Festival
London Nelson Community Center: Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
London Nelson Community Center 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThis year’s Fair will celebrate 50 years of mycological exploration since the inaugural event in 1974. The 2024 celebration will be at the London Nelson Community Center and feature hundreds of fascinating species from the area, uniquely displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa Cruz tradition will offer three days of fun, demonstrations, informative speakers, and fungus-forward activities for the whole family.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Santa Cruz, March 1, 2 & 3, 2024
Rio Theatre 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesJoin UCSC Adventure Rec and the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz on March 1, 2 and 3, 2024. Each of the three nights will feature completely different films. Tickets are on sale starting December 18. The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road. With stops planned in over 600 communities and more than 40 countries across the globe, the Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide. From the over 400 entries submitted into the Festival each year, award-winners and audience favorites are among the films that are carefully selected to play in theaters around the world. Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing topical environmental issues, and bringing audiences up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports the 2023/2024 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. This event is a fundraiser for Adventure Rec, reducing UCSC students' trip costs by up to 50%, increasing financial accessibility to life-changing outdoor adventures. Last year, over $20,000 was raised and applied to lowering costs for hundreds of students. For more information contact Adventure Rec ([email protected]; 831-459-2806).
Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza
Branciforte Small Schools 840 N. Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is an authentic cultural festival with food, music, dance, and crafts presented each spring by Senderos. This local festival is like the traditional fiestas celebrated each summer in Oaxaca, Mexico. Guelaguetza is a Zapotec word that means “a commitment of sharing and cooperation.” Guelaguetza is a celebration that honors the gods for sufficient rainfall and a bountiful harvest.
May Faire at Santa Cruz Waldorf School
Santa Cruz Waldorf School 2190 Empire Grade, Sants Cruz, CA, United StatesCome one come all! Come play, create, eat delicious food, enjoy the May Pole music and dance, and have fun amongst the flowers and soak up father suns warms rays! Our Early Childhood department will be offering a puppet show that is not to miss and there will be lots of magic and activities to discover all about our redwood nestled campus. Bring your family and friends! VERY Limited on campus parking for $15 FREE shuttle at UCSC Barn at Bay and High Streets. May Pole Dance at 12pm 7th Grade is offering delicious food for purchase. All Santa Cruz Waldorf Events are Zero Waste. Please bring your own cups, plates, cutlery and napkins. Our Zero Waste wash station will make sure you go home with clean dishes.
HIKE4PEACE
Tara Redwood School 5810 Prescott Rd, Soquel,CAWe are excited to bring back this all family fun Saturday event at the Tara Redwood School Campus in the forest of Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel . Hike4Peace is Tara Redwood School's annual HIKE-A-THON fundraiser and Arts & Crafts Fair . Pledge a student hiker (or yourself) onto one or all of the 8 Verses trails and enjoy an afternoon of music, raffles and games. Meet and greet Tara Redwood School faculty and partake in one or all of the Tara Redwood School creative arts. This is a fundraiser, funding will support Tara Redwood School's scholarship program and classroom development. Also 10% of the proceeds go to a charity of the children's choice. Tara Redwood School, 5810 Prescott Rd, Soquel CA 95073
The SLV Music & Art Festival
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesThe 3rd annual SLV Music & Art Festival is an outdoor, community event that features performances by: SLVHS choir and bands, SLVMS bands, SLV Nature Academy Band, SLVE and BCE 5th grade bands, and the SLV Community Band! There is an art show and sale (by donation) put on by the SLVHS Art Department! There will be multiple food trucks and also silent and live auctions that support the SLV Music Boosters. Please come and celebrate community while supporting our growing student musicians and artists!
Mission Plaza: Japanese Cultural Fair
Mission Plaza 103 Emmett Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesIn 1879, only 4% of fruit and vegetable crops originated in Santa Cruz county. Thirteen years later, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Watsonville. Just a couple decades later, Santa Cruz County was responsible for over half of the nations’ produce, largely thanks to the Japanese immigrant community! There’s so much more to the story and so much more to the culture. You can experience it all at the annual Japanese Cultural Fair! Enjoy culture, crafts, music, food and more. Free parking will be available at the Santa Cruz Government Center located in the designated parking area for the fair where you may access a free shuttle to the fair at the historical Mission Plaza.
Esperanza Community Farm: Organic Farming Festival
Esperanza Community Farm Lee Road, Watsonville, United StatesDo not forget to bring Dad to this festival on Father’s Day! There will be surprises here for him. But, when you leave, just tell him that this is the annual Dia de Esperanza Festival to celebrate and promote the richness of organic culture. There will be an organic market, a Kidzone with fun activities, art, food vendors and live performances from Diana Gameros and Ozokidz! There is no cost to attend but do follow the link below to register and save a spot for free.
