Santa Cruz Events

Santa Cruz County has great events all year long, and we'll keep you up to date on the best events, right here.

Santa Cruz knows how to celebrate holidays, as is evidenced by the massive influx of visitors with each major holiday. HIghlights include 4th of July in Santa Cruz, Halloween, and the Christmas holidays.

Santa Cruz is home to some great recurring events. The First Friday of each month is an art lover's dream, while bargain hunters love the Santa Cruz Antique Faire, held the first Sunday of each month.

During the summer months you can enjoy weekly outdoor events like the Wednesday night Movies on the Beach, Thursday night Beach Parties at the Crow's Nest, Friday Night Bands on the Beach, Sunday Art & Music in Capitola, and many more.

Over the years Santa Cruz, Capitola, and the surrounding communities have developed some amazing annual events. Summer is the unofficial event season, but you can find great events year round.

Favorites include Woodies on the Wharf, the Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show, the Wharf to Wharf Race, the newly added Pleasure Point Street Fair, Begonia Festival, Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Restaurant Week, the Santa Cruz County Fair, the Santa Cruz Open Studios Art Tour, Santa Cruz Film Festival, the Santa Cruz Greek Festival, and Santa Cruz TEDx. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Subscribe to the Santa Cruz Life newsletter to get updates on events sent directly to your inbox.

The Santa Cruz Harbor Gets Wacky with Cardboard Kayak Races (and You’re Invited!)

There’s something romantic, even epic, about the idea of building your own boat. It’s one of those bucket list items that only the most …

It's that time of year again –– time to sip wine, enjoy fine art, and browse artisan crafts and jewelry while looking out on the Monterey …

It's Labor Day Weekend, and Santa Cruzans know how to celebrate! Concerts and festivals abound this weekend, highlighted by the always …

Time to break out your best jeans and plaid flannels, cause the Santa Cruz County Fair and Horse Show is coming up! Every summer this …

This weekend we have some familiar events, like free bands on the beach, the annual Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival, and some fun …

Beatles and Grateful Dead fans have a lot to be excited for this weekend, as do art enthusiasts. As usual, there's something for …

Chances are you've heard of the Capitola Begonia Festival. After all, this years marks the 62nd anniversary of one of Capitola's most …

This weekend, Santa Cruz will play host to a beer festival, a wine festival, and what is sure to be a raucous Derby Girls fundraiser. But …

The Cabrillo Music Festival is the main event in Santa Cruz this weekend, but there's plenty of other fun stuff for everyone to …