Reindeer Round-Up
Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue Between Water and Locust Streets, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk or Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses, and then visit them all to search for the beautiful hidden reindeer. Find just 12 of the reindeer and return your map to the Info Kiosk for a small prize! Find all 28 and you'll be entered to win of our many grand prizes. FUN for the whole family.
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesA seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Itinerary: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Check out the Roaring Camp website for day/time availability. ACTIVITIES Visit from Santa Live Music Hot-Spiced Cider Holiday Sing-Along DATES November 29 – 30 December 7 – 8 December 14 – 23
Capitola: Flynn Creek Circus
Capitola Mall 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, United StatesSee multiple showtimes below. Flynn Creek Circus returns to Capitola with an all new show to dazzle for the holiday season! Witness their all-human circus spectacle under the big top tent at the Capitola Mall, December 19th – January 5th. This years theme “The Heavy Drift” is an original comedic adventure featuring international and award winning aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, comedians and more! No shows on Christmas day or January 2, 2025. Get your tickets through this link. Thursday, Dec 19 at 6PM – 8:30PM (Opening Night Special) Friday, Dec 20 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 22 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 22 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 24 at 2PM – 4:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 4PM – 6:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Friday, Dec 27 at 4PM – 6:30PM Friday, Dec 27 at 7PM – 9:30 PM (Seniors Special – single seats half price.) Saturday, Dec 28 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 29 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 29 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 31 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Tuesday, Dec 31 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Wednesday, Jan 1 at 5PM – 7:30PM (Family Special – Tables $10 off.) Friday, Jan 3 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Saturday, Jan 4 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Jan 4 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday , Jan 4 at 7PM – 9:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 1PM – 3:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Season Finale – No ticket service fees.)
Capitola: Flynn Creek Circus
Capitola Mall 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, United StatesSee multiple showtimes below. Flynn Creek Circus returns to Capitola with an all new show to dazzle for the holiday season! Witness their all-human circus spectacle under the big top tent at the Capitola Mall, December 19th – January 5th. This years theme “The Heavy Drift” is an original comedic adventure featuring international and award winning aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, comedians and more! No shows on Christmas day or January 2, 2025. Get your tickets through this link. Thursday, Dec 19 at 6PM – 8:30PM (Opening Night Special) Friday, Dec 20 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 22 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 22 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 24 at 2PM – 4:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 4PM – 6:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Friday, Dec 27 at 4PM – 6:30PM Friday, Dec 27 at 7PM – 9:30 PM (Seniors Special – single seats half price.) Saturday, Dec 28 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 29 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 29 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 31 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Tuesday, Dec 31 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Wednesday, Jan 1 at 5PM – 7:30PM (Family Special – Tables $10 off.) Friday, Jan 3 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Saturday, Jan 4 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Jan 4 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday , Jan 4 at 7PM – 9:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 1PM – 3:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Season Finale – No ticket service fees.)
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United StatesThe Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2024 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 29, 2024 – Holiday Lights will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until Christmas Eve. HOLIDAY LIGHTS is over a 1/2 mile drive-through experience at the Fairgrounds of spectacular lighted Holiday displays all around you. Giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights – Santa – reindeer – snowmen – lighted tunnels, and many more magical moments. Stay in your warm car and drive through this Holiday Experience. They will have two Bonus Nights this year – Monday December 23 and Tuesday December 24th. DATES November 29 – December 1 December 5 (Krampus naughty list walk-thru only) December 6 – 7 (walk-thru only) December 8 December 13 – 15 December 20 – 24
Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Felton: Farmers Market
Felton Farmers’ Market 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA, United StatesThe Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering May through October, now running for over 30 years. We appreciate the dedicated customers who call this market a second home. Your support of regional agriculture and small, local businesses makes a difference. The Felton Farmers’ Market was started in 1987 and is the second oldest market in Santa Cruz County. SCCFM took over operations in 2009 and our team has developed deep ties to the community. Every Tuesday a quality collection of regional farms and food businesses throw up their tents to sell a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, seafood and other staple foods. Connecting residents directly with local farms, the Felton Market is an essential part of the regional food system as well as a resource for nutritious organic foods and basic agricultural education.
Capitola: Flynn Creek Circus
Capitola Mall 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, United StatesSee multiple showtimes below. Flynn Creek Circus returns to Capitola with an all new show to dazzle for the holiday season! Witness their all-human circus spectacle under the big top tent at the Capitola Mall, December 19th – January 5th. This years theme “The Heavy Drift” is an original comedic adventure featuring international and award winning aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, comedians and more! No shows on Christmas day or January 2, 2025. Get your tickets through this link. Thursday, Dec 19 at 6PM – 8:30PM (Opening Night Special) Friday, Dec 20 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 21 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 22 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 22 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 23 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 24 at 2PM – 4:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 4PM – 6:30PM Thursday, Dec 26 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Friday, Dec 27 at 4PM – 6:30PM Friday, Dec 27 at 7PM – 9:30 PM (Seniors Special – single seats half price.) Saturday, Dec 28 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday, Dec 28 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend.) Sunday, Dec 29 at 2PM – 4:30PM Sunday, Dec 29 at 5PM – 7:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 2PM – 4:30PM Monday, Dec 30 at 5PM – 7:30PM Tuesday, Dec 31 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Tuesday, Dec 31 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Wednesday, Jan 1 at 5PM – 7:30PM (Family Special – Tables $10 off.) Friday, Jan 3 at 7PM – 9:30PM (Must be 21+ to attend) Saturday, Jan 4 at 1PM – 3:30PM Saturday, Jan 4 at 4PM – 6:30PM Saturday , Jan 4 at 7PM – 9:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 1PM – 3:30PM Sunday, Jan 5 at 4PM – 6:30PM (Season Finale – No ticket service fees.)
Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United StatesThe Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2024 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 29, 2024 – Holiday Lights will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until Christmas Eve. HOLIDAY LIGHTS is over a 1/2 mile drive-through experience at the Fairgrounds of spectacular lighted Holiday displays all around you. Giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights – Santa – reindeer – snowmen – lighted tunnels, and many more magical moments. Stay in your warm car and drive through this Holiday Experience. They will have two Bonus Nights this year – Monday December 23 and Tuesday December 24th. DATES November 29 – December 1 December 5 (Krampus naughty list walk-thru only) December 6 – 7 (walk-thru only) December 8 December 13 – 15 December 20 – 24
Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch Butterfly Self Guided Tours
Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesStroll through the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve and be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! The monarch migration is variable, please check the website or contact the park at (831)423-0871 to find out the current population. To arrange a tour for groups of 10 or more, please visit www.thatsmypark.org. Events made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. Parking near the trail accessible entrance is $10.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market
Downtown Farmers’ Market 700-798 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.