Kick off the weekend with food trucks, fashion, and music for country, classical, and pop fans. Then get ready for some family-friendly fun on Saturday, including an out-of-town wildflower and earth day celebration.
If you’re looking for egg hunts and the Easter Bunny, be sure to check out our 2019 Easter Events Guide to see what’s hoppin’ this weekend and next.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
The Easter Bunny is hopping into town and we’ve rounded up all the best local Easter events for you to choose from. You’ll find them all in our annual Guide to Santa Cruz Easter Events.
Friday
Looking For Normal
When: 4/12 – 4/14 at 8:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Where: Center Stage Theater
Cost: $29 / $32
A couple married for 25 years face the challenges of marriage and family as one confesses that they want to transition genders. This thoughtful and witty comedy-drama explores the complexities of life, love and relationships.
Food Truck Friday
When: 4/12 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free entrance
Food Truck Friday kicks off the weekend with another fundraising event in Scotts Valley to help raise funds for Scotts Valley schools. Live Music, an onsite beer garden and of course your favorite Food Trucks!
Get more info here.
Classical, Pop!
When: 4/12 at 12:30 pm
Where: Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
Cost: Free
The Cabrillo College Music Department presents their Annual Classical, Pop! Concert that brings you classical themes which were borrowed to create pop music hits for your enjoyment. Concert is free, but tickets are required. Donations are welcome.
The Time of Your Life
When: 4/12 – 4/14 at 7:30 pm & 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Black Box Theater
Cost: $15 / $17
This Pulitzer Prize winning play was written during the Great Depression by William Saroyan and is set in waterfront saloon in San Francisco. The story focuses on the changing lives of the locals during a time of uncertainty and change, as people worked hard to keep their hopes and dreams alive.
JESSE DANIEL w/ PAT REEDY
When: 4/12 at 9:00 pm
Where: Flynn’s Cabaret
Cost: $12 Advanced Ticket Sales
$15 at the door | Dance | Ages 21+
A night of outlaw country and honky-tonk music is sure to kick your weekend off to a great start! Local musician Jesse Daniel joins Pat Reedy for an evening at Flynn’s that is sure to get you dancing in the aisles.
Get more info here.
FashionTEENS Santa Cruz
When: 4/12 at 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $11.00 – $19.50
Join 120 teens from 16 Santa Cruz County middle and high schools as they model the amazing fashions they designed and constructed. Come out and support these talented students! Tickets are available in advance. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Toubab Krewe + Orchestra Gold at Moe’s Alley! @ Moe’s Alley
- Cabrillo Youth Strings Spring 2019 Concert @ Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
- SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL: BACH AND THE VIRTUOSO VIOLIN @ UCSC Music Recital Hall
- The John Michael Band @ Abbott Square
- The Messiahs @ Crow’s Nest
- The Prids w/ Sick Wish and TBD @ The Crepe Place
- AYLA NEREO @ The Catalyst
- HANNIBAL BURESS @ The Catalyst
- Beat Street @ Severino’s
- Kool Bop @ Michael’s on Main
- Joe Kaplow plus Willy Tea Taylor @ Michael’s on Main
- The Ho’omana Hawaiian Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
MAKE/CRAFT
- Hand-Painted Leather Clutch @ All Hands Workshops
- Paint and Sip: 4/12: Golden Gate Reflections ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Dreamy Make Night @ The MAH
OUTDOORS
- Bird Watching for Beginners @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wilder Ridge Loop @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
MORE
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Coastal Wildflower and Earth Day
When: 4/13 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Francis State Beach, Half Moon Bay
Cost: Free
If you’re looking for a reason to get out of town, but not too far, Coastal Wildflower and Earth Day Festival is for you. This 6th annual event kicks off the start of California Native Plant week. Activities for the family include guided wildflower walks, art, games, and a habitat restoration project. Donations for the native plant sale will help support the state beach native plant nursery for local restoration projects.
UCSC Community & Arts Festival
When: 4/13 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square Market
Cost: Free
The UCSC Good Neighbor Initiative invites you and your family downtown for a gathering of community and arts! See student performances including comedians, a capella choirs, jazz ensembles, dance and more. Hands on activity for kids provided by the UCSC Arboretum.
Get more info here.
RUN.SWEAT.LOVE 5K-1K
When: 4/13 at 9:30 am
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $10-$35
This fun family race benefits the Mini Mermaid Running Club and the Young Tritons Running club for kids. Get your running shoes on and support these young athletes! Stay after the race for music, art displays, food vendors, and family activities. Runners, walkers and strollers are all welcome to this accessible event.
Get more info here.
Looking For Normal
See Description Under Friday Section
The Time of Your Life
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by The Kyle Hernandez Trio @ Abbott Square
- Viva Santana @ Crow’s Nest
- GLORY @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- LOS LOBOS – Early Show @ Moe’s Alley
- LOS LOBOS – Late Show @ Moe’s Alley
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Jon Snodgrass w/ Garrett Date (Red City Radio) & TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Jimmie Vaughan @ Rio Theatre
- EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN: SANTA CRUZ @ The Catalyst
- Sasha’s Money @ Severino’s
- China Cats @ Michael’s on Main
MAKE/CRAFT
- iPad Lettering and Graphic Design @ All Hands Workshops
- Embodied Abstract Painting @ All Hands Workshops
- iPad Lettering and Graphic Design @ All Hands Workshops
- Paint and Sip: 4/13: Guitar and Keys ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint and Sip: 4/13: Monet’s Waterlilies #1 ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Drawing for the Love of Nature @ Rancho del Oso
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
- Hidden Gems: Flowers of Big Basin! @ Big Basin
MORE
- Stanford Blood Center: Blood Drive @ Aptos Branch Library
- Puentes Community Fair @ Resource Center For Nonviolence
- Odonata Wine Tasting Event @ Annieglass Incorporated
- AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PROJECT: 2ND SATURDAY ON THE FARM – EASTER ON THE FARM @ Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
- Outside-In Ribbon Cutting! @ OUTSIDE-IN
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
The Rotary Clubs of Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley Present Lacy J. Dalton
When: 4/14 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Bret Hart Hall, Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA
Cost: $45
Come out and support this annual fundraiser featuring the legendary country singer, Lacy J. Dalton. The Rotary Clubs of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz will host this event and funds raised will help local and international projects. No host food trucks and bar will be on site. Lacy J. Dalton will perform from 2:00 – 4:00.
Looking For Normal
See Description Under Friday Section
The Time of Your Life
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- ELIE MABANZA AND FRIENDS @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- GHOST-NOTE + Dirty Revival @ Moe’s Alley
- LEIKELI47 @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
MAKE/CRAFT
- Intro to Weaving @ All Hands Workshops
- Family Art Class: 4/14: Midnight Moon ~ Ages 7 and up ~ Non-alcohol event @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Birding for Beginners @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Santa Cruz Book Fair For Kids Of All Ages @ Downtown
What: Santa Cruz Book Fair For Kids Of All Ages @ Downtown
Where: Santa Cruz Public Library
When: April 28th from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Eight local authors will read from their works at this event for Children’s Book Week, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year! Authors will read from picture, middle grade and young adult books. A short Q & A and autograph session will follow. A portion of funds raised will go to the Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
Santa Cruz Mineral and Gem Society
What: Santa Cruz Mineral and Gem Society
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: April 27 – 28 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Prepare to be dazzled by a wide variety of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry and lapidary arts from all around the country. Add to your collection, buy gifts or just take home something nice for yourself. Volunteer help is greatly appreciated!
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