Enjoy a month-long celebration of new vegan dishes all over Santa Cruz! Businesses across the area will showcase exciting special vegan menu items for an entire month, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs. How It Works: 1- Visit participating restaurants across Santa Cruz listed in the link in the orange button above.…

Enjoy 11 days of powerful performances, art, poetry, fashion, music, and cultural celebrations throughout Santa Cruz County. The Ripple Effect Arts Festival is brings you creativity and culture to reflect the unique artistic pulse of Santa Cruz County. Opening with Santa Cruz Dancing in the Streets from 5-9pm in Downtown Santa Cruz. 11 Days of exhibits, performances, and workshops in…

Join us for our annual run/walk/hike to celebrate Coco Lazenby’s birthday and fundraise to support more literacy in our community. It’s a free Color Run and every kid who participates can take home a free book!

We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center and Pilkington…

Join Save Our Shores for a river levee cleanup along the San Lorenzo River to celebrate Earth Day! Registration is required, please click here to register. Meet Up Location: Please meet us near the pedestrian bridge on River St South across from the San Lorenzo Park Plaza. Cleanup will take place on both sides of the river between Water St and…

Downtown Watsonville is coming alive with art, music, and culture during the Ripple Effect Arts Festival! This vibrant celebration of creativity highlighting the city’s designation as a Cultural District. As part of Watsonville Second Saturday, downtown streets and venues will transform into an immersive arts experience featuring: live performances, interactive art activities, youth showcases, a rooftop dance party, and opportunities…

🎉 Earth Day Santa Cruz is back! 🌎 Join us in Downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday, April 18, from 11:30 AM–4:00 PM for a fun, free celebration of our planet and community. Enjoy live music from SambaDá, FREE face painting and photo booth fun, flower crown making, hands-on Earth Day activities, and eco-friendly vendors. Kids can join the Passport Program,…

This event is a family-friendly program where drag performers from Drag Story Time Santa Cruz read children's books that highlight themes of diversity, self-expression, and community. Drag Story Time Santa Cruz is a collective of small Santa Cruz County businesses and organizations that are committed to offering Drag Story Time events to the community that are diverse, welcoming, and inclusive…

All Live Oak School District students, caregivers, staff and future LOSD families are invited! Celebrating community food and wellness. First 100 families receive free $10 in tokens for fresh fruits and veggies.

Head 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! Music Lineup: • April 24* (Starts 4:30 PM) — Music by Shady Rest Band • May 29 — Music by The Swag Tones • June 26 — Music…

Come celebrate the launch of the Seeds of Tomorrow youth poetry anthology with readings from local published high school student poets!Join us in person for the Rising Voices Youth Poetry Celebration, a community event honoring Seeds of Tomorrow, a youth-created anthology showcasing powerful work from local high school writers.The evening will feature a dynamic mix of live poetry readings and…

Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) is organizing a special spring engagement of Vincent, the acclaimed one-person play by Leonard Nimoy, starring SCS Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. Vincent is a compelling theatrical portrait of Vincent van Gogh, drawn from a series of imagined letters between the artist and his brother Theo that illuminate the artist’s creative drive, personal struggles, and enduring legacy.…

Join Save Our Shores for a cleanup at Cowell & Main Beach to celebrate Earth Day! Registration is required, please click here to register. Meet Up Location: Please meet us at the base of the stairs to Cowell Beach, on the right side of the wharf entrance. Facilities & Accessibility: Restrooms and drinking fountains are available onsite. Metered parking in the…

Hot Composting Workshop and Raffle April 25th, 2026 10:00am-12:00pm. Pre-registration required, space is limited! *Location TBD, within City of Santa Cruz Have you been curious about hot composting? Maybe you have tried before but need a refresher. No matter your experience, join the City of Santa Cruz Waste Reduction Staff for a workshop all about hot composting! In this workshop,…

Explore the deep at a kids art event on Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sanctuary Exploration Center! Kids will learn about deep sea animals in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and use them as inspiration to create a communal work of art. The finished piece will be on display at the center through May,…

During this program, you will be introduced to a craft used by indigenous peoples around the world: coiled basketry. CA basketry is some of the most ornate in the world, and this opportunity will pique your interest in learning more about, and supporting traditional arts. This 2-hour workshop will teach you how to weave your very own basket out of…

