Santa Cruz, California Annual Events and Festivals

Looking for a great event or festival? We got you covered!

Santa Cruz is much more than just a summer vacation destination.  With its year-round events, indoor and outdoor activities, and tourist destinations there are many ways to keep yourself entertained throughout the year.

Here is our mini-bucket list of some of the top events and festivals in Santa Cruz! So let the good times roll and find your next BIG experience from our list of some of the most popular annual events and festivals in Santa Cruz California.

Please scroll down the page and click on a month to view our listings.
    

Ongoing Over Multiple Months

Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market

Corner of Cedar & Lincoln streets, Downtown  (831) 454-0566
Every Wednesday local farmers and vendors offer fresh and organic products

Tours of the Monarch Grove

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, CA
Weekends from mid-October through January at 11:00a.m. and 2:00p.m.
Meet at the visitor center for a guided tour of the monarch grove.  Monarch migration is variable, to find out the current population, or to arrange a tour for groups of 10 or more, call (831) 423-4609.

 

January

Santa Cruz Fungus Fair – TBD 2021
Louden Nelson Center, Santa Cruz  (831) 420-6115

Wonderful event that features mushroom exhibits and cooking demonstrations. Bring mushrooms for identification.

Santa Cruz Bridal Expo – TBD 2021
Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz (831) 423-2053

Check out the area’s best photographers, florists, caterers, bakers, wedding and reception venues, entertainment, and other important services. Enjoy bridal fashion shows in the Sun Room, door prizes, and a valuable Grand Prize drawing!

February

Santa Cruz Baroque Festival TBD 2021

UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 1156 High St. Santa Cruz (831) 457-9693

Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook Off – TBD 2021
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz  (831) 423-5590

Area Chefs compete to become the ultimate chowder king!

 

March

Hummingbird Day – TBD 2021
1156 High Street, University of California Santa Cruz   (831) 427-2998

Arboretum at UCSC – Annual Hummingbird celebration that features their feeding, mating, and nesting behaviors in the gardens.

Kayak Surf Festival – TBD 2021
Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648

This is the largest kayak surfing competition.

Cowells Classic – TBD 2021
Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648

This is a friendly “without the intense competition” surfing competition.

SCPF Paddleboard Race – March 19-20, 2016
Cowells Beach, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648

One of the first paddleboard races of the year.

 

April

Capitola Village Easter Egg Hunt TBD 2021

Capitola Beach, Capitola  (831) 475-6522

Children (12 and under) have a wonderful opportunity to hunt for Easter eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny.

Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt TBD 2021

Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Children & their families are taken to Bear Mountain where candy eggs are hidden.

Santa Cruz Half Marathon & 10K

Starts at Municipal Wharf,  Santa Cruz  408-356-0518

The Santa Cruz Half Marathon consists of a 13.1-mile run/walk along scenic West Cliff Drive past breathtaking vistas of the Pacific coastline.

The Santa Cruz 10K Run/Walk consists of a 6.2-mile journey along scenic West Cliff Drive past breathtaking vistas of the Pacific coastline.

19th Annual Ducky Derby TBD 2021
Harvey West Park, 300 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz  (831) 479-4070

Adopt a duck and help the Santa Cruz Chapter of Omega Nu meet the charitable needs of the local community.  Great prizes, food, games, live music & entertainment.

Santa Cruz Mineral and Gem Show TBD 2021
Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz   (831) 688-8086

Their annual show features over 50 exhibits and approximately 20 dealers who offer rough lapidary material, equipment, gemstones, finished jewelry, books, beads, findings, minerals, and fossil specimens.

May

Capitola Kite Classic TBD 2021
Capitola Beach, Capitola  (831) 475-6522

Fly a kite and enjoy the beach with your friends.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration TBD 2021
Downtown Plaza, Main & Peck Streets, Watsonville  (831) 724-9005

Traditional Mexican foods and live entertainment are just part of this festival that takes place in downtown Watsonville.

Davenport Cinco de Mayo Festival TBD 2021
Davenport Resource Center, 100 Church St.,  Davenport   (831) 425-8115

Mexican food, exhibits, dance and live music.

