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!
Año Nuevo State Park: Self-Guided Hikes in Seal Viewing Area
Año Nuevo State Park
650.879.2025 | www.parks.ca.gov
Stroll over sand dunes, enjoy beautiful ocean views, and gain a unique opportunity to view Northern elephant seals on this 3-mile, 2.5-hour self-guided trail! Layered clothing, closed-toed shoes, and rain/wind gear are strongly advised. Bring water. Food, umbrellas, and strollers are not permitted inside the preserve.
No pets are allowed in the park. Free event. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, please call 650.879.2025.
Big Basin Vineyards: Winemaker’s Night
Big Basin Vineyards
(831) 515- 7278 | www.exploretock.com
Meet the maker… Come sip through a few of Blake’s favorite wines as he joins us in-house to pour a specialty flight of off-the-beaten path varietals Thursday May 19th, 6PM – 9PM. Blake will be bringing a few stories from the cellar and what went into the making of these wines. Bring your burning questions and discover a more intimate side of the winemaking world.
TOP DOG Film Festival
Rio Theatre
831.423.8209 | www.riotheatre.com
TOP DOG Film Festival
May 19 @ 7 PM
Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
A portion of ticket sales benefits Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
The Top Dog Film Festival is a 2-hour collection of short independent films from around the globe, all about dogs! The cunningly canine-filled program of heart-warming and inspiring dog films is back.
This carefully curated program of short canine-themed films is comprised of the most inspirational, heart-warming, and entertaining stories about dogs and their human companions from independent filmmakers around the globe. Experience heartfelt stories of overcoming adversity thanks to man’s best friend and take a look at the prison program transforming the lives of inmates and rescue dogs and more stories!
Get your tickets before they all sell out – you’d be barking mad to miss it. For information and tickets, visit https://www.riotheatre.com/events-2/2021/12/5/topdogfilm
Seacliff State Beach: Concrete Ship History Walk
Seacliff State Beach
831.685.6500 | thatsmypark.org
Learn about Seacliff State Beach’s fascinating history on this 1-mile, 1-hour stroll to the Aptos Creek Bridge and back. Get the lowdown on the Concrete Ship, the development of Aptos, “The Madman of Seacliff,” and much, much more. Bring water and layered clothing. Pre-registration required at www.santacruzstateparks.as.me. Meet at the shaded picnic tables next to the visitor center.
Free event. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. ent made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Food Truck Friday
Skypark
831.438.3251 | www.foodtrucksagogo.com
Food Truck Friday features your favorite food trucks at these monthly events at Skypark!
In addition to dinner, we have a very popular Beer & Wine Garden + Live Music!
Join us at this wonderful Community event — now in its 7th year!
There’s plenty of space to spread out & enjoy the evening! Eat at a picnic table or bring lawn chairs & blankets!
Location: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
FREE admission!
FREE & easy parking!
Friendly leashed pups are welcome!
5-8pm
For more info, foodtrucksagogo.com.
We’ll see you there!
CHAMINADE RESORT: Nashville Nights Concert Series “Chris Ruediger”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
Ranch 1917 and Chaminade Resort are bringing Nashville to Santa Cruz. Get up close and personal with some of Nashville’s hottest acts.
Experience an intimate concert in a songwriter’s format while watching the sunset over Monterey Bay!
FEATURED ARTIST: Chris Ruediger
$30.00
Westside Farmers’ Market
Westside Farmers’ Market
831.454.0566 | santacruzfarmersmarket.org
The Westside Farmers’ Market is open for business! Come see us at the corner of Hwy 1 & Western Drive for a wide selection of fruits and veggies, medicinal tinctures and salves, tasty breakfast, sustainable seafood, and more! Open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Historic Ranch Ground Tour
Wilder Ranch State Park
831.423.9703 | thatsmypark.org
Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831.426.0505.
Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php
Santa Cruz Symphony: Carmina Burana
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
831.420.5260 | santacruzsymphony.org
MONTEVERDI Toccata & Ritornello from I’Orfeo
ORFF Carmina Burana
Corralitos Farm & Garden Market
Corralitos Cultural Center
831.254.2669 | corralitoscultural.org
The Farm & Garden Market is a small, friendly, open-air market made up of local farmers and gardeners who grow within about a five-mile radius of Corralitos.