It’s the kind of festival an introvert can truly enjoy without an extrovert complaint! If you purchase an Independent Bookstore Day exclusive item while they last, you will get to spin their prize wheel for a chance to win books, coupons, gift cards and more. Follow the link in the orange button above to follow more activities as they get…

Open at 10am for both Saturday and Sunday, and staying open until 5pm on Saturday. Visitors will experience an impressive display of expertly grown cacti, succulents, and bonsai — from sculptural desert giants to delicate, living miniatures. Members will present their finest specimens in a judged show competition, featuring many rare and stunning plants seldom seen outside specialty collections. Rare…

Experience the raw energy and intricate beauty of flamenco as local virtuosos take the stage. With their powerful footwork, captivating choreography, and evocative music, these performers will transport you to the heart of Spain. From the soulful melodies of traditional guitar to the rhythmic claps and passionate vocals, each act promises a unique and authentic expression of this celebrated art…

Enjoy this annual celebration of early music as it sounded in its own time! Learn a bit about the joy of Baroque music with a festival that is an expedition through musical time. 2026 Season: January 31 @4pm: Musical Stories of Brass and Organ (532 Center St) February 8 @4pm: Organ Virtuoso Performance (126 High St, Santa Cruz) February 15…

2pm free Join Kennolyn for a fun magic show and discover what makes camp so special. Before and after the show, kids can enjoy songs, games, and a guided tour from 1-4pm, plus enter a raffle to win a free week of camp. Kennolyn Day Camp, Soquel. fs3.formsite.com/kennolyn/xhpxahavbc/index

Join Save Our Shores for an Earth Day inspired discussion with Julia Butterfly Hill and local environmental and political leaders. The Trump Administration plans to sell oil and deep sea mining leases off the California coast next year, including the Monterey Bay. At this event, you’ll learn about the organizing being done to resist this and have an opportunity to…

Participate in street chalk drawing, or just admire the art!  Enjoy live music, great food, local shops, vendors and artists of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Downtown Boulder Creek.

Step into a world of charm, laughter, and magic with Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s production of Coppélia, a delightful ballet comedy perfect for audiences of all ages. Behind the scenes, these talented dancers and dedicated choreographers have been hard at work to bring this enchanting tale to life. With whimsical story telling and intricate choreography, this show is sure to…

Join Save Our Shores for a beach cleanup at Sunny Cove! Registration is required, click here to register. Meet Up Location: Please meet us at the end of Johan’s Beach Drive at the main entrance to the beach. Facilities & Accessibility: There are no restrooms available, and no drinking fountains on site. Parking is limited, so please plan accordingly. How…

The Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (FitzWERC) is an indoor-outdoor wetlands learning center that includes a visitor center, classroom and wet lab, a greenhouse, and a demonstration native plant garden. The FitzWERC borders over 1000 acres of protected wetlands and their watershed. Head to this family friendly place for nature interaction on the day they will be selling native plants…

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide and the people who join in. You might learn more about the birds and mammals that make this land…

ON KIDS DAY, KIDS TAKE OVER DOWNTOWN Kids' Day will take place on May 2, 2026. Exhibitors will be lined up on Cooper Street and Pacific Ave (between Church St. & Locust St.) There will also be performances and demonstrations all day long in Abbott Square. Plus, many Downtown businesses will be offering discounts and specials just for kids. Exhibitor…

This is an annual fundraiser for highschool students interested in marine science. COA offers a one-of-a-kind hands-on college prep course to high school students ages 14-19 interested in learning how and why we study marine mammals. Top of the field local marine mammal researchers and educators take twelve students at a time all around Monterey Bay, showing them new technologies…

1-5pm $15-$25 Join California Ocean Alliance and Humble Sea Brewing Co. for this annual fundraiser supporting students interested in marine biology and conservation. Enjoy live music, local vendors, raffle prizes, scientific demos, and fun activities for kids along with food and drinks. Humble Sea Beer Garden, Santa Cruz.