Santa Cruz Film Festival TBD 2021
Rio & Del Mar Theatres, Santa Cruz  (831) 459-7676

The festival features hundreds of films from around the globe

Mother’s Day Walk: Women of Big Basin TBD 2021
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek (831) 338-3944

Day on the Farm! TBD 2021
Agricultural History Museum, 2601 East Lake Ave., Hwy. 152, Watsonville  (831) 724-5898

Learn about life and work on a farm through activities such as sheep-shearing, butter-churning, and hay baling.

Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show TBD 2021
Watsonville Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville  (831) 763-5600

Golden Age, Warbirds, Homebuilts, B-17, Aerobatics, Car Show, helicopter-Biplane Rides, fireworks and much more.

35th Annual SCLU Longboard Invitational – TBD 2021
Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz  (831) 917-4371

Billed as the West Coast’s oldest competitive surfing event, it features amateur and pro surfers.

27th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment TBD 2021
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Visit Union & Confederate camps, and watch the reenactments Civil War battles .

Boulder Creek Art, Wine & Music Festival TBD 2021
Downtown Boulder Creek   (831) 338-2578

The festival is made up of over 200 vendor booths, and features live music and international food and  local wineries booths.

16th Annual Santa Cruz Blues Festival TBD 2021
Aptos Village Park, Aptos  (831) 479-9814

Two days of music performed in a natural amphitheater surrounded by Oaks & Redwoods.

Vintners’ Festival TBD 2021
Various Santa Cruz County wineries & restaurants (831) 685-8463

The event features wine tasting, winery tours, food, music, and art exhibits.

 

June

Santa Cruz Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Pride TBD 2021
Pacific Ave. & San Lorenzo Park (downtown), Santa Cruz (831) 425-5422

Vintners’ Festival TBD 2021
Various Santa Cruz County wineries & restaurants (831) 685.8463

The event features wine tasting, winery tours, food, music, and art exhibits.

3rd Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show TBD 2021
Capitola Village, Capitola  (831) 475-6522

Enjoy a day filled with awesome cars, great music, charming shops, restaurants for every taste, and good family fun at the beach! Call the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce at (831) 475-6522 for more information.

Festival at the Cement Ship TBD 2021
Seacliff State Beach, Aptos  (831) 685-6444

Celebrate the unique history of the WW1 Concrete Ship Palo Alto, the natural wonders of Seacliff’s fossil beds, and the many animals that call the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary their home.   Enjoy music, fun and food.

World Ocean’s Day TBD 2021
end of Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz  (831) 459-3800

Celebrate our blue planet with free admission to the Center’s hall & aquarium. Come learn more – it’s your ocean!

Full Moon Madness TBD 2021
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton  (831) 335-4598

Discover the park’s nightlife under the moon and stars.

Juneteenth Celebration TBD 2021
Laurel Park, Washington St. at Maple St., Santa Cruz (831) 420-6177

Juneteenth celebrates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Hats off to Dad TBD 2021
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Treat dad to a steam train ride and Chuckwagon BBQ.

Free Friday Night Bands TBD 2021
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz (831) 423-5590

Every Friday night at 6:30 and 8:30 you can enjoy two free concerts that showcase stars of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

Japanese Cultural Fair TBD 2021
Mission Plaza Park, Santa Cruz  (831) 462-4589

The fair celebrate the arts, craft, and culture of Japan.

Pro Am Beach Soccer Championships TBD 2021
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz  415-383-5425

A sand soccer tournament for kids and adults in Santa Cruz, California

Woodies on the Wharf  TBD 2021
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz  (831) 420-5273

Enjoy over 200 classic “woodies” on display at the Santa Cruz municipal wharf.

Bikes on the Bay: Soquel Vintage Motorcycle Show TBD 2021
Main Street, Soquel  (831) 475-6522

Vintage motorcycles roar into Soquel!

 

July

Free Friday Night Bands TBD 2021
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz (831) 423-5590

Every Friday night at 6:30 and 8:30 you can enjoy two free concerts that showcase stars of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

World Disc Games — TBD 2021
UCSC, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz  (831) 462-5293

10K Firecracker Race & Kids 1K — TBD 2021
Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz  (831) 439-7049

The Firecracker course start and ends at Harvey West Park with the tough climb in the middle, then a downhill finish.

