Some of our favorite local holiday traditions take place this weekend, rain or shine.
Saturday’s a biggie—we’ll be in our usual spot for the Downtown Holiday Parade and bundle up later for the Lighted Boat Parade, plus we’ll squeeze in some local holiday shopping in between.
Be sure to check out our Holiday Guides to plan a festive itinerary for the rest of the month.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
December in Mexico: Colores de mi Tierra
When: November 30 & December 1 at 7:00 pm
Where: Harbor High Theater
Cost: General Admission $10, Students/Seniors $5
Take in dinner and a show at Harbor High. Senderos presents its winter dance performance, Colores de mi Tierra, featuring Centeotl Danza y Baile dance troupe and Ensamble Musical youth band. Arrive early (5:30 pm) to enjoy delicious Mexican food. This fundraiser helps support Senderos, an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides free after school dance and music classes, tutoring, and scholarships for Latino youth.
ParkStore Holiday Sale 2018
When: 11/30 – 12/2
Where: Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz Mission, Wilder Ranch, Seacliff
Shop thoughtful holiday gifts while supporting our state parks and beaches. The annual ParkStore Holiday Sale includes a preview sale on Friday at Natural Bridges and last chance shopping on Sunday, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy holiday discounts: 30% off for members and 20% off for non-members. Other ParkStore locations include Santa Cruz Mission SHP, Seacliff State Beach, and Wilder Ranch State Park.
Click here for more information.
Alladin Nursery: 14th Annual Christmas Open House
When: 11/30 – 12/2 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop, Watsonville
Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop will transform into a Christmas wonderland, full of gifts for everyone on your list. Enjoy live music, hot apple cider, wine, and homemade pastries while you shop. Bring in a bag full of non-perishable or canned groceries to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank and receive 10% off your purchase. Bring 2 bags and receive 20% off!
Heritage Holiday Craft And Gift Fair
When: 11/30 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; 12/1 – 12/2 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $6.00 Children under 5 FREE
Don’t let the Gizdich pie, model trains, and Mr. and Ms. Claus sightings distract you from all the one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. With three big buildings filled with handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and toys, you’re bound to cross everyone off your list and earn that slice of pie.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Sammy Johnson Performing Live! @ The Catalyst
- Live Music By Afrowawa @ SANTA CRUZ MAH
- Vintage Point @ Crow’s Nest
- Scotty G And The Goldblues Breakers @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- The English Beat @ Moe’s Alley
- Bourbon and Burlesque w/ Lulu and the Lushes @ The Crepe place
- Nora Cruz Band @ Severino’s
- Jazz the Dog @ Michael’s On Main
- Aza @ Michael’s On Main
- Long Beach Dub All-Stars @ The Catalyst
THEATER/ARTS
- “JOY!”- a Holiday Show with Circus, Dance, Music @ UCSC Theater Arts Mainstage Theater
- She Speaks Out @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Miracle on 34th Street, the Play @ Mountain Community Theater
- UCSC Orchestra Concert @ UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
- Suds: The Rocking 60’s Musical Soap Opera @ The Colligan Theater
- Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus: Music For The Feast of Christmas @ Holy Cross Church
- Comedian Brian Regan @ Rio Theatre
MAKE/CRAFT
MORE
- No Room at the Inn – Opening Gala @ St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church
- Santa Cruz Baptist Christmas Tree Giveaway @ 7565 Sunset Way, Aptos, CA 95003
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Visit the Friends Bookstore! @ Santa Cruz Public Library
- Downtown Santa Cruz Outdoor Movies: A Christmas Story @ Library Parking Lot
- Fab Friday @ Bhody
- An Evening with Rosemary Wells @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
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
Holiday Art & Craft Faire
When: 12/1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
Cost: Free parking and admission
Shop one-of-a-kind at the annual Holiday Art & Craft Faire at Simpkins Swim Center. Wares from local artists include jewelry, textiles, ornaments, soaps, wreaths, mosaics, chocolates, hand-made bags and wallets, and more.
Annual Holiday Sale
When: 12/1 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond
Cost: Free
Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center makes it easy to give the gift of handcrafted, unique art. Don’t miss their annual holiday sale to find beautiful jewelry, ceramics, scarves, sculpture, paintings, photography, and more. If you can’t make the sale, check out their “Little Treasures” exhibit during gallery hours for smaller, affordable pieces of artwork and new items added every week.
