We’re kicking off the weekend early with a couple of Thursday events we think you’ll love — a popup picnic in the park and a Frida Kahlo film screening.
Top it off with some family-friendly fun outdoors: movies under the stars, a wacky water play day, and a fermentation festival!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Thursday
PopUp Picnics in the Park
When: 7/12 from to 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
If you are in or near Downtown on Thursdays this summer, consider your lunch plans made. PopUp Picnics in the Park have returned to Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park with the always delicious Taquitos Gabriel. There are plenty of picnic tables and grassy areas to spread a blanket, not to mention a great view to the ocean on a clear day. Held ongoing Thursdays through August 16.
Frida Fest
When: 7/12 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Appleton Grille in Watsonville
Cost: $25
Support Watsonville Film Festival and enjoy all things Frida. The main event of the evening is a special screening of The Life and Times of Friday Kahlo, a documentary directed by Amy Stechler, and narrated by Rita Morena and Lila Downs. There will be a Frida-inspired arts and crafts marketplace before the screening, a raffle, and special menu items. Dressing up like Frida is encouraged!
Friday
Smash Mouth
When: 7/13 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Smash Mouth returns for this Friday’s Free Bands on the Beach concert, so you might as well be walkin’ on the sand and claiming your spot for one or both of the evening’s shows. Fun Fact: Smash Mouth shot part of their video for ‘Then the Morning Comes’ at the Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive.
2018 Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series
When: 7/13 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: $86 (All-inclusive price with tax and gratuity $110)
Enjoy an evening of local food and wine, stunning panoramic views, and a relaxing atmosphere as you mingle with guests, the chef, vintners, and local farm representatives. A locally-sourced five-course menu featuring Left Coast Farm and Faurot Ranch will be paired with wine by Martin Ranch Winery. View the menu here.
Free Family Movie Night – “Brave”
When: 7/13 at 8:30 pm
Where: Highlands County Park
Cost: Free
July is Parks and Recreation Month which means free activities all month long…like family-friendly movies under the stars. Enjoy a free showing of “Brave” on the Highlands Park house lawn. Just bring your low back chairs and blankets, plus your appetite- food truck service starts at 7:30 pm.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Kaeli Earle Trio: Abbott Square @ 118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz, California 95060
- Raise Up Your Eyes with multi-instrumentalist Emma Back @ Streetlight Records
- Sound Reasoning @ Crow’s Nest
- Lonesome Locomotive @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Bob Schneider @ Moe’s Alley
- Joe Kaplow w/ Getaway Dogs and The Carrots @ The Crepe Place
- The Weirdos @ The Catalyst
- Spun (Rock, Reggae, Blues, and Disco) @ Severino’s
- Judo No, Born Twins, New Spell, Manorlady @ The Blue Lagoon
- Jazz the Dog @ Michaels on Main
- The Inciters plus Monkey @ Michaels on Main
- Ho’omana Hawaiian Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Junior Rangers @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Campfire Programs @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hidden Gems of Big Basin: Flowers of Big Basin @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Pop-Up Campfire! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit
MORE
- Wine and Watercolor @ New Leaf Community Markets
- Night Market @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Preschool Storytime @ Porter Memorial Library
- MAKE & Explore at the Mall @ Capitola Mall Shopping Center
- MAKE SUGAR SCRUB – SELF CARE NIGHT @ Abbott Square
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
Love’s Gardens Demonstration Garden Tour
When: 7/14 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Westside Santa Cruz location provided upon registration
Cost: Free
Calling all garden lovers to Love’s Gardens, where you can take a demonstration tour of an edible food forest with over 30 varieties of fruit, plus veggies, herbs, and flowering plants. This open house event also features several rainwater harvesting systems, mini workshops—including mushroom cultivation and summer pruning—and snacks!
Wacky Water Day
When: 7/14 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free
In celebration of Parks Make Life Better Month, Santa Cruz Parks and Rec is throwing a fun day of water games and activities, including an inflatable water slide, dunk tank, and more!