The market is open to all of our friends and neighbors who grow anything from a garden to a good backyard fruit tree.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Historic Ranch Ground Tour
Wilder Ranch State Park
831.423.9703 | thatsmypark.org
Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call 831.426.0505.
Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms when pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php
Santa Cruz Symphony: Carmina Burana
Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts
831.768.3266 | santacruzsymphony.org
MONTEVERDI Toccata & Ritornello from I’Orfeo
ORFF Carmina Burana
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market
Downtown Farmers’ Market
831.454.0566 | santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Our largest and oldest market is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. In addition to a substantial variety of farm products, this market offers a great selection of local artisan foodstuffs, delicious baked goods, and currently many unique, high-quality options for grab-and-go lunch and dinner. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support local farms and bring home the best produce available.
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Santa Cruz Harbor
831.475.6161 | www.santacruzharbor.org
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races begin in April and run through fall ending in October. Wednesday Night Races begin at 6:30 pm – 8 pm.
Harbor restaurants & the beach are great viewing areas to watch the sailboat races against the setting sun.
Free
CHAMINADE RESORT & SPA: Vine to View Dinner Series “Bargetto Winery”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
This season’s Vine to View Dinner Series is better than ever! Join us on our patio from 6 pm – 9 pm for a four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Avram Samuels and his culinary team. Enjoy locally sourced ingredients perfectly paired in an idyllic setting overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay featuring Bargetto Winery.
$142.00
First Friday Santa Cruz
Various locations in Santa Cruz County
831.425.1234 | firstfridaysantacruz.com
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR ✨
Every First Friday Evening from 5pm-9pm at various locations in Santa Cruz County.
Plan your First Friday night and visit participating venues in Downtown, the Tannery Arts Center, Midtown, Westside, Eastside, Felton, and Ben Lomond!
Get out and support the arts!
Find the full listing of participating artists and venues + all of the details on our website, firstfridaysantacruz.com
Popular First Friday Destinations Include:
Curated Pop-Up Gallery
Botanic & Luxe
The MAH
The Tannery Arts Center Galleries and Studios
Radius Gallery
Santa Cruz Art League
Treehouse Dispensary
Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
*More details about all of the upcoming First Friday events can be found on our website, firstfridaysantacruz.com
Ready…ENGAGE!
First Friday is a free event and is perfect for enthusiastic Art Goers or those just looking to have a fun and enjoyable evening checking out the art scene is Santa Cruz. We are pleased to provide this opportunity and promote this event for the many talented Santa Cruz Artists exhibiting their work.
Free
SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: Nature Club
Moore Creek Preserve
(831) 420-5270 | www.santacruzmuseum.org
Kick-off the beginning of summer with an awesome visit to the Moore Creek Preserve, exploring different communities found in one of our best local habitats during this month’s Nature Club for 6th-8th graders. Birds, deer, coyotes, rabbits, and much more call this place home, and we will learn all about the adaptations they need to survive in this environment.
Saturday, June 4 | 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Moore Creek Preserve
Ages: 6th-8th grade
$5 – $10
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Mountain Faire
Roaring Camp
831.335.4484 | www.redwoodmountainfaire.com
The annual Redwood Mountain Faire brings together a wide range of music styles on two stages. The Faire benefits a wide range of nonprofit and service organizations and is organized by the Valley Women’s Club of the San Lorenzo Valley.
Westside Marketplace
University Business Park (The Old Wrigley Building)
The Westside Marketplace — every First Sunday at The Wrigley!
Featuring LOCAL art, handmade & vintage shopping + Food Trucks & pop-ups, and LIVE MUSIC…all outdoors at the Old Wrigley Parking Lot, 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz.
FREE admission!
FREE & easy parking!
Friendly leashed pups are welcome!
11-4
Presented by your friends at Food Trucks A Go Go & Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market.
For more info, foodtrucksagogo.com & scmmakersmarket.com
We’ll see you there!
Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show
Capitola Village
831.425.1234 | capitolacarshow.com
Watch these classic beauties cruise the coastline on Saturday morning from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Capitola starting at 8:30 am.
Enjoy a weekend filled with awesome cars, great music, charming shops, restaurants for every taste, and family fun at the beach!
West Cliff: Outdoor Market
Lighthouse Point
831.420.5270 | brotherspromotions.com
Come enjoy our 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 overlooks the famous Steamer Lane surf spot. The market will feature hand-crafted gifts, and admission is FREE!
We 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!
