the annual: FREE FAMILY MOViES! This year, families can enjoy the holiday classic A Christmas Story, with two…

Family Free πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz
Sat
Dec
12

Winter Craft and Business Fair at Acton Academy Santa Cruz

Where: Acton Academy Santa Cruz
When: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

Find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and support young entrepreneurs at the Winter Craft and Business Fair! Join Acton Academy Santa Cruz on Saturday, December 12, from…

Family Free
Sat
Dec
12

Santa Cruz Wharf: Winter on the Wharf

Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
When: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

Come enjoy holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine!πŸŽ… πŸ“ΈTake photos with Santa! β˜ƒοΈ Checkout Wharf…

Family Free πŸ“ Beach & Boardwalk

Sunday, Dec 13

Sun
Dec
13

Live Oak: Farmers Market

Where: Live Oak Farmers' Market
When: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Β· Price: FREE

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…

Markets Family πŸ“ Midtown
+ 1 more date β†’

Tuesday, Dec 15

Thursday, Dec 17

Thu
Dec
17

Flynn Creek Circus The Cricket & the Wren

Where: Capitola Mall
When: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· Price: $36

Flynn Creek Circus brings its all-human big-top production The Cricket & the Wren to Capitola for the holidays. The original fairytale features breathtaking acrobatics, aerialists…

Family Adults 21+ πŸ“ Capitola

Friday, Dec 18

Fri
Dec
18
β˜… Featured

Flynn Family Curcus

Where: Capitola Mall
When: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· Price: $20

A merchant’s daughter sets out to break the spell of the Frog Prince. Along the adventure, she uncovers the secret sacrifice of the cricket and…

Family Comedy πŸ“ Capitola
+ 1 more date β†’

Saturday, Dec 19

Sunday, Dec 20

Sun
Dec
20

The Nutcracker

Where: Civic Auditorium
When: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Β· Price: $66.49

Step into the magic of Christmas in 1920’s Santa Cruz! Santa Cruz Dance Theater presents a spectacular new vision of The Nutcracker, transporting audiences to…

Dance Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

Monday, Dec 21

Mon
Dec
21

Toy Trains 2026

Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
When: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 21st year of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members…

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

Tuesday, Dec 22

Tue
Dec
22

Cookie Decorating For Kids

Where: Downtown Branch Library
When: 1:30 PM

Kids ages 3 and up and their caregivers are invited to decorate cookies and enjoy hot cocoa and cider at the library!

Community Family πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

Thursday, Dec 24

Thu
Dec
24

Boulder Creek: Reindeer Run

Where: Junction Park Swimmin' Hole
When: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Β· Price: $45

The Annual Reindeer Run in Boulder Creek will be on Christmas eve! Go work off that plum pudding and promote togetherness, silliness, and active lifestyle…

Family Sports πŸ“ San Lorenzo Valley

Saturday, Dec 26

Tuesday, Jan 5

Thursday, Jan 7

Friday, Jan 8

Fri
Jan
8

London Nelson Community Center: SC Fungus Fair

Where: London Nelson Community Center
When: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Β· Price: $10

The 2026 celebration will be at the London Nelson Community Center and feature hundreds of fascinating species from the area, uniquely displayed in a re-created…

Family Education πŸ“ Downtown Santa Cruz

Thursday, Jan 14

Saturday, Jan 16

Wednesday, Jan 20

Wed
Jan
20

Pacific Elementary School - Open House

Where: Pacific Elementary School
When: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Β· Price: FREE

Pacific Elementary School is hosting an Open House for prospective new families (Preschool - 6th grade). Current families are also welcome to stop by to…

Family Free πŸ“ North Coast

Friday, Jan 22

Saturday, Jan 23

Sat
Jan
23

Passion in a Powdered Wig

Where: Peace United Church of Christ
When: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Michel Singher is Back and Conducting Music by Mozart, Haydn, and C. P. E. Bach in a Concert he has Called β€œPassion in a Powdered…

Family Music

Sunday, Jan 24

Saturday, Feb 6

Saturday, Feb 27

Thursday, Mar 4

Thu
Mar
4

Electric Elton

Where: Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
When: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Music & Legacy of Elton John Elton John fans, don’t miss β€œElectric Elton, An Unforgettable Live Concert Experience coming to Rio Theatre in Santa…

Music Family πŸ“ Midtown

Friday, Apr 23

Fri
Apr
23

FashionTeens 2027

Where: Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts
When: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

A Program for Social & Environmental Activists Each year, middle and high school students from across Santa Cruz County design, construct, and model original pieces…

Music Family En espaΓ±ol πŸ“ Midtown

Add these events to your calendar: Google Calendar Β· Apple or Outlook Β· .ics file

Hosting something rad?

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.

Submit your event β†’