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
Gateway School Tour
Gateway School Santa Cruz 255 Swift Street, Santa CruzVisit us on one of our monthly Tuesday tours. Hang with our kindergarteners on Kindy Island, see what’s growing in our Life Lab outdoor classroom, join our middle schoolers for a science experiment, and see first hand the unique benefits of a K - 8 education.
Reindeer Round-up
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 prize! Find all 28 and you'll be entered to win of our many grand prizes. FUN for the whole family.
Wonderland Birthday Celebration
Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources 19-B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CACelebrate Wonderland’s 8th Birthday on Tuesday, December 5th. Single item discount (exclusions apply). Visit and take pictures with Santa from 3-5pm. Grown-ups only shopping and light refreshments event 7-9pm.
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!
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United StatesThe Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2023 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 24, 2023 – Holiday Lights will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in November and Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December. HOLIDAY LIGHTS is over a 1/2 mile drive-through experience at the Fairgrounds of spectacular lighted Holiday displays all around you. Giant Christmas trees twinkling with lights – Santa – reindeer – snowmen – lighted tunnels, and many more magical moments. Stay in your warm car and drive through this Holiday Experience. The event is open on Hours from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. We will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Evening to add to your Holiday Festivities. NEW THIS YEAR: Walk-Thru Holiday Lights happening December 2nd & 3rd! DATES November 24 – 26 December 2 – 3 (walk-thru only) December 7 – 10 December 14 – 17 December 21 – 24
Wilder Ranch State Park – Birding Walk
On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good walking shoes.Sign up here!Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.
Midtown: Night Market Tree Lighting Ceremony
Midtown Block Party Lot 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa CruzEnjoy live music, artist, vendors and live are, food and drinks at the Midtown Night Market every Friday and Saturday in December from 5PM to 9PM. On the 8th and 9th, go see a Christmas Night Tree lighting ceremony!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center 251 Kings Valley Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States7:30 pm Dec. 8-9, 2pm Dec 9-10 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Presented by Scotts Valley Performing Arts. The play is a hilarious family-friendly romp with a very nice twist of an ending. Details and tickets at SVPAShows.org. At the Scotts Valley Cultural & Performing Arts Center
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.