Winter Art Market
When: 12/1 – 12/2 at 11:00 am
Where: Tannery Arts Center
Cost: Free
Here’s a chance to buy direct from over 20 Tannery Studio and Loft artists. While you’re busy crossing loved ones off your gift list, you might also enjoy stopping to try a new craft activity or watch an artist demo. Bring your appetite too, because Bistro 112 will be open for breakfast, lunch, espresso drinks, beer and wine.
11th Annual $25 and Under Artisan Gift Show
When: 12/1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: $25 or LESS!
The 11th Annual Artisans Gift Sale features a wide variety of gift items, all of which are handcrafted locally and $25 or less. Check out this portfolio showcasing a selection of the unique gifts that await.
Holidays in the Plaza
When: 12/1 – 12/2
Where: Watsonville City Plaza
Cost: Free
Watsonville caps off its 150th anniversary year with festive celebrations throughout the month. This weekend’s headliners are a multicultural celebration and tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, followed by snow on Sunday. Hope on the Children’s Holiday Train, meet Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies! Admission to the snow is one non-perishable food item or a small monetary donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Downtown Holiday Parade
When: 12/1 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
The Annual Downtown Holiday Parade has everything you would hope for. There will be floats, marching bands, classic cars, horses, crowd favorites like the Santa Cruz Public Library Precision Book Truck Drill Team, and naturally, Santa Claus. The parade takes place rain or shine.
33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade
Where: Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor
When: December 1, at 5:30 pm
The Lighted Boat Parade is a Santa Cruz tradition and is always one of the most anticipated events of the season. Dress warm, grab some hot chocolate, and find a spot to take in 50 boats decked out in holiday lights as they parade through the yacht harbor.
6th Annual Santa Cruz Stache Dash 1K/5K/10K
When: 12/1 at 10:00 am
Where: Swift Street Courtyard
Cost: $15
No mustache is too big or too small to join the Stache Dash—even fake ones are allowed! The whole point is to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research, and the whole family can get in on the fun. Sign the kids up for the 1k, register yourself for the 5k/10k walk/run, and meet up at the finish line (Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery) for beer and live music by Moshe V Music.
Bargetto Winery: Art in The Cellars
When: 12/1 – 12/2 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Bargetto Winery
Cost: Free admission; Wine tasting festival glass $10
Wine and local art make a great pairing, and one you’ll find at Bargetto Winery, along with artisan food products and more. Admission is free, and you can taste Bargetto’s selection with the purchase of a $10 commemorative glass. Sip, shop, and stroll the historic cellars!
Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History: Winter Open House
When: 12/1 – 12/2 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: FREE admission
For all the nature lovers on your shopping list, take advantage of the museum’s store-wide sale throughout the weekend. Admission is free! Enjoy complimentary hot cider and cookies, crafts and activities, plus the chance to explore the museum’s latest exhibits.
Holiday Pop Up Sale at Equinox
When: 12/1 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Equinox Winery
There’s holiday shopping, and then there’s local holiday shopping with a glass of bubbly and fried chicken (Kickin Chicken in the house!). This holiday pop up features gift-able crafts by local artists, including candles, leather, textile prints and jewelry.
Click here for more information.
December in Mexico: Colores de mi Tierra
See Description Under Friday Section
Alladin Nursery: 14th Annual Christmas Open House
See Description Under Friday Section
Heritage Holiday Craft And Gift Fair
See Description Under Friday Section
ParkStore Holiday Sale 2018
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- JUDO NO and Grex @ Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse
- Keak Da Sneak @ The Catalyst
- Dom Kennedy: Win or Lose Tour @ The Catalyst
- The Patti Maxine Experience @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Hip Hop Night @ Abbott Square
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Crow’s Nest
- One Grass Two Grass w/ Wild Iris @ The Crepe place
- Tom Ralston and the All Star Band @ Rio Theatre
- Hank & Ella Swing Band @ Severino’s
- The Joint Chiefs @ Michael’s On Main
- The English Beat @ Moe’s Alley
THEATER/ARTS
- Christmas with Dickens @ Watsonville Main Library
- Santa Cruz Symphony League Home Tour @ Santa Cruz Symphony
- “JOY!”- a Holiday Show with Circus, Dance, Music @ UCSC Theater Arts Mainstage Theater
- Miracle on 34th Street, the Play @ Mountain Community Theater
- Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus: Music For The Feast of Christmas @ Holy Cross Church
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft – Luminaria @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ohlone Plant Use @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale @ Downtown Santa Cruz Library
- No Room at the Inn – Advent Festival and Family Day @ St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church
- Holiday Story Hour for Families at the Capitola Mall @ Capitola Mall
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Atlantis Fantasyworld’s Holiday Sale @ Atlantis Fantasyworld
- National Scholastic Surf Association (NSSA) Surf Competition @ Steamer Lane
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Free Gift Making Workshop
When: 12/2 from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, Ben Lomond
Cost: FREE
Enjoy Sunday Funday with a holiday twist! Mountain Arts Center is hosting a free, drop-in holiday craft workshop for the whole family. Crafts are tailored to a wide age range and kids may attend with an adult chaperone.
