Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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

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

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.

Schwan Lake: Finding the Fungus Among Us

Simpkins Family Swim Center 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Learn about fascinating fungi and the basics of mushroom identification (just observing, not picking or eating!)  Ages 8 and up. An adult must accompany children aged 15 and younger.  Space is limited to 20 per outing.  There are 4 outings for 4 Mondays from November 18 to December 9. 

Free

Gateway School Tour

Gateway School Santa Cruz 255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz

Visit us on one of our monthly Tuesday tours and see why Gateway was voted Best Elementary and Best Middle School in Santa Cruz. 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. Private tours also available. For more information contact [email protected]

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.

Felton: Farmers Market

Felton Farmers’ Market 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA, United States

The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering May through October, now running for over 30 years. We appreciate the dedicated customers who call this market a second home. Your support of regional agriculture and small, local businesses makes a difference. The Felton Farmers’ Market was started in 1987 and is the second oldest market in Santa Cruz County. SCCFM took over operations in 2009 and our team has developed deep ties to the community. Every Tuesday a quality collection of regional farms and food businesses throw up their tents to sell a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, seafood and other staple foods. Connecting residents directly with local farms, the Felton Market is an essential part of the regional food system as well as a resource for nutritious organic foods and basic agricultural education.

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.

Fuel Reduction Workday at Henry Cowell

Fuel Reduction Workday - This is a Fuel Reduction Workday, in which we manually clear fallen debris in select areas of the Redwood Grove, and by doing so, reduce the fuel load and restore old-growth habitat. Park staff will facilitate organizing this debris into brush piles. Participants should be prepared to help with a fair deal of manual labor. This workday will meet in front of the Visitor Center. If possible, please bring work gloves. Park offers a limited supply.Click here to RSVP and be sure to cross reference the above details with the date of your choice!

Night of Christmas

Santa Cruz Bible Church 440 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Bible Church will be holding its community-wide event-a candlelight service with activities for kids a family treasure hunt, hot cocoa and treats, Christmas carols, and more!

Free

Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas

UCSC Recital Hall 402 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz, United States

Now in its 29th season, Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas returns to Santa Cruz with its Irish musicians, dancers, and native Irish storyteller, Tomáseen Foley. A Celtic Christmas springs from the infinitely rich treasury of Ireland’s cultural heritage: a re-creation of a night before Christmas in the West of Ireland in the 1940s, before the advent of motorcar, the television, and the telephone. This year the tour welcomes acclaimed, world-travelled dancers Joseph Harrison and Lauren Beadle, both veterans of many touring performances including Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames. In this family-friendly recreation of age-old tradition, neighbors bring their fiddles, tin whistles, flutes, bodhráns, uilleann pipes, and most importantly their unshakeable sense of community for a night of traditional music, song, dance, and of course storytelling. The show’s Music Director is Grammy Award-winning guitarist and Santa Cruz resident William Coulter, an internationally recognized master of the steel-string guitar.

Half Moon Bay – Guided Walk at Gray Whale Cove

Join State Park Docents for a two-hour hike along the scenic Gray Whale Cove Trail at State Parks’ McNee Ranch at Montara.  Enjoy a moderate 2 mile hike overlooking the California coast.  From the trail you will be able to view evidence in the landscape of the Ocean Shore Railroad and bunkers left over from the World War II era. Enjoy the ocean views, the coastal plants, and the birds on this exciting hike. Meet on the north side of the Gray Whale Cove State Beach parking lot on Highway 1. If you have any questions or concerns please contact [email protected] or call (650) 726-8814.Click here to make your reservation today! 

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Sandhills Guided Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

Hike around an ancient seafloor?! Yes please! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Santa Cruz Sandhills, we'll be meandering through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800' above present-day sea level! Join us on October 12th at 10:00am to explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. RSVP for this event here!We'll meet in the campground parking lot (located off Graham Hill Rd.). We hope to see you there! Hard rain cancels. 

Event Series Potter the Otter Exhibit

Potter the Otter Exhibit

Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10, Capitola, CA, United States

The Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery is thrilled to announce a season of celebration in honor of its 10th anniversary and a decade of discovery in our community. Join us for the exciting kick-off event as we unveil the "Potter the Otter: A Healthy Adventure" traveling exhibit. Dive into adventure with Potter the Otter™ on his quest to be healthy and strong! This hands-on interactive exhibit, spanning over 1,500 sq ft, brings the beloved First 5 children's books to life through the power of play. Built by The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum for preschool and kindergarten-age children this exhibit is enjoyable for all interested in living a healthy life. August 24th-November 11th Open to the public Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Public Admission: $3 Museum Members: Free Sponsored by First 5 Santa Clara, First 5 Santa Cruz, Omega Nu, New Leaf Community Markets, & Capitola Kids Dentistry

$3

Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop: Cookie & Gingerbread House Decorating

Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10, Capitola, CA, United States

Mrs. Claus is coming to the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery and opening her magical bake shop for one day only! Join us for a festive day of cookie and gingerbread house decorating with Mrs. Claus! Indulge in the sweet scents of the holidays, hot chocolate, and a delicious spread of candy and frosting. Make lasting memories this holiday while supporting the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery! Entry is first come first served 1 Plate of home-baked cookies ready to decorate ~ Minimum donation of $20 1 Gingerbread house ~ Minimum donation of $30

$20 – $40