Santa Cruz Mission – Adobe Building Tour
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park 144 School St., Santa CruzJoin us at 1pm for a guided tour through Santa Cruz’s oldest building, the only remaining example of indigenous housing from the California Missions. Learn about the daily life of people who lived here, and ways in which the Spanish Mission system drastically impacted local native people’s culture and landscape.This is a FREE event open to the public, no reservations required. Call (831) 425-5849 for more information.
Wilder Ranch State Park – Ranch History Tour
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesWant 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]
Santa Cruz Wharf: Salsa by the Sea
Beach Street and East of Santa Cruz Wharf Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSalsa By The Sea is a free, weekly outdoor salsa dancing event held by the wharf on Beach Street, directly in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Courts. The event runs all year long (except when it rains). Some weekends are Bachata by the Sea, with more bachata music played than salsa.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Movie with Santa “Elf”
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesTis the season for an evening of joy and holiday cheer inside the historic Cocoanut Grove Ballroom! • Holiday Pajamas are encouraged! • Each attendee also receives a fun holiday headband! • Snacks available for purchase • Banquet chair seating. • Fun inflatable chairs available on a first-come first-served basis 4:30pm Doors open, Cookie Decorating 5:00pm Storytime with Santa 5:30pm Movie Screening in Sunroom – ‘Elf’
Meet the Doulas
Circle Family Center 245 Sea Ridge Road,, AptosMeet and talk with birth and postpartum doulas as you learn how they work with families. Sponsored by Birth Network of Santa Cruz County, this free event is open to those planning to birth in Santa Cruz, and surrounding counties. Studies show doula care: results in a shorter, smoother labor, creates a more positive birth experience, reduces need for medical interventions such as pain medication and epidurals, reduces postpartum depression, results in greater success in breastfeeding. Registration required for login information. birthnet.org
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.
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.
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.
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach: Sons of the Beach Ukulele Sing Along
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach 2222 E Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe Santa Cruz Harbor offers visitors many attractions, but perhaps the most surprising is regular free concerts from hundreds of crooning ukulele players. For more than 20 years, the Santa Cruz Ukulele Club has assembled enthusiasts of the mini, four-string Hawaiian guitar with regular gatherings around town. The most popular is likely the Saturday morning gathering at Harbor Beach, behind the Crow’s Nest. Stop by and enjoy the aloha shirt-wearing orchestra of strumming players who belt out familiar songs such as California Dreaming and Margaritaville. Bring whatever you would bring for a day at the beach, and if you have a ukulele bring that too. Hope to see you there!
Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve
Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United StatesDocent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number below. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Sandhills Tour
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United StatesHike 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 August 12th at 9:00am to explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. RSVP for this event here.Let's plan to meet in the campground parking lot (located off Graham Hill Rd.). We hope to see you there! Hard rain cancels.