Events from August 3, 2024 – May 2, 2026

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

August 3, 2024 @ 11:00 am - August 3, 2025 @ 12:30 pm PDT

UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours

Santa Cruz

Jul 6

June 16 @ 8:30 pm - August 7 @ 9:30 pm PDT

SC Beach Boardwalk: Evenings on the Colonnade

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 6

July 1 @ 8:00 am - July 31 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Bookshop Santa Cruz: Downtown Where’s Waldo Game

Santa Cruz

FREE

Delaveaga Park NorCal Crusher Cup Dirt Bike Race

Jul 6

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Delaveaga Park: NorCal Crusher Cup Dirt Bike Race

Santa Cruz

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Santa Cruz Beach Train

Felton

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

10:30 am - 5:30 pm

Noble Harvest Farm: Lavender U-Pick

Aptos

A docent standing in front of a blue whale skeleton outside showing pictures of how whales eat

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Guided Tour

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

Santa Cruz

FREE

Rose wine glasses against a bright blue sky.

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Nicholson Vineyards: Summer Series

Aptos

Jul 6

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Fitteds and Kicks Block Party

Santa Cruz

Paradox hotel pool toys floating in the pool.

Jul 6

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Hotel Paradox: Summer Pool Party

Santa Cruz

Jul 8

Multiple Event Dates

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Felton: Farmers Market

Felton

Jul 8

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Santa Cruz Wharf: Live Concert Series

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 8

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Bookshop Santa Cruz: Whitney Hanson Reading and Signing

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 9

All day

Pleasure Point Park: Jack O’Neill Day

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 9

Multiple Event Dates

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market

Santa Cruz

Jul 9

Multiple Event Dates

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Junction Park: Free Music in the Park

Boulder Creek

FREE

Jul 9

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

FREE

Jul 9

Multiple Event Dates

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Santa Cruz: Wednesday Night Sailboat Races

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 10

Multiple Event Dates

5:30 am - 7:30 am

Santa Cruz Harbor: Winemakers Sail

Santa Cruz

A black and white painting of clouds and birds with a red spherical sun.

Jul 10

Multiple Event Dates

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center: Color Themed Exhibit

Ben Lomond

FREE

Jul 10

Multiple Event Dates

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Crow’s Nest: Free Beach BBQ Parties and Concerts

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 10

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Bargetto Winery: Music in the Courtyard

Soquel

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Birding Walk

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Fuel Reduction Workday

Scotts Valley

FREE

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Watsonville: Farmers Market

Watsonville

Two rocking chairs on a shady patio overlooking a vineyard.

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Lester Estate Wines: Summer Sundowner Concerts

Aptos

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 11

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Santa Cruz Boardwalk: Summer Luau

Santa Cruz

Jul 11

6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Rio Theatre: Save the Waves Film Festival

Santa Cruz

Jul 11

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Movie on the Beach “Jumanji”

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cabrillo College: Aptos Farmers Market

Aptos

Participants running across the river for the San Lorenzo River

Jul 12

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Santa Cruz: San Lorenzo River Trail Run

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Scotts Valley: Farmers Market

Scotts Valley

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Westside Santa Cruz: Farmers Market

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Aptos: Hot Rods on the Green

Aptos

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Chaminade Resort and Spa: Guided Forest Therapy Walk

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Watsonville

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Sandhills Tour

Scotts Valley

FREE

Jul 12

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Cowell Beach: Accessible Day on the Beach

Santa Cruz

FREE

Silhouette of girl carrying a surf board with lighthouse in the background

Jul 12

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

West Cliff: Summer Outdoor Market

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Big Basin Redwoods State Park: Guided Walk Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Boulder Creek

Jul 12

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Loch Lomond: Water Quality Loch Walk

Felton

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Agricultural History Project

Watsonville

FREE

Jul 12

11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Skypark: Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival

Scotts Valley

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

July 12 @ 11:00 am - July 13 @ 12:00 pm PDT

Loch Lomond Recreation Area: Boat Tours

Felton

FREE

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Roberts Ranch Vineyards: Wine & Déjeuner d’Ouvrier

Ben Lomond

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

11:30 am - 2:00 pm

Big Basin Redwoods SP: See Oldest State Park Recover

Boulder Creek

FREE

Jul 12

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Swift Street Courtyard: Surf City Wine Walk

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Ben Lomond: Boomeria Lives On

Ben Lomond

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Santa Cruz Wharf: Swing Dancing

Santa Cruz

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Roberts Ranch Vineyards: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert

Ben Lomond

An image of a deck with a binoculars and a view of the ocean in the distance.

