What do breweries, libraries, and female mariachis have in common? They are all featured in our jam-packed Weekend Roundup, along with holiday craft fairs and events.
This is also a great weekend to support local artists. Take a First Friday art tour, wander the Westside open studios on Saturday, or enjoy a Sunday drive to Davenport to visit an art collective by the sea.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Uncommon Brewery Open House
When: 12/7 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: 303 Potrero St., Suite 40H (in the Old Sash Mill downtown off of River Street)
Cost: $5 pints & $8 flights
Do a little holiday shopping, or just get yourself in the mood! Taste Uncommon Brewery’s favorites including the Ventana Special Bitter. Food truck Ate3One will be serving delicious modern street food while you shop for beer variety packs and Uncommon merch. Alec the brewer will be available to answer questions and show off the brew house.
Santa Cruz Public Libraries Sesquicentennial Celebration
When: 12/7 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Downtown Library, 224 Church St.
Cost: FREE
Come celebrate the written word and the Santa Cruz Public Library’s 150th birthday with cake, mulled cider and music by Joshua Lowe and the Juncoes and Patti Maxine on steel guitar. Local artists will feature works that commemorate libraries, words, stories and writers. Jump into the photo booth for a fun souvenir.
Be Natural Music | Youth Concert at Kuumbwa Jazz Center
When: 12/7 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $3 Cover Charge
Come out and support the youth—8 youth rock bands to be exact. We’re intrigued by band names alone: Toast, Afternight, Space Monkeys, Common Cents, Meh., Fuzz, Faceplant, and Full Disclosure. Proceeds and donations will support the Be Natural Music Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance to kids in the music program.
Holiday Party Punch Fest
When: 12/7 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness. 1060 River Street. Studio D. Santa Cruz CA 95060
Cost: FREE
Holiday punch finally gets its due! Co-hosted by Damsel-in-defence Shawna Glyn and Minorsan, Punchfest includes demonstrations on punching and safely using instruments of self-defence. In addition to doing some holiday shopping, you can vent your frustrations by doing some punching or drinking some punch!
Men are welcome, as well as children 12 and over with caregiver.
First Friday
When: 12/7 5:00- 9:00 pm
Where: Multiple Locations County-wide
Cost: Free
First Friday never fails to offer dozens of fun activities and this month is no exception. Be inspired by the art displayed in studios at the Tannery, MichaelAngelo and several local shops and salons. Botanically decorate a mini cupcake (and eat it too– at All Hands Workshops), purchase a one-of-a-kind leather bag or reclaimed wood mirror (Apricity Gallery at the Tannery and Botanic and Luxe) catch some live music and celebrate the Homeless Garden Project with Santa Cruz Mayor David Terrazas. You’ll never run out of things to do on First Friday!
Nelly’s Wonderland: 100 Years in the Making
When: 12/7 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Claraty Arts, 1725 Seabright Ave.
Cost: $13 – $20
Nell Claraty spent most of her life in an institution, but managed to get out and live independently in Santa Cruz until she died in 2004. Founded in her spirit and memory, the Claraty Arts Project provides a space for differently-abled artists to display and sell their artwork. Celebrate Nell’s 100th birthday with food, live music and great gift items for sale.
James and the Giant Peach Jr.
When: Four shows, from 12/7 – 12/9
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free
An adventurous musical about self discovery, James and the Giant Peach Jr. puts a fresh spin on the classic Roald Dahl story. This All About Theatre production takes place this weekend only, so grab your tickets now while they’re still available.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Cayucas @ The Catalyst
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- Vintage Point @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- BAND OF FRIENDS – A Celebration of Rory Gallagher Featuring Davy Knowles, Gerry McAvoy, & Ted McKenna @ Moe’s Alley
- Laura Gibson w/ Meric Long (of FAN and The Dodos) @ The Crepe Place
- U-Turn @ Severino’s
- KPIG Humbug Hoedown @ Michael’s on Main
- The Island Breeze Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
- National “I Am Jazz” Community Reading @ Santa Cruz Downtown Branch Library
- Miracle on 34th Street, the Play @ Mountain Community Theater
MAKE/CRAFT
- Starry Night Christmas Tree ~ COMES WITH LED LIGHTS ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Free First Friday: Wishy Wonderland and Teen Art Market @ Santa Cruz MAH
- Level Up Winter Art Show @ Level Up Video Games
MORE
- Zig Zag Warehouse Sale @ Zig Zag Asian Collection
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Visit the Friends Bookstore! @ Santa Cruz Public Library
- Downtown Santa Cruz Outdoor Movies – The Grinch Who Stole Christmas @ Library Parking Lot
- Boardwalk Holiday Bash @ Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove
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
Community Sing with KITKA!