World Arts Festival 2024
Tannery Arts Center 1070 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesCelebrate the diversity and richness of our community at this year's World Arts Festival! On Sunday June 23rd from 1-5PM, Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center offers free family-friendly performances outdoors at the Tannery Arts Center. The festival includes dance and music performances by new and beloved Santa Cruz and Bay Area artists, including White Hawk Indian Council, Antara Asthaayi Dance, Raizes do Brasil Capoeira, Senderos, and more. Artisans and vendors will be selling traditional crafts and wares, with food and beverages from Areparia831 and My Mom’s Mole.
Bargetto Winery: Art and Wine Festival
Bargetto Winery 3535 N. Main Street, Soquel, CA, United StatesEnjoy a weekend filled with Art, Wine and Live Music! Shop over 32+ Local Artists and Food Vendors! Jewelry, leather goods, paintings & watercolors, mosaics, photography, textiles, woodworks, candles, succulent arrangements, soaps and body lotions, snacks and other great gifts! Free Attendance Wine Tasting with Purchase of $20 Festival Glass. Saturday: 11AM – 5PM Taquizas Gabriel Food Truck Live music from 2-4PM provided by The Beach Cowboys Sunday: 11AM – 5PM L’Appetito Wood Fire Pizza Food Truck Live music from 2-4PM provided by B Movie Kings
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesIn late July and early August each year, audiences are joined by both preeminent and emerging composers, spectacular guest artists, and an orchestra of dedicated professional musicians from across the globe to give voice to works which are rarely more than a year or two old, and sometimes still wet on the page. The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, even at a seasoned 60 years old, is all about the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra. To quote Financial Times music critic Allan Ulrich, “…in the surf mecca of Santa Cruz, 75 miles south of San Francisco, the Cabrillo Festival has made the contemporary repertoire sound urgent, indispensable and even sexy.”
Beautify Felton Pie Contest
FeltonJoin us in Downtown Felton for the annual Dessert Pie Contest on Saturday, August 10, from 10 am to 2 pm! This year's event is set to be our biggest yet with a lively atmosphere perfect for all ages. Delight in a variety of pies from classic apple to innovative flavors, all crafted by talented local bakers vying for the title of Pie Champion. The day doesn't just offer pies but also features live music from local artists, engaging activities like tie-dyeing and cornhole, and plenty of delicious food and drink options. Highlight of the day? Don't miss the pie-eating contest, sponsored by Redwood Hearts Events, guaranteed to entertain! Whether you're a pie aficionado, a music enthusiast, or just looking for a fun outing with family and friends, this event promises a day full of sweetness, laughter, and community spirit. Save the date and be part of the fun! For more details, visit DowntownFelton.com.
Watsonville EV Ride & Drive
Learn how you can save money by driving electric and qualify for up to $10,000 to help you make the switch! Ecology Action hosts the Monterey Bay Region's premiere EV Ride and Drive and EV Display shows. We are proud to present our FIRST ever EV Ride and Drive in Watsonville at the Watsonville Elks Lodge to celebrate National Drive Electric Week on Saturday October 5th, 2024. With both English and Spanish speaking EV experts available to help, attendees will be able to test drive the latest electric vehicles, peruse a variety of electrified cars on display, and talk to EV owners. Attendees are also invited to engage with family-friendly organizations and activities including a special E-Bike test ride orchestrated by our Watsonville Bike team. Kids will have the opportunity to decorate a helmet and take a spin or stride in the bike rodeo! Additionally, 15+ local community-based organizations will be in attendance to connect with you! Don’t miss this FREE family fun event with the opportunity to explore sustainable modes of transportation.
Apple Tasting at Wilder Ranch
Join the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers on October 19 at Wilder Ranch State Park as we celebrate the season with our 2024 Apple Tasting! If you’ve always wanted to know what apples grow well in our area, and want to taste what freshly picked apples taste like, this event is for you! Bring your family and friends, too! You’ll have the opportunity to taste 70 + varieties of rare, historic apples, apples you know and love, and new locally-bred apples being trialed with the public.
La Selva Beach Holiday Fair
La Selva Beach Clubhouse 314 Estrella Avenue, La Selva Beach, CA, United StatesDon’t miss the 2024 La Selva Beach Holiday Fair happening Saturday, November 16, 10 am to 4 pm at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse and Lawn, 314 Estrella Avenue, La Selva Beach. Over 50 fine artisan and craft vendors will sell handcrafted jewelry, art, woodwork, bags, ceramics, garden art, specialty foods, soaps, clothing, books and more. The Friends of the La Selva Beach Library Used Book Sale will fill the courtyard with books for all ages and interests. The Library's Advisory Council of Teens will host a Bake Sale and the Prize Raffle of vendor donated crafts. Local food trucks Tacos el Jesse and S&B Burgers will sell street food favorites. Free admission. For more information, email: [email protected]