Free
CHAMINADE RESORT: Nashville Nights Concert Series “Jenny Tolman”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
Ranch 1917 and Chaminade Resort are bringing Nashville to Santa Cruz. Get up close and personal with some of Nashville’s hottest acts.
Experience an intimate concert in a songwriter’s format while watching the sunset over Monterey Bay!
FEATURED ARTIST: Jenny Tolman
$30.00
Santa Cruz Symphony: POPS CONCERT
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
831.420.5260 | santacruzsymphony.org
Immerse yourself and your family in this multi-media presentation of LIFE – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME which combines the music of Philip Glass and the legendary photography of Frans Lanting. A treat for the senses as the imagery projects onto the giant screen choreographed to the lush sounds of the Santa Cruz Symphony!
Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market
Downtown Santa Cruz: Pacific Ave. between Cathcart St & Lincoln St
831.246.0926 | scmmakersmarket.com
EVERY THIRD SUNDAY! Come on out for some fresh air and crafty goodness! 10am-5pm on Pacific Ave at Lincoln St in Downtown Santa Cruz.
This market hosts a wide range of locally handmade goods! You can find some of your favorite Santa Cruz makers here AND brand new makers…the variety of work at the market is AMAZING!
Located on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets near New Leaf and alongside so many amazing downtown restaurants.
Friendly leashed pups are welcome!
Free
Roaring Camp Railroads: Father’s Day Brew Train
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
831.423.5590 | www.roaringcamp.com
Take a trip from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Roaring Camp Railroads on the Father’s Day Brew Train! Local brewers will be pouring tastes of some of their favorite beers as you ride the rails from the seas to the trees. More Info Coming Soon.
ACTIVITIES
- Live Music
- Tastings from
- Local Breweries (TBD)
- Chuck Wagon BBQ
Roaring Camp Railroads: Father’s Day Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads
831.335.4484 | www.roaringcamp.com
Salute Dad on Father’s Day by treating him to a ride on a steam train and lunch. In addition, local breweries will be pouring the best local brew for sale at the BBQ area. Dad will receive a complimentary engineer’s cap with the purchase of a train ticket and any BBQ platter meal. More Info Coming Soon.
ACTIVITIES
- Humble Sea Brewing
- Santa Cruz Scrumpy Cider
- Chuckwagon BBQ
- Raffle
26th Annual Woodies on the Wharf
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831.420.5725 | www.santacruzwoodies.com
Celebrate the Santa Cruz surf lifestyle and classic surf wagons at Woodies on the Wharf.
Come see the more than 200 “Woodies”, gorgeous, pre-1950s cars that feature wood bodies, line the Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and enjoy dozens of shops and restaurants and stellar coastal views while you soak up the sun and beauty of Northern California’s premier “Woodie” show.
CHAMINADE RESORT & SPA: Vine to View Dinner Series “Antinori Italian Wine”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
This season’s Vine to View Dinner Series is better than ever! Join us on our patio from 6 pm – 9 pm for a four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Avram Samuels and his culinary team. Enjoy locally sourced ingredients perfectly paired in an idyllic setting overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay featuring Antinori Italian Wine Dinner.
$212.00
Roaring Camp Railroads: 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!
ACTIVITIES
- Train Robbery Reenactment
- All Scheduled Trains
- *Noise Sensitive
CHAMINADE RESORT: Nashville Nights Concert Series “Gracee Shriver”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
Ranch 1917 and Chaminade Resort are bringing Nashville to Santa Cruz. Get up close and personal with some of Nashville’s hottest acts.
Experience an intimate concert in a songwriter’s format while watching the sunset over Monterey Bay!
FEATURED ARTIST: Gracee Shriver
$30.00
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: National Carousel Day
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
831.423.5590 | beachboardwalk.com
Celebrate National Carousel Day and our Looff Carousel’s 111st Anniversary. First 100 riders on the Carousel will receive a brass souvenir carousel ring. Normal ride pricing and restrictions apply.
CHAMINADE RESORT & SPA: Vine to View Dinner Series “Stag’s Leap”
Chaminade Resort and Spa
831.475.5600 | www.chaminade.com
This season’s Vine to View Dinner Series is better than ever! Join us on our patio from 6 pm – 9 pm for a four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Avram Samuels and his culinary team. Enjoy locally sourced ingredients perfectly paired in an idyllic setting overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay featuring Stag’s Leap.
$212.00