Skip to content

Happening today in Santa Cruz County

Monday, September 28

48 events. In person only, on purpose.

Monday's a good day for slow, small gatherings. Take the kids to the Redwood Forest Steam Train up at Roaring Camp, or let them loose at Discovery Zone Playgroup if the day calls for something closer to home. The libraries are busy too, with Mahjong Club at Branciforte and the Aptos Bridge Club filling out the late morning. Once evening rolls around, head to The Cruz Room downtown for Hosted Board Game Night, bring a friend who can actually read the rulebook.

Sep
28

Coffee with the Curators

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Β· See listing

Grab a cup of coffee and hang out with a MAH curator! Coffee with the Curators is a morning at the museum where you can chat, ask questions, and hear behind-the-scenes stories about the exhibitions and collections. Coffee and good conversation are complimentary with museum admission.

Sep
28

What Got You Here WILL Get You There - Approaching the Job Search Over 55

πŸ“ Capitola Branch Library
πŸ•’ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Β· See listing

This 6-session series is an opportunity to evaluate your skills, talents and experiences through a new lens. Are you 55+ and want or need to re-enter the paid work force? This 6-session series is an opportunity to evaluate your skills, talents and experiences through a new lens as well as arm you with the strategies, resources and confidence to support you in approaching and succeeding in today’s job market. Join a dedicated cohort of participants who will commit to attendance at each session, as each session builds on the previous session’s work. Please plan to bring your laptop (library will provide laptops for those who don’t have one). Registration is required and space is limited. Monday and Wednesday sessions are 10 am to 1pm. Friday sessions begin at 11 am. REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/events?term=what+got+you&r=range&start=2026-08-24&end=2026-10-10 Session 1: Monday September 28 (10-1) Introductions, Self -Assessment with an emphasis on transferable skills, and possibility thinking. The case for hiring older workers. Session 2: Wednesday September 30 (10-1) Building the resume with accomplishment statements, background summaries, and cover letters. Deep dive into the use of CANVA. Nancy Jones and Nadine Burke Session 3: Friday October 2 (11-2) Incorporating AI and LinkedIn into your search with guest speakers David Dennis from Microsoft and Alex Murchison from LinkedIn. Session 4: Monday October 5 (10-1) Resume review Session 5: Wednesday October 7 (10-1) Surfacing job opportunities. Session 6: Friday October 9 (11-3) Interviewing skills. Launching the process. About the Facilitator and Guest Speakers Nancy Jones has worked in the field of adult career, leadership and talent development for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience in corporate, nonprofit and academic settings. David Dennis is Principal Program/Product Manager at Microsoft Alex Murchison is Senior Lead Product Counsel at LinkedIn Nadine Burke is a retired

Community Education πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Sep
28

Reading Poems Together

πŸ“ Capitola Branch Library
πŸ•’ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Β· See listing

Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers. Come join a community of readers who meet the 4th Monday of each month to hear poetry and discuss its curious powers. Discussions facilitated by Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/14321587 Poets in 2026 January 26 Joy Harjo February 23 Billy Collins March 23 Eavan Boland April 27 Arthur Sze May 18 * Emily Dickinson June 22 Gary Snyder July 27 Dean Young August 24 Lucille Clifton September 28 Sharon Olds October 26 Juan Felipe Herrera November 23 Ada Limon December 28 Jericho Brown *Note: Third Monday in May because of Memorial Day

Art & Culture Community πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Sep
28

CHP Age Well, Drive Smart

πŸ“ Santa Cruz Public Libraries
πŸ•’ 12:30 PM Β· See listing

Monday, September 28 2026 12:30pm - 2:30pm Join CHP's free Age Well, Drive Smart class for seniors 65+. Learn safe driving tips, self-assessment tools, and how aging impacts driving. Taught by CHP officers. Register at (831) 219-0200.

Community Free Details β†’
Sep
28

The Spoken Experience

πŸ“ Capitola Branch Library
πŸ•’ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Β· FREE

Monday, September 28th, The Spoken Experience meets at a new time: 1 p.m. This community of readers gathers on the fourth Monday in the Capitola library to read a featured poet’s work. For September, the focus will be on the poems of the incomparable Sharon Olds. Local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn facilitate the conversation, and you'll enjoy the company of the nicest bunch of people you could meet on any Monday. Join us!

