Santa Cruz Life

This Weekend in Santa Cruz: October 26th – 28th, 2018

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halloween surf statue

Halloween is just around the corner and this weekend is full of events get you into the spooky spirit!

You can see a free Halloween movie in the park, participate in a murder mystery investigation, an annual Halloween Parade and more! If you feel up to doing something without the spooky vibe, you can take in some Santa Cruz Symphony performances or even view a world travel photography slide show by a punk rock legend.

Happy Haunting, Santa Cruz!

Quick Links

Halloween Events in Santa Cruz

Halloween Santa Cruz

We cover some early Halloween events in this weekend’s roundup, but if you want to see the full list of Halloween events throughout the county then be sure to check out the 2018 Santa Cruz Halloween Event Guide.

Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches
We also rounded up all the best local pumpkin patches. You can find them here, in our guide to Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches.

Friday

Free Open Rehearsal of the Santa Cruz Symphony

When: 10/26 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free

Have you ever wanted to see a Symphony rehearsal? Now is your chance to get behind the scenes! Come to a real and live rehearsal and see all the hard work that goes into preparing for a Santa Cruz Symphony performance.

Get more info here.

Food Trucks & Free Movie in the Park

food truck halloween

When: 10/26 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free, donations of canned food welcome

Kick off the weekend with a fun family night at Skypark. Enjoy food truck fare, a beer and wine garden, live music, and a fun movie in the spirit of Halloween, Hotel Transylvania 2. The food truck lineup includes Saucey’z, Holopono, Drunkmonkeys, Mattia Pizza, G’s Mexicantacos, and Aunt LaLi’s Mobile Cafe.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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THEATER/ARTS

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OUTDOORS

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Saturday

Museum of the Macabre: an Evening of Creatures, Curiosities and Cocktails

museum of Macabre

When: 10/27 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz CA 95062
Cost: Pre-sale (Before Oct. 27): $13 General Admission | $8 Students & Museum Members. At the Door: $15 all tickets

Explore all things mysterious and macabre at the Museum of Natural History after dark. Come in costume and enjoy cauldron-concocted cocktails, freakish nibbles, and strange museum curiosities. This year’s event celebrates the art of taxidermy and will showcase live demonstrations and artful displays.

Get more info here.

Rites of Spring

When: 10/27 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $31.50 – $102.50

Enjoy an afternoon of the Santa Cruz Symphony with performances from the La Belle Epoque era with music from a Russian in Paris, An American in Paris and A Parisian in Paris as well as music from Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off

When: 10/27 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Tasting kits $10

Grab your partner and a maybe even a fire extinguisher, because it’s time for the annual chili cook-off! Who makes the best local chili? Come and find out as amateur and professional chefs compete to prove their claims! Get your tasting kit and help pick this year’s winners.

Get more info here.

Henry Rollins Traveling Slideshow

henry rollins

When: 10/27 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $40

Enjoy an evening with world travel photographer, Henry Rollins as he prevents his favorite photos from Baghdad to Pyongyang. Come and hear the  stories behind the incredible photos taken all over the world.

Get more info here.

Also on Saturday

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

Sunday

Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt: Santa Cruz Noir

When: 10/28 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
Cost: Free

Bring the entire family for a live-action version of the board game “Clue”. Help to figure out who murdered Santa Cruz Private Investigator, Harlow Lindsay, with clues and activities that will lead you to the weapon, location and then to the murderer. For all ages.

Get more info here.

Maestro – A Musical Celebration in Honor of Lile O. Cruse

Maestro

When: 10/28 at 6:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: Free Event

A musical celebration in honor of Lile Cruse, director and founder of the Cabrillo Stage and the founder of the Jazz program at Cabrillo College. His influence changed the lives of performers and musicians. Hosted by Broadway veteran Janie Scott and featuring performers both local and nationwide. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Get more info here.

CAPITOLA VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

Capitola Village Halloween Parade

When: 10/28 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free

The Capitola Village Children’s Halloween Parade begins near the Capitola Police Department, and works its way down Capitola Avenue to the Esplanade stage where refreshments will be served. Enjoy trick or treating at Village shops after the parade.

Get more info here.

Rites of Spring

When: 10/28 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm 
Where: Mello Center for the Performing Arts
Cost: $31.50 – $102.50

Enjoy an afternoon of the Santa Cruz Symphony with performances from the La Belle Epoque era with music from a Russian in Paris, An American in Paris and A Parisian in Paris as well as music from Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun.

Get more info here.

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Downtown Makers Market

makers market

What: Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
When: November 4

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 the debut of this new holiday shopping tradition—come shop local with over 40 Santa Cruz County artists and makers, and enjoy live music by Wild Iris , Sugar by the Pound and the Crooked Branches Band!

Get more info here.

10th Annual Santa Cruz Sea Glass Festival

seaglass festival

What: Santa Cruz Sea Glass Festival
Where: Sunroom at the Boardwalk
When: November 3 & 4

Calling all sea glass lovers and ocean enthusiasts! Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts featuring authentic sea glass and coastal art from over 40 artists. Your entry fee includes a chance to win a gift basket filled with sea-inspired goodies, and a portion is donated to ocean conservation through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

Get more info here.

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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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