CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY!

The holiday spirit has hit Santa Cruz County and we’ve got a sleigh full of family fun to celebrate the season! The Lighted Boat Parade, Holiday Lights Train, Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Downtown Holiday Parade, outdoor Holiday Markets, and more, we’ve got all the festive events you don’t want to miss!

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK: WINTER WONDERLAND
November 24, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach!
Activities Include: Selection of Boardwalk Rides, Games, and Arcades, Festive Holiday Decorations and Lights (Including a 3-story tall Christmas tree!), Photos with Santa, Delicious Boardwalk Treats, Boardwalk Racers: Pedal Karts in the Main Plaza, Fire Pit Rentals & Holiday S’Mores, Holiday Fun Package (includes MyBoardwalk Card and a photo with Santa), Holiday Shopping, Classic Holiday Movies (Rotated at Neptune’s Stage 5–7pm), and don’t forget the breathtaking beach view!
Hours and Dates: 12pm – 5pm: November 24 – 27 (Thursday– Sunday); December 3 – 18 (Saturdays & Sundays); December 19 – January 1 (Monday – Sunday)
Special Dates: December 3 & 4 – Mini Nutcracker performances on the Colonnade State; December 10 & 11 – School choir/band performances (3 schools each dat at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm)

NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN
December 26 – December 31, 2022
Bring in the new year aboard the New Years Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2023 right.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ
December 31, 2022
Ring in the New Year in Downtown Santa Cruz! NYE celebrations are happening at Rosie McCann’s, Red Restaurant & Bar, Lupulo, The 418 Project – “Gathering in Gratitude,” Catalyst Club, Cafe Mare, Ulterior (Motiv), the Blue Lagoon, Abbott Square, and more! Check their site for more info and individual event times.

NYE AT ABBOTT SQUARE MARKET
December 31, 2022 @ 6pm – 12am
Live music throughout the night at Abbott Square! Mak Nova, Phreeborn, and Mokili Wa are going to be performing through the entire night! Kick of 2023 with some great tunes and good vibes!

BRUNO’S BAR AND GRILL NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
December 31, 2022 @ 9pm
Join Bruno’s for New Year’s Eve! Dancing and live music by UTurn – and no cover charge!

CANTINE WINEPUB
December 31, 2022
Have you made your plans for NYE yet? Come by Cantine for a smashing good time! @djstoneyg, champagne toast, party favors! No reservations, no cover!

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT CHAMINADE RESORT & SPA
December 31, 2022
Ring in 2023 at Chaminade while dancing the night away with live music from The Joint Chiefs (Bay Area Funk and Classic R&B), assorted desserts, a balloon drop and complimentary champagne toast at midnight! Cash bar for additional drinks. 9pm – 1am – $25 plus tax & gratuity – or FREE ticket with New Year’s Dinner reservation (7pm & 9:30pm seatings only). (Click here for more information including dinner reservations)

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT PARADOX
December 31, 2022
Have a sensational start to your New Year’s celebrations at Hotel Paradox with dinner at Solaire and live music by Lindsey Wall! Reservations highly recommended.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARY AT THE BOARDWALK BOWL
December 31, 2022 @ 9:30pm – 12:30pm
Toast the New Year in with a glass of champagne or apple cider at the Boardwalk Bowl! Price is $165 per lane (up to 5 per lane) and includes party favors, shoe rentals, and Atomic Bowling plus, the big countdown! Call (831) 426-3324 to make your reservation. Act quickly, lanes sell out fast!

STATE PARKS FIRST DAY HIKES
January 1, 2023
Kick off the new year with us with the Annual First Day Hikes! California State Parks will participate at parks across the state in this national-led effort that encourages individuals and families to experience the beautiful natural and cultural resources found in the outdoors with a seasoned guide so that they may be inspired to take advantage of these treasures throughout the year. See the participating Santa Cruz County State Parks below!

Park: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Where: Ocean View Summit
Time: 9 a.m.
Parking: Former headquarters area parking lot. Reservation for parking must be made 24 hours prior to arrival here. Vehicle day-use fee is $8. Fee is paid during the reservation process.
What to expect: Join us for a hike up to one of Big Basin’s lookouts! This is a fun-for-all hike with some incline up to the summit. We will go at an enjoyable pace and stop along the way to smell the flowers we may come across. Participants will get to see an overview of the park post-2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire and learn about the park’s flora and fauna. Once reaching the summit, visitors can see the ocean if it’s a clear day!
Length of hike: 4 miles for about 3 hours.
Ages: 6 and up preferred. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Preparation: Dress in layers and bring rain gear if needed. Wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water as there is no drinking water or food at the park. Trekking poles recommended if you have them!
Special instructions: Meet at the interpretive center at the former site of the Nature Museum and Gift Store, past the entrance kiosk. Pre-registration for the hike is required. The hike is cancelled if there’s heavy rain.