4th of July Fireworks Celebration TBD 2021
Scotts Valley Community Center & Skypark, Scotts Valley  (831) 438-3251

’50s Family July 4th Fest! TBD 2021
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Aptos 4th of July Celebration TBD 2021
Soquel Dr. & State Park Dr.,  Aptos Village  (831) 688-1467

Old-Fashioned Independence Day TBD 2021
Wilder Ranch State Park, Hwy. 1, Santa Cruz (831) 426-0505

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition: A Magic Web – The Tropical Forest of Barro Colorado Island TBD 2021
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff,  Santa Cruz  (831) 420-6115

Shakespeare Santa Cruz – Summer Festival TBD 2021
Theatre Arts Mainstage & Festival Grove, UCSC, Santa Cruz (831) 459-2121

Art on the Wharf TBD 2021
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz  (831) 420-5273

44th Annual Wharf to Wharf Race – TBD 2021
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz  (831) 475-2196A scenic six-mile race with forty live bands.

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music — TBD 2021
147 South River Street, Suite 232, Santa Cruz, CA 95060   (831) 426-6966

Considered one of the most distinguished festivals of new symphonic music in the United States.

18th Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge Bicycle Ride — TBD 2021
Starts at Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Dr., Scotts Valley (831) 460-1818

Features three challenging rides: 100 mi., 100K, and 50K.  $40 reg fee. 6:30 am – 5:30 pm

 

August

Free Friday Night Bands TBD 2021
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz (831) 423-5590

Every Friday night at 6:30 and 8:30 you can enjoy two free concerts that showcase stars of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

“Cops ‘n Rodders” Classic Car Show & Cruise TBD 2021
Siltanen Park, Scotts Valley  (831) 440-5663

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music TBD 2021
147 South River Street, Suite 232, Santa Cruz, CA 95060  (831) 426-6966

Considered one of the most distinguished festivals of new symphonic music in the United States.

22nd Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival – TBD 2021
Ramsey Park, Watsonville  (831) 566-1230

Strawberries take center stage at this celebration.  Enjoy delights, foods, arts, crafts, and fun.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz 2016 Season TBD 2021
UCSC, Santa Cruz (831) 459-2159

This year’s season features Shakespeare’s glorious comedy As You Like It, his most sublime tragedy King Lear and Shaw’s Pygmalion.

 

Santa Cruz City Amateur Golf Championship TBD 2021
DeLaveaga Golf Course, 401 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz  (831) 423-7214

Summer Gathering of Mountain Men TBD 2021
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Musical Saw Festival TBD 2021
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton  (831) 335-4484

Scotts Valley Festival of Art and Wine TBD 2021
Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley  (831) 438-1010

Work from more than 80 local artists are accompanied by food, wine, music. Free admission!

Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival – TBD 2021
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831) 420-5273

Races 9am, Festival 11am-5pm.

Race Thru The Redwoods – TBD 2021
Downtown Felton (831) 335-4323

10K Race and Kids’ 1-Mile from downtown Felton through beautiful Henry Cowell State Park.

 

 

September

Capitola Begonia Festival – TBD 2021
Capitola Village, Capitola (831) 476-3566

This annual event includes a nautical parade, sand sculptures, fishing derby and much more.

Big Kahuna Triathlon – TBD 2021
Main Beach, Santa Cruz  877-366-7223

The Big Kahuna delivers the Spirit of Aloha for both serious competition or just for fun.

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition: A Magic Web – The Tropical Forest of Barro Colorado Island
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff,  Santa Cruz  (831) 420-6115

35th Annual Greek Culture and Food Festival – TBD 2021
Church St., between Cedar & Center, Downtown Santa Cruz (831) 429-6500

The 35th Annual Greek Culture & Food Festival Features traditional Greek foods and pastries, and live Greek music & dancing.

26th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival – TBD 2021
Capitola Village, Capitola (831) 475-6522

Art, wine, food and music.

