August is coming to a close, but as we all know, the dog days of summer still lie ahead. This weekend has plenty of summer fun in store with a free concert on the beach, an evening train ride in the moonlight, or you can even build your own sand sculpture.
As for those dog days, you can even take your dog for a swim at a pool party with the family at a fun local fundraising event.
Enjoy!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Smash Mouth
When: 8/25 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
The Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach series rocks on with this chart-topping band from San Jose that has sold over 10 million albums globally. Grab a blanket or a beach chair and hit the sand for a great show.
Farm to Table Wine Dinner – Featuring: Bargetto Winery
When: 8/25 at 6:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: $110
This summer dining series continues with the August dinner installment featuring Bargetto Winery and a seafood-themed menu. Arrive at 6:00 pm for hors d’oeuvres, dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Meet and mingle with Chef Church, vintners, guests and local farm representatives.
Friday: Sand Art
When: 8/25 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: Free
Have you ever wanted to make your own sand art but didn’t know where to start? Here’s your chance. Watch a live demonstration of sand carving by artist Bill Lewis of Santa Cruz Sand and build your own sand masterpiece.
Nextstage Productions Presents:Bingo! A Winning Musical
When: 8/25 at 7:30 pm & 8/26 – 8/27 at 2:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $15 – $25
An interactive full musical performance that includes rounds of Bingo with prizes for the audience. Fun entertainment for the entire family. This is a benefit show to support the NextState Creative Arts programs.
Also on Friday
- Brave Mystics @ Abbott Square
- Hod & the Helpers In-store Performance! @ Streetlight Records
- Spirit of ’76 @ Don Quixote’s
- Groovity @ Crow’s Nest
- MCCOY TYLER + Taylor Rae @ Moe’s Alley
- Urban Theory, Spiller @ The Crepe Place
- Agent Orange @ The Catalyst
- Beach Cowboy Band @ Severino’s
- Party with DJ JBeez @ The Blue Lagoon
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Measure for Measure @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Literary: Mountain Voices – Poetry Night @ Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Pacific Avenue and Surrounding Streets
- Sempervirens Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- From the Tall to the Small – The Unique Coast Redwoods in Big Basin @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
Epicenter E-Bike Demo Day – Free
When: 8/26 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Lighthouse Point Park
Cost: Free
Thinking of a better way of commuting or getting around town? Check out the newest in eBike technology at this free demo and maybe you will be experiencing a no-sweat commute soon. Try out some of the top names in pedal assist bikes at this event.
Parks & Rex POOL PARTY
When: 8/26 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
Cost: $5/child – $15/adult, children under 3 years and dogs are free
Support Santa Cruz County Parks and the Animal Shelter at this fun pool party and celebration. Bring your family, and even your dog, for a dip in the pool and other activities for humans and canines.
Monterey Bay Dahlia Society Annual Show
When: 8/26 from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and 8/27 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: Free
A huge variety of colors and textures will dazzle your senses. Hundreds of dahlia blooms will be displayed at this floral demonstration. Free seminars, discussions and a raffle, too.
Event Santa Cruz Block Party at the Verve Parking Lot
When: 8/26 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Verve Coffee Roasters
Cost: Free
Whether you want coffee, beer or local food, there will be plenty of local choices for you as the summer block party celebration continues. Come out for an afternoon of fun activities, vendors and even baby goats! Registration required.
The CALI Project Lot Party
When: 8/26 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: The CALI House
Cost: With your advance $20 donation ($25 at the door) you will receive a commemorative CALI tasting glass and two tasting tickets.
An open house celebration to find out more about the CALI Project. Wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeurves, raffle and music. Donations will help support this program.
Moonlight Train Dinner Party
When: 8/26 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: Adult $56, Child $41
Enjoy a barbecue dinner and a train ride to the top of Bear Mountain for some cider and music by the campfire. Hot apple pie will be served upon your return followed by live music and dancing.
4th Annual Tequila & Taco Music Festival
When: 8/26 – 827 from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $10 – $60
There will be two days of celebrating tequila and tacos with a tequila sampling on Saturday followed by a family fun day on Sunday with tacos, live music and margaritas. Local food vendors, craft beers and live music both days.
How to Make a Keyhole Garden
When: 8/26 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: UC Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden – Watsonville
Cost: Free
What is a keyhole garden? Come and find out more about this technique that creates a raised garden bed and compost bin all in one. Composting instructor, Otis Johnson, will demonstrate from 10 am until noon. Register at www.mbmg.org
Nextstage Productions Presents:Bingo! A Winning Musical
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- John Pizzarelli @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Fiend Master Freak @ The Catalyst
- Beggar Kings – performing Classic Stones @ Rio Theatre
- Carie & the SoulShakers @ Wharf House Restaurant
- Blue with Geoff Allan @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Lydia Joy – Acoustic Blues and Originals @ The Blue Lounge
- San Francisco Airship @ Don Quixote’s
- UTURN @ Crow’s Nest
- AKAE BEKA (Formerly Knows As MIDNITE) @ Moe’s Alley
- Greg Loiacono Band(of the Mother Hips), Lee Bob @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustic’s with Bret Fowler @ Severino’s
- Fishhook ( Rock, Classic Rock) @ Severino’s
- Fulminante, Pan Dulce, Boxweed. La Clandestina @ The Blue Lagoon
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Measure for Measure @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Pacific Avenue and Surrounding Streets
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Measuring Tall Trees @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Star Strolls @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Bookshop Presents: Read & Rights – A Literary Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
When: 8/27 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: $15–$50
A fundraising event for this local program. There will be a silent auction, a performance by the Jewel Theatre Company and a vintage feminist literary collection. Purchased tickets also include a beverage from the literary lounge.
Nextstage Productions Presents:Bingo! A Winning Musical
See Description Under Friday Section
Monterey Bay Dahlia Society Annual Show
See Description Under Saturday Section
4th Annual Tequila & Taco Music Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Arsonists Get All The Girls @ The Catalyst
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Ruaile Buaile @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Nick Schnebelen Band @ Moe’s Alley
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The 39 Steps @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Summer Greenwood Arts @ Polo Grounds Park
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Pacific Avenue and Surrounding Streets
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Run By The Sea 2017 @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- The Road Less Traveled – A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Adobe Tours (afternoon) @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Featured Upcoming Event
What: Fifth Annual Mole & Mariachi Festival
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
When: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Join Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks in support of the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. Come out to the park and sample different Mole’ sauces from competing chefs. There will be food, vendors, a raffle and plenty of activities for kids.
PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…