Park: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Where: The park will have three hikes: Fall Creek Trail to the Barrel Mill; Powder Mill Fire Road to Observation Deck; and Redwood Grove.
Time: 9, 10 and 10:30 a.m.
Parking:
– For Fall Creek Trail, meet at the Fall Creek parking lot (located off Felton Empire Grade.)
– For Powder Mill Fire Road, meet at the Campground parking lot (located off Graham Hill Road.)
– For Redwood Grove hike, meet at Main visitor parking lot (located off Highway 9.)
Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
What to expect:
– Fall Creek Trail hike at 9 a.m.: Explore Fall Creek on this five-mile, moderately graded hike. The hike will follow Fall Creek to the historic Barrel Mill site. This hike is ~5 miles and will last approximately 4 hours. It is recommended 8 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
– Powder Mill Fire Road to Observation Deck hike at 10 a.m.: Participants get ready to hike around an ancient seafloor. On this 1.5 mile hike, which will last approximately 2 hours, through the Santa Cruz Sandhills, participants can meander through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800 feet above present day sea level. Explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. The hike is recommended for 6 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
– For Redwood Grove hike at 10:30 a.m.: Hear some of the riveting stories of the park’s history, including the movies created in the old-growth redwood grove and how visionary environmentalists saved it from being logged. This 1 mile hike will last about 1.5 hours and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Preparation: Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring warm layers. Wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring water and snacks.
Special instructions: Pre-registration for the hike is required here.

Park: Natural Bridges State Beach
Where: Two hikes meeting at the Visitor Center.
Time: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Parking: Main parking lot. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
What to expect:
– For 11:30 a.m. hike: Explore several of the 12 habitats found within the state beach. Participants will start in the Monarch Grove where we will look for monarch butterflies and great horned owls. We will continue past the vernal pond where we may see birds and hear frogs. After that, we will enter the meadow which is a good place to look for Natural Bridges’ herd of deer. Continue through willow habitat and then into sandy dunes and finish on the beach. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
– For 1 p.m. hike: Start with a presentation on tide pool animals and food webs and then head out to the tide pools to explore during the low tide for sea stars, sea urchins, snails, limpets, chiton, and more! This hike involves walking up steep rocky hills and climbing up onto the tide pool shelf. It is not suitable for strollers. It also requires the ability to climb up steep rocky terrain. Wear shoes with good grip on the soles, and at least a strap for the heel to avoid wet feet or slips and falls! Please, no flip flops or crocs without a heel strap. The hike is recommended for ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Length of hike: 1 mile; 1.5 hours.
Preparation: Dress in layers and bring binoculars if you have them.
Special instructions: There is a short section of the hike where there are some large steps up over rocks. This hike is not suitable for strollers. Pre-registration is required here.

CANCELLED DUE TO DOWNED TREES AND POOR ROAD CONDITIONS
Park: The Forest of Nisene Marks
Where: Loma Prieta Grade Trail and Aptos Creek Road
Time: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Parking: George’s Picnic Area. Vehicle day-use parking fee is $8.
What to expect: Visit the site where the town of Loma Prieta was located and the hidden spot deep in the redwood forest where marine fossils can be found. We will encounter the remains of the old lumber mill, follow the trail of the ghost trestles, and learn about the wonders of our coast redwoods and the traits that make them survivors.
Length of hike: 4 miles, 3 hours.
Ages: 10 and up preferred. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Preparation: Dress in layers and wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring water and snacks.
Special Instructions: Meet at George’s Picnic Area. It is located about one mile past the entrance station and is right before the steel bridge. Limited parking—carpooling is encouraged! Pre-registration is required here.

Park: Wilder Ranch State Park
Where: Old Cove Landing Trail.
Time: 11 a.m.
Parking: Main Wilder Ranch parking lot. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
What to expect: Discover the coastal side of Wilder Ranch. On this three-hour family-friendly walk, participants can explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Learn about the different people who have called this place home.
Length of hike: 2.5 miles; 3 hours.
Ages: All ages welcome. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Preparation: Dress in layers and wear good hiking boots/shoes. Make sure to bring water.
Special instructions: Meet next to park map in main parking lot. Rain cancels this hike. Pre-registration required here.

Passed Events for 2022 – Maybe Next Year!

