With a wide range of free events taking place year-around, there’s always something to celebrate in Santa Cruz County every weekend. See what’s happening in Santa Cruz County and check out events here!
Monarch migration is variable and population numbers and dates are different each year. The monarchs typically begin arriving in mid-October and leave by mid-February. At Natural Bridges, late October and all of November is often the best time to go for a walk and observe the monarchs. The Monarch Grove at Natural Bridges has been […]
If you love California history and our state’s cultural heritage, come celebrate with us at the Castro Adobe State Historic Park! Visit at the next open house. This tour that repeats every 90-minutes throughout the day will surely have you falling head over heels with all the park has to offer! This 90-minute tour is […]
Enjoy a quiet exploration of Quail Hollow Ranch, under the moonlight. On this guided hike on the lower trails, you can search for critters and meander through the forest. Bring flashlights and/or a headlamp (though you may try to hike without them), and some drinking water. Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. […]
Celebrate Thanksgiving at High Tide with a thoughtfully curated four-course menu inspired by the warmth and tradition of the season. Begin with roasted butternut squash soup and a roasted D’Anjou pear and burrata salad, followed by your choice of traditional herb-roasted turkey, pan-seared black cod, center-cut beef filet mignon, or house-made wild mushroom agnolotti. End […]
Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach! Enjoy a festive stroll through dazzling holiday lights and decorations at no cost. If you’d like to hop on a ride, you can purchase individual ride tickets or a Ride Wristband for unlimited rides all day. Games, attractions, and photos with Santa are […]
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride a Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter-themed activities. Choose your 75 minute train ride to start at 10:30am, noon, or 1:30pm. They usually sell out of tickets on […]
Drop your letter to Santa in the North Pole mailbox on Pacific Avenue near Walnut Avenue, in front of Super Silver. Santa wants to hear from you: What’s at the top of your wishlist? What have you done or will do this year to help others? Do you have other questions for Santa?
A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Itinerary: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz for a 60-minute […]
Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents A Christmas Carol Tickets are on sale for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, a festive holiday tradition for the whole family. audiences can expect a theatrical, music-filled adaptation of this classic play. Adapted by Charles Pasternak and directed by Alicia Gibson, A Christmas Carol stars Mike […]
The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. One never knows exactly what to expect at the Parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time. The man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz. Bring the […]
Tis' the season for an evening of joy and holiday cheer inside The Grove: Santa Cruz Event Center! Enjoy exclusive time with Santa, cookie decorating, and a viewing of the iconic holiday movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
9:00am - Breakfast Begins | 9:45am Program Begins Enjoy full ocean views, breakfast buffet, full bar (for the parents, not the elves) cookie decorating, arts & crafts, face painting, a visit and songs with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a surprise Christmas story reading!
The Downtown Association and Landmark Theaters present the annual: FREE FAMILY MOViES! This year, families can enjoy the holiday classic A Christmas Story, with two option to see on either Saturday December 12 and Sunday December 13. A Christmas Story will be streamed for free at the Del Mar Theatre. Advanced tickets are not required, […]
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Event is free, day-use parking fee is $10.
Step into the magic of Christmas in 1920’s Santa Cruz! Santa Cruz Dance Theater presents a spectacular new vision of The Nutcracker, transporting audiences to the Santa Cruz of a century ago, when the beloved Giant Dipper roller coaster first opened at the Beach Boardwalk. Featuring beautiful classical ballet, enchanting costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, […]
Come enjoy holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine!🎅 📸Take photos with Santa! ☃️ Checkout Wharf Business Specials! ❄️Play in the snow area with Elsa and Anna from Disney's Frozen! 🎈Enjoy custom balloon designs from Lee Balloons! 🎨 Get your face painted or feathers in your […]
Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to once again share their amazing collection of toy trains at the MAH. The public is invited to view Toy Trains in the […]
Flynn Creek Circus is an all-human spectacle. Look for the big tent at the Capitola Mall parking lot. Limited, free parking for attendees is available. Follow the link in the orange button above to select the best showtime for you! The Cricket & the Wren is a highly original, all-human fairytale that enchants through breathtaking […]
Kick-off your holidays with JOY! Add sparkle to the season with the magic only the Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker can bring. From the youngest dancing gingerbread cookies to aspiring professional dancers and guest artists, this Nutcracker has it all… Gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing sure to delight and inspire all ages! A […]
The Annual Reindeer Run in Boulder Creek will be on Christmas eve! Go work off that plum pudding and promote togetherness, silliness, and active lifestyle. Bring your family. Bring your pet. Walk or run the 5k around the beautiful mountain town of downtown Boulder Creek and Irwin Way while dressed in holiday attire! Bring your […]
The 2026 celebration will be at the London Nelson Community Center and feature hundreds of fascinating species from the area, uniquely displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa Cruz tradition will offer three days of fun, demonstrations, informative speakers, and fungus-forward activities for the whole family.
Mark the fall migration at one of the most beautiful places on the planet for the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds featuring field trips, workshops, family-fun activities, and keynote speakers. Activities are planned throughout the Monterey Bay area in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Salinas, and Monterey. Check out the website linked in the orange button above […]
