This weekend you’ll have a chance to swing into spring with food trucks, beer gardens and dancing.
You can cheer on our (playoff-bound!) Warriors, catch a classic musical with one of our favorite fictional characters, and head to the beach to cheer on real life heroes.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Operation Surf Santa Cruz
When: 3/30 – 4/5
Where: Santa Cruz Pier, Cowell’s Beach, and Capitola Beach
Cost: Free
Operation Surf is back, welcoming another group of wounded military heroes. Operation Surf combines the healing power of the ocean with compassionate mentorship to help active duty and wounded veterans overcome challenges and instill hope. The event will take place at Main Beach, Cowells, and Capitola Beach. Check their website for details and keep up with the action by following @OperationSurf on Instagram and Facebook.
Open House at FLORA + FAUNA with Whimsy Spot
When: 3/31 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Flora and Fauna – just off Radius Gallery at the Tannery Arts Center
Cost: FREE!
Mark your calendars for this event at FLORA + FAUNA in the Radius Gallery at the Tannery, featuring Alexa Shoemaker Brooks of Whimsy Spot. There will be work from a variety of local artisans, including Caroline Webster (accessories and home goods), Sarah Borgeson (SALT & Wild Iris jewelry), Rachel Riot (fashion and accessories), Noelle Correia (watercolor originals), Cindy Clark (Sky Millinery hats), Johanna Atkinson (mixed media), and Ann Hazels (ceramics).
Aptos High Theatre Arts Department presents: ‘My Fair Lady’
When: 3/30 – 4/2 at 7:00 pm
Where: Aptos High School Performing Arts Center
Cost: $12 Adult
$10 Seniors/Students
$8 Kids 12 & Under
Join Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in the classic musical, My Fair Lady, presented by the Aptos High Arts Department this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Santa Cruz Warriors vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders
When: 3/31 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $55 – $95
Head over to the arena this Friday to catch the Warriors final regular season game and to congratulate them on clinching a spot in the playoffs! Playoff tickets are on sale now.
SWING INTO SPRING!
When: 3/31 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free Admission
Swing your way into the weekend with a fun food truck event at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Taking full advantage of longer days and warm weather, Food Trucks A Go Go is joining forces with Swing Set Lounge to bring you swing lessons, swing dancing, a beer and wine garden, and six awesome food trucks!
Also on Friday
- TAUK @ The Catalyst
- China Cats Grateful Dead Tribute @ Don Quixote’s
- The Messiahs @ Crow’s Nest
- CON BRIO + 7 Come 11 @ Moe’s Alley
- Mega Bog, Hand Habits @ The Crepe Place
- D’ oh Bros (Classic Rock) @ Severino’s
- Fulminate, 12 To Midnight, Enemy of my Enemy, Ragtag Romantics featuring Deschamp @ The Blue Lagoon
- Food Not Bombs Benefit Concert with David Rovics @ Resource Center For Nonviolence
- Green Dogs @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse and Wine Bar
- Jewel Theatre Presents: The Dance of Death @ The Colligan Theater
- PETER PAN @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: The Lion In Winter @ Park Hall
- A Clockwork Orange – Midnight @ Del Mar Theatre
- Open NOW: Audiographa! @ Art Research Office
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
Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival Opening Night
When: 4/1 at 6:00 pm (festival runs through April 5th)
Where: Jewish Community Center
Cost: Suggested donation: $20 per person, $35 per couple, includes refreshments, raffle ticket, and movies
The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival will take place over three days: April 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Catch opening night this Saturday at the Jewish Community Center. The event kicks off with a 6:00 pm reception, followed by screenings of El Hara and Restoring Tomorrow.
Qing Ming Festival and Work Party
When: 4/1 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Evergreen Cemetery
Cost: Free
Celebrate the Chinese cultural holiday of Qing Ming at a work party hosted by the Evergreen Restoration Committee. Qing Ming is a holiday which honors family members who have passed. Traditional celebrations include the cleaning of grave sites. All volunteers are welcome to come assist in the cemetery restoration efforts. George Ow, Jr. will give a talk about the Chinese community in Santa Cruz beginning at 11:45 am.
Sandhills Mobile Visitor Center
When: 4/1 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Vehicle day-use fee is $10
Come visit the Sandhills Mobile Visitor Center, located in the day-use parking area at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, to learn about the unique Santa Cruz Sandhills. You’ll learn about the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat, the Mount Hermon June beetle, and other fascinating facts about this terrain that only exists in Santa Cruz County. Follow up your visit to the Mobile Visitor Center with a hike through the Santa Cruz Sandhills.
Rummage Sale Benefit for Angel Warriors For Kids
When: 4/1 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Corralitos Community Church
Cost: Free Admission
Are you ready to do some spring cleaning? If so, this one’s for you. The Jay Moriarity Foundation and Angel Warriors for Kids are hosting a good old fashioned rummage sale. Donate all gently used items to this great cause. You can even arrange to have items picked up. The sale takes place on Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Corralitos Community Church.
Operation Surf Santa Cruz
See Description Under Friday Section
Aptos High Theatre Arts Department presents: ‘My Fair Lady’
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Red @ The Catalyst
- The Honey Wilders @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Scotty Wright @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours @ Don Quixote’s
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- Carolyn Sills Combo @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Mendonesia, Dan Juan @ The Crepe Place
- Dack Janiels @ The Catalyst
- The Fast Lane Band @ Severino’s
- Stone Sloth, Downpour, Oort Cloud, TimePanther @ The Blue Lagoon
- Jewel Theatre Presents: The Dance of Death @ The Colligan Theater
- PETER PAN @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Boardwalk Spring Break @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Birding Walk at the UCSC Farm @ University of California, Santa Cruz Farm and Garden Gate House
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- First Saturday Arboretum Tours @ UCSC Arboretum
- Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College @ Cabrillo College
- A Walk in the Past @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Building Methods at the Mission @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Choose Your Own Adventure Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Operation Surf Santa Cruz
See Description Under Friday Section
Aptos High Theatre Arts Department presents: ‘My Fair Lady’
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
- Antdog Da Beast @ The Catalyst
- Eilen Jewell @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- The Black Brothers @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings @ Moe’s Alley
- Band of Lovers, Brother Grand @ The Crepe Place
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- National Theatre Live: Amadeus @ Del Mar Theatre
- Jewel Theatre Presents: The Dance of Death @ The Colligan Theater
- PETER PAN @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Do You Want to be a Do-Right? @ Synergy Dance and Fitness
- Boardwalk Spring Break @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
- Morning Kayaking @ Elkhorn Slough
- Sea Otter Heroes @ Elkhorn Slough
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sandhills Mobile Visitor Center @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-In Craft: Paper Poppies @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Featured Upcoming Event
What: Kids Taiko Workshop
Where: Grey Bears
When: Sundays April 30 – June 4
This workshop takes place over six Sundays beginning April 30 and culminates with participation in Watsonville Taiko’s performance at the Japanese Cultural Fair on June 10. Kids will learn rhythm, movement, discipline, Japanese culture, and the traditions of taiko drumming.
PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…
