Summer officially begins on Friday, and we’re going to help you kick off a great Santa Cruz weekend filled with festivals, fairs, concerts and good old fun in the sun! Check out what we have lined up for you.
Happy Summer!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
This week’s roundup is sponsored by the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Head to the civic on June 29th for the most entertaining sporting event in town. Get more info here or purchase tickets here (Discount code: SCLife19)
Get more info here or purchase tickets here (Discount code: SCLife19)
Friday
Food Truck Summer Series
When: 6/21 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Check out the new summer food truck event in downtown Santa Cruz! Each month will feature a variety of local food trucks, live music, performance and plenty of activities for the kids. Gather your family and friends and enjoy the first night of summer downtown!
Smash Mouth
When: 6/21 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
The Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach series continues with local and worldwide favorite Smash Mouth featuring their hits including Walking on the Sun, All Star and more! Enjoy the first rocking night of summer out on the beach with your favorite Smash Mouth tunes.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Stormin’ Norman & The Cyclones @ Crow’s Nest
- THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONAL + Burning Pictures @ Moe’s Alley
- Ryan Scott Long w/ Camelia Boutros, ANTHKRNA (with Jared Warren) And TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Return to Earth @ Rio Theatre
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
- Freestone Peaches @ Michael’s on Main
- Ka Nalu @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Beach Cowboys Band @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Allman Brothers Band Tribute: Freestone Peaches @ Michael’s on Main
- Songwriter’s night with Lucas Hoge @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old Fashioned Campfires @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Pop-Up Campfire! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Portola Redwoods State Park
MORE
Saturday
Medicine Buddha Festival
When: 6/22 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Land of Medicine Buddha
Cost: Free
Everyone is invited to this free annual event located at the Land of Medicine Buddha. Join the 11:00 am procession, music, dance, information and healing booths and food and drink. Lunch, Puja and performances are free of charge. Donations are welcome.
Summer Kick-Off Festival at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
When: 6/22 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Tyrell Park adjacent to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free
Calling all families! The Museum of Natural History and its partnering organizations are kicking off summer with a day of family fun! Free admission to the museum and outdoor festivities. Enjoy live music from the Banana Slug String Band, live animal presentations and more!
25th Anniversary Woodies on the Wharf
When: 6/22 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
Cost: Free
You know it’s summer when the Woodies are back on the wharf! This 25th anniversary event will feature a lineup of over 200 pre-1950s wood body cars on display. There will be live music, T-shirts, posters, raffles, info booths and more. You can even challenge your friends to a game of bocce or corn hole.
PLEASURE POINT STREET FAIR
When: 6/22 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Pleasure Point
Cost: Free
Slow down and enjoy a stroll through Pleasure Point, shop the vendor booths and get some yummy food truck fare as eight different local bands play. There will be kids arts and crafts, a skateboard contest, and a beer garden offering mimosas and spirits.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Toby Gray Live Acoustic Music by the Koi Pond @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- Live Again @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Crow’s Nest
- Ghost Of Paul Revere @ Moe’s Alley
- More Fatter w/ Shoobies and Sollomon Hollow @ The Crepe Place
- John Mayall @ Rio Theatre
- Bombino @ The Catalyst
- Apple City Slough Band @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Mermaid Madonna: Tales of a Crisis @ Center Stage Theater
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
- Family Room Art Class: Swan Lake Sunset for ages 7+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Watercolor Poppies Workshop -Annieglass -Heidi Michelle – Artist @ Annieglass Incorporated
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Gardens of Time @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges
- Little Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Story Time Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Gardens of Time Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola 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 @ Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
MORE
Sunday
Westside Summer Festival
When: 6/23 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Old Wrigley Building Lot
Cost: Free
Don’t miss the first Westside Summer Festival, brought to you by two of our favorite event creators, Santa Cruz Mountains Makers’ Market and Food Trucks A Go Go! This celebration of summer features 100% local food vendors and artists, and a great cause—Shared Adventures.
AFRICA CALLS
When: 6/23 at 3:00 pm
Where: Samper Recital Hall
Cost: $17 & $20
Join the send-off of the Cabrillo Touring Choir as they present their pre-tour concert at Cabrillo’s Samper Recital Hall. Featuring musical compositions of worship and culture that span from Africa to America. You won’t want to miss this exciting and exhilarating concert.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Patio Acoustics with John Michael @ Severino’s Bar & Grill
- B & The Hive W/ His Eyes Have Fangs at The Crepe Place @ The Crepe Place
- Mighty Mike Schermer Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Post Street Rhythm Peddlers + Bon Bon Vivant @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- B and the Hive w/ His Eyes Have Fangs (w/ Tony Alva) @ The Crepe Place
- As Cities Burn @ The Catalyst
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Mermaid Madonna: Tales of a Crisis @ Center Stage Theater
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
- DIY: Driftwood Garlands @ The MAH
- Family Room Art Class: Bonjour Paris for ages 7+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Redwoods and Climate Change @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Vine to Wine Tasting @ Big Basin Vineyards
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwoods and Climate Change @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
10th Annual Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival
What: 10th Annual Hop N’ Barley Beer Festival
Where: Skypark
When: Saturday, July 13, 2019 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Bring the whole family, including your canine family members! 50 local and regional craft breweries will be onsite with live music, a variety of food vendors, family games, activities for kids and more. Dogs are welcome.
4th of July Events Guide
What: 4th of July Events
Where: throughout Santa Cruz County
When: 4th of July!
4th of July is right around the corner, and we’ve gathered up all of the best ways to celebrate in our updated 2019 edition of the Santa Cruz 4th of July Guide.
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