When: 12/8 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St.
Cost: Adult $15, Child $10
If you haven’t experienced the arresting sounds of Eastern European choral music, you are in for a treat! ArtSmart Family First Concert series brings the magic of the Kitka Singers to Santa Cruz. You can enjoy their unique blend of harmonies in the old style of the Caucasian, Balkan and Slavic regions. You may find it hard to resist joining in, but you don’t have to. To truly hear the music as it was intended to be performed, audience participation is encouraged, so belt it out!
Winter Artisan Fair
When: 12/8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Westlake Elementary School
Cost: Free
The whole family is invited to this celebration of fine art and handcrafted items. Over 30 artists and craftspeople will offer jewelry, art, leather goods, photography, pottery, soaps, plants, knit, woodworking and edible goodies for everyone on your holiday list. Enjoy lunch, baked goods and coffee, a gift wrapping station, and a chance to win curated baskets of the artists’ creations in a raffle.
Westside Artists’ Holiday Tour
When: 12/8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Westside Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
With so much gorgeous scenery surrounding us here in Santa Cruz, it is no wonder that many talented artists reside here producing objects that reflect that beauty. A consortium of nine Westside artists will hold an open studios event to display their work. From studio and plein air paintings, batik birds to Hawaiian wood boxes, one-of-a-kind jewelry to ceramic and bronze sculptures, these artists have captured the essence of the Central Coast. Stop by their studios and see how the art is made.
Swanton Artisan Annual Holiday Fair
When: 12/8 – 12/9 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Swanton Berry Farm
Cost: Free
A trip to Swanton Berry Farm is a treat all year round. For the 18th year in a row, the farm will team up with local artists and crafters to create a unique and cozy holiday shopping fair. Shop sea glass jewelry, local landscape paintings, ceramics, ornaments, organic coffees and teas, eclectic jewelry, tea towels, prints—just to name a few. In addition to great gifts, you’ll be able to partake in pies, fruitcake, cobbler, hot cider, and soup!
Holidays on the Ranch
When: 12/8 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday celebration at Wilder Ranch. The Holidays on the Ranch Festival takes you back to a simpler time with crafts, games, and music from the early 20th century. Get in the spirit and dress in your best turn-of-the-century costume and hop on a draft-horse carriage ride!
Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop Holiday Open House
When: 12/8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Cost: Free
Shop green, support a good cause and find treasures at Norrie’s annual open house. Entirely run by volunteers, this quaint and elegant gift shop abounds with locally made items, as well as books, jewelry, toys, etc. All proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation, education, research and horticulture programs. Light refreshments will be served, and artists and makers will be creating their wares to make your holiday shopping easy and ecological.
Downtown SANTA Cruise
When: 12/8 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz Info Kiosk
Cost: $20 in advance / $25 day of the event
After a day of listening to children tell him what they want for Christmas, Santa is ready to cruise the streets of Downtown Santa Cruz! This evening involves team work, a text based scavenger hunt, visiting Santa’s favorite local bars, and prizes. Custom “Suessean” Santa hats included! 21+
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Poor Man’s Whiskey @ Moe’s Alley
- Capitola Village Holiday Music Series @ Capitola Village
- Live Music by Pan Dulce @ Santa Cruz MAH
- Second Saturday Singing Circle at Peace @ Peace United Church of Christ, Santa Cruz
- P-LO @ The Catalyst
- The Buttertones @ The Catalyst
- Painted Mandolin @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Joe Kaplow w/ French Cassettes @ The Crepe Place
- Groovity @ Severino’s
- Jim Kweskin & Meredith Axelrod with Suzy Thompson @ Michael’s on Main
- Shred Zeppelin & Liquid Sky @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Transport of Delight @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Miracle on 34th Street, the Play @ Mountain Community Theater
MAKE/CRAFT
- Giant Knit Blanket Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Family Art Class Ginger Snap ~ Ages 7 and up @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint and Sip! Holiday Ornament ~ Ages 21 and up @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint and Sip! Emerald Bay Sunrise ~ Ages 21 and up ~ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Make a Plate with Annie, Annieglass @ Annieglass Incorporated
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- Drawing for the Love of Nature @ Rancho del Oso
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft – Ramillettas @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Backcountry Hike @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hike to Ocean View Summit @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Holiday Redwood Loop Walk: The Nutcracker @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Friends of the Scotts Valley Library Holiday Book Sale @ Scotts Valley Branch Library
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Chaminade: Breakfast With Santa @ Chaminade Resort and Spa
- Meet the Grinch! @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Zig Zag Warehouse Sale @ Zig Zag Asian Collection
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival
When: 12/9 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Public: Adult $7 | Senior, Student, Child $5 | Children 2 and under FREE | Members: FREE (Proceeds benefit the Seymour Center’s education programs.)