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- LIVE MUSIC BY THE NEXT BLUES BAND @ Abbott Square
- The Artisanals @ The Crepe Place
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Fulminante, Van Goat, Las Muñecas @ The Blue Lagoon
- Beggar Kings @ Michaels on Main
- Nzuri Soul @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Jesus Diaz Y Su QBA @ Moe’s Alley
- Fishhook ( Rock, Classic Rock) @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustics with Shawn Yanez @ Severino’s
- Cruzah @ Crow’s Nest
- AFRO Nights @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Campfire Programs @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Guided Walk: McNee Ranch, Montara State Beach @ Montara State Beach
- Open House – Castro Adobe in the American Era @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- Evening Campfire Program @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Star Stroll @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Back Country Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Birding for Beginners @ Ano Nuevo State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Birding for Beginners @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Volunteer with the Trail Crew @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Back Country Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- McNee Ranch Guided Hike @ Montara State Beach
- Connect with Nature Program @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Experience @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
MORE
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Inspired by Song @ Breath+Oneness
- Day on the Beach @ Cowell Beach
- Community Power Festival @ San Lorenzo Park – Duck Island
- Citizen Science: Arboretum Phenology Walk @ Alan Chadwick Garden
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
SCM Makers Market Pop-up at The Closet Shopper Eastside
When: 7/15 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: 1203 41st Ave. Capitola, CA – The Closet Shopper
Cost: Free Admission
Have you checked out the Closet Shopper’s new eastside location? Now’s your chance to not only shop for great deals on recycled fashion, but to enjoy a fun parking lot pop-up with 12 local artists. Participating artists include BEE HAPPY TODAY, Verdant California, Driftwood Aptos, Cafaro Studios, and Wilder Macrame. Shop to live music by Lauren Wahl Music & Simply Put, and bring an appetite for G’s Mexican Tacos.
Santa Cruz County Fermentation Festival & Beer Masters Cup
When: 7/15 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: $25; Kids under 10 are Free
Lovers of beer, kombucha, probiotic sodas and all things fermented—this festival is just for you! Enjoy music, presentations, demonstrations, tastings, and the event highlight, the Home Brewed Beer Challenge, where you can weigh in on who deserves the coveted Beer Masters Cup.
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach
When: 7/15 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Sundays were made for art, music, and the beach. Make your way to Capitola Village for all three! Enjoy the swingin’ sounds of Speakeasy 3 from the Esplanade Stage while you view and shop artwork by local artists including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media.
A Cinematic Summer in Aptos: Wrinkle in Time
When: 7/15 at 8:00 pm
Where: Aptos Village Park
Cost: Free
Movie in the Park is back for a second season with free family-friendly flicks in Aptos Village Park. Come watch A Wrinkle in Time and help support the Live Like Coco foundation, a non-profit organization that helps kids grow up healthy and with opportunities to pursue their dreams. Be sure to arrive early for music and food truck concessions. Next up…The Greatest Showman on August 12!
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Mike Love @ The Catalyst
- An Evening with the Del McCoury Band @ Rio Theatre
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- RUNA — Celtic Roots Music @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Andy T Band Featuring Alabama Mike & Anson Funderburgh @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- The Blank Tapes @ The Catalyst
- BALLYHOO! @ The Catalyst
- Patio Acoustics with Alex Lucero @ Severino’s
- Grow Your Own! @ Alan Chadwick Garden
- The Box at the Blue Lagoon @ The Blue Lagoon
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michaels on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- 38th Annual Dickens Universe Conference featuring ‘Little Dorrit’ @ UC Santa Cruz Humanities Lecture Hall Rm206
- RENT, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
OUTDOORS
- Guided Walk: Sequoia Audubon Trail @ Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- When Species Collide @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Hike through Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve @ Pescadero State Beach
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Guided Hikes @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Discover the Santa Cruz Sandhills @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
MORE
- Make-A-Plate with Annie Workshope @ 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA
- Science Sunday @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- PLAY EXTREME ROCK PAPER SCISSORS @ Abbott Square
- SUMMER CODE JAM WITH CODE NATURALLY @ Abbott Square
- Paws in the Park @ Gateway Plaza
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Bargetto Winery 30th Annual Art & Wine Festival
What: 30th Annual Art & Wine Festival
Where: Bargetto Winery
When: 7/21 & 7/22 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fill your weekend with art and your glass with wine at Bargetto Winery’s 30th Annual Art & Wine Festival! This two-day celebration features over 30 local artists and food vendors, live music, wine tasting, and wood-fired pizza available for purchase.
Wharf to Wharf Race
What: Wharf to Wharf Race
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf
When: Sunday, July 22nd
It’s that time again as the “best little road race in California” celebrates its 46th year. Though registration is closed to enter the race, you can come out and cheer for the participants who run or walk the six miles from Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf. And while we’re on the subject, have you registered for the inaugural Little Wharf 3-miler taking place Sept. 29?
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