This Weekend in Santa Cruz: October 6th – 8th, 2017

By Valerie Lemke

This is the weekend that art fans wait for all year. It’s also a weekend packed with an incredible variety of fun events.

You can choose from Open Studios or Open Streets (or better yet, go to both!), enjoy fireworks, watch a busy downtown street transform into an all-ages playground, and welcome back our beloved monarchs.

Event planners also seem to be betting big that people will be really hungry this weekend as there are some epic food and beverage related events to choose from.

Oh, and it’s First Friday…and we’ve barely scratched the surface.

See the full lineup below, and have a great weekend!

Friday

An Uncommon Ocean Affair

When: 10/6 – 10/8 (10/6 from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, 10/7 from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm & 10/8 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm)
Where: Oasis Tasting Room & Kitchen: 415 River Street, Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Oasis Tasting Room yet then this weekend offers the perfect opportunity. Stop by during this 3-day shindig and enjoy some great food, beer, music and see the latest in boards and swimwear fashions. Artisan vendors and the release of Ventana Uncommon Brewers Special Bitter Beer round out this 3-day event benefiting Island Conservation.

Get more info here.

Friday Night Recess – Come play with us in the street!

When: 10/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz on Cooper Street between Front and Pacific
Cost: Free

What happens when a busy downtown street gets closed down and turns into an all-ages playground? Come find out this Friday! It’s recess time as Cooper Street become a playground with dodgeball, giant volleyball, badminton, cornhole, a pop-up playground and more.

Get more info here.

Watsonville Film Festival 2017

When: 10/5 – 10/8
Where: Various venues in Watsonville
Cost: $0 – $75

This annual film festival showcases a variety of movies from local and independent film makers. Come and see what local talented filmmakers have in store and give support to the indie filmmaking industry.

Get more info here.

Ballooniverse and Chamber of Heart and Mystery Exhibition Opening

When: 10/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: MAH, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

Explore three floors of art on display including an amazing Ballooniverse installation and a new exhibition exploring mysteries of the human heart. Enjoy live music, have fun with hands-on demonstrations and even create your own balloon art.

Get more info here.

First Friday Santa Cruz

When: 10/6 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Various Venues around the county
Cost: Free

Grab a friend and make it an evening of art on this countywide tour. Whether you choose one venue, or choose them all, you will encounter a wide variety of creative artistic styles from our local talent.

Our must-see pick for this month’s First Friday is the Doug Ross Tribute at Artisans Gallery.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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

Big Trees Scottish Gathering and Highland Games

When: 10/7 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroad 5401 Graham Hill Rd. Felton
Cost: Adults $17.00 in advance ($20.00 at the gate) juniors (13-17) seniors (65+) and military $15.00 advance ($18.00 at the gate) Children 12 and under Free

Experience a day of Celtic fun at this annual favorite festival. Even if your family roots are less than Celtic, there is much to enjoy for all ages. Enjoy live music, highland dance, bagpipes, Celtic rock and lots of authentic food and athletic games.

Get more info here.

3rd Annual Holi Festival of Colors

When: 10/7 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost:Cost: $6.50 – $38

Spread some color around the world at this festival inspired from Indian tradition. Participate in hourly color throws, ethnic vegetarian food, live music, dance, yoga and crafts. Color bags available for purchase at the event. (Outside color sources will not be allowed.)

Get more info here.

Pacific Elementary School’s 7th Annual Farm to Table Dinner

When: 10/7 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Green Oaks Creek Farm, 2060 Green Oaks Way, Pescadero 94060
Cost: $125

Enjoy a truly distinctive dinner inspired by children’s books. Tickets include refreshments, appetizers and a full-course meal prepared with organic farm grown ingredients. Funds raised for this dinner will go to the school FoodLab program. Dinner is for adults only.

Get more info here.