Enjoy an afternoon of shopping ocean and nature-inspired gifts with 40+ local artisans and craftspeople. At 3:30 PM, gather ’round Ms. Blue, the largest whale skeleton in the world, for a group sing-along with Patti Maxine. That’s about as Santa Cruzy as it gets.
LoOk Collective
When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 5221 Coast Rd Santa Cruz CA
Cost: FREE
Drive up the coast to an old farmhouse and meet some of our fabulous local artists. Working in a variety of media, LoOk Collective artists will show off and discuss their printmaking, metal, clay, textile and paper works in a wide price range to suit the needs of the holiday shopper all the way to the art connoisseur.
Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles – Navidad Mexicana
When: 12/9 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $36.75 Gen, $52.50 Gold Circle
Featuring a holiday themed setlist, this not to be missed concert will thrill your holiday-weary ears. Going back to 1994, Reyna De Los Angeles is the first all-female mariachi band in the US, and have been playing to great acclaim ever since.
Jingle Bell Rock 1K 5K 10K
When: 12/9 at 9:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Kids 1K-$10, 5K-$35, 10K-$40
This is your chance to burn off some of those holiday calories while supporting a great cause—Toys for Tots. The 10th Annual Jingle Bell Rock 5K, now has a new 10K course option, and as always, the Kids 1K Fun Run. There will be prizes awarded for best dressed runner, best dressed team, ugliest holiday sweater, and best decorated stroller. This year’s goal is 1,000 toy donations, and all collected toys stay in our community.
California Poppy ~ Paint & Sip ~ California Wild Fire Relief Fundraiser
When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: The Painted Cork
Cost: $35
Painting with a glass of wine (or a beer) is a great way to spend some time with friends, especially when 100% of proceeds will be donated to California fire relief efforts. Grab your favorite drink, or a complimentary glass of wine, and enjoy an evening of guided painting knowing that you’re supporting a great cause.
Midtown Craft Crawl
When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Soquel Ave. from Pine thru Seabright
Cost: Free
Get it all done with one stop during the annual Midtown Holiday Craft Crawl. Stroll Soquel Ave from Pine Street thru Seabright Avenue and stop into your favorite shops for great deals and to peruse local vendor pop-ups. Twelve businesses and 30+ vendors!
Low-Cost Community Healing Clinic
When: 12/9 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Urban Sanctuary Santa Cruz
Cost: Sliding Scale and by Donation
Second Sundays are for healing. Join The Santa Cruz Healing Collective and Livity Rising for a low-cost community healing clinic featuring a variety of nourishing wellness techniques including Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Medicine, Healing Touch, Reiki, Massage, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Tarot, Astrology and more.
Swanton Artisan Annual Holiday Fair
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Be Natural Music | Youth Concert at Coasters @ Coasters Bar & Grill
- Ramirez @ The Catalyst
- Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio @ Moe’s Alley
- A Love Supreme @ Michael’s on Main
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
- Capitola Village Holiday Music Series @ Capitola Village
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Open House at the Castro Adobe: Festivos en el Rancho! @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Birding for Beginners @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft – Paper Roses @ 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
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
MORE
- Santa Cruz Downtown Antique Street Faire @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Book of Joy Community Read @ Temple Beth
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
What: Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Where: Downtown Library Branch, Scotts Valley Library Branch and Aptos Library Branch
When: Saturday, December 15 at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm
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.
Think Local First Holiday Mixer
What: Think Local First Holiday Mixer
Where: Cruzio
When: Thursday, Dec. 13
Celebrate the holidays with Think Local First at their Holiday Mixer this Thursday. Enjoy live music by Danceland, hotdogs from Happy Dog Hot Dogs, Beer from Uncommon Brewers. There is a $10 suggested donation at the Door.
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