Santa Cruz County Fair TBD 2021
County Fairgrounds (2601 East Lake Ave., off Hwy. 152) Watsonville (831) 724-5671

Six days of fun in the sun! Fair activities include a large carnival.

The 53rd Anniversary Santa Cruz Follies! TBD 2021
Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz (831) 423-6640

Great family entertainment! This musical revue showcases a large cast of performers.

Mission Adobe Day – TBD 2021
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, Santa Cruz (831) 425-5849

The living history activities include adobe brick making and tortilla making. Tour of mission.

Ohlone Day TBD 2021
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton  (831) 335-7077

Learn about the Ohlone Indians culture, dance, dress, and food.

Monterey Bay Birding Festival TBD 2021

Live Music and Dance, Art and Culure

Big Basin Founder’s Day and Redwood Jubilee – TBD 2021

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, North of Boulder Creek  (831) 338-8883

Celebrate where the movement to “SAVE THE TREES!” all began.  The event features lively melodrama, music, historic hikes and games for kids.

Thunderbirds on the Wharf – TBD 2021
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz  (831) 685-4718

T-birds line the Wharf at this annual Classic Thunderbird invitational.

 

October

Open Studios Art Tour First three weekends in Oct. TBD 2021
Various locations, Countywide (831) 475-9600

Meet local artists in their studios. Purchase of calendar required for admission.

Welcome Back Monarchs Day TBD 2021
Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz (831) 423-4609

Discover why these amazing butterflies call Santa Cruz their home.  Activities include: arts, crafts, games, and music.

Annual Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza! – TBD 2021
Seacliff State Beach, Aptos (831) 685-3317

A great family event that features many game and food booths, live entertainment and a fireworks display.

Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches

Harvest Faire & Steam Festival TBD 2021

Roaring Camp, Felton, CA

Step into the incredible world of steam power at the Harvest Faire & Steam Festival presented by Kinetic Steam Works and Roaring Camp Railroads. Welcome Fall with heritage children’s activities like scarecrow making, pumpkin patch picking, candle making and gold panning. Behold steam-powered line shafts, player pianos, letter presses, printing presses and more!  For tickets and information, call 831-335-4484.

Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party™ TBD 2021
Roaring Camp, Felton, CA

 TBD 2021 — Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas™ and Percy™, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family.

Giant Pumpkin Contest —  TBD 2021

Half Moon Bay—The gathering of titanic pumpkins will take place at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off!  Nearly 100 participants will enter their massive pumpkins in hopes of capturing the coveted title and a share of $30,000 in prize money.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival — TBD 2021
Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA

45 miles north of Santa Cruz is the wildly popular Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.  Admission is free.

Spooky or Not Spooky? TBD 2021
Saturday, October 27 at 1:00 pm
AND Saturday, October 28 at 11:30 am

A Big Basin special walk for Halloween! The walk in the forest focuses on the weird and wonderful.

Be Natural Youth Halloween Rock Concert — TBD 2021
Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse in Felton (formally Don Quixote’s) 

This is their biggest concert fundraiser in the Fall! BIG RAFFLE PRIZES! Great food, drinks 7 friends!! All TEN youth rock bands are performing!

Heritage Harvest Festival — TBD 2021
Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz   (831) 426-0505

Enjoy live music, wagon rides, draft horse demonstrations,  harvest and decorate pumpkins.

The Missing Arm of William Waddell — TBD 2021
Big Basin Redwoods State Park       (831) 338-8860

A 1/2 mile guided walk through a forest decorated in the spirit of Halloween. Walks leave every 20 minutes, from 7 pm. FREE

Floating Pumpkin Patch TBD 2021
979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062    (831) 454-7901

In addition to pumpkins, they’ve got plenty of other fun activities planned for the day, including games, prizes, music, popcorn, and pumpkin decorating, and the waterslide will be open!

Scotts Valley Haunted House — TBD 2021
Scotts Valley High School
555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley, CA     (831) 439-9555

It’s scary so no kids under 10 years old

Haunted Halloween Concert –  TBD 2021
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003    (831) 479-6100

Celebrate Halloween with the spooky tunes from the Cabrillo College Piano Department.