A Faemily-Friendly Enchanted Festival & Night Market! As twilight settles beneath the redwoods, lanterns glow, music drifts through the trees, and the hidden folk gather for an evening of magic and revelry. The Fae & Folk Faire blends the wonder of fairy lore with the lively spirit of a Renaissance-style festival. Families can: wander artisan stalls, listen to musicians and…

Kids can participate in cooperative, creative, fun activities. Adults can mingle and learn about cohousing

Enjoy a conversation with co-editors Liz Carlisle and Aubrey Streit Krug and contributor Tim Crews about their new book Living Roots: The Promise of Perennial Foods. Following the conversation, we’ll enjoy a tasting of perennial treats, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

The Third Annual Pitch In All County Cleanup Day is set for May 9, inviting residents, families, schools, and organizations across Santa Cruz County to come together in a shared effort to keep the community clean and protect local ecosystems. Organizers encourage participants to sign up in advance at pitchinsantacruz.org. Individuals and groups can register their cleanup efforts by providing…

Join Save Our Shores for the 3rd Annual Pitch In Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day! Registration is required, click here to register.  Meet Up Location: Please meet us in the Esplanade Park at 120 Monterey Ave. Facilities & Accessibility: There are restrooms and drinking fountains available on site. Paid parking in the village is limited, additional large parking lot available…

Join Save Our Shores for the 3rd Annual Pitch In Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day! Registration is required, click here to register. Meet Up Location: Please meet us at the base of the stairs to Cowell Beach, on the right side of the wharf entrance. Facilities & Accessibility: Restrooms and drinking fountains are available onsite. Metered parking in the lot…

The Friends of the Scotts Valley Library will hold a book sale on Saturday, May 9th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Scotts Valley Library located at 251 Kings Village Road. Gently used books, dvds, cds, audiobooks, puzzles and games will be sold. Find books on gardening, crafts, cooking, travel, history, nature, humor, and poetry. Fiction and nonfiction…

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…

The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more! Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.

Music Director Caroline McCaskey promises a musical journey like no other! More than 70 musicians on fiddles, cellos, piano, drums, and guitars deliver a spirited performance—ranging from high-energy dance tunes to soulful, romantic melodies. Rooted in Scotland, the adventure expands to Brittany, Galicia, Scandinavia, and Cape Breton. Toe-tapping, seat-dancing, and aisle-dancing are encouraged! May 8 (7pm, Davis), May 9 (7pm,…

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…

Come learn more about Ocean Alternative, a K-8 independent study/homeschool program in Live Oak School District. We will have tours of our school, art activities, and staff on hand to explain how our program works. Caregivers and their children are welcome.

Join us for a joyful, family-friendly day celebrating pregnancy, birth, babies, and early parenthood! The Birth & Baby Fair is designed to connect growing families with trusted local resources, supportive providers, and a vibrant community of care. Explore a curated lineup of vendors and organizations offering services for pregnancy through early childhood, including doulas, lactation support, mental health resources, pediatric…

COME ENJOY A DAY OF COMMUNITY WHILE FUNDRAISING BY PLEDGING A HIKE FOR PEACE. The event is set in a gorgeous location located in the upper campus of the school (at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel). Pledge a student or pledge yourself and hike the 8 Verses Trail. Our annual Hike4Peace event is an opportunity to benefit others both…

Appalachian Spring Meets Santa Cruz Spring Music by Copland, Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and MilhaudWhy we became musicians...Espressivo is the small, intense orchestra that is making big news in Santa Cruz County. Comprised of regional professional musicians, Espressivo presents select masterpieces of classical music composed for 12-26 players. Espressivo was founded in 2015 by Michel Singher after his career as a conductor…

Appalachian Spring Meets Santa Cruz Spring Music by Copland, Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and MilhaudWhy we became musicians...Espressivo is the small, intense orchestra that is making big news in Santa Cruz County. Comprised of regional professional musicians, Espressivo presents select masterpieces of classical music composed for 12-26 players. Espressivo was founded in 2015 by Michel Singher after his career as a conductor…

Art & Ecology Summer Camp invites young artists ages 7–13 to explore large-scale mural-making, storytelling, and collaboration in a weeklong program led by professional muralist Jessica Evanjelista at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH). Drawing inspiration from the museum’s galleries, campers will learn how murals communicate history, community, and personal narratives while experimenting with sketching, color theory,…

InterAct Open Mic at Satori Arts. FREE community poetry jam featuring singer Kay MartinAre you ready to get your poetry on? Join us on June 16, 2026 at Satori Arts for InterAct, a FREE open mic night, from 7-9 pm, featuring Kay Martin.Kay’s longtime day job was teaching (Writing+ at UCSC) for fifteen years, which morphed into writing/ editing/ consulting…