It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is here and the holidays are officially behind us.
Kick off the new year with First Friday, a popular annual festival and our favorite new way to shop local in Downtown Santa Cruz. This is also the last weekend to catch the Toy Trains at the MAH, a must-see for kids and train enthusiasts.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival
When: 1/4 – 1/5 at 8:00 pm (runs through Feb. 3)
Where: Center Stage Theater
Cost: Single Tickets: $32 general & $29 for students/seniors
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.
Santa Cruz MAH: First Friday
When: 1/4 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
Cost: Free
As usual, the MAH will be offering free admission for First Friday. This is a great opportunity to enjoy all the exhibits in the Museum. Family art activities take place from 5:00 – 9:00 in the atrium and there will be live music in Abbott Square beginning at 6:30. This is also the last First Friday with the popular Toy Trains exhibit.
First Friday Art Tour
When: Friday evening
Where: Various locations
The first weekend of 2019 brings the first First Friday event of the year. We’re looking forward to the printmaking group show at the Tannery. Some of our favorite local artists will also be showcasing their work at Artisans Gallery as part of their “Fungus First Friday.”
Toy Trains
When: Daily through Jan. 6.
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. The Toy Trains display runs through January 6.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- SPUN @ Crow’s Nest
- MONOPHONICS + Quinn Deveaux @ Moe’s Alley
- The Rare Forms W/ No Accion and SA90 @ The Crepe Place
- Ziggy @ The Catalyst
- Otis Coen & Friends @ Severino’s
- Come Together @ Michael’s on Main
- James Nash & The Nomads Waybacks Frontman! @ Michael’s on Main
- Steven Espaniola returns @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
THEATER/ARTS
MORE
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Bowie Birthday Bash
When: 1/5 9:00 PM, Doors Open 8:00 PM
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $12 Advance, $15 Day Of Show
David Bowie fans wanting to celebrate the rock legend’s 72nd birthday, get yourselves to Moe’s Alley for this tribute birthday bash concert featuring The Bowie All-stars, The Common People, and The Nels Andrews Band.
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Pacific Mambo Orchestra with Jon Faddis @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Joint Chiefs @ Crow’s Nest
- Beggar Kings @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Fishhook @ Severino’s
- Hank & Ella with The Fine Country Band @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- What They Wore @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ohlone Plant Use @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MAKE/CRAFT
MORE
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Downtown Makers Market
When: 1/6 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Pacific Avenue, between Water & Locust
Cost: Free admission
The monthly Downtown Makers Market returns this Sunday. We attended the first installment of this new recurring event in November and were impressed with the quality and variety of products we saw. This month’s event includes live music from Whiskey West, The Swirly Girls & Blue Summit.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Coco Montoya @ Moe’s Alley
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hike to Ocean View Summit @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- City Of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville Nature Center
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
SCDG Winter Bootcamp Open House
What: Santa Cruz Derby Girls Bootcamp Open House
When: January 13
If you’ve ever had an interest in Roller Derby then you won’t want to miss the 2019 Winter Boot Camp Open House. This Open House is the chance for new skaters to learn about Derby and enroll in the Boot Camp that begins on Feb. 3.
Bridal Expo
What: Bridal Expo
Where: Cocoanut Grove
When: January 27th, from 11-4
This is the premiere event of the year for anyone looking to plan a wedding. You’ll find many of the best local photographers, florists, caterers, bakers and other vendors.
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