Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Guided Redwood Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Every Sunday at Noon      Experience a guided hike through an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 feet tall.  Connect one on one with park staff. During this adventure you will learn about redwood life, histories, ecology and more! The trail is flat, accessible, and just under one mile long. Meet at the park visitor center, rain or shine. This event is free, but the parking fee at all state parks for the day 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

Wilder Ranch: Historic Grounds Tours

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Please reserve your spot online.

Wilder Ranch State Park – Ranch History Tour

Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions? Call (831)426-0505 or email [email protected]

Cabrillo College: The Nutcracker

Cabrillo College Crocker Theater 6500 Perimeter Dr., Aptos, CA, United States

Get swept away by the beauty of Clara and friends as you travel to the magical Land of Sweets for this imaginative holiday classic and wonderful family tradition, now in it’s 17th year. Holiday fun the whole family will enjoy! One weekend only at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. The SCCB full-length Nutcracker is alive with innovative choreography, stunning dancers, beautiful sets and brilliant costumes. This production has become an annual tradition, showcasing over 100 local dancers from ages four to sixty-four, as well guest artists from the bay area and beyond. This year, Jeff Stanton, former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet joins the magic as Drosselmeyer, along with principal dancers Sakura Oka & Leonardo Moraes in the roles of Sugar Plum & Cavalier. Not to be missed… Two showtimes for both Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd at 1PM and 4:30PM. Free parking and great comfortable seats from everywhere in the theater.

$51 – $61

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: The Nutcracker

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The newly established Santa Cruz Dance Theater is set to bring holiday magic to the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium this December with its inaugural performance of The Nutcracker. The production promises to be a stunning display of talent, featuring special guest artist Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native, returns to his hometown stage under the direction of Artistic Director Conrad Useldinger, who is committed to celebrating continuity and tradition in the local arts community. In addition to Postlewaite, the production will feature independent dancers Nicole Khoo from San Jose and Elizabeth Anzelone from Chico. This distinguished cast, combined with vibrant sets, costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, promises a memorable evening for audiences of all ages. There are two showtimes for both Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd.  1PM and 4:30PM.

$20 – $75.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse History Walk

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park 210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero, CA, United States

Lighthouse History Walk with Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic ParkJoin us for a 45 minute walking tour of the historic grounds of Pigeon Point Light Station. Meet by the fence in front of the first cottage. Hear tales of whalers, bootleggers, shipwrecks, the building of the lighthouse, the “Wickies” and their families, and the restoration of the tower (currently closed to the public). Visit the Fog Signal Building to view the magnificent First Order Fresnel lens and explore the exhibits. ADA accessible.Register: Lighthouse History Walk

Cabrillo College: Destiny Muhammad Soulful Joy

Cabrillo College Samper Hall 6500 Soquel Drive Visual and Performing Arts Complex, Aptos, CA, United States

Reimagine the holiday spirit with Destiny Muhammad (The Harpist from the Hood) using jazz, gospel, soul, and a hint of storytelling! 

$25 – $60

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: The Nutcracker

Cabrillo College Crocker Theater 6500 Perimeter Dr., Aptos, CA, United States

Get swept away by the beauty of Clara and friends as you travel to the magical Land of Sweets for this imaginative holiday classic and wonderful family tradition, now in it’s 17th year. Holiday fun the whole family will enjoy! One weekend only at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. The SCCB full-length Nutcracker is alive with innovative choreography, stunning dancers, beautiful sets and brilliant costumes. This production has become an annual tradition, showcasing over 100 local dancers from ages four to sixty-four, as well guest artists from the bay area and beyond. This year, Jeff Stanton, former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet joins the magic as Drosselmeyer, along with principal dancers Sakura Oka & Leonardo Moraes in the roles of Sugar Plum & Cavalier. Not to be missed… Two showtimes for both Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd at 1PM and 4:30PM. Free parking and great comfortable seats from everywhere in the theater.

$51 – $61

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: The Nutcracker

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The newly established Santa Cruz Dance Theater is set to bring holiday magic to the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium this December with its inaugural performance of The Nutcracker. The production promises to be a stunning display of talent, featuring special guest artist Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native, returns to his hometown stage under the direction of Artistic Director Conrad Useldinger, who is committed to celebrating continuity and tradition in the local arts community. In addition to Postlewaite, the production will feature independent dancers Nicole Khoo from San Jose and Elizabeth Anzelone from Chico. This distinguished cast, combined with vibrant sets, costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, promises a memorable evening for audiences of all ages. There are two showtimes for both Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd.  1PM and 4:30PM.

$20 – $75.

Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Itinerary: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Check out the Roaring Camp website for day/time availability. ACTIVITIES Visit from Santa Live Music Hot-Spiced Cider Holiday Sing-Along DATES November 29 – 30 December 7 – 8 December 14 – 23

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

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.