There will be no shortage of music to choose from this holiday weekend—Capitola, New Brighton State Beach and the Boardwalk continue their summer performance series. Music by the sea…how much better can it get?
A few early celebrations are sprinkled throughout the weekend, but be sure to scroll down to our complete Santa Cruz 4th of July Guide to see what Monday has in store.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill
When: 7/1 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
The Boardwalk puts on its 3rd free Friday night show in the summer series with The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill playing two shows. Dance to their 80s hits, “She’s A Beauty,” “Talk to Ya Later,” and more.
The Bills
When: 7/1 at 7:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: General Admission $25.00 (advance) Gold Circle $40.00 (advance)
Tickets $4 more on day-of-show
Boasting an impressive variety of instruments, this Canadian acoustic group is sure to put on quite the performance with an emphasis on folk/roots.
An Evening with Cuddlefish
When: 7/1 from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $5
It’s rare you find performers that can make music using beer bottles, Dutch ovens and other household items you wouldn’t normally associate with providing a tune – that’s what’s in store for you at this show. Bring your imagination and get ready to dance!
Also on Friday
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- The Wave (Ka Nalu) at Pono Hawaiian Grill @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Ribsy’s Nickel plus SPUN @ Don Quixote’s
- Joint Chiefs @ Crow’s Nest
- Liberation Movement + House Of Hamsa @ Moe’s Alley
- Swing Night: featuring Scotty Wright and the Duncan Shipton Band @ The Crepe Place
- CHON @ The Catalyst
- Wally’s Cocktail Combo (Jazz, Swing & More!) @ Severino’s
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- First Friday Santa Cruz @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Shark Science Week @ Seymour Center
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Oyster & Winetasting Soirée
When: 7/2 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Storrs Winery in the Old Sash Mill
Cost: $20
Come on down to Storrs Winery and enjoy oysters paired with a flight of wine. The oysters come from H & H Fresh Fish, a local, community-supported, sustainable seafood company. Also, be on the lookout for samples from Pure Heart Chocolate. Yum!
Fourth of July Weekend Celebration and Talent Show!
When: 7/2 at 7:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Come celebrate the 4th like you did at summer camp when you were a kid..sign up to perform at the talent show. Roast marshmallows at the campfire and enjoy sing-along fun for the whole family.
New Brighton Summer Concert Series
When: 7/2 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: New Brighton State Beach
Cost: $10 for Parking and supports the park
Come gather around the Campfire Center at New Brighton State Beach campground and see the Watsonville Taiko Drummers perform. Layer up as we know our coastal town can cool down quick whether with fog or sundown.
Free Day Celebration
When: 7/2 from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Discretion Brewing
Cost: Free as in freedom & independence, not cost of products
Discretion’s Beer Garden will spill into the parking lot for an all-day celebration of freedom and independence. Enjoy an outdoor BBQ with an enticing one-day menu, fun and folky live music, activities for the whole family, and the release of the 4th Annual Free Day IPA.
Also on Saturday
- All Swing Dance Party @ Market Street Theater
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers @ Don Quixote’s
- Tsunami @ Crow’s Nest
- Spawnbreezie + House Of Shem @ Moe’s Alley
- Beso @ The Crepe Place
- The Path to Northern Nights @ The Catalyst
- Jorge Santana @ The Catalyst
- Fishhook ( Rock, Classic Rock) @ Severino’s
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Natural Bridges Dr. & Delaware
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- First Saturday Arboretum Tours @ Arboretum Gift Shop
- Santa Cruz Summer Showdown @ Seabright State Beach
- Chicks in the City, Hens in the Hood @ Scotts Valley Library
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Shark Science Week @ Seymour Center
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Art & Music at the Beach 2016
When: 7/3 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Capitola’s beachside Esplanade Park transforms into a vendor artist’s fair today and multiple Sundays throughout the summer. This Sunday, 7th Wave will play acoustic light rock. It’s sure to make for a fun and relaxing atmosphere by the water.
Also on Sunday
- Rich & The Rhythm Roustabouts at Swing Set Lounge @Pacific Arts Complex
- UTURN @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Soul Majestic + Pacific Vibration @ Moe’s Alley
- Hidden Gems Film Club: Not Your Ordinary Film Club @ Santa Cruz Public Library
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- 86th Annual California Land & Sea Exhibit @ Santa Cruz Art League
- Portuguese Holy Ghost Society Parade, on Pacific Avenue @ Pacific Avenue
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Center
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Shark Science Week @ Seymour Center
Monday
As always, there are plenty of great events this 4th of July. In fact, too many to list here. You can find them all in our comprehensive Santa Cruz 4th of July Guide. Have a safe and fun 4th!
Featured Upcoming Event
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to view working model trains in a garden setting filled with scale plants and structures. An open house event will be held mid-week with an encore open house on Sunday, July 10. Bring the kids, bring the grandpas, and everyone in between!
What: Fern Creek and Western Garden Railroad Open House
Where: 419 Ocean View Ave.
When: 7/6 from 10 am to 3 pm; 7/10 at 9am.
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