Growing Up in Santa Cruz

All Day

Reindeer Round-Up

Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue Between Water and Locust Streets, Santa Cruz

Santa 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.

Free

Santa Cruz Harbor: Winemakers Sail

Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz

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 a toast to a wine tasting at its finest!

$82

Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train

Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton

Travel 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

Stroll 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.

Free

Watsonville: Farmers Market

Downtown Watsonville CA

The Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville.  Don’t miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.  Bring your appetite  as there are tons of delicious prepared foods to try.

First Friday Santa Cruz

Multiple locations throughout Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz

On the first Friday evening of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists. With a block party-like vibe, the multi-venue event provides an opportunity to discover local creative talent in a fun and festive setting. Many venues entice attendees with yummy cheese-and-wine-filled spreads, while others have food trucks joining in on the fun.

Free

Downtown Boulder Creek: First Friday and Ugly Sweater Contest

Boulder Creek Boulder Creek

Bundle up in the tackiest sweater you’ve ever been gifted for the holidays and head to the redwoods!  As you look through arts and crafts, you will be treated to live music.  There will be food and drink to purchase while you are there and watch out for the First Friday Boulder Creek Folks!  You may just win a prize for the ugliest sweater! 

Free
Event Series Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Colligan Theater 1010 River Street, Santa Cruz

All About Theatre proudly presents Alice in Wonderland Jr. at the Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center located at 1010 River Street in Santa Cruz. Come join us for 90-minutes of pure joy as we all travel down the rabbit hole into the magical world of Wonderland. Come join us for this family friendly fantastical experience, filled with singing and dancing, that will invigorate your imagination. There's nothing like witnessing a child experiencing magic! On a perfect summer day in the park, Alice sees a White Rabbit hurrying by. Curious to know where he is going, Alice follows him into the dark tunnel, thus beginning her adventure. After the Doorknob counsels Alice to drink from a bottle then eat a cookie, Alice shrinks, thus allowing her to fit through a keyhole, beginning her adventures with the Wonderland creatures. The White Rabbit leads Alice into twin jabbering clowns, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, who teach her some manners. Then, she plays a wild game of musical chairs at the Mad Hatter's tea party. Following the advice of the Cheshire Cat, she ends up at the Mad Hatter's tea part along with the evil Queen of Hearts. Waking up, Alice realizes the entire story has been a dream!

$18 – $28
Event Series Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Colligan Theater 1010 River Street, Santa Cruz

Join us for an adventure into your imagination! On a perfect summer day in the park, Alice sees a White Rabbit hurrying by. Curious to know where he is going, Alice follows him into the dark tunnel, thus beginning her adventure. After the Doorknob counsels Alice to drink from a bottle then eat a cookie, Alice shrinks, thus allowing her to fit through a keyhole, beginning her adventures with the Wonderland creatures. The White Rabbit leads Alice into twin jabbering clowns, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, who teach her some manners. Then, she plays a wild game of musical chairs at the Mad Hatter's tea party. Following the advice of the Cheshire Cat, she ends up at the Mad Hatter's tea part along with the evil Queen of Hearts. Waking up, Alice realizes the entire story has been a dream!

$18 – $28

Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol

Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz

Santa 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. 

$22 – $66

Rio Theatre: Big Band Holidays

Rio Theatre 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) spreads holiday cheer on its annual Big Band Holidays tour. Rising star vocalists Ekep Nkwelle and Robbie Lee join the JLCO to bring Yuletide greetings to dozens of cities across the country. Under the music direction of JLCO trombonist Chris Crenshaw, the evening will feature soulful renditions of holiday classics, playful improvisation, and entertaining storytelling. Enjoyed by audiences of all ages, these uplifting performances create lasting memories that will keep you returning to Big Band Holidays for years to come.   Please note: Wynton Marsalis will not appear with the JLCO on this performance. 

$69.93 – $93.24