With a wide range of free events taking place year-around, there’s always something to celebrate in Santa Cruz County every weekend. Choose an art and wine festival, a beer or music festival, a summer concert or movie on the beach, or an art and culture event like First Friday or Open Studios Art Tour. Enjoy a timeless event like Woodies on the Wharf, Fourth of July Fireworks, or Thomas the Tank Engine. Want to play? Run the Wharf to Wharf or go to a birding festival. Check out all the fun on tap!
Big Trees
San Lorenzo Valley Museum
831.338.8382 | www.slvmuseum.com
Enjoy the history, in images, of Welch’s Big Trees, now the Redwood Loop Trail at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. See images of features no longer in the park and learn about others that have unusual stories to tell. Donations appreciated.
Free
Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2019
Sierra Azul Gardens & Nursery
831.728.2532 | pvarts.org
Sculpture IS: In the Garden 2019, marks our thirteenth sculpture exhibit in partnership with Sierra Azul Nursery and Garden. The jurors, Susana Arias, Jamie Abbott and Jeff Rosendale, selected over 80 sculptures created by 52 artists and collaborators. Visit the stunning two-acre demonstration garden, relax under the umbrellas, bring your picnic lunch, and spend an afternoon enjoying the exhibit.
Free
Squidtoons! : Exploring Ocean Science with Comics
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
831.459.3800 | seymourcenter.ucsc.edu
Bring the family for some interesting and weird science about underwater creatures with our new exhibit, Squidtoons! The exhibit consists of beautifully drawn, large-format educational comics combining fun science facts, kid-friendly wit and a strong environmental message. From whale vomit to bone eating worms, narwhals to sea dragons, Squidtoons presents real ocean science in a series of entertaining, easy-to -understand comic panels on display throughout our aquarium. Venture from the seashore to the deep sea and learn about the ocean’s diverse life forms.
Santa Cruz Beach Train
Roaring Camp Railroads
831.335.4484 | www.roaringcamp.com
From Trees to Shining Seas – Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information.
Please note that the 4:15 pm train leaving Santa Cruz is one way only. There is no return train to the beach. April 6th – June 9th: Weekend Departures (Including May 27th). June 10th – August 18th: Departs Daily. August 19th – September 29th: Weekend Departures (Including September 2nd). Tickets and Train Schedules are available online. Santa Cruz Beach Train: Adults (13 & up) : $34.00, Children (2 – 12) : $26.00, Under 2 Years: Free. Annual Passes $75.00 includes unlimited Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Beach Train rides (Special Events not included). Parking at Roaring Camp, Felton: $10.00 per vehicle and at the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz: $15.00 per vehicle.
Museum of Art & History Exhibition: Regeneración
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
831.429.1964 | santacruzmah.org
Step into an immersive piñata style recreation of a beloved local mural to feel the impact Latinx public art has on the community. Public art and piñatas collide in an immersive recreation of a beloved mural that was torn down too soon. Learn about the impact and cultural significance of public art in Latinx culture as artist Justin Favela recreates Eduardo Carrillo’s iconic mural, Birth, Death, and Regeneration. Become immersed in Justin’s signature large scale piñata style as thousands of tiny pieces of tissue paper take over the room. With the help of local Latinx community members who helped create the original artwork, Justin will reimagine this iconic mural. Sun – Thurs 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Fri 10:00 am – 8:00 pm and Sat 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
Monterey Bay Dahlia Society Annual Show
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
831.429.1964 | santacruzmah.org
Join Dahlia lovers, growers, and admirers for this free, two day Dahlia-extravaganza. Take in the beauty of over a thousand blooms as flowers fill the museum for this annual show. Find poms larger than your head and some the size of a thimble. Take photos, browse rows and rows of flowers, and talk to growers about how they garden these incredible flowers.
Free
Wilder Ranch State Park: Old Cove Landing Trail
Wilder Ranch State Park
831.423.9703 | https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549
On this Saturday 2.5 mile, 2-hour family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Rain cancels. Most Saturdays throughout the year. No walk every 2nd Saturday of each month. Meet at the interpretive center. Event is free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Events made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Big Basin State Park: Redwood Grove Loop Walk
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
831.338.8861 | www.parks.ca.gov
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible, Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Bring water and good walking shoes. Fridays at 1:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Meet at park headquarters. Event is free. Vehicle day use fee is $10. Event made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.
