Creativity is woven into the fabric of Santa Cruz County, from coastal neighborhoods and downtown galleries to mountain workshops, shared studios, home workspaces, and unexpected corners of the region. Every October, Open Studios offers a rare chance to step inside that creative world and meet the people whose work helps shape the character of this place.
Celebrating its 41st year in 2026, the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour brings together more than 350 artists for three weekends of free, self-guided exploration. From Watsonville to Davenport and the coast to the Santa Cruz Mountains, artists open their studios, homes, workshops, and shared creative spaces to the public, inviting visitors to see where and how their work is made, experience the creative process firsthand, and purchase original art directly from its makers. More than an art tour, Open Studios is one of the best ways to experience the creative community that makes Santa Cruz County so distinctive.
Save the Dates for Open Studios 2026:
October 3–4 | South County |Studios Located South of Santa Cruz Harbor | 143 studios
October 10–11 | North County | Studios Located South of Santa Cruz Harbor | 211 studios
October 17–18 | All County | 250 studios
Saturday & Sunday | 11am–5pm
A 41-Year Tradition with New Creative Energy
After more than four decades of connecting artists with the wider community, Open Studios continues to evolve alongside Santa Cruz County’s art scene. This year, 69 artists are participating for the first time, bringing emerging talent, new perspectives, and different approaches to making and sharing art. Together, this year’s 350+ participating artists represent 22 artistic mediums, expanding a 41-year tradition while reflecting the creative culture of Santa Cruz County today.
Across the tour, visitors will encounter artists in all kinds of settings, from home studios and individual workshops to shared workspaces and larger creative hubs. Together, these spaces offer a vivid look at how artists work, collaborate, and create across Santa Cruz County.
For an easy way to see several artists in one stop, look for artist hubs throughout the tour. The Tannery Arts Center, for example, will feature more than 20 participating Open Studios artists across one creative campus, while Santa Cruz Clay brings together a collection of ceramic artists working in one shared space on the westside. These hubs make it easy to experience a range of artistic styles and processes without traveling far between stops.
Preview the Art Before You Go
With more than 350 artists participating, the preview exhibitions are one of the best ways to get a feel for this year’s Open Studios before setting out on the tour. They offer a chance to see the work in person, discover artists you may not have found otherwise, and start building a list of studios you want to visit.
This year brings a major change to the main preview. For the first time, M.K. Contemporary Art in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz will host the official Open Studios Preview Exhibit. With a piece from every participating artist gathered inside one expansive gallery, the exhibit offers a remarkable snapshot of the breadth of Santa Cruz County’s creative community. Stop by, see what catches your eye, and use the exhibit as a starting point for planning your Open Studios adventure.
M.K. Contemporary Art
September 25–October 25
Thursday–Sunday | 11am–5pm
Opening Reception: September 26 | 3–6pm
First Friday: October 2 | 5–8pm
703 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Two additional preview exhibitions offer a closer look at the tour by region. Pajaro Valley Arts in Watsonville spotlights South County artists, while Santa Cruz Art League presents Far Out, featuring artists from the North Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. Together, the three exhibitions make it easy to discover new artists and decide which studios you want to seek out once the tour begins.
Pajaro Valley Arts
September 26–October 18
Tuesday–Saturday | 11am–4pm
Opening Reception: October 1 | 5–7pm
280 Main Street, Watsonville
Santa Cruz Art League
October 2–18
Thursday–Sunday | 11am–5pm
Opening Reception: October 2 | 5–8pm
526 Broadway, Santa Cruz
Plan Your Open Studios Route
Open Studios is completely self-guided, which means you can shape the day around whatever part of Santa Cruz County’s creative community interests you most. Follow a favorite medium, focus on one part of the county, seek out a handful of specific artists, or mix planned stops with discoveries along the way.
New this year, the free Santa Cruz Open Studios mobile app makes it easier to find artists and build your route. Search participating artists by name, medium, location, and other filters, save favorites, view studio information, and pull up directions as you explore. You can also browse the online Artist Directory or explore the digital version of the Artist Guide at santacruzopenstudios.com.
Prefer to plan with the Open Studios Artist Guide in hand? Free printed guides are available while supplies last at:
– Good Times newspaper locations throughout Santa Cruz County
– Open Studios preview exhibit galleries
– Public libraries throughout the county
Follow the Green Signs
Once the weekend begins, keep an eye out for the bright green Open Studios signs posted throughout Santa Cruz County. They point the way to participating artists and have become part of the experience itself.
A little planning goes a long way, but there is no need to map every stop. Pick a few artists you do not want to miss, then leave room to follow a green sign, explore a new neighborhood, or discover another studio nearby. Traveling between the stops is part of the fun, whether your route takes you through Watsonville and Aptos, across Santa Cruz, along the North Coast, or into the Santa Cruz Mountains.
During the final All County weekend on October 17–18, around 250 artists reopen their spaces, offering one more chance to return to a favorite, catch an artist you missed, or explore an entirely different corner of the county. Not every artist participates that weekend, so check the app, directory, or Artist Guide before heading out.
However you build your route, Open Studios is an invitation to experience Santa Cruz County through the artists who help shape it. Follow the work that catches your eye, step inside the spaces where it is made, and see where the county’s creative community leads you.