Jul 12

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Guided Star Walk

Scotts Valley

FREE

Jul 13

July 13 - September 20

Audrey Stanley Grove: Shakespeare In The Park

Santa Cruz

Jul 13

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wilder Ranch State Park: Backcountry Hike

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 13

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Antiques Faire

Santa Cruz

Jul 13

Multiple Event Dates

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Guided Redwood Hike

Felton

FREE

Jul 13

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Audrey Stanley Grove: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Santa Cruz

A paper cutout image of a witch near some trees

Jul 15

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Audrey Stanley Grove: Into the Woods

Santa Cruz

Jul 17

6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Santa Cruz MAH: Live with Jane Wiedlin

Santa Cruz

A photo of three Hawaiian princes—David Kawananakoa, Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, and Edward Keliiahonui— introduced surfing to the U.S. mainland via Santa Cruz in 1885

Jul 18

Multiple Event Dates

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Santa Cruz MAH: 140th Anniversary of Surfing the Americas

Santa Cruz

Jul 18

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Sanctuary Exploration Center: Art Reception

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

FREE

Jul 18

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Watsonville Plaza: Summer Concert Series

Watsonville

FREE

Jul 18

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Movie on the Beach “Clueless”

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 19

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Brookdale Lodge: Classic Car Show

Brookdale

FREE

Jul 19

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Basket Weaving Workshop

Felton

FREE

Jul 19

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Skypark: Family Fun Day

Scotts Valley

FREE

Jul 19

July 19 @ 11:00 am - July 20 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Bargetto Winery: Art and Wine Festival

Soquel

FREE

black and white image of a woman looking over her shoulder in historical garb

Jul 19

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SLV Museum: Guided Historical Portraits

Boulder Creek

FREE

Jul 19

Multiple Event Dates

5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Roaring Camp Railroads: Starlight Evening Dinner Party

Felton

Makers Market flyer for Downtown Santa Cruz

Jul 20

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 20

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Capitola Village and Wharf: Sunday Makers Market

Capitola

FREE

Jul 22

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

The Grove Picnic Area: Silent Piano Concert

Santa Cruz

An image of the Giant Pacific Octopus floating in the ocean.

Jul 23

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Museum of Natural History: Giant Octopus Painting Party

Santa Cruz

Jul 25

All day

SC Beach Boardwalk: National Carousel Day

Santa Cruz

People outside enjoying food trucks for Capitola Food Truck Fridays

Jul 25

Multiple Event Dates

4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Capitola: Food Truck Fridays

Capitola

FREE

Jul 25

Multiple Event Dates

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Skypark: Food Truck Friday

Scotts Valley

Jul 25

7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Chaminade Resort And Spa: Craig Campbell

Santa Cruz

Jul 25

8:47 pm - 11:00 pm

Highlands Santa Cruz County Park: Free Summer Movie

Ben Lomond

FREE

Jul 25

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: “Wizard of Oz” on the Beach

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 26

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Westside Santa Cruz: Farmers Market Pop Up Breakfast

Santa Cruz

Jul 26

Multiple Event Dates

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Castle Rock SP: Guided Hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Los Gatos

FREE

Jul 26

Multiple Event Dates

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Tree Identification

Felton

FREE

Jul 27

All day

Wharf to Wharf Race

Capitola

Jul 27

July 27 - August 10

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Santa Cruz

Jul 29

Multiple Event Dates

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Audrey Stanley Grove: Shakespeare’s Pericles