Pajaro Valley Arts: Plein Air – Our Bounty
Pajaro Valley Arts
831.722.3062 | pvarts.org
Fifty-five artists were invited to brave the weather, climb hills, lug easels, paint, and canvases to sites in southern Santa Cruz County. Painting outside on the land, en Plein Air, has long been a traditional pursuit in the Santa Cruz area because of the natural light and beauty of our collective landscape. Generous land owners, directors and ranch managers have granted access during the month of July for the painting. We hope you will enjoy the different artist interpretations of the same properties and appreciate the importance of protecting “Our Bounty” and being stewards of the land. Opening Reception: Sunday, August 18, 2019 2:00-4:00 pm. Curator: Susanna Waddell. Co-Curators: Judy Cooper, Bruce Nicholson.
Tequila & Taco Music Festival
San Lorenzo Park
831.420.5270 | www.tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com
Join us for two days of fun in the sun! Saturday will showcase top-shelf Tequilas sampling, while you indulge on gourmet tacos! Enjoy Live Music, Margaritas, Craft Beer and Art Vendors in a picturesque park setting. Sunday Funday is Mas Margaritas! Bring the family and enjoy a sunny summer afternoon, sipping on an assortment of Margaritas, eating delicious tacos, all while enjoying a great music lineup! There is no Tequila Sampling on Sunday. All ticket holders both days will have access to Food Vendors, Craft Beer, Margarita Booths, and Live Music. Entertainment schedule: Saturday, August 24th – 12:45pm-2:00pm: Rhythm Vandals, 2:45pm-4:00pm: Sambada, 4:30pm-5:45pm: Adelaide, *DJ BEN @ Lounge from 1:30pm-5:30pm, *Box of Beats: Lower Field. Sunday, August 25th – 12:45pm-2:00pm: Adelaide, 2:45pm-4:00pm: Sambada, 4:20pm-4:50pm: Box of Beats (stage), 4:50pm-5:15pm: DJ BEN on stage, 5:15pm-5:45pm: TONE LOC, *DJ Jay Sumabat: Lounge from 1:30pm-5:30pm * Times Are Subject To Change.
Santa Cruz Wharf Experience
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831.420.5725 | seymourcenter.ucsc.edu
Come learn more about the Monterey Bay, from a vantage point half-mile out to sea, without ever leaving land! The Santa Cruz Wharf extends a half-mile out to sea in a dynamic and truly marine environment. Scientists from the University of California, Santa Cruz utilize this easy access to ocean eco-systems to conduct research in sustainable energy, biological oceanography, harmful algal blooms, and marine mammals. Seymour Center volunteers are available to answer your marine science questions. Look for us near the end of the Wharf.
Capitola Obscura
Capitola Historical Museum
831.464.0322 | www.cityofcapitola.org
Our exhibition for 2019 is titled Capitola Obscura: Little-known Facts About Capitola History. Did you know that Capitola was once owned by one person? Did you know that a locomotive that pulled trains through Capitola is now displayed in the Smithsonian? These are just a few of the twenty obscure and unusual facts featured in this year’s exhibition. Each fact is explained through the use of historical artifacts and photographs from the Museum’s vast collection. The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Free
Parks and Rex Pool Party
Simpkins Family Swim Center
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and Santa Cruz County Parks Department invite families to eat, drink, play and swim at the 5th annual Parks & Rex Pool Party. The summer’s biggest bash is returning better than ever. Local food and drinks, musical entertainment, activities for kids and adults, a doggie day spa, doggie portraits and special doggie treats are on the schedule for the event. Simpkins will host a variety of activities for adults and children, including inner tubes, Wibit (inflatable play apparatus), Walk-on-Water Balls, stand-up paddle boards, a water slide, a climbing wall and more. Adults will have a chance to win great raffle prizes, enjoy a massage and enjoy delicious, handmade-to-order grilled pizza and other refreshments donated by New Leaf, Driscoll’s berries and Marianne’s Ice Cream, as well as wine and local craft beer from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery. Dogs will be invited for a dip in the warm-water pool, take part in some pampering at the Bed & Biscuits doggie day-spa (featuring mani-pedi services), get their portraits painted by Between Us Portraits, and chow down on some special doggie ice cream and Puppuccinos! Tickets on the day of the event will be available at the door: $17 for adults and $7 for those under age 18. Kids ages 3 and under, as well as dogs, get in free! Advance tickets ($15/adult, $5/child) are on sale now at www.scparks.com or at the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Proceeds benefit Santa Cruz County’s vulnerable populations through initiatives such as free veterinary care for under served pet owners and support for youth recreation programs and services.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Ranch Tours