Gourmet Grazing on the Green

When: 10/7 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Aptos Village Park
Cost: General Admission Tickets: $65, Tickets at the Door: $70, Ages 10-20: $35, Children 10 & under: Free

Experience a festive afternoon at the park while listening to live music and indulging on the best from local restaurants, breweries and wineries. Ticket’s also include a commemorative wine glass.

Get more info here.

Jessica Louise Pop Up Shop

When: 10/7 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Click Click Bang Salon
Cost: Free

Los Angeles designer and local girl Jessica Louise brings her artistic and unique clothing designs to this shopping event. Shop for her latest creations and also check out the pop-up brow bar, free 15 minute hair consultations and product discounts.

Get more info here.

Craft beer & mole: 1st Saturdays at CBC

When: 10/7 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Corralitos Brewing Company
Cost: Free

Come and delight your senses in the last installment of this culinary series. Enjoy everything mole including nachos, bowls, salads as well as locally crafted beer. Vegan and vegetarian options are always available.

Get more info here.

Open Studios Art Tour Weekend One

When: 10/7 – 10/8 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free

Arts Council Santa Cruz County begins their annual art tour this weekend with Open Studios in north Santa Cruz County. Download your free map and enjoy a fall weekend road trip touring the studios of local artists.

Get more info here.

Burrito Bash And Car Show

When: 10/7 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $5

A day of music, food and culture benefitting the local community. Featuring local food, craft beer, a car show and plenty of family activities. There’s even a burrito competition and a jalapeño eating contest. Sponsored by Santa Cruz and Watsonville Rotary Clubs.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Symphony Music of the Spheres

When: 10/7 at 7:30 pm and 10/8 at 2:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium / Henry J Mello Center
Cost: $29.00 – $85.00

The Santa Cruz Symphony celebrates the opening of their 60th season with a concert to help find harmony within ourselves and the universe. Shows Saturday at the Civic Auditorium and Sunday at the Henry J. Mello Center.

Get more info here.

Branciforte Library 50th Jubilee

When: 10/7 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Branciforte Library, 230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Cost: Free

Celebrate 50 years of service for the Branciforte Library with a proclamation by the mayor, local history displays, activities, live music and refreshments. Kids can practice their reading skills with Tales to Tails therapy dogs.

Get more info here.

An Uncommon Ocean Affair

See Description Under Friday Section

Watsonville Film Festival 2017

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Open Streets Santa Cruz 2017

When: 10/8 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: West Cliff Drive
Cost: Free

Open Streets returns to West Cliff Drive for the fifth year in a row. Walk, bike, dance, and play your way up and down the car-free stretch of road between Lighthouse Field and Natural Bridges State Park. This family-friendly event also features free activities, music, dance performances, and community outreach booths. West Cliff Drive will be closed to traffic but open for fun!

Get more info here.

Monte Foundation 23nd Anniversary Fireworks Extravaganza!

When: 10/8 at 8:00 pm
Where: Capitola Wharf
Cost: Free

Celebrate with the Monte Foundation as they host their annual spectacular fireworks show, and help support local community projects. Find a good vantage point near the Capitola Wharf and get ready to be dazzled.

Get more info here.

Welcome Back Monarchs Day

When: 10/8 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Natural Bridges State Beach
Cost: Event is free; day-use parking fee is $10

It’s time to welcome the Monarch butterflies back to Santa Cruz. Walk the Monarch trail, enjoy kids’ activities, hand-cranked ice cream and information booths. You can even find out how to start your own butterfly garden.

Get more info here.

An Uncommon Ocean Affair

See Description Under Friday Section

Watsonville Film Festival 2017

See Description Under Friday Section

Open Studios Art Tour Weekend One

See Description Under Saturday Section

Santa Cruz Symphony Music of the Spheres

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

Support your local teachers at this 14th annual fundraiser and fill up on some delicious tacos at the same time. Relax with a glass of locally crafted beer or wine. Your support will go toward helping teachers get much-needed supplies. Lawn games, silent auction and raffle, too

Get more info here.

What: Tacos4Teachers
Where: Bargetto Winery, Soquel
When: 10/20 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

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Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

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