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!

Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center: Nightmare Before The Nutcracker

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

Go to the ballet in your Halloween costume! It doesn’t have to be a Nutcracker-related. There will be a Costume Contest, and the winner will get an awesome prize! So be sure to dress to impress for this nightmarish event. While their usual Nutcracker Production includes all ages from 4 to 104, this event has […]

$20.50 – $25.50

The Catalyst: Halloween Costume Party

The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

For ages 16 and up, head to the Catalyst for a costume party featuring Pacific Roots.  Quickly becoming one of Santa Cruz's next premier Reggae/Rock groups, Pacific Roots is building their popularity by shredding the stage with upbeat reggae jams mixed with punk rock swells and solos. Also hear the reggae beats of Kruel Summer […]

$19.26 – $24.03

Joe’s Bar: Halloween Dance Party

Joe's Bar California 9, Boulder Creek, California, United States

There will be complimentary Chili and Cornbread served from 8pm until they run out. The costume contest will have 1st,2nd and 3rd place prizes. Judging between 11:30 and midnight. Must be present to win. High wire is a rock and blues cover band. There's a fine line between rock and blues where we balance ourselves […]

Free

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.

SC Civic Auditorium: Planets with Santa Cruz Symphony

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

Holst’s best-known composition The Planets evokes planetary gods such as War, Peace, and Magic in an unforgettably powerful orchestral experience. Hindemith’s legendary viola concerto Der Schwanendreher features rising star viola virtuoso Emad Zolfaghari. There will also be the much-anticipated world premiere of Voices by Santa Cruz native Benjamin Goodwin. Benjamin Goodwin: World Premiere of Voices […]

$45 – $130

Henry J. Mello Center: Planets With Santa Cruz Symphony

Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts 250 E. Beach Street, Watsonville, CA, United States

Holst’s best-known composition The Planets evokes planetary gods such as War, Peace, and Magic in an unforgettably powerful orchestral experience. Hindemith’s legendary viola concerto Der Schwanendreher features rising star viola virtuoso Emad Zolfaghari. There will also be the much-anticipated world premiere of Voices by Santa Cruz native Benjamin Goodwin. Benjamin Goodwin: World Premiere of Voices […]

$45 – $130

Capitola: Plein Air Festival

New Brighton School Washburn Avenue, Capitola, California, United States

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 […]

Downtown Boulder Creek: Giving Thanks Party

Boulder Creek Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Head to Downtown Boulder Creek to discover art and crafts for the season!  Enjoy live music as you stroll and find tasty food and drink to purchase along the way!

Free

The Catalyst: Aquabats

The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Combining their love of ska, surfer rock, punk, tango, ragtime and Devo, the Aquabats bring the excitement of a 1950’s campy comic book to a concert stage! Expect costumed villains to defeat, audience participation, and a pop culture-inspired aesthetic.

$39.63

Cabrillo College: Intimate Recital with the Maestro

Cabrillo College Samper Hall 6500 Soquel Drive Visual and Performing Arts Complex, Aptos, CA, United States

The Santa Cruz Symphony has been spotlighting the artistry of outstanding musicians in a series of intimate recitals. Here is your chance to see a recital with The Maestro, Daniel Stewart himself! You've loved watching Maestro Stewart conduct the Symphony. Now comes a real treat -- hearing him play the viola! Even better, he will […]

$60

The Catalyst: Wax

The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Wax is mostly known as a rapper. He is also a producer, songwriter, singer (kind of), comedian, and all around creative dude. He has been making music for many many years now. Wax's songs have a wide range of styles and cater to many different types of fans and haters. Some are advanced technical displays […]

$31.59

Holy Cross: Cabrillo College Music for the Feast of Christmas

Holy Cross Church 210 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Music for the Feast of Christmas -- the way to begin your Holiday! The Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus will present its annual Music for the Feast of Christmas performance. Performance starts at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 4pm on Sunday.

$40
Mount Hermon: Christmas Boutiques and Concerts

Mount Hermon: Christmas Boutiques and Concerts

Mount Hermon Conference Center 37 Conference Dr, Felton, United States

This holiday, immerse yourself in the joy of the season with the annual Mount Hermon Christmas Concerts, buffet dinner (or Sunday lunch), and Christmas Craft Boutique. Friday and Saturday concert starts at 7:30pm, and the Sunday concert at 2:30pm. Buffet seating precedes the concert.

$20 – $42
Santa Cruz Symphony Holiday Concert

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Symphony Holiday Concert

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

Santa Cruz Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert offers festive favorites including holiday music by Leroy Anderson, the lighthearted and nostalgic Symph-Hanukkah, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and singalong tunes in a variety of December traditions. It’s the best way to celebrate the season with friends and family in a joyfully-decorated venue. Take a picture with Santa […]

$15 – $130
Abbott Square: Artisan Fair

Abbott Square: Artisan Fair

Abbott Square 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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.

Free

Felton Music Hall: Snail Concert

Felton Music Hall 6275 Hwy 9, Felton, CA, United States

Felton Music Hall Presents the high energy, soulful music of Snail, from right here in Santa Cruz. You may remember their signature song, "The Joker" from their albums in the 70's and 80's. Bob O'Neil- Guitar, Ken Kraft- Guitar, Craig Owens-Bass and The Fabulous Jimmy Norris on Drums. Ages 21+ ***This is a fully seated […]

$38 – $43

Rio Theatre: Los Lobos New Year’s Show

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

Los Lobos are a groundbreaking American band known for fusing traditional Mexican music with rock, country, folk, R&B, and other vernacular styles. They gained international fame with their cover of "La Bamba" in 1987 and have continued to release acclaimed albums, earning multiple Grammy Awards.

$115.44

The Catalyst: Jesse Daniel NYE Celebration

The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The title of internationally acclaimed Jesse Daniel's latest country album refers to the mountains creeks and redwoods of his home here in Santa Cruz County. Join in welcoming the Son of San Lorenzo back home! Experience Santa Cruz County through the eyes of one of the country's greatest singer story tellers.

$49.14 – $73.83

Joe’s Bar: Live Blues Rock

Joe's Bar California 9, Boulder Creek, California, United States

Sean and the Skinwalkers is a blues rock trio. Just as comfortable playing traditional blues as they are tearing through a psychedelic rock song, the common thread is always the blues and the intensity that they bring to every performance. No two performances are ever the same as everything is raw and changes on the […]

Free

The Catalyst: Pop Punk Band MxPx

The Catalyst 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Catalyst is the perfect venue for Mike Herrera's warm and friendly stage presence. Get up close to the stage, or head to the balcony to take in the experience of all the fans singing along with the catchy melodies. The Ataris will be opening for MxPx, so get ready for "Boys of Summer" in […]

$60