Art & Culture Free πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Sep
28

Environmental Studies Seminar Series | Lightning Talks by ENVS Faculty

πŸ“ Interdisciplinary Sciences Building
πŸ•’ 1:25 PM – 2:30 PM Β· See listing

In person and via Zoom ( Meeting ID : 978 5545 8946, Passcode : 454736) . If you are unable to stream the talk live and need to access a recorded version, please contact Stacy Philpott at [email protected] . A UC Santa Cruz email address is required to access the recording. Host: Natalia Ocampo-PeΓ±uela Speaker #1: Hannah Waterhouse Title: Building Cover Cropping Communities of Practice on California’s Central Coast Abstract: California’s agricultural communities face the dual challenges of increasingly variable and limited irrigation water supplies, alongside persistent groundwater quality degradation from nitrate leaching that has imperiled drinking water for nearly one million residents of rural communities in the state. These challenges come together most acutely in California’s Central Coast region, the β€œSalad Bowl” of the U.S., where intensive, high-value vegetable and berry production dominates. The benefits provided by adding winter cover crops to these annual cropping systems are considered essential to improving groundwater quality, but perceptions among farmers and policymakers that cover crops consume too much water make a formidable barrier to adoption in this Mediterranean climate. Indeed, less than 5% of cropland on the Central Coast is cover cropped, with the majority left fallow over the winter season to devastating effects including erosion and loss of fertility, pollution of surface and groundwater, and flooded fields which can delay agronomic operations. In this research we address the question of how farmers in Mediterranean, semi-arid climatic regions can implement cover cropping in a water scarce environment while meeting water quality regulatory goals. Through both controlled trials and on-farm, participatory research, we aim to determine how different cover crop management practices affect the balance between water regulation and provisioning and water quality protection, as well as the supply of nitrogen (N) for cash crops. We have formed a

Education Free πŸ“ UCSC Details β†’
Sep
28

Crafternoons

πŸ“ 275 Main St Ste 100
πŸ•’ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Β· See listing

Crafternoons are back! βœ‚οΈ Get craft with family. Drop in to the Main Library between 2-5pm every Monday and Wednesday to make a craft together. Slow down, work with your hands, and get creative! Bring the family and join us for some creative fun! Audience: Families Β‘Regresan las tardes de manualidades! βœ‚οΈ Se le invita a la Biblioteca Principal de 2-5pm todos los lunes y miΓ©rcoles para hacer una manualidad en familia. Β‘TΓ³mense su momento para relajarse, trabajar con las manos y dejar volar su creatividad! Β‘Traigan a toda la familia y disfruten juntos de una tarde creativa! Audiencia: Familias

Sep
28

PAWS Afterschool Program

πŸ“ Santa Cruz SPCA
πŸ•’ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Β· $75

PAWS Afterschool Club (Ages 7–10) Looking for something fun to do after school? Love animals? Join PAWS and discover what it takes to care for shelter animals while making new friends and learning through hands-on activities! Each week, children enjoy one hour of fun animal-themed education and activities, followed by one hour socializing with our shelter animals. They’ll learn about animal behavior, responsible pet care, shelter life, and safe animal handling before putting their new knowledge into practice by spending quality time helping our cats and dogs feel loved and confident. Children begin with PAWS Foundations, a three-week introductory program. After graduating, they become PAWS Ambassadors, returning for additional sessions to build new skills, spend more time with the animals, and take on greater responsibilities as they progress toward becoming future Santa Cruz SPCA volunteers. PAWS Foundations: Monday 4pm-6pm (September – May) PAWS Ambassadors: Wednesday 4pm-6pm (September – May)

Family Education Details β†’
Sep
28

Paradigm Sport Defense Clinic

πŸ“ Jade Street Park
πŸ•’ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Β· $250

A Softball specific weekly clinic designed to keep our gloves and our feet smooth on defense. This clinic is held once a week at Jade Street Park by our college level coaches that are working on fundamentals, form, and execution. Clinic is for 12+ athletes.

Sep
28

The Cruz Room: Hosted Board Game Night

πŸ“ The Cruz Room
πŸ•’ 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· FREE

The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted mic’d board games 5 – 8 Trivia 8 – 10

Sep
28

Open Mic Β· Every Monday 5-8p

πŸ“ The Ugly Mug
πŸ•’ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· See listing

you Are A Star! Come share what you love Β· what you are working on Every Monday 5pm - 8pm Β· Lottery signups begin @5:15 One 5 minute song or two 3 minute songs We welcome: Poetry Β· Spoken Word Β· Music Β· Originals & Covers Hosted by SteveV Beer, Coffee, Tea and Cafe Snacks are always available. Non-performers are always welcomed & Appreciated We Cannot Wait to see you!

Sep
28

Reportback on Border Wall Resistance in Lochiel, AZ

πŸ“ Sub Rosa
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Β· See listing

Come and learn about the flourishing resistance camp currently halting border wall construction along the so-called US-Mexico border in southern Arizona! We will give a timeline around the events taking place at the border, the tactics used by protesters, and what we can learn from the fight to save Grandmother Tree. Masking encouraged. -Elle

Sep
28

Queer & Trans Yoga Hosted by Sapphire Yoga Collective @ TDC

πŸ“ The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Β· FREE

Queer & Trans Yoga by Sapphire Yoga Collective Weekly Yoga Class @ TDC Mondays from 6:00 PM -7:15 PM This is a trauma-sensitive, all-levels, all-bodies/abilities class taught by a rotating queer-identifying yoga teacher each week. We highlight self nurturance through yoga asana and meditation, a somatic and mindfulness healing practice that resources us for our own resilience as well as community care. No prior yoga experience necessary. Ultimately, this is a brave space for LGBTQIA++ identifying folks to gather and take deep care. Please bring your our yoga mat and water bottle. Cost: $10-20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds! @sapphireyogacollective and @yogaforallmovement Questions? Contact Tara Maxon, Well-being Coordinator email: tara.maxon @diversitycenter.org

