Enjoy toe tapping music and box office hits this summer in Santa Cruz County! Free concerts and movies by the beach, music in the park, and more, are waiting to take a spot on your summer schedule! The whole family will love these events, so get your calendar out and start planning your summer fun in Santa Cruz County!
And scroll to the bottom of this blog for even more great live music this summer! Although not free, these are concerts you don’t want to miss!
FREE MOVIES AT THE BEACH AT THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9pm from June 13 – August 8, 2025. Except for the 4th of July. See the full movie lineup below:
- June 12, 2026: The Lost Boys
- June 19, 2026: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- June 26, 2026: Kicking and Screaming
- July 10, 2026: 13 Going on 30
- July 17, 2026: Back to the Future
- July 24, 2026: A Minecraft Movie
- July 31, 2026: Jurassic Park
- August 7, 2026: The Goonies
EVENINGS ON THE COLONNADE AT THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
Come for the rides and stay for the entertainment with Evenings on the Colonnade! Where you can listen to live music with delicious food & drink in your hand, be amazed by magicians & acrobats, and show off your best dance moves with a DJ dance party at the Plaza stage. Live Music is on Thursdays. Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays Musicians and Acrobats will entertain and amaze you. There will be DJ Dance Parties are on Saturdays & Sundays.
- Monday, June 15, 2026
- 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza
- 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz
- Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- 8:30pm Magic with Kris Bentz
- 9:00pm Acrobatics with Molly Keczan
- Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza
- 9:00pm Magic with Kris Bentz
- Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Fire Peach
- Friday, June 19, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, June 22, 2026
- 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza
- 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee!
- Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- 8:30pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee!
- 9:00pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for Mexico Game
- Thursday, June 25, 2026: World Cup Watch Party for USA Game
- Friday, June 26, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, June 29, 2026
- 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone
- 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026
- 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone
- 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Wednesday, July 1, 2026
- 8:30pm Circus Comedy with Coventry & Kaluza
- 9:00pm Circus Acrobatics with MeeZee!
- Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with El Brick
- Friday, July 3, 2026 – Independence Day Celebrations
- Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, July 5, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, July 6, 2026
- 8:30pm Comedy and Juggling with Scotty & Trink
- 9:00pm Comedy Circus Art with Aaron Jessup
- Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- 8:30pm Comedy Circus Art with Aaron Jessup
- 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Wednesday, July 8, 2026
- 8:30pm Magic with Patrick Livingstone
- 8:30pm Comedy Circus Art with Aaron Jessup
- Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Shawn Yanez
- Friday, July 10, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, July 12, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, July 13, 2026
- 8:30pm Plate Spinning with John Park
- 9:00pm Comedy Juggling with Greg Frisbee
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- 8:30pm Plate Spinning with John Park
- 9:00pm Comedy Juggling with Greg Frisbee
- Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- 8:30pm Comedy and Juggling with Scotty & Trink
- 9:00pm Plate Spinning with John Park
- Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Flaco El Jandro
- Friday, July 17, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, July 20, 2026
- 8:30pm Comedy Magic with Jacob Jax
- 9:00pm Juggling with Mike Goudeau
- Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- 8:30pm Juggling with Mike Goudeau
- 9:00pm Comedy Magic with Jacob Jax
- Wednesday, July 22, 2026
- 8:30pm Comedy Magic with Jacob Jax
- 9:00pm Juggling with Mike Goudeau
- Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Papiba & Friends
- Friday, July 24, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, July 27, 2026
- 8:30pm Juggling with Keith Eveslage
- 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- 8:30pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- 9:00pm Juggling with Keith Eveslage
- Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- 8:30pm Juggling with Keith Eveslage
- 9:00pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with The Deadlies
- Friday, July 31, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
- Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – DJ Dance Party with Santa Cruz DJ Company
- Monday, August 3, 2026
- 8:30pm Piano Juggling with Dan Menendez
- 9:00 Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- 8:30pm Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- 9:00pm Piano Juggling with Dan Menendez
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- 8:30pm Piano Juggling with Dan Menendez
- 9:00 Surfing Magic with Doug Hofkins
- Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 8:30-9:30pm – Live Music with Anthony Arya
- Friday, August 7, 2026 – See Free Movies on the Beach above.
THURSDAY NIGHT BEACH PARTIES AT THE CROW’S NEST
Each Summer on Thursday evenings, the Crow’s Nest offers its Summer Beach Party series with fun and funky live entertainment right on the beach. The party starts at 5:30 pm each week and goes until sunset. With live entertainment on the outdoor beach stage and Crow’s Nest’s famous BBQ and outdoor bar, beach parties are a unique and popular event. Families are welcome, and there is no admission charge! After the sun sets the fun begins upstairs with dancing to the best of local live bands beginning at 8:30 pm with only a $5 cover charge.
For the beach parties, parking is very limited. Walk, ride a bike, get dropped off, take a cab or ride the bus, but leave the car at home. If you must drive, please do not park in local neighborhoods or on private property. Thank you!
