SURF REPORT
LIVE CAMS
weather-icon
57°F

Upcoming Events

Festival

  1. Events
  2. Festival

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

In late July and early August each year, audiences are joined by both preeminent and emerging composers, spectacular guest artists, and an orchestra of dedicated professional musicians from across the globe to give voice to works which are rarely more than a year or two old, and sometimes still wet on the page. The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary […]

Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival

Historic Downtown Watsonville Main Street and E. Beach Street, Watsonville, CA, United States

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival provides a fun, family-friendly experience in historic downtown Watsonville. Head to the plaza for a full weekend of carnival attractions, live entertainment and delicious strawberry treats! Shop a variety of local artisans, businesses and specialty vendors for a unique shopping experience. Delicious foods, family activities, vendors, and live entertainment! There will […]

Free

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Meet the Composers

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Meet the Composers is a panel discussion and Q&A. This is a rare opportunity to hear multiple composers discuss the state-of-the-art form, the creative process, and more.

Free

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Chasing Light Concert

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

For the second Festival concert, guest conductor Candillari leads the Festival Orchestra in works by all-female composers, presenting a palette of compositions that both illuminate and embolden. Rene Orth's Chasing Light spotlights the courage required to outrun our shadows, while Stacy Garrop's world premiere, featuring baritone Sidney Outlaw and soprano Michelle Areyzaga, explores Frederick Douglass […]

$24 – $92

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Family Concert

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Enjoy a musical adventure the whole family will love! Dive into Karen LeFrak's Sleepover at the Museum, a playful symphonic scavenger hunt, and Frank Duarte's Xhnisa. Get up close with the orchestra and explore the magic of music— fun, interactive, and totally FREE (ticket required)!

Free

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Youth Ensemble Concert

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Hear the future of new music in this free chamber concert of original works programmed, produced, performed, and presented by the adventurous 16-24-year-old Youth Ensemble.  

Free

Santa Cruz Civic Center: Music Festival Grand Finale

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music season finale presents beloved Festival veteran Timothy McAllister performing Adolphus Hailstork's Saxophone Concerto. This marks Hailstork's long-overdue Festival debut as a prolific composer who expertly combines African, American, and European musical traditions. Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain Suite explores profound themes of love and loss, while Tyson Gholston Davis' world […]

$24 – $92

Lighthouse Lawn: West Cliff Drive Celebration

Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point 700 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

In 2023, some atmospheric rivers caused damage to West Cliff Drive. Tourists wanting to see the beauty of this drive have been navigating a detour for the last two years. The detour is now gone, West Cliff Drive is restored, and you are here to enjoy the celebration! There will be live music, food trucks, […]

Free

Downtown Santa Cruz: Greek Festival

Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church 223 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Santa Cruz Greek Festival returns to the 200 block of Church Street in Downtown Santa Cruz! This popular festival is admission free and features: live music, dancing, and amazing Greek cuisine and confections. Friday hours: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday hours: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm Sunday hours: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm […]

Free

Bonny Doon: Art Wine and Beer Festival

Crest Ranch Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, California, United States

Go to the 22nd Annual Festival! It's the best little party in the Santa Cruz Mountains! Participate in an afternoon of tastings with local wineries & breweries, artist and craft vendors, food, music and dancing, wine pull, silent auction and all around good vibes.   Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Must be 21 or older […]

Free

Woodhouse Brews: Hispanic/Latine Festival

Woodhouse Blending 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Head to Woodhouse Brews for a day full of cultura, sabor, and joy! There will be local arts vendors, live music and dance, and flavors from across Latin America for a vibrant celebration of roots and rhythms. Whether you are going with family, friends, or flying solo, there will be something for everyone with activities […]

Free

Santa Cruz Wharf: 33rd Annual Aloha Outrigger Races

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

The Pu Pu 'O Hawaii Outrigger Club is ready to race! These short-course outrigger races are designed especially for the new or novice paddlers. Come out and support the racers as well as enjoy hula performances by Kūhai Hālau O Mehanakealohakalaua'eikapoli Pā 'Ōlapa Kahiko.    

Downtown Santa Cruz: Cedar Street Festival

Redwood Records Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Redwood Records presents a free street festival with live bands, DJ's, record swap, vintage village, family-friendly zone, food and beverages! and so much more!!!

Free

Capitola: Beach Festival

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

6:30 AM - 9:00 PM See website for details.

Free

Downtown Santa Cruz: Harvest Festival

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

Get ready for a celebration of autumn's abundance at the first annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy a day filled with fun, food, and festivities under the crisp fall sky. This family-friendly event brings together a wide variety of local performers, artisans, food vendors, farm stands, classic carnival games and crafts.  Look for the festival tents and […]

Free

Downtown Santa Cruz: Secret Film Festival

Del Mar Theatre 1124 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Secret Film Festival is once again at the historic Del Mar Theatre. The festival runs all night with the titles revealed as each screening begins. All the films are Santa Cruz premieres. Previous festivals have included the premieres of Polite Society, Sisu, What We Do in the Shadows, Prospect, The Endless and It Follows. […]

$30

Watsonville Plaza: Dia de los Muertos

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

See community altars and live/dead performances. There will be family activities and a market of the dead. Celebrate this beautiful tradition featuring altars, live music and dance and hands-on activities.

Cocoanut Grove: Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival

Cocoanut Grove 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Kids enter free to the Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival.  The festival features genuine sea glass and artist-made creations while benefiting our local marine environment. This year the festival celebrates its 17th anniversary. Open 10am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday. Over 50 talented artists are bringing their boutique works to the […]

$5

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 6pm on […]

Free

Scotts Valley: Alfred Hitchcock Festival

Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center 251 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley

Get ready for the 4th annual Alfred Hitchcock Festival! There will be film screenings, food, drinks, and more! The Hitchcock Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities, blending screenings of classics with insightful analyses and discussions. These sessions, led by film scholars and experts, provide a deeper understanding of Hitchcock's work. The festival also features […]

$50 – $150

Roaring Camp: Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival

Roaring Camp 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Discover the wonders of mushrooms!  Through wild mushroom exploration, cooking and cultivation demos, functional mushroom talks, and DIY workshops, the Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival offers an incredible opportunity to connect to the mycological network.