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ VISITS WITH SANTA AND NORTH POLE MAILBOX
Visits with Santa: See below dates; North Pole Mailbox: November 25 – December 23, 2022 @ 10am – 5pm
If you’re looking to visit Santa or mail your letters to the North Pole, Downtown Santa Cruz is the December hub for all your Santa Claus connections!
Visits with Santa are from 12pm – 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, December 3 & 4; December 10 & 11; December 17 & 18; and on Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23, 2022. (Location: 1122 Pacific Avenue)
North Pole Mailbox: Friday, November 25, 2022 – Friday, December 23, 2022 @ 10am – 5pm (Location: Artisans & agency, 1368 Pacific Ave)

WEST CLIFF HOLIDAY OUTDOOR MARKET 2022
November 25 – 26, 2022 @ 10am – 4pm
Come enjoy our holiday outdoor market with unique artisans and food trucks while taking in the spectacular view of the ocean. This one of a kind market will be held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. This is always a popular spot for locals and tourists, as it over looks the famous Steamer Lane surf spot . The market will feature hand crafted gifts and a chance to do some holiday shopping before the rush. Admission is FREE!
They will also be giving away free tokens every hour to random shoppers. The tokens can be used towards any vendor of your choice. So come down and get your free gift! See you on the cliffs for some holiday cheer!

SURFIN’ SANTA VISITS CAPITOLA
November 26, 2022 @ 12pm – 3pm
Ho Ho Ho…Santa Claus is surfin’ to town. Bring the family to welcome Surfin’ Santa to the shores of Capitola Beach! Santa will be riding the waves via Kayak, rain or shine, for his annual visit to Capitola Village, arriving at 12pm to visit with all the kids until 3pm. Once he lands on shore, he’ll greet the crowd and proceed to his beach chair where he’ll settle in for a nice, long visit with the kids. Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa’s wave riding arrival, and your little one’s special visit with Santa. It makes a memorable holiday photo!

On this day we celebrate Small Business Saturday, so be sure to kick off the holiday shopping season with a visit to all your favorite Capitola Village shops and restaurants! Added holiday bonus, FREE 3-hour parking in Capitola Village from Thanksgiving day, Nov 24 through Christmas Day, Dec 25!

SANTA CRUZ MOUTAINS HOLIDAY MAKERS MARKET
November 26, 2022 @ 10am – 5pm
Time for the 9th Annual SCM Holiday Makers Market! Get your holiday shopping on at the Felton Community Hall on Saturday, November 26, from 10 am-5 pm! Shop with over 35 local artists and makers hosting a beautiful variety of handmade goods! There’s something for everyone on your list! A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit Mountain Community Resources. Shop small this holiday and #supportthelocals! Visit www.scmmakersmarket.com to see the full list of participating artists.

SANTA CRUZ HARBOR: LIGHTED BOAT PARADE
December 3, 2022 @ 5:30pm – 7:30pm
The Lighted Boat Parade features 50 beautifully-decorated power and sailboats parading through the Santa Cruz Harbor. This is a family event with hot drinks and snacks available at various locations through the south harbor.

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ: HOLIDAY PARADE
December 3, 2022 @ 10am – 12pm
The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. One never knows exactly what to expect at the Parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time – and of course, at the end of the parade, sitting in an antique fire truck, the man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz. Bring the family or participate! The Holiday Parade is Rain or Shine!

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ: MAKERS MARKET, HOLIDAY POP-UP
December 3, 2022 @ 11am – 4pm
Kick-off December shopping after the parade with the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market Holiday Pop-Up on Saturday, December 3 on Lincoln Street at Pacific Avenue 11am – 4pm. Over 30 local artists and makers, fun crafts for the kids, music, and more!

BARGETTO WINERY: ART IN THE CELLARS
December 3 – 4, 2022 @ 11am – 5pm
Join us for our Annual Art in the Cellars Holiday Festival. Enjoy a weekend filled with Art and Wine. Shop over 30+ Local Artists and Food Vendors. Admission is free, $20 Wine Tasting with Festival Glass $15 (Wine Club Members), Food for purchase and dress warmly.

WEST CLIFF HOLIDAY OUTDOOR MARKET 2022
December 10, 2022 @ 10am – 4pm
Come enjoy our holiday outdoor market with unique artisans and food trucks while taking in the spectacular view of the ocean. This one of a kind market will be held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. This is always a popular spot for locals and tourists, as it over looks the famous Steamer Lane surf spot . The market will feature hand crafted gifts and a chance to do some holiday shopping before the rush. Admission is FREE!
They will also be giving away free tokens every hour to random shoppers. The tokens can be used towards any vendor of your choice. So come down and get your free gift! See you on the cliffs for some holiday cheer!

WILDER RANCH: HOLIDAY LIVING HISTORY EVENT
December 10, 2022 @ 11am – 3pm
Join us for a family-friendly event with holiday-themed old-fashioned activities, crafts, and living history demonstrations. Step back in time with costumed docents as we turn back the clock to over 100 years ago. Watch machine shop and blacksmith demonstrations or take a tour of the 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse and 1897 Victorian home and 1960’s cow barn. Rain cancels. Food will not be available. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Activities include: candle making, wreath making, kids crafts, open house, and caroling.

