This Weekend in Santa Cruz: December 14th – 16th, 2018

By Valerie Lemke

Holiday events are in full swing this weekend as we rapidly approach the New Year!

From craft fairs and pop-up markets to the traditional Nutcracker ballet, a free family movie, holiday magic show, and so much more, you will have no trouble finding something for everyone.

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

2018 Holiday Guides

Your guide to celebrating the holidays in Santa Cruz is here. You’ll find holiday events, shopping guides, local Christmas tree farms & New Year’s Eve events (coming soon). Be sure to check back weekly as we’ll be adding new events to these guides as they pop up. Happy holidays!

Read the holiday guides

Friday

Zine Fronteras Launch and Reading

When: 12/14 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Branch Library
Cost: Free

Come out for the launch of this new publication featuring the experiences of immigrants through writing, poetry, photography and art. This celebration will feature an installation of the art and photos featured in the publication by contributing authors. Light refreshments will be served. Enter the drawing to win a free copy!

Get more info here.

David Copperfield, The New Musical

When: 12/14 – 12/15 at 7:00 pm & 12/16 at 2:00 pm
Where: Colligan Theater
Cost: $27 – $45

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and enjoy an adapted performance of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Follow this life story that begins with a tragic childhood and goes through adulthood where he finds happiness and success among loss. This was Dickens’ most autobiographical novel, as well as his favorite writing. Play runs December 13 – 23.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum

OUTDOORS

MORE

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

Nutcracker Santa Cruz: Experience the Magic

When: 12/15 – 12/16 at 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm
Where: Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater
Cost: $30-$40

Santa Cruz City Ballet presents their premier holiday performance with two delightful shows each day. Experience the magic of this favorite holiday classic with your family, friends, and out of town guests. Full length performances!

Get more info here.

Mac Powell and The Family Reunion

When: 12/15 from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm (Doors open at 7:30)
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $25 – $100

Enjoy this special holiday concert and Christmas party combined. Relax with a night of singing along to your favorite Christmas tunes as well as your favorite radio hits and newest works from the band. Purchase exclusive tickets to join in the actual Christmas party following the show.

Get more info here.

Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna

When: 12/15 at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:00 pm
Where: Downtown, Scotts Valley, and Aptos Branch Libraries
Cost: Free

Light up the darkness of the short winter day with this special magic show celebrating the most enchanting season. Come prepared to wonder and laugh at this all-ages magical performance.

Get more info here.

2018 Westside Santa Cruz Holiday Bazaar

When: 12/15 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: The Old Wrigley Building, 2801 Mission St.
Cost: Free

It’s time for this 2nd annual Pop-Up Market in the Old Wrigley Building. Are you looking to buy some unique gifts for the holiday season? Maybe you’ll even find a fabulous gift for yourself! Fab Labs and The Art Cave invite you to a day of art, gifts, music and celebration from local businesses and artists.

Get more info here.

Made In The Mountains

When: 12/15 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
Cost: Free

The third Saturday of the month brings an afternoon of local arts, crafts and live music in Boulder Creek. Take advantage of this opportunity to buy some unique holiday gifts while taking a relaxing stroll downtown. Spend $50 and you can enter to win $100 in Boulder Bucks!

Get more info here.

Free Family Movie at the Del Mar with Second Harvest Food Bank

When: 12/15 at 10:00 am
Where: The Del Mar, Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

Take the family out for a jolly good time and holiday tradition with a showing of “Polar Express. Bring food or a cash donation for Second Harvest Food Bank and support our local community members in need.

Get more info here.

Holiday Artisan Food and Gift Market

When: 12/15 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Food Lounge, Santa Cruz Art Center
Cost: Free

Food Lounge is hosting their annual Holiday Market with unique gifts and holiday food items. Over 20 local vendors will be on site. Come out and support our local artisans and small businesses!

Get more info here.

David Copperfield, The New Musical

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Holiday Tea with Santa

When: 12/16 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Seascape Beach Resort
Cost: $45++

Take the family out for a fun afternoon with Santa. Hot Chocolate, assorted sandwiches and refreshments will be served. There’s even a Mimosa bar for the adults! Make some ornaments, decorate cookies, enjoy balloon twisting and face painting, too! Bring a new and unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

Get more info here.

Shine! Cabaret: An Eclectic Holiday Circus Cabaret- SOLD OUT

When: 12/16 at 6:00 pm
Where: Radical Movement Factory
Cost: $40/$45

Looking for something different to do this holiday season? How about an evening of cabaret featuring circus acts, dance, tapas, wine and desserts and more! This show will only run for one night, so advance tickets are recommended.

Get more info here.

Homemade Holiday Craft Fair

When: 12/16 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: The Discovery Learning Center, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free entry, $12 activity armband ($25 family) $30 Wreath Workshop

Support this local homeschooling collaborative fundraiser while shopping for unique handcrafted items by local children and professional artists. Purchase a wristband to participate in holiday arts and crafts and/or sign up for an evergreen wreath making workshop! Listen to live music and enjoy food and drinks available for purchase.

Get more info here.

Christmas Market at Felton Covered Bridge

When: 12/16 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Felton Covered Bridge Park

Head to the mountains for the annual Christmas Market at the historic Felton Covered Bridge. Enjoy local wine, food, and shopping from a variety of local makers and artists.

Get more info here.

David Copperfield, The New Musical

See Description Under Friday Section

Nutcracker Santa Cruz: Experience the Magic

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum

MAKE/CRAFT

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

The 45th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair

What: Fungus Fair
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
When: 1/11 – 1/13

Did you know we wouldn’t have bread, cheese, wine or beer without fungi? Learn more fascinating facts about fungus at this annual fair and see many varieties on display. Bring the family out for a fun weekend of fungus! This year’s theme is “Mushrooms as Medicine”.

Get more info here.

Blanket Drive

What: Blanket Drive
Where: Multiple Locations
When: 12/16 – 12/22

Donate new blankets to those in need in our community! Autism Family Network Santa Cruz and the Coastal Riderz MC will work together to deliver blankets to the tenants of Hearts and Hands in Santa Cruz. Check list for drop off locations and dates!

Get more info here.

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Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

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