Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Reindeer Round-Up

Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue Between Water and Locust Streets, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 small prize! Find all 28 and you'll be entered to win of our many grand prizes. FUN for the whole family.

Free

Visits with Santa

Childish Toy Shop 1122 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA

Santa is coming back to Santa Cruz and he can't wait to visit with you and hear all about the adventures you've had this year. And of course, he wants to hear your Christmas wishlist. Stop by to say hello to him at Childish on Pacific. 1122 Pacific Avenue Saturday, December 7 (after parade) 12-4PM Sunday, December 8, 12-4PM Saturday, December 14, 12-4PM Sunday, December 15, 12-4PM Friday, December 20, 12-4PM Saturday, December 21, 12-4PM Sunday, December 22, 12-4PM

Free

Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train

Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United States

Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.

Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch Butterfly Self Guided Tours

Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Stroll through the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve and be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! The monarch migration is variable, please check the website or contact the park at (831)423-0871 to find out the current population. To arrange a tour for groups of 10 or more, please visit www.thatsmypark.org. Events made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. Parking near the trail accessible entrance is $10.

Free

Santa Cruz MAH: Toy Trains

Santa Cruz MAH 705 Front Street, Downtown Santa Cruz

Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to once again share their amazing collection of toy trains at the MAH. The public is invited to view Toy Trains in the MAH’s Atrium for free. To access other exhibitions and gallery spaces in the museum, there is a small entrance fee. Toy Train Dates Thursday, December 19: 12-6pm Friday, December 20: 12-6pm Saturday, December 21: 12-6pm Sunday, December 22: 12-6pm Thursday, December 26: 12-6pm Friday, December 27: 12-6pm Saturday, December 28: 12-6pm Sunday, December 29: 12-6pm

Free

Mount Hermon: Christmas Boutiques and Concerts

Mount Hermon Conference Center 37 Conference Dr, Felton, United States

This holiday, immerse yourself in the joy of the season with the annual Mount Hermon Christmas concerts, Buffet dinner (or Sunday lunch), and Christmas Craft Boutique. For the concert, Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair December 13-15.  On December 20-21, The Blue Gospel Scripts will have a fabulous cast of narrators portray Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, telling the gospel story between musical numbers performed by A-list musicians and singers.  Friday, December 13th: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert  Saturday, December 14th and 21st: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert  Sunday, December 15th: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Craft Boutique; 12:00 – 1:00 PM Buffet Lunch Seating; 2:30 PM Concert Friday, December 20th: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert Saturday, December 21st: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert

$20 – $40

Capitola Mall: Free Santa Photo

Capitola Mall 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, United States

Get a FREE digital photo with Santa and a gift for children.  No reservations required. Photos are first-come, first-serve. Photos and giveaways are while supplies last.  When Santa is not there, feel free to take your own photos in their holiday themed selfie station! 

Free

Watsonville: Farmers Market

Downtown Watsonville CA, United States

The Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville.  Don’t miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.  Bring your appetite  as there are tons of delicious prepared foods to try.

CC Apothecary and Wellness Boutique: Yule Gathering

CC Apothecary & Wellness Boutique Highway 9, Felton, United States

Gather with kindred spirits to share in the warmth of community, sip on seasonal drinks, and enjoy sweet treats crafted for this special time of year. This evening will include a meaningful group ritual to honor the winter solstice, and a lively spell, holiday card, and recipe swap—so bring your favorite magical or seasonal creations to share! This gathering is a chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate the turning of the year surrounded by like-minded friends. Embrace the magic of Yule and take home new inspirations for your winter practice. 

$28.52

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United States

The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2024 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 29, 2024 – Holiday Lights will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until Christmas Eve. 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. They will have two Bonus Nights this year – Monday December 23 and Tuesday December 24th.   DATES November 29 – December 1 December 5 (Krampus naughty list walk-thru only) December 6 – 7 (walk-thru only) December 8 December 13 – 15 December 20 – 24

$20 – $40

Rock of Ages Chanukah Shabbat Service

Temple Beth El, Aptos 3055 Porter Gulch Rd., Aptos

A musical mystical joyful and soulful Jewish community experience. For all ages, everyone welcome!

Free

Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol

Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building. 

$22 – $66

Cabrillo College: Aptos Farmers Market

cabrillo college 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos

Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, of which most are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces, organic juices, handmade sauerkraut, Corralitos smoked sausages and bacon, artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey, mushrooms, sprouts and microgreens, farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Big Basin Plant Walk

Hike at Big Basin with one of our knowledgeable docents and plant enthusiast through the majestic Redwoods post fire. See which plants are thriving after the CZU Lightning Complex fire and possibly see some Banana Slugs! Plan for 3 hours of easy walking and 2-4 miles on trails and fire roads. Dress in Layers, bring water and a snack. Rain or high wind will cancel. Participation is free, however, a $10 vehicle day-use fee will be charged upon arrival, or we recommend you reserve a parking spot by clicking here. Please plan to meet at the temporary visitor center area located next to the restrooms at 8:45 am.For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact [email protected].

Westside Santa Cruz: Farmers Market

Westside Farmers’ Market Mission St. Ext. and Western Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Westside Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday, year round at the corner of Hwy 1 and Western Drive. Here we serve the communities of the west end of Santa Cruz including Bonny Doon, the North Coast and the University of California,  Santa Cruz campus. Sitting on the northern edge of Santa Cruz’s greenbelt this market is a great launching location for a day outdoors at Natural Bridges beach, Wilder Ranch or any adventure spot up the coast. It is also just a hop, skip and a jump, or bike ride, from Downtown. A community hub for over 15 years, the Westside Market showcases a great selection of 100% certified organic produce, artisan foods, beer, body products, tinctures, sustainable seafood, pasture raised meats, flowers and eggs along with cook-to-order cultural meals, live local music and a full espresso bar operated by Syllable. With an abundance of free parking and accessibility on its side, this market makes for a convenient and celebratory Saturday morning outing any time of the year.