SANTA CRUZ BALLET THEATRE: THE NUTCRACKER WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA!
December 10 – 11, 2022 @ 1:00pm and 4:30pm
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”. Celebrating 20 years at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium downtown, this holiday favorite is the only Nutcracker production in Santa Cruz county featuring a live orchestra. With 52 professional musicians conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin, over 50 local pre-professional dancers, and two world-class guest artists including SCBT alumni and Houston Ballet Principal dancer Melody Mennite as the Sugar Plum Fairy, there is truly no better way to experience the Nutcracker in Santa Cruz. Performances are December 10th and 11th with two shows on both dates at 1:00pm and 4:30pm. Tickets are available at SantaCruzTickets.com or under the tickets page at SCBT.org. Treat the whole family to this iconic holiday treasure!

ROARING CAMP RAILROADS: HOLIDAY TREE WALK
November 25 – 27; December 3 – 4; December 10 – 11; December 17 – 18, 2022
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cocoa while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter-themed activities.

DOWNTOWN FELTON HOLIDAY PASSPORT
December 1 – 17, 2022 | Live Raffle on December 17 @ 4pm
Enjoy shopping Downtown Felton while earning the chance to win amazing prizes! We have the perfect experience waiting for you! Fill out your Holiday Passport from December 1-17 with a live raffle drawing on December 17 at 4pm.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT THE DREAM INN
December 17, 2022 @ 9am – 11am
Join the Dream Inn on Saturday, December 17th from 9am-11am for Breakfast with Santa! It will be a morning to remember filled with delicious food and fun activities for the whole family. Tickets include a full breakfast buffet, cookie decorating, face painting, a visit from Santa, and story time hosted by Lois Ackerman Lawson. Tickets available here.

HOLIDAY DREAMINN’ MARKETPLACE
December 17, 2022 @1pm – 5pm
Come get your last minute gifts! Over 20 local vendors, food & drink by the Jack O’Neill Restaurant, live music featuring Janice Perl Holiday Jazz Quartet, and more! Located in the Dream Inn Parking Lot (Inside event space if raining).

SANTA CRUZ DANCE GUILD: NUTCRACKER, EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
December 17 – 18, 2022 @ 1pm, 4:30pm, and 7:30pm each day
Join us for our annual Santa Cruz Nutcracker performance! Featuring dancers from all ages and backgrounds, we’ve come together to offer you this spectacular show. Many members of our beloved staff, including Studio Director Shannon Chipman and ballet teacher Vicki Bergland, performed in the original Santa Cruz Nutcracker Production. Even more, they continue to dance and teach to this day. Invite in the holiday spirit and come enjoy Tchaikovsky’s iconic score with our talented dancers, right in Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater.

SANTA CRUZ WHARF: WINTER ON THE WHARF
December 18, 2022 @ 3pm – 5pm
Celebrate Winter on the Wharf! Come enjoy holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine! Take photos with Santa from 3pm – 5pm. Play in the snow area with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: HOLIDAY LIGHTS
November 25 – December 25, 2022
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2022 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 25, 2022 – Holiday Lights will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in November and Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS is over a 1/2 mile drive-through experience at the Fairgrounds of spectacular lighted Holiday displays all around you. Giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights – Santa – reindeer – snowmen – lighted tunnels and many more magical moments. Stay in your warm car and drive through this Holiday experience.
The event is open from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Evening to add to your Holiday Festivities. Purchase tickets here.

SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN
November 25 – 26, December 3 – 4, December 12 – 13, December 17 – 23, 2022
The seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Holiday Lights Train runs on November 25-26, December 3-4, December 12-13, December 17-23.
Itinerary: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz at 5:00pm, 6:30, and 8:00 pm for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Click HERE to check for day/time availability.

SANTA CRUZ MAH: TOY TRAINS
December 15 – 18 (12pm – 6pm); December 22 – 23 (12pm – 6pm) and December 24, 2022 (12pm – 3pm)
Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 17th year of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to once again share their amazing collection of toy trains at the MAH. The public is invited to view Toy Trains in the MAH’s Atrium for free. To access other exhibitions and gallery spaces in the museum, there is a small entrance fee. Suggested Admission Prices: $10 General Admission; $8 Students / Teachers / Veterans; FREE for members and children under 5.

And be sure to enjoy the festive spirit, decorations, and shopping in the Capitola Village, Downtown Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Wharf, and other shopping areas throughout the county this season! Visit our website Events Page for even more holiday-inspired events!