Holiday
Castro Adobe State Historic Park: ‘Tis the Season
Castro Adobe State Historic Park 184 Old Adobe Road (off of Larkin Valley Road), Watsonville, CA, United States‘Tis the season of giving and the Castros were known to be generous people. Strangers were not strangers for long as the Castro family invited all to participate in a fiesta in the fandango room with live music, and of course there was food and drinks! Continue the tradition and click the link below to register to go to the Castro Adobe to explore the fandango room and to enjoy complimentary coffee in the cocina all while learning the traditions and customs of those who called Rancho San Andres home. Go as strangers and leave as friends!
Annieglass: Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
Annieglass 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA, United StatesMake your holidays extra special with DIY Christmas ornaments! Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold & silver decorations. Take them home with you that day! Finished ornaments make great gifts for friends and family. There will be stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for decorating the ornaments. *This workshop is not appropriate for children under 10.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Victorian Holiday Experience
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Event is free, day-use parking fee is $10.
Annieglass: Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
Annieglass 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA, United StatesMake your holidays extra special with DIY Christmas ornaments! Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold & silver decorations. Take them home with you that day! Finished ornaments make great gifts for friends and family. There will be stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for decorating the ornaments. *This workshop is not appropriate for children under 10.
Sea to Sky Farm: Wreath Making
Sea to Sky Farm 6040 Bonny Doon Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesGo check out the Sea to Sky farm house, and learn to make a beautiful locally sourced, seasonal wreath to adorn your home for the winter months. They will have a base, wire, and all the greenery and floral materials on hand for use, and of course, expert help and instruction on hand!
Good Ol’ Fashioned Christmas Fun!
Boulder Creek Boulder Creek, CA, United States +1 moreFamilies with children through 5th grade are invited to make memorable ornaments, sing carols, decorate cookies, and hear a reading of the Christmas story. Email [email protected] or call 831-338-3700 for more information.
Bookshop Santa Cruz: Meet the Grinch
Bookshop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa CruzThe Grinch is back and ready to prove to the residents of Who-ville that he’s changed. This heartwarming sequel is written and illustrated in the style of Dr. Seuss’s beloved holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The new book storytime reading is free and available to the public. If you and 4 others would like to take a photo with the Grinch himself, you can purchase tickets to the photo line on the day of the event or through the link below. Purchasing tickets to the photo line includes your own copy of the new book!
Watsonville: Santa Tour
Downtown Watsonville CA, United StatesFor three days, December 13-15, from 4-7 each evening, Santa and his special guests will spread holiday cheer as they visit parts of Watsonville.
Cabrillo College: The Nutcracker
Cabrillo College Crocker Theater 6500 Perimeter Dr., Aptos, CA, United StatesInternational Academy of Dance in Santa Cruz County, presents The Nutcracker! Get swept away by the beauty of Clara and friends, as we travel to the magical Land of Sweets! DATES & TIMES: December 16th: Two showings at 1:00pm and 4:30pm December 17th: Two showings at 1:00pm and 4:30pm
Felton Covered Bridge: Holiday Market
Felton Covered Bridge Park Covered Bridge Road, Felton, CA, United StatesThe annual tradition of the Felton Holiday Market will again take place on the historic covered bridge. ACTIVITIES: Arts & crafts Delicious food & beverages Music Holiday lights And other festivities!
Christmas Services for all ages
Boulder Creek Community Church 12465 Highway 9, Boulder CreekChristmas services will be held on 12/24 at 9AM, 10:45AM, with a special Candlelight Service at 6PM. Children are invited to all services.
Winter Wonderland
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesGet in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach! Activities Include Selection of Boardwalk Rides, Games, and Arcades Festive Holiday Decorations and Lights (Including a 3-story tall Christmas tree!) Delicious Boardwalk Treats Photos with Santa (Operating Days: Nov. 24 – Dec. 24) Fire Pit Rentals & Holiday S’Mores Holiday Shopping Winter Wonderland Package (includes MyBoardwalk Card and one 6X8 printed photo with Santa. Available operating days Nov. 24 – Dec. 24) And don’t forget the breathtaking beach view! Hours and Dates 12pm – 5pm Thursday – Sunday: November 23-26 Saturdays – Sundays: December 2-10 Every Day: December 16-31 Special Dates December 2 & 3 – Mini Nutcracker performance at Colonnade Stage at 2pm December 10 & 11 – Roaming Carolers
Noon Years
Santa Cruz Childrens Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Ave C-10, Capitola, CA 95010, CapitolaRing in the New Year at Noon with MOD! Enjoy New Year crafts, a 'champagne' bar with all the fixings, dancing, and the big countdown at NOON complete with a MOD ball drop! We have limited room available and expect this event to sell out.
Children’s Museum of Discovery: Noon Year’s Eve
Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10, Capitola, CA, United StatesRing in the New Year at Noon with MOD! Enjoy New Year crafts, a kid friendly ‘champagne’ bar with all the fixings, dancing, and the big countdown at NOON complete with a MOD ball drop!
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland 108 Seaview Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThis is a walk-in Christmas display located in the midtown of Santa Cruz, CA. Their exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, and a log cabin that Santa uses for his rest stops. Being Irish, where you have elves you have fairies, so there is a fairy grotto with 2 waterfalls and fairies that can be viewed on special nights. Also, on those special nights, there is a special California version of snow here!