Sep
28

Hosted Board Game Night at The Cruz Room

πŸ“ The Cruz Room
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Β· FREE

Hosted Mic'd Board Games 6 - 8 Game taught at 6:30pm. Trivia 8 - 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or organize themselves, The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Each event includes a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, community announcements, raffles, and opportunities to connect with other players. Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. The flagship event takes place every Monday at The CRUZ Room, where attendees can enjoy open gaming, learn two featured games taught by founder Courtney Laschkewitsch, participate in trivia, browse the Merch Chest, and become part of Santa Cruz's growing tabletop gaming community. At its core, The Game Night Collective exists to bring people together through board games. It combines the structure and consistency of a trivia company with the creativity, strategy, and social connection of modern tabletop gaming, creating a space where newcomers and experienced gamers alike can feel welcome.

Sep
28

Henrymania IV: Part One!

πŸ“ London Nelson Community Center
πŸ•’ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Β· $25

Henry IV Part One by William Shakespeare -- in the style of a live WWE show. Come cheer with Falstaff, boo that heel Hotspur, and witness the reigning champion, King Henry IV, pass on the title to the one true heir of the English throne. Booing, cheering, and rooting for your hero, highly encouraged. Join us as we transform the London Nelson theatre into a unique venue with floor seating around a raised wrestling ring. Hear the original text of Shakespeare is a new light, in the way it was meant -- direct, to the common masses, encouraging you to hoot, holler, and participate in the story that unfolds. Switching between arguments in the ring and a live camera backstage, with scenes and soliloquies punctuated by five fully staged fights, this show is like no Shakespeare play you've ever seen. Hosted by Angela Rangel, this full length production will include unique (and hilarious) merch, concessions you'll be allowed to consume in the theatre, and even the opportunity to craft your own pithy sign once you decide whose side you're really on. Sing along with Falstaff, jeer Hotspur's squad as they pass next to you, and watch the sweat fly from our fighting cast as you watch thus one weekend only production created by an amazing cast, crew, and creatives.

Sep
28

Salsa or ChaCha Mondays, 9/21 & 28, in Capitola

πŸ“ Mid County Social Center
πŸ•’ 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $10

2 Mondays of Latin Social Dance in September, Salsa, level1 and Cha Cha level 2, at the Mid County Social Center in Capitola with Becky Adams. 6:15-7:15 - Salsa social dance for the absolute beginner. If you love the music, come join us to learn the basics of this fun dance. 7:30-8:30 - ChaCha 2, will move you into fun, useable Intermediate combinations to add to your social dance repertoire. If you know Cha Cha basics, or have taken Salsa 2 and know the 'triple step' come and join us. Singles or couples all ages welcome.

Art & Culture Family πŸ“ Capitola Details β†’
Sep
28

Hosted Board Game Night: Playtest Catfish

πŸ“ The Cruz Room
πŸ•’ 6:30 PM Β· See listing

6:30pm Β· Playtest the game Catfish at 6:30pm! Learn how to play with co-designer, Jeremy Parker, & help shape this game! Compete against other cats in this party card-lane battler! Host: Jeremy Parker. Local Designer! Part of Hosted Board Game Night (6 - 8pm) β€” library of 30+ games, raffle, merch & a Learn to Play featured game demo at 6:30pm with The Game Night Collective. Trivia 8 - 10pm.

Sep
28

Enhancing Energy, Increasing Vitality - Bodywork & Self-care Exercises

πŸ“ Hummingbird Valley Retreat Center
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Β· $20

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: β€”notice where you drain energy and fall into habitual patterns, relationships, fear, and anxiety β€”discover new, more harmonious ways of relating to these aspects of ourselves β€”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

Wellness Education Details β†’
Sep
28

Ronstadt Revolution: Linda Ronstadt Tribute

πŸ“ The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM Β· See listing

For those lucky enough to grow up listening to Linda Ronstadt, it isn’t hyperbole to refer to her as the Queen of Country Rock. Bringing that big personality to the stage takes a special performer and Natalie Amaya tributes Ronstadt with note perfect renditions of Ronstadt’s songs from every part of her career. Amaya appeared on American Idol and tours throughout Northern California with several bands. β€œBlue Bayou” will give you chills, remembering one of the greatest performers of the last 100 years. -DNA; Good Times Santa Cruz

Sep
28

Joseph Fink, The Nudge

πŸ“ Santa Cruz
πŸ•’ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Β· See listing

FREE IN-STORE EVENT: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes New York Times bestselling author Joseph Fink (Welcome to Night Vale, Alice Isn't Dead) for a reading and signing of The Nudge, a new horror novell...

Art & Culture Free Details β†’

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†’