Wilder Ranch State Park
831.423.9703 | www.parks.ca.gov
Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00pm. Event free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Free
Santa Cruz Derby Girls
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
831.420.5260 | www.santacruzderbygirls.org
It’s Derby Girl month! Join us as Santa Cruz Derby Girls host a double-header bout at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium! The Boardwalk Bombshells vs Sacramento All-Stars and Saltwater Sassies vs TBD. Advance tickets available online. Doors open at 4:00 pm! First game whistle at 4:30 (Sassies), second game at 6:45 (Bombshells). Come out and support our Derby Girls! Photo Credit: Adam Freidin.
Le Bizarre: A Drag Showcase
Bruno’s Bar and Grill
831.438.2227 | www.brunosbarandgrill.com
Anita Tiara Presents Le Bizarre: A Drag Showcase. Join us for the best show in town! Always one of our most popular sell out events! 21+ and over. $10 cover at the door, cash only.
Sunday Seaside Crafts
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
831.459.3800 | seymourcenter.ucsc.edu
Make it and take it! Come create and take home a souvenir, an activity for the whole family to share. Join the hands-on fun at the crafts table every Sunday except April 21st, 2019. Sponsored by Sigma Alpha of Omega Nu. Free with paid admission to the Seymour Center.
City of Watsonville Nature Walks
City of Watsonville Nature Center
831.768.1622 | www.wetlandsofwatsonville.org
Guided exploration walk in the wetlands. Meet at the Nature Center. Binoculars provided! Great for all ages!
Free
Music at Skypark
Skypark
831.438.3251 | www.svkiwanis.org
The free community-wide “Music at Skypark” concert series benefiting the music programs in local public schools returns for its 10th summer season on the last Sundays of July, August and September. Two bands will perform at each concert, and local businesses will offer food and other concessions for sale and entertainment for kids.
Roaring Camp: Weekday Free Heritage Events
Roaring Camp
831.335.4484 | www.roaringcamp.com
Heritage sounds like something old. Unless you’re talking Heritage Events at Roaring Camp. Free All Summer Long. Free Weekday Heritage Activities!
Mondays: Watch Roaring Camp’s Blacksmith make tools and ornamental ironwork from the coals of a real working forge. Demonstrations are free. Tuesdays: Learn about the effort that went into lighting up the darkness for past generations from our Candle Making Artisan. One free candle per guest. Wednesdays: See a real Old-Fashioned Printing Press in action and be amazed by the skill and artistry required of print makers in the past. Demonstrations are free. Thursdays: I’ve been working on the Railroad Day. Take your turn at pumping our handcar for a ride back in time old track gang style. Later in the day meet one of our expert engineers for an informative talk about our unique geared steam locomotives. Handcar rides and presentations are free. Fridays: Roll up your sleeves and try your luck as a forty-niner at the Gold-Panning station. One, unlimited, free round of Gold-Panning per guest.
Free
Chaminade: Live Music and Taco Bar
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
Join us Tuesdays for live local bands and an unlimited taco bar for just $18.00. Tax and gratuity additional. Band schedule: 7/23 Ten O’Clock Lunch, 7/30 Paperback Ryders, 8/6 TBA, 8/13 Michael Gaither and his new Friends, 8/20 Andy Furman, 8/27 Ten O’Clock Lunch.
Solaire / Hotel Paradox: Taco Tuesday
Solaire Restaurant and Bar
831.600.4545 | www.hotelparadox.com
Tuesdays are better with Tacos! Especially when you can enjoy 2 delicious tacos with a locally crafted beer and a B-Movie for $10!
