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!
Enjoy 13 days of frightful fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf! Take part in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap a photo at our scenic photo booth, and enjoy festive Wharf specials ALL 13 days! It all kicks off October 19! The Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt - All 13 Days Join the the Great Pumpkin BINGO […]
Once a year for eight days local food culture is celebrated as chefs showcase their creative talents. Guests dining at participating restaurants can enjoy a fixed-price, three-course dinner menu for $45, $55 or $65. Each menu includes choices of each: appetizer, entree and dessert. These dinner specials are always a great value as chefs strive […]
Come for great food and good vibes! Treat yourself to our mouthwatering specialty pub-style dishes, available for a limited time. They’re even better when paired with one of the Bay Area’s best craft brews. Specialty Food Available: Specialty burger slider of the week Chicken wings with buffalo, Korean BBQ, or cilantro-lime sauces to choose from […]
Head to Skypark in Scotts Valley for the area’s largest food truck festival! Lots of excitement, more food vendors, the fabulous SVEF Beer & Wine Garden, amazing Live Music and face painting!
The LAST Food Truck Friday of 2025 in Scotts Valley is always an EPIC Party! Enjoy a Halloween style Food Truck party with live music from local fave: The Dadbeats. Scotts Valley Parks & Rec will also be hosting a Halloween themed movie starting just after the party in the field. There will be Tacos […]
Kianti’s is bringing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” back to life. This holiday performance features Jack Skellington, pizza spinners, dancing staff and a flame-raising kitchen. Shows every Friday & Saturday night October 10 thru the New Year. Shows approximately 6:00 and 8:00 pm. Click the link in the orange button above to make reservations!
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!
🍎 Sweet Water Farms U-Pick Apple Orchard 🍎 Spend a beautiful day at Sweet Water Farms in Watsonville picking your own apples straight from the orchard! Bring family and friends to enjoy crisp apple varieties, pumpkins, and a taste of fall in the countryside. This is a family-run orchard that loves welcoming visitors—perfect for kids, […]
The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport is the ultimate way to explore the region’s award-winning wineries. This exclusive pass provides access to over 35+ participating wineries, each offering unique tasting experiences and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. With the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport, you’ll be able to taste them all and discover the […]
Chardonnay Sailing Charters features a different local winery every Friday evening from May through October. Enjoy the fabulous wines provided and entice your palate with complimentary hours-d'oeuvres while taking in the stunning views of the California coastline. Learn about the local wineries and the art of winemaking. Watch the sunset, raise your glasses, and give […]
Far West Fungi’s Santa Cruz Store & Café is launching Myco-Mixers - Enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fungi! Each Myco-Mixer will feature complimentary bites, product samples, and happy hour discounts on café favorites. Guests can meet the Far West Fungi team, learn about unique mushroom products, and discover new flavors to take home. […]
Check website for times of operation.
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.
Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of beautiful Capitola, to paint live for four days. You'll find hundreds of paintings on display, for sale, and entered into competition. You can take home a piece of Capitola culture, vote for your favorites for the People's Choice Award, have a delicious meal […]
Presenting the Downtown Santa Cruz Fall Wine Walk 2025! Enjoy the heart of the Central Coast to taste great wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and beyond. Sip while strolling through many favorite Downtown Santa Cruz shops. At Check-in, receive your glass and a map of the pouring locations, and enjoy an afternoon of tasting […]
Need holiday gifts and goodies? Go to the La Selva Beach Holiday Fair! Over 50 craft vendors will offer unique jewelry, art, bags, pottery, candles, garden art, specialty foods, soaps, clothing, books and more. Local food trucks Tacos el Jesse and S&B will sell street food favorites. Free admission. For more information, see the link […]
Enjoy sipping local wines and beers while strolling through our charming shops and boutiques in Capitola by the Sea. Pre-registration includes: – Capitola Village Sip & Stroll commemorative glass – 12 two-ounce pour tickets to be used as you shop – A map to locate which Village shops are hosting Be a part of this […]
Enjoy the heart of Aptos village for an exciting afternoon of wine tasting! Bring your holiday shopping list along. Discover local Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, while strolling through Aptos Village businesses. Must be 21 and over. This a rain-or-shine event. Tickets are non-refundable.
Gayle’s will start taking Thanksgiving orders on October 3rd. There are limited quantities, so make sure you order early! They have everything from traditional turkey dinners, sides & appetizers, dinner rolls & rustic breads to handmade pies and holiday desserts. View their menu online at the link in the orange button above.
Go meet and get your picture taken with Santa and his friends at the Chaminade as you enjoy a festive brunch and beautiful views of the Monterey Bay.
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 […]
Enjoy the Steve Abrams Jazz Trio as you merry at the Holiday Wine and Charcuterie celebration. Go get your first pour and plate at the crush pad, then find a comfy spot to enjoy the views! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Just make sure you get a kid's ticket through the […]
Enjoy the Artisan Fair! Explore unique creations from local artists and makers, such as clothing, jewelry, skin care, candles, toys, bags and more! Enjoy live music from 1–3 PM, and soak up all the vibrant Abbott Square vibes. Explore local talent and wind down your weekend in the best way—every Second Sunday.
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 […]
Attention chowder lovers! Taste the best at the 45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off! Sample chowder from Amateur Chefs on Saturday, followed by Professional Chefs on Sunday. Both days feature Boston and Manhattan Clam Chowder, and you can help pick a winner each day. Rain or Shine! Tasting kit proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
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.