- May 21, 2026: Sambada
- May 28, 2026: Space Heater
- June 4, 2026: James Durbin & The Lost Boys
- June 11, 2026: Ancestree
- June 18, 2026: Jive Machine
- June 25, 2026: Cake by the Ocean
- July 2, 2026: Ripatti Rose Band
- July 9, 2026: Extra Large
- July 16, 2026: Fishhook
- July 23, 2026: Harry & The Hitmen
- July 30, 2026: Matt Masih & The Messengers
- August 6, 2026: The Houserockers
- August 13, 2026: The Joint Chiefs
- August 20, 2026: La Familia
- August 27, 2026: Alex Lucero Band
- September 3, 2026: Sambada
CAPITOLA TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES
Popular local bands rouse fun-loving crowds on Wednesday evenings in the Capitola Village. The free Twilight Concert Series features everything from classic rock to funk to dance hits and Latin fusion. All concerts are 6pm – 8pm and take place at the Esplanade bandstand with ocean views in the picturesque Capitola Village. Enjoy the performance from your own low-back chair on the beach or grab an outside table at one of the village restaurants.
- June 3, 2026: Rockin’ Big Band Blues with The Delta Wires
- June 10, 2026: Surf/Garage Rock with The Trestles
- June 24, 2026: Originals and Quirky Covers with Coffee Zombie Collective
- July 1, 2026: Fun Rock’n Party Music with Spun
- July 8, 2026: Classic Rock with B-Movie Kings
- July 15, 2026: Top 40/Dance 70’s through today with Mercy & The Heartbeats
- July 22, 2026: Funky Mostly Original Pop with Extra Large
- July 29, 2026: Latin Rock & Salsa with Santa Cruz Latin Collective
- August 5, 2026: R&B, Soul & Funk with The Joint Chiefs Band
- August 12, 2026: Top 40’s Dance with The Peelers
- August 19, 2026: Oldies Dance Band with The Digbeats
CAPITOLA MOVIES AT THE BEACH
Capitola wraps up summer with a few Fridays of free family movies at Esplanade Park. Bring a picnic dinner or dine locally at area restaurants. Low-back chairs, blankets, and jackets are recommended. No alcohol or dogs on the beach. Movies begin at dusk. All movies are shown on the bandstand stage in Esplanade Park.
- Friday, August 28, 2026 at 7:30pm: Zootopia 2
- Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30: Minecraft Movie
TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE SUMMER WHARF CONCERT SERIES
Welcome back to Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Common’s stage! Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, head to the Wharf for live music and other entertainment from 6 to 8pm. Check out wharf business pop upsin the Commons. Be sure to bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes!
- May 25, 2026: SambaDá
- June 9, 2026: The Viva Santana Show
- June 23, 2026: The Unauthorized Rolling Stones
- July 14, 2026: Sweet VooDoo
- July 28, 2026: The Lost Boys Featuring James Durbin
- August 11, 2026: Santa Cruda
- August 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs
- September 8, 2026: Extra Large
MIDTOWN FRIDAYS SUMMER BLOCK PARTY 2026
Come Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at our Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors! The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts May 29 and runs through to August 28. Midtown Friday Summer Block Parties are located at Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave, in Santa Cruz, beginning at 5pm and going until 8:30ish.
- May 29, 2026: TBD
- June 5, 2026: TBD
- June 12, 2026: TBD
- June 19, 2026: TBD
- June 26, 2026: TBD
- July 10, 2026: TBD
- July 17, 2026: TBD
- July 24, 2026: TBD
- July 31, 2026: TBD
- August 7, 2026: TBD
- August 14, 2026: TBD
- August 21, 2026: TBD
- August 28, 2026: TBD
MUSIC IN THE PLAZA – WATSONVILLE
Presented by the City of Watsonville, Music in the Plaza Concert Series! The summer outdoor Music in the Plaza concert series has not been updated for 2026 yet, but will feature a variety of bands to help you get your groove on! Grab a bite at our downtown restaurants and join us for the music from 6 pm – 8 pm.
- June 19, 2026: TBD
- July 17, 2026: TBD
- August 7, 2026: TBD
- August 21, 2026: TBD
- September 4, 2026: TBD
- September 18, 2026: TBD
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS & LIVE MUSIC AT SKYPARK
Food Truck Friday returns to Skypark in Scotts Valley! Local food trucks, desserts, live tunes, Beer & Wine Garden, and the return of Brenda’s Face Painting. 5-8pm
- June 26, 2026: Fire Peach
- July 31, 2026: Identify Problem
- August 28, 2026: Cringe
- September 25, 2026 (4:30pm – 7:30pm): Paperback Ryders
- October 30, 2026 (4:30pm – 7:30pm): Deadbeats
BARGETTO WINERY’S THURSDAY NIGHT MUSIC IN THE COURTYARD
Join Bargetto Winery’s creekside courtyard in Soquel on Thursday evenings for Live Music and Wine! There is no cover charge and wine by the glass and light snacks are available for purchase. Each week Bargetto features a new local band (see schedule below). Reservations are required and they ask that you call the Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday prior to that week’s performance to make your reservation. Reservations: (831) 475-2258 ext. 14
- May 7, 2026: Alex Lucero
- May 14, 2026: James Durbin
- May 21, 2026: The Joint Chiefs
- June 4, 2026: Alex Lucero
- June 11, 2026: The Breaux Show
- June 18, 2026: Beach Cowboys
- June 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs
- July 2, 2026: Alex Lucero
- July 9, 2026: James Durbin
- July 16, 2026: 10 O’Clock Lunch Band
- July 23, 2026: Highwater Blues
- July 30, 2026: The Joint Chiefs
- August 6, 2026: TBD
- August 13, 2026: TBD
- August 20, 2026: TBD
- August 27, 2026: TBD
- September 3, 2026: TBD