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Santa Cruz Harbor
831.475.6161 | www.santacruzharbor.org
Harbor restaurants & the beach are great viewing areas to watch the sailboat races against the setting sun.
Free
Capitola Summer Twilight Concerts
Esplanade Park
831.475.7300 | www.cityofcapitola.org
Wednesdays in June, July and August. Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper and the family to enjoy live music and the sunset. Visit our local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. Performer schedule: 06-05 Live Again, 06-12 Glory, 06-19 The Inciters, 06-26 Tsunami Band, 07-03 Todd Morgan & the Emblems, 07-10 The Joint Chiefs Band, 07-17 Mike Hammer & the Nails, 07-24 Extra Large, 07-31 Long Train Runnin’, 08-07 The House Rockers, 08-14 Everyday People, 08-21 Mambo Tropical, 08-28 The Digbeats.
Free
Crow’s Nest Thursday Beach Parties
Crow’s Nest Restaurant
831.476.4560 | www.crowsnest-santacruz.com
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.
Free
Sanderlings: Tiki Fridays
Sanderlings
831.662.7120 | www.seascaperesort.com
Hawaiian hits, Beach Boys tunes, and Caribbean and calypso beats by Victor Ohana Band, Island Breeze, and Steel Drums by Timo Guttierez set the tone for Tiki Fridays. Join us for sips and savory bites, including four hand-crafted cocktails by Lindsay Eshleman (served in Tiki mugs, naturally) and Chef de Cuisine Skye McDougall’s inspired tiki-style appetizers. Performance schedule: 05-24, 06-14, 06-28, 07-12, 07-26 and 08-16 Victor Ohana Band. 05-31, 07-05, 08-02 and 08-30 Timo Guttierez. 06-07, 06-21, 7-19, 08-09 and 08-23 Island Breeze.
Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
831.423.5590 | beachboardwalk.com
Two free live concerts on the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand every Friday night with top bands of the 80s and 90s! July 12th Foghat, July 19th Pablo Cruise (Replacement for Taylor Dayne), July 26th Bad Company former lead singer Brian Howe, Aug 2nd Y & T, Aug 9th Living Colour, Aug 16th Michael Furlong’s Tribute to Tom Petty (Replacement for 10,000 Maniacs), Aug 23rd Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, Aug 30th Papa Doo Run Run “(Santa Cruz) Beach Party”.
Capitola Movies at the Beach
Esplanade Park
831.475.7300 | www.cityofcapitola.org
The Movies at the Beach is a family friendly and free event hosted in late summer by the Art and Cultural Commission. These free movies are set on the stage in Esplanade Park near Capitola Beach. The movie titles are family friendly and range from animations to classic titles. Movie goers are welcome to bring a picnic dinner or dine locally at area restaurants. Low back chairs, blankets and jackets recommended. Please respect our request for no alcohol or dogs on the beach. 2019 Schedule: August 23rd: COCO, August 30th: Dispicable Me 3, September 6th: Bernie the Dolphin and September 13th: Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Alasdair Fraser’s 36th Annual Fiddle Extravaganza: Scotland, Galicia, and Beyond!
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Join Indie Award-winning Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, Ryan McKasson & Eric McDonald and many special guests. Performers include: Galicia Riobó, Liz & Feijoó Trio, percussive dancer Nic Gareiss, pianist Cali McKasson, plus more than 200 musicians, singers, and dancers in a celebration of music, song and dance. Also appearing: Natalie Haas, Amy Richter, Hanneke Cassel, Deby Benton Grosjean, Laura Risk, Janette Duncan, Laura Cortese, Colin Cotter, Tristan Claridge, Galen Fraser and Erik Hoffman. This show is the culmination of this year’s Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School.
Roaring Camp: Great Train Robberies
Roaring Camp Railroads
831.335.4484 | www.roaringcamp.com
Witness shootouts between famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880’s aboard the Redwood Forest Train to Bear Mountain. See why the West was wild! The train robbery will occur on all RC Steam Train departures. Those “sensitive to noise” may want to consider our Santa Cruz Beach Train to the beach.