This Weekend in Santa Cruz: October 19th – 21st, 2018

By Christine Candelaria

Santa Cruz events this weekend range from spooky to festively fall, with some Burning Man inspiration for good measure.

And if you have not had a chance to attend a harvest festival, Open Studios, or a Santa Cruz Derby game this season, then this weekend is for you.

Once you’re done planning this weekend you’ll also want to check out our 2018 Halloween Event Guide, which you’ll find at the end of this post. Enjoy!

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Quick Links

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Upcoming

Thank you to the Santa Cruz Derby Girls for sponsoring this week’s roundup. We hope you can join us this Saturday for the final home game of the 2018 season. Be sure to use code SCLife18 at checkout to save 10% (discount not valid on game day so grab your tickets today).

Click here to get more information about the game, and here for tickets. Use code SCLife18 at checkout for 10% off.

Friday

BREATHE: a DopePoetLove Hip-Hop Event

When: 10/19 – 10/20 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Where: Bocci’s Cellar 140 Encinal St.
Cost: FREE

Head to Bocci’s for a night of hip-hop, poetry and song featuring performances by Jason Santiago LaCour, Rica De La Luz, MetaFour, Gina René and Feral The Earthworm. This event is all about creative expression and invites poets, emcees, and vocalists to take part in a limited open mic.

Get more info here.

THE ALL JOAN SHOW

When: 10/19 – 10/21 at 8:00 pm
Where: Motion Pacific
Cost: $15-$30

This three-evening engagement features three works of collaboration between renowned San Francisco-based cellist and composer, Joan Jeanrenaud, and veteran choreographer Cid Pearlman. The audience will also be treated to a bonus 10-minute world premiere for the full dance ensemble with a new score by Jenarenaud. Saturday’s performance includes a pre-show talkback with the audience and both women.

Get more info here.

Sleepy Hollow: The Musical

When: 10/19 – 10/21 & 10/227-10/28
Where: Matthews Theatre – Santa Cruz Veteran’s Memorial Building – 846 Front St.
Cost: $12-$25

The historic Vets Hall, rumored to be haunted, makes the perfect venue for the world premiere of a spooky tale based on the beloved, timeless classic story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Sleepy Hollow: the Musical is written by Santa Cruz County residents and sisters Katelyn and Sierra Laird, and features Broadway-style vocals, choreography, and scenic design. Enjoy a family-friend show and perhaps, a new holiday tradition.

Get more info here.

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

When: 10/19 – 10/31
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf

Trick or treating on the wharf is always a fun tradition, but this year the festivities start early—13 days early, to be exact. There will be a kick off night with hot apple cider and games, a Zombie night featuring Thriller dancers, plus, a scenic photo booth, Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, and festive specials at shops and restaurants leading up to Halloween.

Want to know all the spooky events coming your way this month? Check out our annual Halloween Event Guide.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

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 Derby Girls Double Header

When: 10/20 at 4:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Tickets range from $9.99* – $33

The Santa Cruz Derby Girls are back from their playoff series in Spain and they’re ready to skate for one final home game this season. Come on out to cheer on the Derby Girls in a hometown doubleheader. Your favorite Derby Girls will be skating as their favorite “Alter Egos” as part of the Clark Kent Crew vs. Bruce Wayne Bruisers battle.

New to Derby? Be sure to read, 10 Things to Know Before Attending Your First Santa Cruz Derby Girls Game.

Get more info here.

Open Studios: Encore Weekend

When: 10/20 & 10/21 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Artist studios throughout Santa Cruz County
Cost: Free

Encore! Encore! This weekend features artists located in both North and South County for the third and final weekend of Open Studios. Look for the free Open Studios guide around town, download the “Open Studios Art Tour” app, or just follow the green signs around town.

Get more info here.

GLOW

When: 10/20 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
Cost: General Admission: $20, Children: $15, MAH Members: $10

Perfectly timed for chillier fall nights, GLOW is a festival of fire and light. Attendees will be treated to elaborate illuminated digital art, live performances, and plenty of interactive exhibits. This is a chance to see world class fire and digital artists and performers who you would be more likely to see at Burning Man than your average museum exhibit. Simply put, it’s a spectacle, and one you won’t want to miss!

Get more info here.

The Missing Arm

When: 10/20 at 6:30 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free. Day-use parking: $10

Bring a flashlight for this guided walking theater experience in the redwoods and prepare yourself for the spooky and slightly silly haunted tale about Big Basin’s last lumber mill owner and his fateful encounter with a grizzly bear. Afterwards, enjoy ranger apples cooked around the campfire and more storytelling fun. The trail is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Get more info here.

Water Harvest Festival

When: 10/20 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Heart of Soquel Park
Cost: Free

Soquel is celebrating the season with an educational, water-themed day of fun for the family. The Water Harvest Festival features interactive hands-on activities, a costume contest, and live music by the Banana Slug String Band Duet.

Get more info here.

