festivals

 The afternoon is for kids collecting candy at the local shops, but in this town it’s the adult party in the streets that gets us wild. You haven’t had Halloween until you’ve experienced it Santa Cruz style.  

 JUNE; DEL MAR THEATRE AND TANNERY ARTS CENTER; SANTA CRUZ

Each year for one week, movie theaters and unique venues all over town are host to exciting and often locally produced films. While the movies are the main event, the Festival also ushers in a wave of parties, special panel discussions, and independent movie-lovers from all over the county, state and world.

 JUNE; SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL WHARF; SANTA CRUZ

Every year in late June, classic woodies cruise to the Santa Cruz Wharf, buffed, polished and ready to show off their woody wonderfulness. Over 200 woodies are featured each year, along with woody apparel, tasty food and plenty of photo ops with these retro autos

 AUGUST; SKY PARK; SCOTTS VALLEY

In early August, revelers from across Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties head to Scotts Valley to soak in the sun at the Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival in local SkyPark. The two-day festival features a juried selection of fine art by local artists, food, wine from acclaimed Santa Cruz Mountains wineries and award-winning local craft beer. Live music, activities for kids and performances by Scotts Valley Performing Arts complete the roster of outdoor summertime fun. 

 AUGUST; SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL WHARF; SANTA CRUZ

This mid-August celebration brings a taste of the islands to Santa Cruz with hula dancing, slack key guitar and rare Hawaiian treats like laulau and poi. Newbies can climb into long, sleek outrigger canoes with expert paddlers for the Aloha races.

 OCTOBER; VARIOUS LOCATIONS; SANTA CRUZ

Artists working in almost every imaginable medium open their studios to the public. Santa Cruz Open Studio is held the first three weekends in October at various art studios and venues throughout the city. Local artists are happy to show off their works to art loving patrons who come from all over the Monterey Peninsula and Bay Area for this fun Santa Cruz festival. 

SEPTEMBER; SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS; WATSONVILLE

Featuring games, rides, displays and livestock, The Santa Cruz County Fair is a great event for the whole family. The Santa Cruz County Fair is held each year beginning the third week of September. 

 SEPTEMBER; CAPITOLA VILLAGE

As everyone in Santa Cruz knows, our real summer starts in September, when the days turn golden and mild and the water is actually warm enough to swim in. Every Labor Day weekend the Capitola Art and Wine Festival inaugurates this happy season with two full days of browsing and sipping in the sun.

DECEMBER; 400 BEACH ST., SANTA CRUZ

On weekend nights throughout December, the Roaring Camp Railroad takes holiday revelers on a magically lit tour of town complete with hot cider and carolers

WINTER; WEST CLIFF DR., SANTA CRUZ, CA

Four days of competitive surfing in California's true surf city. Cold Water Classic takes place the fourth week in October, with finals on Sunday. Even those not planning on taking a plunge into the cold October water should bundle up—Santa Cruz is pretty chilly this time of year. Don't forget your binoculars.

AUGUST; CHURCH ST.; SANTA CRUZ

Every August the street in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium explodes with a diverse array of musical and dance performances. This vibrant street fair is createdin collaboration with the Cabrillo Music Festival, and in addition to great lives shows, you can cruise through arts and crafts booths, sip local wine and beer, and enjoy fun activities with the kiddos.

APRIL; SAN LORENZO PARK; SANTA CRUZ

This environmentally-minded gathering in San Lorenzo Park celebrates Mother Nature's gifts in the height of springtime with dancing, music, arts and crafts and cultural performances. Earth Day's goal is to educate, motivate and activate the community, raise environmental awareness, address concerns, showcase solutions and present balanced modes of living.

OCTOBER; VARIOUS LOCATIONS; SANTA CRUZ

SCMF is more of a music marathon than a festival. An impressive lineup of over 100 internationally known acts and the best of local talent descend on downtown Santa Cruz for 13 hours of non-stop sound at more than a dozen local venues.

 MAY; APTOS VILLAGE PARK; APTOS

Get ready for some house rockin’ Blues, Americana, and Country Music as the Santa Cruz American Music Festival kicks the summer into high gear on Memorial Day weekend. For more than 23 years, this festival has honored the diverse nature of Traditional American Music by bringing world-class artists together for two fun-filled days of live music in this exceptionally beautiful park.

JUNE; SKY PARK; SCOTTS VALLEY

Cheers! Sip suds in the sun at this local beer festival, which brings over fifty craft breweries and cidermakers, two stages of live music, food, beer games, and a fun, family & dog friendly atmosphere to Sky Park in Scotts Valley on a Saturday in June. The following day, local homebrewers compete to be the crowd favorite in the Beer Masters Cup.

JUNE; ROARING CAMP; FELTON

Dance the day away to live music with your friends and family while enjoying tasty locally made food, microbrews, and wine in an open field surrounded by redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This weekend-long music festival and arts & crafts fair benefits local service organizations and celebrates community and is hootin' and hollerin' good time.

Pacific Ave, Downtown SC

Every first Sunday in June, the Santa Cruz County Community joins with the voices of LGBTQ communities and their allies around the world in celebration of Pride Month. The Santa Cruz Pride Parade & Festival has been made possible for 40+ years because of the - often brave - time, talent, and treasure contributions of our Santa Cruz County community members.

London Nelson Center

2nd or 3rd week of June

Juneteenth is a special day for anyone who believes in freedom and equality for all people. Join us for music, poetry, dance, delicious soul food, arts & crafts.

 Enjoy free live music on Thursdays throughout the summer at the Beach Boardwalk’s Colonnade Stage; located beach-side of Neptune’s Kingdom. Rock out to Bay Area bands while you enjoy a variety of Boardwalk treats. There will be a dance area in front of the stage. Concerts are from 8:30 pm – 10 pm every Thursday from June –August 10

There’s nothing like watching your favorite movies right on the beach with the smell of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy filling the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is welcoming back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are on Fridays beginning at 9 pm from June – August  

Each Summer on Thursday evenings, the Crow’s Nest offers its Summer Beach Party series with fun and funky live entertainment right on the beach. The party starts at 5:30 pm each week and goes until sunset. With live entertainment on the outdoor beach stage and Crow’s Nest’s famous BBQ and outdoor bar, beach parties are a unique and popular event. Families are welcome, and there is no admission charge! After the sun sets the fun begins upstairs with dancing to the best of local live bands beginning at 8:30 pm with only a $5 cover charge.

Popular local bands rouse fun-loving crowds on Wednesday evenings in the Capitola Village. The free Twilight Concert Series features everything from classic rock to funk to dance hits and Latin fusion. All concerts are 6pm – 8 pm and take place at the Esplanade bandstand with ocean views in the picturesque Capitola Village. Enjoy the performance from your own low-back chair on the beach or grab an outside table at one of the village restaurants.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is presenting a Summer Concert Series every 2nd Tuesday of the month from May – September! Join them for live music, games, Wharf business pop-ups, photo booths and more from 6pm to 8pm.

Come Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at our Summer Block Party, happening every Friday!

Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors! The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts June and runs through to September. Midtown Friday Summer Block Parties are located at Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave, in Santa Cruz, beginning at 5pm and going until 8:30ish.