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
When: 12/2 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: N Pacific Ave
Cost: FREE admission
There’s a new Makers Market in town, Downtown Santa Cruz that is, and it’s happening on the first Sunday of every month. Don’t miss this new holiday shopping tradition—come shop local with over 40 Santa Cruz County artists and makers, and enjoy live music by Jasmine Bailey Apple City Slough Band & Taylor Rae!
11th Annual Holiday Gift Show
When: 12/2 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Westside’s Circle Church
Cost: Free
Head on over to the Westside for handmade artisan goods and plenty of holiday spirit. Plus, a percentage of sales will be donated to Westside Parent Education Nursery School- WPENS. Shop ceramics, gourds/basketry, prints, fabric designs, vintage kimono scarves, jewelry, and more. Enjoy live music and tasty eats from the Shockwave Food Truck.
Alladin Nursery: 14th Annual Christmas Open House
See Description Under Friday Section
Heritage Holiday Craft And Gift Fair
See Description Under Friday Section
Winter Art Market
See Description Under Saturday Section
Holidays in the Plaza
See Description Under Saturday Section
Bargetto Winery: Art in The Cellars
See Description Under Saturday Section
Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History: Winter Open House
See Description Under Saturday Section
ParkStore Holiday Sale 2018
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Brother Ali @ The Catalyst
- Holly Near and the band @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- A.J. Lee And Blue Summit @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- The California Honeydrops – Sunday Ticket @ Moe’s Alley
- Sean Rowe w/ Girl Blue @ The Crepe place
THEATER/ARTS
- Adopt a Sailor Film Screening @ Veterans’ Memorial Hall – 846 Front St. Santa Cruz
- “JOY!”- a Holiday Show with Circus, Dance, Music @ UCSC Theater Arts Mainstage Theater
- Miracle on 34th Street, the Play @ Mountain Community Theater
- Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus: Music For The Feast of Christmas @ Holy Cross Church
- Santa Cruz Symphony League Home Tour @ Santa Cruz Symphony
MAKE/CRAFT
- Play: Holiday Special @ SANTA CRUZ MAH
- Family Room Art Class: Charlie Brown Christmas Tree @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Public Fundraiser – Open to All! Paint a Cheetah to Save a Cheetah @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Drop-in Family Craft – Candle Dipping @ 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
MORE
- No Room at the Inn – Blessing of the Nativities @ St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Grey Bear’s Holiday Meal @ Civic Auditorium
- Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- National Scholastic Surf Association (NSSA) Surf Competition @ Steamer Lane
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Be Natural Music | Youth Concert
What: Be Natural Music | Youth Concert
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
When: Friday, December 7, 2018 at 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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 assitance to kids in the music program
Painting With a Purpose: California Wild Fire Relief Fundraiser
What: Painting With a Purpose ~ California Poppy ~ California Wild Fire Relief Fundraiser
Where: Painted Cork
When: December 9th
We’ve featured Painted Cork and their “paint and sip” classes a few times since their grand opening earlier this year. We featured previous events for the simple reason that we think painting with a glass of wine (or a beer) is a great way to spend an evening with friends. We’re highlighting this event for those same reasons, but more importantly, because 100% of proceeds will be donated to California fire relief efforts. Grab your favorite drink, or enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, and enjoy an evening of guided painting knowing that you’re supporting a great cause.
2018 Holiday Guides
Your guide to celebrating the holidays in Santa Cruz is here. You’ll find holiday events, shopping guides, local Christmas tree farms & New Year’s Eve events (coming soon). Be sure to check back weekly as we’ll be adding new events to these guides as they pop up. Happy holidays!
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