Food & Drink
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.
Omega Nu 34th Annual Ducky Derby April 27th 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Harvey West Park Friendship Garden 326 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz, CAOmega Nu will hold its 34th Annual Ducky Derby and Carnival at Harvey West Park. A fun-filled day for the entire family! Come to the duck races and enjoy food, games, and music. Listen as the bugle blares signaling the start of each race and children run to watch as thousands of rubber ducks course down the water raceway. Adopt a duck and have a chance to win over 100 prizes. All proceeds from duck adoptions go directly back to our community through the Omega Nu Scholarship program and grants provided to teachers, non-profits, and charitable organizations. The ducks race rain or shine! To learn more about how you can support the Santa Cruz community through Omega Nu and Ducky Derby, please visit our website duckyderbysantacruz.org Come and enjoy a great day at the park!
Spring Art Market at Tannery Arts Center
Tannery Arts Center 1070 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesJoin us for a vibrant celebration of art, music, and community at the Spring Art Market! Hosted by the Arts Council Santa Cruz County, this free family-friendly event features an array of local artisans and makers showcasing their unique creations. Explore captivating artworks, enjoy live music performances, indulge in delicious food from food trucks, and engage in fun children’s activities. With something for everyone, the Spring Art Market promises a memorable experience for all. Don't miss out!
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.
Soquel: Homesteaders Market
Soquel Creek Parking Lot 2505 S Main St, Soquel, United StatesEnjoy locally grown produce, cottage industry foods, local meats, cheeses, ferments, natural products, homesteaders’ wares, arts and crafts, honey, candles, cloths, sweet treats, coffee and tea, health and wellness products, services and practitioners, healers, spiritual endeavors, plants, flowers, seeds and herbs, Jewelry, green living and up-cycled garage sale items! If that is not enough to tempt you, there will also be live music, food trucks, a gleaner’s table with free local produce, a seed share/seed bank and a homesteading class from noon to 1pm. Head to the parking lot of the Soquel Creek Animal Hospital parking lot directly across from Beer Thirty and Sunny Side Produce in Soquel.
Santa Cruz MAH: History of Drag with Themed Cocktail
Santa Cruz MAH 705 Front Street, Downtown Santa CruzIt’s not your everyday history lesson when the fabulous Rogue Roulette is your professor. Enjoy a themed craft cocktail as you travel back in time through the history of drag. This ‘In Pour Taste’ is in celebration of Pride month.
Zayante Firehouse: Annual Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast
Zayante Fire Protection Station 1 East Zayante Road, Felton, United StatesA pancake breakfast! Pancakes, sausages, ham, hashbrowns, eggs, and all the fixins! Follow the link for ticket prices even Dad can be comfortable with.
Chaminade Resort and Spa: Father’s Day Brunch or Dinner
Chaminade Resort and Spa 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesCelebrate Graduation and Father’s Day at The View at Chaminade. Indulge in endless delights on a spread fit for kings, all while honoring the achievements and cherished moments of graduates and fathers alike. It’s a double dose of joy and deliciousness, making it the perfect way to honor both grads and dads in style! The View will be transformed into an a la carte steakhouse for Dads on Sunday evening. They will feature Chef Avram’s 28 day dry aged Flannery Tomahawk Prime Ribeye for Two with a flask of bourbon. The menu will include classics and New American dishes. There will be something for the whole family. Steaks, Seafood, local and organic produce will make up this exciting special menu. Be sure to make your reservation soon! Brunch is 9am to 1pm Dinner is 5pm to 9pm
Shadowbrook: Father’s Day
Shadowbrook Restaurant 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, United StatesTreat dad to great food with some of the best views in the county! The Rock Room Bar & Lounge is open from noon to 10pm, and dinner is served from 2 to 8:45pm. Call 831-475-1511 to make reservations, or book through Open Table.
Westside Humble Sea: Astronomy on Tap
Humble Sea Brewery 820 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesHead to the Humble Sea Brewing Co. for a free event out of this world! There will be astro trivia and prizes. Learn about the Shadow the Scientists initiative, which allows the general public to follow and understand live observations with the largest telescopes in the world!
Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties
Midtown Block Party Lot 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa CruzGo Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts May 31 to August 31. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show May 31st: Dylan Rose Band – Opener: Shoreline Middle School Band June 7th: Doah’s Daydream – Opener: Soquel High Jazz Band June 14th: Funkranomicon – Opener: Trianna (GTRI) June 21st: The Cruzers – Opener: Ripatti & Rose June 28th: Hijinx – Opener: Mo Cruz (Animo) July 5th: The Money Band – Opener: Jim Buhisan July 12th: Santa Cruda – Opener: Th New Horizon Band July 19th: The Joint Chiefs – Opener: Jake Nielsen & Triple Threat July 26th: Locomotive Breath – Opener: Joshua Cremer August 2nd: Anthony Arya August 9th: Cowboys After Dark – Opener: Shawn Yanez August 16th: Ribsy’s Nickel – Opener: The Rayburn Brothers August 23rd: Spun – Opener: Dave Miller (Nomad) August 30th: Alex Lucero Band – Opener: Honey Disposition
Soquel: Homesteaders Market
Soquel Creek Parking Lot 2505 S Main St, Soquel, United StatesEnjoy locally grown produce, cottage industry foods, local meats, cheeses, ferments, natural products, homesteaders’ wares, arts and crafts, honey, candles, cloths, sweet treats, coffee and tea, health and wellness products, services and practitioners, healers, spiritual endeavors, plants, flowers, seeds and herbs, Jewelry, green living and up-cycled garage sale items! If that is not enough to tempt you, there will also be live music, food trucks, a gleaner’s table with free local produce, a seed share/seed bank and a homesteading class from noon to 1pm. Head to the parking lot of the Soquel Creek Animal Hospital parking lot directly across from Beer Thirty and Sunny Side Produce in Soquel.
Food Truck Friday
Skypark 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United StatesHead to Skypark in Scotts Valley for the area’s largest food truck festival! Lots of excitement, more food vendors, the fabulous SVEF Beer & Wine Garden, amazing Live Music and face painting!
Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties
Midtown Block Party Lot 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa CruzGo Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts May 31 to August 31. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show May 31st: Dylan Rose Band – Opener: Shoreline Middle School Band June 7th: Doah’s Daydream – Opener: Soquel High Jazz Band June 14th: Funkranomicon – Opener: Trianna (GTRI) June 21st: The Cruzers – Opener: Ripatti & Rose June 28th: Hijinx – Opener: Mo Cruz (Animo) July 5th: The Money Band – Opener: Jim Buhisan July 12th: Santa Cruda – Opener: Th New Horizon Band July 19th: The Joint Chiefs – Opener: Jake Nielsen & Triple Threat July 26th: Locomotive Breath – Opener: Joshua Cremer August 2nd: Anthony Arya August 9th: Cowboys After Dark – Opener: Shawn Yanez August 16th: Ribsy’s Nickel – Opener: The Rayburn Brothers August 23rd: Spun – Opener: Dave Miller (Nomad) August 30th: Alex Lucero Band – Opener: Honey Disposition