Celebrate fall migration through guided bird walks, workshops and community events around Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay region. Advance registration is required for field trips.

Dress up for a Halloween train ride and enjoy pumpkin decorating, character photos, live entertainment, bounce houses and a bubble station. The event runs on selected weekends Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25; reserve a train departure time.

Meet local farmers and explore working farms while learning how food is grown. South County farms welcome visitors Saturday, followed by North County farms Sunday. Check the activity guide for individual schedules.

Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come out to enjoy good old-fashioned activities such as spinning wool, cheese making, wooden cow milking and ice cream making! You can even drive a tractor and go on a hayride.  Local Santa Cruz County 4-H clubs will be hosting their Annual Spring Fair.  This action-packed day is admission free, and donations are…

Explore artists’ working spaces throughout North County, from Santa Cruz neighborhoods to mountain communities. Meet makers and discover a range of techniques and media.

Enjoy the best of Seacliff! Get ready for an afternoon of fun at the 6th Annual Seacliff Village Street Fair! The adorable Doggie Parade kicks off the fair at 11:30 AM Delicious bites from the food trucks, Local Vendor Stalls Live music by the Steven Graves Band and The Joint Chiefs. Crafts Ice Cream a Kids’ Corner packed with activities.…

Family Friendly Fall Market at Woodhouse Brewery, 119 Madrone Street. Live music by Bongo and the Tontons as well as local vendors and fun fall treats.

Enjoy music, dancing and a social afternoon by the bay. All levels and a variety of swing styles are welcome.

Welcome the monarch migration with butterfly-themed crafts, games, music and family activities while learning about monarchs and their winter habitat.

Browse handmade jewelry, soap, clothing and other locally made goods while enjoying free live music at Abbott Square.

Veterans, families, friends and community members are invited to an evening of remembrance, hope and support honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. Flags may also be brought for respectful retirement.

Hosted Mic’d Board Games 6 – 8 Trivia 8 – 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or…

Come to Peoples Coffee, the official Santa Cruz location for the Southmost events for the Golden Gate Gamemakers! Come join us as a branch under GGG known as Game Designers of Santa Cruz! It's a relaxed chance to try new board games and card games, get feedback on your own prototypes if you are a game designer, and get advice…

Connect with community and the UC Santa Cruz Farm at the annual Harvest Festival! Harvest Fest will have activities for all ages including face painting, flower pressing, pumpkin painting, cider pressing, tractor rides, live music from Sambada and Lucas Lawson, and more! Plus, enjoy food and treats from local food trucks, participate in an apple pie bake-off, connect with local…

Experience an old-fashioned harvest celebration with living-history demonstrations, crafts, games, music and heritage apple tasting at the historic ranch.

Catch artists you missed or revisit favorites during the final Open Studios weekend, when participating studios reopen across Santa Cruz County.

Enjoy live music, food trucks and local wine, beer and cider in a garden setting. The fundraiser benefits local youth, hospice and hospital programs.

Make a splash while searching for a Halloween pumpkin in the pool, then decorate it with seasonal crafts. Enjoy swimming, games, prizes and family activities.

Browse more than 40 local makers and artists on Pacific Avenue for a family-friendly Sunday of handmade goods and downtown exploring.

Watch amateur and professional cooks compete, then sample chili and vote for your favorite. Public tasting begins at 1pm, with awards at 4pm.

Pick up a barbecue lunch while supporting local Scouts attending Hi-Sierra Summer Camp in 2027.

Enjoy costumed dancers performing Michael Jackson’s Thriller, first downtown and then beside the bay at the Wharf.

Settle in for an outdoor screening of the PG-rated Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. Bring chairs, blankets and warm layers for a movie beside the bay.

Explore the restored two-story Castro Adobe and its museum-quality exhibits while learning about the Castro family, Vaquero culture, and life during California’s Mexican Rancho period. Preregistration is encouraged. Continuous rain cancels. Free admission; donations are appreciated.

Join the costume parade behind a fire engine and the Soquel High Senior Band. The route winds through the village to Esplanade Park, followed by trick-or-treating at participating shops.

Drop in to decorate a mask inspired by animals, nature or something spooky. All ages are welcome to make a creative addition to their Halloween costumes.

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Collect candy from participating Boardwalk businesses and enter the costume photo contest. The package includes a collectible candy bag and a MyBoardwalk Card for games.

Put on your favorite costume and join friends and neighbors for a Halloween celebration with candy and festive fun in Aptos Village.

Trick-or-treat at Wharf businesses, enjoy a festive photo backdrop and watch a Thriller dance performance. Families can also take part in the Great Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt.

See hundreds of hot rods, street rods, vintage, muscle, custom and classic cars at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Gates open at 7am, with show activities throughout the day and the show closing at 4:30pm.

Browse more than 50 sea glass and ocean-art makers in the historic Grove event center. Admission includes a chance to win a gift basket, and the event supports ocean conservation.

Explore the restored two-story Castro Adobe and its museum-quality exhibits while learning about the Castro family, Vaquero culture, and life during California’s Mexican Rancho period. Preregistration is encouraged. Continuous rain cancels. Free admission; donations are appreciated.

Celebrate the holidays at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on select dates with festive decorations, light shows, rides, arcade games, photos with Santa and seasonal treats. The Boardwalk lists the event from Nov. 26 through Jan. 3, noon–7pm, on select dates.

Ride vintage excursion cars decorated with thousands of holiday lights through Santa Cruz streets. The 60-minute trip includes holiday sing-alongs, live music, hot cider and a Santa visit. Trains depart from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 5pm and 6:30pm; additional departures may be added.

Shop a holiday outdoor market along West Cliff with local makers, artists and seasonal gifts. Check the event page for vendor and weather updates.

Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain, sip hot cider, greet Santa and enjoy winter-themed activities in the town of Roaring Camp.

Bundle up in your tackiest holiday sweater and head to downtown Boulder Creek for arts and crafts, live music, food and drinks, plus an ugly sweater contest.

Celebrate the season in Downtown Santa Cruz with a festive community parade featuring local groups, music, performers and holiday spirit. A family-friendly downtown tradition.

Watch beautifully decorated power and sailboats parade through the Santa Cruz Harbor shortly after sunset. Viewing is available from harbor paths and the East Harbor launch ramp; allow extra time for parking.

Shop local craft vendors, enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, take photos with Santa, watch performances and gather for the holiday tree lighting in Aptos Village.

Gather with family and friends for a holiday market with vendors, children’s activities, Santa, wine and seasonal fun at Hallcrest Vineyards.

Celebrate the season at historic Wilder Ranch with a Victorian-style holiday experience and family activities. The event is free; state park day-use parking is $10.

Enjoy holiday decorations and Wharf specials, see Santa arrive by vintage fire engine, take photos with Santa, play in a snow area, and enjoy balloons, face painting and other family activities.

Explore the restored two-story Castro Adobe and its museum-quality exhibits while learning about the Castro family, Vaquero culture, and life during California’s Mexican Rancho period. Preregistration is encouraged. Continuous rain cancels. Free admission; donations are appreciated.