Santa Cruz

Jul 29

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: “In The Works” Concert

Santa Cruz

FREE

Jul 31

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Museum of Natural History: Giant Salamander Lecture

Santa Cruz

Two individuals dressed in strawberry themed outfits standing in front of Strawberry Festival archway

Aug 1

August 1 - August 3

Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival

Watsonville

FREE

Aug 1

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: Sip & Savor

Boulder Creek

FREE

Aug 1

Multiple Event Dates

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

First Friday Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 1

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Music Festival Opening Night

Santa Cruz

Aug 1

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: “Despicable Me 4” on the Beach

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 2

6:45 am - 12:00 pm

Watsonville: Strawberry Jam Fun Run

Watsonville

Aug 2

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

La Selva Beach: Books and Brews Summer Fair

La Selva Beach

FREE

Aug 2

Multiple Event Dates

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Wilder Ranch State Park: Living History Dairy Ranch

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 2

1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Roaring Camp Railroads: Brewgrass Festival

Felton

Aug 2

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Meet the Composers

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 2

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Chasing Light Concert

Santa Cruz

Aug 3

Multiple Event Dates

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Ben Lomond: Wee Kirk Farmers and Makers Market

Ben Lomond

FREE

Aug 3

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Family Concert

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 3

8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Quarry Amphitheater: Primus

Santa Cruz

Aug 8

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Chaminade Resort and Spa: Orin Swift Cellars and Winery

Santa Cruz

Aug 8

9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Movie on the Beach “The Goonies”

Santa Cruz

FREE

An outdoor chef lightly grilling peaches.

Aug 9

9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market: Pop Up Breakfast

Santa Cruz

Aug 9

August 9 @ 12:00 pm - August 10 @ 3:30 pm PDT

Roaring Camp Railroads: National BBQ Cook-Off

Felton

Aug 9

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Youth Ensemble Concert

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 10

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tri Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

Aug 10

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Center: Music Festival Grand Finale

Santa Cruz

Aug 14

Multiple Event Dates

5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Center: Open Skate Night

Santa Cruz

Marlys Traffic Jam Concert Tour poster image.

Aug 14

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Quarry Amphitheater: Damian “Jr. Gong” & Stephen Marley

Santa Cruz

Aug 15

August 15 @ 9:00 am - August 16 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Roaring Camp: Blacksmith Hammer In

Felton

FREE

Aug 16

All day

SC Beach Boardwalk: National Roller Coaster Day

Santa Cruz

Aug 16

August 16 @ 10:00 am - August 17 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Scotts Valley: Art, Wine, and Beer Festival

Scotts Valley

FREE

Aug 16

Multiple Event Dates

10:30 am - 3:30 pm

Castro Adobe: Open House

Watsonville

FREE

Aug 16

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Simpkins Swim: Parks and Rex Pool Party

Santa Cruz

Aug 17

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Rio Theatre: Lewis Black

Santa Cruz

Aug 20

8:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Felton Music Hall: Joe Samba and Wheeland Brothers

Felton

Aug 21

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Free Walk With a Doc

Felton

FREE

Aug 22

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Capitola: Free Honey I Shrunk the Kids at the Beach

Capitola

FREE

Aug 23

10:00 am - 3:30 pm

Byrne-Millron Forest: Guided Redwood Hike

Corralitos

Aug 24

8:00 am - 11:00 am

Capitola: 10k/6k Race

Capitola

Images of kids drawing on the sidewalk with chalk.

