Our roundup of events is lighter than usual this weekend, with traditional holiday events taking center stage.
Also sharing the spotlight is Mother Nature and the California King Tides. No, that’s not a band name (that we know of). Extreme high and low tides are coming this Saturday and Sunday—with the extreme lows providing perfect tidepooling conditions.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
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. Happy holidays!
Friday
ABBA-solutely Christmas Show
When: 12/21 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $40 Gen, $60
Calling all Abba fans! A magical holiday tribute awaits at the Rio, complete with your favorite dance floor hits and spectacular costumes. Who’s ready to travel back to the seventies for the holidays?
Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: Toy Trains
When: 12/21 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
Cost: Free
All aboard! Bring the whole crew down to MAHvel at these mighty mini machines, speak with experts, and even master the controls. Toy Trains is up from December 21 through January 6.
Holiday Blanket Drive at Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
When: 12/21 & 12/22 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
If you’re looking for a unique, local Christmas tradition to share with family, a visit to Farley’s Christmas Wonderland is a must. And if you’re going this Friday or Saturday, you can 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.
The Nutcracker @ The Civic
When: 12/21 – 12/23
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $20.50 – $96.50
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre presents the Nutcracker at the Civic Auditorium. This classic holiday show features a full professional orchestra and over 70 local performers. Sweet Treat tickets are available for the Saturday and Sunday shows. These special tickets include a free cookie from Pacific Cookie Company, a commemorative ornament, and photo opportunities with the Nutcracker characters prior to the performance.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Grateful Shred @ The Catalyst
- Thundercat @ The Catalyst
- The John Michael Band @ Crow’s Nest
- TEN 0’CLOCK LUNCH w/ HWY 9 @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- ANUHEA, Soulwise, Justin Young @ Moe’s Alley
- Bourbon and Burlesque w/ Lulu and the Lushes @ The Crepe Place
- Matt Masih & The Messengers @ Severino’s
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
- Apple City Slough Band @ Michael’s on Main
- Ho’omana @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Sea Reinas @ LuLu Carpenters
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
THEATER/ARTS
- David Copperfield, The New Musical @ The Colligan Theater
- Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
MORE
- Boardwalk Holiday Ice @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Visit the Friends Bookstore! @ Santa Cruz Public Library
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 Suite Ballet
When: 12/22 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm and 12/23 at 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
Cost: $18 to $31
Agape Dance Academy is back for another season of The Nutcracker Ballet, with both a full-length Grande Nutcracker Show as well as a brilliant miniature production for the youngest dancers and audience members, lovingly known as Petite Nutcracker.
Capitola Village Holiday Music Series
When: 12/22 & 12/23
Where: Capitola Village
Local musicians and colorful village shops will make any last-minute shopping merrier. Don’t miss the last Capitola Village Holiday Music Series with Dennis Dove playing at Monterey Plaza from 3pm to 4:30pm on Saturday, and Rola J and Friends playing at the Capitola Mercantile on Sunday from 12pm to 2pm.
California King Tides
King Tides are here, bringing extreme high and low tides to Santa Cruz. The high tides give some insight into how rising sea levels impact our coastal regions — please be safe! However, it’s the extreme low tides that make for great tidepooling. Enjoy Mother Nature at her highest and lowest this Saturday and Sunday!
- Saturday— High Tide 6.4 ft at 9:04 am, Low Tide -1.3 ft at 4:22 pm
- Sunday— High Tide 6.4 ft at 9:48 am, Low Tide -1.4 ft at 5:08 pm
Get more info on King Tides here.
Holiday Blanket Drive at Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
See Description Under Friday Section
The Nutcracker @ The Civic
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- JEFF RYE w/ CRIMSON BLUES BAND @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- THE ROCK COLLECTION – Melvin Seals, Greg Anton, Stu Allen, Lebo, JP McLean, Stephanie Salva @ Moe’s Alley
- The John Michael Band @ Severino’s
- The Funky Sweater Xmess Get Down @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- David Copperfield, The New Musical @ The Colligan Theater
- Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Photo Hike for Beginners @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft – Candle Dipping @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
The Nutcracker @ The Civic
See Description Under Friday Section
Capitola Village Holiday Music Series
See Description Under Saturday Section
Nutcracker Suite Ballet
See Description Under Saturday Section
California King Tides
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- THE GUITARSONISTS: Chris Cain, Daniel Castro & Mighty Mike Schermer @ Moe’s Alley
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- David Copperfield, The New Musical @ The Colligan Theater
- Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
OUTDOORS
- Mission Building Game @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Guided Walk: Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
MORE
- Hope Church Christmas @ Rio Theatre
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Boardwalk Holiday Ice @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
8 Tens at 8 Short Play Festival
What: 8 Tens at 8 Short Play Festival
Where: Center Stage, 1001 Center Street
When: January 4 – February 3
Sixteen winning plays from Actors’ Theatre’s annual international playwriting contest will be hitting the stage. Each night will have a performance of eight plays that are 10 minutes long. A total of 16 plays will be split into A and B nights. This event is popular and always sells out so get your tickets soon.
New Year’s Eve
What: New Year’s Eve Events
Where: Throughout Santa Cruz County
When: New Year’s Eve!
Whether you’re into a casual kind of evening or want to make it a formal affair, there are plenty of exciting choices for an evening filled with music, dancing or even bowling. Whatever strikes your fancy this New Year’s Eve, we’ve got you covered.
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