Swim with Jim

When: 10/20 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College pool

Come out and enjoy a community celebration, reunion, and fundraiser for legendary Cabrillo Threshers’ and Aptos High coach, Jim Triplett. Jim has trained countless children from Watsonville, Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz and Scott Valley with many gaining National recognition, receiving college scholarships and becoming prominent members of our community. Here is an opportunity to give back to Jim and support his team, Aptos Cabrillo Swim Club (ACSC) Thunder.

Get more info here.

Tom Petty Party in Celebration of Tom’s Birthday!

When: 10/20 at 8:00 pm
Where: Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse
Cost: $20 advaced, $25 at the door

Celebrate the birthday and music of one of rock n’ roll’s icons that we sadly lost a year ago. Members of local favorite Santa Cruz bands, including Post Street Rhythm Peddlers, Kind Dream, Dan Too, and Wild Iris, will perform as the Heartbroken as they pay tribute to a music legend.

Get more info here.

Central Coast Pop Expo

When: 10/20 & 10/21
Where: Cocoanut Grove
Cost: $10 – $125 Ages 7 and under FREE with a paid adult throughout the weekend

Central Coast Pop Expo is for fans all across the pop culture spectrum, from comics to movies, TV to gaming, cosplay and more. It’s like a little bit of Comic Con coming to the Cocoanut Grove. Highlights include a cosplay contest, children’s costume parade, and exclusive panels for fans of The Lost Boys.

Get more info here.

Women On Waves Surf Contest

When: 10/20 from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Capitola Beach

Women on Waves Surf Contest is a day to celebrate the Santa Cruz female surfing community. Girls and women will show off their surfing skills in a friendly competition and for a great cause, The Wahine Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes a diversity of girls having access to ocean sports who would otherwise not have the opportunity. Come out, show your spectator support, and enjoy live music, a high quality raffle, surfboard raffle, unique photo opportunities, and local vendors.

Get more info here.

Wilder Ranch Heritage Harvest Festival

When: 10/20 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park

Celebrate the fall harvest season at Wilder Ranch! Bring the family out for a day of living history and harvest-time activities…baking on a wood stove, blacksmith and machine shop demonstrations, old time music and square dancing, and children’s crafts and games.

Get more info here.

Farm Discovery Harvest Festival

When: 10/20 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Live Earth Farm (1275 Green Valley Road, Watsonville)
Cost: $5/person

Fun for the whole family awaits at the farm! Celebrate the season with farm and garden-inspired games and activities, including cider pressing, pumpkin decorating, apple baseball, and tractor rides. Want to visit with pygmy goats? Do a little family yoga? Make some music and listen to live music? Live Earth Farm is the place to be!

Get more info here.

BREATHE: a DopePoetLove Hip-Hop Event

See Description Under Friday Section

THE ALL JOAN SHOW

See Description Under Friday Section

Sleepy Hollow: The Musical

See Description Under Friday Section

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

Annieglass Succulent Arrangement @ Annieglass Incorporated

OUTDOORS

MORE

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

Sunday

OFFSITE: Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson

When: 10/21 at 4:00 pm
Where: Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: Free

Join Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, the award-winning, bestselling duo behind Last Stop on Market Street for a fun-filled family event celebrating the release of their second collaboration, Carmela Full of Wishes. This heartfelt sibling story is set in a vibrant migrant community, partially inspired by Watsonville. Activities include a book signing, meet and greet with the author and illustrator, free dinner, plus visual art and drama activities based on the book.

Get more info here.

THE ALL JOAN SHOW

See Description Under Friday Section

Sleepy Hollow: The Musical

See Description Under Friday Section

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

See Description Under Friday Section

Open Studios 2018

See Description Under Saturday Section

Central Coast Pop Expo

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Watsonville Taiko’s Holiday Boutique & Raffle

What: Watsonville Taiko’s Holiday Boutique & Raffle
Where: Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn St., Watsonville
When: Sunday, November 4, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Support Watsonville Taiko and get a jump start on your holiday shopping! This family-friendly boutique features something for everyone—unique and creative holiday gifts from arts & crafts to themed baskets to gift certificates, and more. Try your luck at numerous raffle prizes, including the grand prize, an original, handmade Japanese Motif Quilt. Enjoy baked goods and snacks for purchase while you shop.

Get more info here.

2018 Halloween Event Guide

What: Halloween
Where: Everywhere
When: Spooky events taking place now, through Halloween

Halloween is about two weeks away, but you don’t have to wait until the 31st to celebrate. There are Halloween themed events throughout the county, leading up to the big day. As usual, we’ve rounded up all the fun and spooky activities for you!

Read the 2018 Halloween Guide.

PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…

Christine Candelaria

Christine Candelaria is a local mom of four who enjoys sharing her Santa Cruz adventures. You can follow her #santacruzlife on Instagram at @theaumsmama.

I love this website. I use it often to find out what’s going on. Thanks so much.

Christine Candelaria says:

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Thanks so much for sharing that with us, Frans. We’re glad you find our Weekend Roundups useful.

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