Aug 24

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Scotts Valley Skypark: Sidewalk Chalk Contest

Scotts Valley

FREE

Aug 24

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Chaminade Resort and Spa: Pawsh Retreat

Santa Cruz

FREE

Aug 24

Multiple Event Dates

2:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Scotts Valley: Music at Skypark

Scotts Valley

FREE

Aug 28

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Quarry Amphitheater: The Roots

Santa Cruz

Aug 29

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Chaminade Resort and Spa: Nashville Nights – Canaan Smith

Santa Cruz

Aug 30

4:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Watsonville Airport: Fire in the Sky

Watsonville

FREE

Steam train at Roaring Camp for their Moonlight Train Dinner Party

Aug 30

Multiple Event Dates

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Roaring Camp Railroads: Moonlight Train Dinner Party

Felton

Aug 30

6:15 pm - 10:30 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Center: Roller Derby

Santa Cruz

Sep 4

Multiple Event Dates

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Audrey Stanley Grove: “Master Harold”… and The Boys

Santa Cruz

Sep 5

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: Block Party

Boulder Creek

FREE

Gyro spit being turned as festival attendees explore food stalls

Sep 5

September 5 @ 5:00 pm - September 7 @ 8:00 pm PDT

Downtown Santa Cruz: Greek Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

Muscle cars being viewed on a field near a redwood forest

Sep 6

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Roaring Camp: Roarin’ The Redwoods Car Show

Felton

Sep 6

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Scotts Valley: Multicultural Fair

Scotts Valley

FREE

Sep 6

12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Fiesta en la Playa

Santa Cruz

Sep 6

3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Bonny Doon: Art Wine and Beer Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

A crowd of people eating at long tables in a farm field with the ocean in the background.

Sep 6

4:00 pm - 9:30 pm

UCSC: Farm to Fork Dinner

Santa Cruz

Sep 7

All day

Ironman 70.3

Santa Cruz

Sep 7

9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Crow’s Nest: 49th San Francisco Comedy Competition

Santa Cruz

Sep 9

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Felton Farmers Market: Apple-A-Day Festival

Felton

FREE

Young the Giant band in a large oak tree

Sep 9

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Quarry Amphitheater: Young the Giant in the Redwoods

Santa Cruz

Sep 10

September 10 @ 12:00 pm - September 14 @ 10:00 pm PDT

Santa Cruz County Fair

Watsonville

Sep 12

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Chaminade Resort & Spa: Alfaro Family Vineyards Dinner

Santa Cruz

Sep 12

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Capitola: Free Garfield Movie at the Beach

Capitola

FREE

Sep 13

September 13 @ 10:00 am - September 14 @ 5:00 pm PDT

42nd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival

Capitola

FREE

Sep 20

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Santa Cruz Wharf: 33rd Annual Aloha Outrigger Races

Santa Cruz

Sep 20

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Scotts Valley: Handcrafted Instruments Showcase

Scotts Valley

FREE

Sep 21

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Cedar Street Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

Sep 24

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Penny Ice Creamery: Hoops and Scoops Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

Images of a kid holding up a fish, a kid making a sandcastle, paddleboard racers and evening lighted boats on the water.

Sep 27

September 27 @ 8:00 am - September 28 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Capitola: Beach Festival

Capitola

FREE

Sep 27

September 27 @ 10:00 am - September 28 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Live Oak: Glass Pumpkin Patch

Santa Cruz

FREE

Sep 27

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Soquel: Taste of Soquel Festival

Soquel

FREE

Oct 3

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: Treat Walk

Boulder Creek

FREE

Oct 4

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Loch Lomond: Fall Birding Loch Walk

Felton

FREE

Oct 4

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Santa Cruz Wharf: Third Annual Vintage VW Invasion

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 4

Multiple Event Dates

10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Roaring Camp: Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

Felton

Oct 4

October 4 @ 11:00 am - October 5 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Open Studios Art Tour: South County

Oct 4

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Harvest Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 5

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Center: A Taste of Ireland

Santa Cruz

Oct 8

October 8 @ 5:00 pm - October 12 @ 1:00 am PDT

Downtown Santa Cruz: Secret Film Festival

Santa Cruz

Oct 10

October 10 - October 12

Santa Cruz County: Monterey Bay Festival of Birds

Oct 10

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Chaminade Resort & Spa: Dinner With Bargetto Winery

Santa Cruz

Oct 11

October 11 - October 12

Santa Cruz County: Open Farm Tours

Oct 11

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Santa Cruz Wharf: T-Birds on the Wharf

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 11

October 11 @ 11:00 am - October 12 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Open Studios Art Tour: North County

Oct 12

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Natural Bridges State Beach: Welcome Back Monarchs Day!