Fish, Fins, and Flukes Fall Festival — TBD 2021
Seymour Center, Long Marine Lab, Santa Cruz (831) 459-3800

Guests will explore our marine lab’s Science Showcase featuring unique science artifacts, our skull collection, and a whale of a skeleton (or two!). Family crafts, El Buen Taco food truck, and live music from The Singing Scientist complete the day..

Spooky or Not Spooky? — TBD 2021

A Big Basin special walk for Halloween! The walk in the forest focuses on the weird and wonderful.

Halloween Parade — TBD 2021
Capitola Village, Capitola (831) 475-6522

The parade begins at 2:00 PM. Line-up at 1:30 PM in the Pacific Cove Parking Lot above Capitola Police Department and City Hall. The parade winds through Capitola Village and ends at Esplanade Park.

Enjoy refreshments, entertainment, goody bags, balloons, and trick-or-treating at Village merchants. This free, family-friendly event is hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce.

Halloween on the Wharf — TBD 2021
21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Join us for 13 days of frightful fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf October 19 – 31! Take part in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap a photo at our scenic photo booth, dance to Thriller at Zombie Night and enjoy festive Wharf specials ALL 13 days! It all kicks off October 19!

Click here to see more Halloween inspired activities in Santa Cruz 
  
    

November

Free Family Festival: Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead – TBD 2021

Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St. (831) 429-1964

All ages will enjoy enjoy music and art activities.  Admission is free.

Hot Rods at the Beach Car Show – TBD 2021

Over 500 classic & street rod cars will be on display. Also featured: raffles, food, music, and more. All proceeds are donated to the Santa Cruz Police Officers Association. 

Santa Cruz Christmas Tree Farm Locations  Late Nov & Dec.

Multiple locations for pick and cut Christmas farms are listed.

Getting your family’s Christmas tree can become a cherished family memory and the beginning of a new family tradition!

Santa Cruz Community Tree Lighting – To be announced

Corner of Pacific Ave. & Water Streets., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443

A community event that features Santa, Victorian carriage rides, tree lighting, holiday caroling, and food drive fro the needy.

Surfin’ Santa – TBD 2021

Capitola Village, Capitola (831) 475-6522

Santa & his reindeer surf into Capitola Beach!

Santa Cruz Community Tree Lighting – To be announced

Corner of Pacific Ave. & Water Sts., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443

A community event that features Santa, Victorian carriage rides, tree lighting, holiday caroling, and food drive fro the needy.

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train – TBD 2021

Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart!

December

 

Santa Cruz Christmas Tree Farm Locations  Late Nov & Dec.

Multiple locations for pick and cut Christmas farms are listed.
Getting your family’s Christmas tree can become a cherished family memory and the beginning of a new family tradition!

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train – TBD 2021

Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart!

Lighted Boat Parade TBD 2021

Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz (831) 475-6161

Decorated boats parade through Santa Cruz Harbor. This is a fun event for the whole family.

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade TBD 2021

Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429-8433

Marching bands, floats, horses, classic cars, and Santa parade down Pacific Ave.

Snow Night – Downtown Santa Cruz

Corner of Pacific Ave. & Cooper St., Downtown Santa Cruz (831) 429-8433

Children 12 & under can experience a “White Christmas” in this snow play area!  Food donation required.

Holidays on the Ranch – TBD 2021

Wilder Ranch State Park

Two miles north on Hwy. 1, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426.0505

Experience the winter holidays as Santa Cruzeans did in the early 20th century with traditional games, crafts, and music.

Jingle Shells Art & Book TBD 2021

Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz (831) 459-3800

Their annual holiday celebration features ocean- and nature-inspired gifts by local artists and crafts people. In addition, there are plenty of children’s crafts, musical performances, and holidays decorated exhibit hall. The festivities conclude with the lighting of their outdoor blue whale skeleton.

The Nutcracker TBD 2021

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre
2800 South Rodeo Gulch Road, Suite C, Soquel, CA 95073  (831) 477-1606

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre boasts a fully professional orchestra for its annual “The Nutcracker” as well as a Music Director.

 

 

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