Upcoming Events

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!

Downtown Santa Cruz: Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue Between Water and Locust Streets, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 […]

Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk

Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk

Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United States

Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter-themed activities. ACTIVITIES Visit from Santa Hot Cider Winter Themed Activities DATES November 28 - 30 December 6 - 7 December 13 […]

Capitola: Holiday Cookie Walk

Capitola Village Capitola Village, Esplanade Park, Capitola, CA, United States

Take a walk around historic Capitola Village and fill your box with delicious holiday cookies from participating stores!  Enjoy this family friendly stroll! Follow the link in the orange button above for the Eventbrite tickets to purchase ahead of time, or go to the Capitola Candy Company on 205 Capitola Ave to purchase your box […]

$23.18
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Winter Wonderland

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Winter Wonderland

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 […]

Free
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 […]

$48.71 – $74.15

Davenport Roadhouse: Holiday Craft Fair

Davenport Roadhouse 1 Davenport Avenue, Davenport, CA, United States

Enjoy the first annual Holiday Cash Store Craft Market! Local Artists & Maker Fair Festive Drinks & Bites Live Music Kid Crafting & Games

Free

Scotts Valley: Crafts and Cocoa

Scotts Valley Community Center Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, California, United States

SV Parks & Recreation will be hosting their 3rd annual "Holiday Craft & Cocoa Event", enjoy a fun-filled holiday evening for families & kids of all ages!  Enjoy crafts, cocoa, and decorating cookies for all ages at our Scotts Valley Community Center. Gather for creativity & kids' activities before the holiday season.  *This year cookies […]

$5

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour

Younger Lagoon Reserve 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse coastal habitats and is home to birds of prey, migrating sea birds, bobcats, and other wildlife. Come and see what scientists are doing to track […]

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Agricultural History Project

Agricultural History Project Center and Museum 2601 East Lake Avenue, Hwy 152, Watsonville, CA, United States

Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come out to enjoy good old-fashioned activities such as spinning wool, cheese making, wooden cow milking and ice cream making! You can even drive a tractor and go on a hayride.  Local Santa Cruz County 4-H clubs will be hosting their Annual Spring Fair.  This action-packed day is […]

Free

Watsonville Plaza: Night of Sparkle

Watsonville Civic Plaza 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA, United States

Something magical is coming to downtown Watsonville! Enjoy Noche de Brillo (Night of Sparkle), a FREE family-friendly evening filled with snow, lights, and holiday cheer. Event Highlights: Snow play area Train ride Crafts Holiday market Live entertainment Light Parade Photos with Santa

Free
Santa Cruz MAH: Toy Trains

Santa Cruz MAH: Toy Trains

Santa Cruz MAH 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 […]

Free

Capitola Mall: Flynn Creek Circus

Capitola Mall 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, United States

The Bridge is an authentic, original, child pleasing tale. Inspired by a wolf, Nordic Legend and the architecture of connection, The Bridge is a freshly conjured visual feast sprinkled with cloaked commentary and gorgeous imagery. It wouldn’t be Flynn Creek Circus without irreverent comedy and thrilling surprises. A troll, a goat, a shadow, a wolf… […]

$23 – $190

Santa Cruz MAH: Winter Family Day

Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Enjoy free admission to all current exhibitions at the Museum of Art and History.  Enjoy the Toy Trains display in the Atrium all day! Participate in a winter themed art activity, and warm up with complimentary hot cocoa (first come, first served).  Schedule:  12-6pm: Toy Trains in the MAH atrium  1-3pm: Winter art activity in […]

Free

Santa Cruz Wharf: Winter on the Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 […]

Free

Boulder Creek: Reindeer Run

Junction Park 13264 Middleton Avenue, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

The 9th 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 […]

$25 – $45

Boulder Creek Rec Center: Noon Year’s Eve

Boulder Creek Recreation Center 13333 Middleton Ave, Boulder Vreek, United States

Calling all families with LITTLES!  Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers! Ages 0-5! ✨Ring in the New Year ✨ in style with the toddler-mom dream team, Robin and Brooke! Enjoy a Fancy Dance Party, with a photo booth, crafts, cupcakes, light snacks, and a countdown to Noon complete with a balloon drop! Robin and Brooke will take the […]

$30 – $40

London Nelson Community Center: Santa Cruz Fungus Fair

London Nelson Community Center 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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. 2-5pm on Friday. 9am to 5pm on […]

$10

Rio Theatre: She Adventures Film Tour

Rio Theatre 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The She Adventures Film Tour returns for its annual celebration of women pushing boundaries in the outdoors, making at the historic Rio Theatre. This unmissable event brings over two hours of the most inspirational and entertaining adventure films from independent filmmakers around the globe. From legendary cave diver Jill Heinerth exploring uncharted depths to ten-year-old […]

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Quilt Show

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United States

See more than 500 quilts throughout three buildings at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds! There will be ongoing demonstrations, a vendor mall, Bargain Garden (fabric flea market), and a Wearable Walkabout are among the many events happening during the show. Some quilts are for sale and there is also a live auction on Sunday. Saturday […]

$20.00

SC Beach Boardwalk: Fun Run

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Swap out your flip flops for running shoes and join the fun with this family-friendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Run a 1k or a 5k, on this flat course and then enjoy what the boardwalk has to offer, including rides, games, & the beach! 1K- Ages 12 and Under 5K- Ages 4 […]

Watsonville: Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza

Franich Park 795 Vista Montana Drive, Watsonville, CA, United States

Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza is a family-friendly event filled with arts & crafts, games, food trucks, an egg hunt, and more! Kids aged 3 to 13 years old are invited to participate in the egg hunt. Registration is not required for this event.

Free

Santa Cruz County Fair

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United States

The showstopping Santa Cruz County Fair returns September 16 - 20th for family fun, great entertainment, live shows, animal displays, carnival rides,  and more!!!

Santa Cruz County: Monterey Bay Festival of Birds

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 below to register for field […]

Free – $30

SC Beach Boardwalk: Chili Cook-Off

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!