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 14

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Felton Farmers Market: Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza

Felton

FREE

A high angle image of Abbott Square with the 2025 Festival of Monsters poster winning monster on top of the MAH.

Oct 15

October 15 - October 18

Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: Festival of Monsters

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 18

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Band Review

Santa Cruz

Oct 18

October 18 @ 8:00 am - October 19 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Capitola: Women On Waves Surf Contest

Capitola Village

Oct 18

October 18 @ 11:00 am - October 19 @ 5:00 pm PDT

Open Studios Art Tour: All County

Oct 18

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Downtown Felton: Scarecrow Sip and Stroll

Felton

Oct 18

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 18

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Simpkins Swim Center: Floating Pumpkin Patch

Santa Cruz

Oct 24

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

County Sheriff’s Office: Trunk or Treat

Watsonville

FREE

Oct 25

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Chili Cook-Off

Santa Cruz

Oct 25

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

West Cliff: Day of the Dead Outdoor Market

Santa Cruz

FREE

Oct 25

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Passport Celebration Day

Drawing of goat with words affiliated with farms written within the drawing of the goat

Oct 31

October 31 @ 10:00 am - November 1 @ 4:00 pm PDT

County Fairgrounds: Goat Hill Unique Antique and Artisan Fair

Watsonville

Oct 31

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Abbott Square: Dog Halloween Costume Contest

Santa Cruz

Oct 31

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Boulder Creek: Downtown Trick or Treat

Boulder Creek

Nov 1

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Watsonville Plaza: Dia de los Muertos

Watsonville

Nov 3

November 3 - November 9

Capitola: Plein Air Festival

Capitola

Nov 5

Multiple Event Dates

November 5 - November 7

Santa Cruz County: King Tides

Nov 6

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

UCSC: Hear Sculptor Doyle Foreman

Santa Cruz

FREE

Nov 7

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: Giving Thanks Party

Boulder Creek

FREE

Nov 8

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

SC Beach Boardwalk: Hot Rods at the Beach

Santa Cruz

FREE

Nov 8

November 8 @ 10:00 am - November 9 @ 5:00 pm PST

Cocoanut Grove: Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival

Santa Cruz

Nov 9

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Fall Wine Walk

Santa Cruz

Nov 21

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Civic Auditorium: Cinderella World Ballet

Santa Cruz

Nov 25

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Daniel Tosh Comedy

Santa Cruz

Dec 5

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: First Friday and Ugly Sweater Contest

Boulder Creek

FREE

Dec 6

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Downtown Santa Cruz: Holiday Parade

Santa Cruz

Dec 6

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Downtown Boulder Creek: Winter Festival

Boulder Creek

Dec 6

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Santa Cruz Harbor: Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz

Dec 7

11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hallcrest Vineyards: Holiday Market

Felton

FREE

Dec 13

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Simpkins Swim Center: Holiday Market

Santa Cruz

FREE

Dec 13

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tannery Arts Center: Winter Art Market

Santa Cruz

FREE

Dec 13

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Ben Lomond: Wee Kirk Holiday Market

Ben Lomond

FREE

Dec 14

Multiple Event Dates

December 14 @ 5:00 pm - December 21 @ 9:00 pm PST

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz

Jan 3

8:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Joe’s Bar: Live Blues Rock

Boulder Creek

FREE

Chef during Santa Cruz Clam Chowder cook-off in 2019

Feb 21

February 21, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - February 22, 2026 @ 4:00 pm PST

45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off

Santa Cruz

Mar 6

March 6, 2026 - March 8, 2026

Scotts Valley: Alfred Hitchcock Festival

Scotts Valley

Mar 12

March 12, 2026 - March 21, 2026

Watsonville Film Festival

Watsonville

Mar 28

All day

SC Beach Boardwalk: Fun Run

Santa Cruz

May 2

May 2, 2026 - May 3, 2026

Roaring Camp: Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival

Felton

Upcoming Events