Photo by Valerie Lemke
Summer is winding down, but you wouldn’t know it based on the lineup of festivals in town this weekend.
So, what’s on tap?
We get a 3-day festival downtown (Santa Cruz’s longest running festival), a relatively new annual festival that is quickly becoming a local favorite, and one of the biggest events of the year in Capitola Village.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Santa Cruz Greek Festival
When: 9/8 5pm-10pm; 9/9 11am-10pm; 9/10 12pm to 7pm
Where: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
Cost: Free
3 days of Greek food, music, dancing, spirits, and did we mention food? Sample your way through dolmathes, loukoumathes, gyros, moussaka, tiropita, and souvaki while you take in the lively Spartan Band and folk dancers. Voted Best Street Festival by Goodtimes readers, this 3-day block party is also Santa Cruz County’s longest running festival.
Jewel Theatre Presents: ALL MY SONS
When: 9/8 – 9/9 at 8:00 pm & 9/10 at 2:00 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater
Cost: $42/$48
Catch Jewel Theatre Company’s season opener, All My Sons by Arthur Miller. Watch an interview with director Art Manke below and make plans to see it between now and October 1.
Also on Friday
- Santa Cruz Comedy Coalition Showcase
- Andre Nickatina @ The Catalyst
- THE GUTZ, ENEMY OF MY ENEMY, HIGH AND TIGHT @ The Crepe Place
- The songs of Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who, Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Doors plus California Classic Rock Favorites @ Don Quixote’s
- MONOPHONICS + Niki J. Crawford @ Moe’s Alley
- Nagging Doubts @ Crow’s Nest
- BATTLE OF THE BAY FT. STRAWBERRY GIRLS @ The Catalyst
- Blue @ Severino’s
- Movies at the Beach – Chasing Mavericks @ Capitola Village
- Volunteer at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Wine & Food Pairing: Pinot Noir 101 @ New Leaf Community Markets
- Night Market @ Food Lounge
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- COMMUNITY FREE DAY @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
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
2nd Annual Young Professionals Summer Mixer: POWER HOUR OF FUN
When: 9/9 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Motion Pacific Dance 131 Front Street #E Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Cost: Early Bird – $14 General – $16
The second annual Young Professionals Summer Mixer meets this Saturday at Motion Pacific. Young professionals throughout the county are invited to attend, have fun and network.
Santa Cruz Garden Tour
When: 9/9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Tour includes 8 stops; Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (headquarters)
Cost: $25 advance $30 day of event
Gardening inspiration awaits at each of the eight unique stops on the annual Master Gardener Tour. This year’s tour highlights sustainable gardening techniques in action, from reducing water usage to creating habitats for pollinators to incorporating native plants and more. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, aka Garden Tour Headquarters, there will also be free presentations on “waterwise and wildlife friendly” gardening as well as a plant sale.
Mole & Mariachi Festival 2017
When: 9/9 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission Historic State Park
Cost: Free admission; Tasting kits $10 – $15
Bring your appetite to the 5th Annual Mole & Mariachi Festival! Enjoy live mariachi music, ballet folklórico dancing, activities for kids including piñatas every hour, and a variety of craft vendors at the mercado. The highlight of the event is the mole tasting competition featuring 9 different varieties of mole, tasting kits for purchase, and the opportunity to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.
35th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival
When: from 9/9 at 10:00 am to 9/10 at 5:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
Hot off the heels of the final Begonia Festival, this weekend Capitola brings back another favorite annual event, the Art & Wine Festival. This year’s festival will once again feature artwork from local artisans along with a wide assortment of local wines. Bring the kids along as they’ll be able to get hands on with craft projects and music from MusicalMe.
32ND ANNUAL OHLONE DAY
When: 9/9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Group Picnic Area 1 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Day-use Parking Fee $10
Head to Henry Cowell for a family-friendly celebration of the Ohlone People, past, present and future. Observe skilled artisans and participate in demonstrations and lots of hands-on activities.
Santa Cruz Greek Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Jewel Theatre Presents: ALL MY SONS
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Stiff Little Fingers @ The Catalyst
- SWEET PLOT @ The Crepe Place
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- A hip, fun blend of reggae, Latin, hip-hop, funk, and rock that is uniquely Santa Cruz @ Don Quixote’s
- Ana Popovic @ Moe’s Alley
- Samba Cruz band takes you to Brazil @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- HELL’S BELLES @ The Catalyst
- Patio Acoustic’s with Chas @ Severino’s
- Room 9 @ Severino’s
- Reverend Stephan Sams, Nova Rose, Money For Helicopters @ The Blue Lagoon
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- Walls by SF Mime Troupe @ San Lorenzo Park
- NEXTSTAGE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:BINGO! A WINNING MUSICAL @ Mid-County Senior Center
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PROJECT – 2ND SATURDAY ON THE FARM @ Agricultural History Museum
- Researcher’s Anonymous @ MAH
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- History, Nature and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso Unit
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
GROW: Celebrating Five Years and 100,000 Meals with Teen Kitchen
When: 9/10 from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Everett Family Farm, 2111 Soquel San Jose Road, Soquel, CA 95073
Cost: $95
Local non-profit, Teen Kitchen Project, celebrates their five year anniversary and the delivery of over 100,000 meals to those in need. Celebrate, and support, this great organization at Everett Family Farm with a delicious 3-course family style dinner.
Steven Graves Band Benefit for Standing Rock Legal Defense Fund
When: 9/10 at 7:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s
Cost: $12
Steven Graves and his band bring their blend of Americana, Soul, Classic and Southern Rock to Don Quixote’s this Sunday. This show will feature a Native American theme in conjunction with their current single, Stand For The People, in support of Standing Rock. Proceeds benefit Sanding Rock Legal Defense Fund and the Lakota People’s Law Project.
Captain Underpants Movie Night at the Arena
When: 9/10 at 4:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $5
The Santa Cruz Warriors’ first-ever movie night is going to be epic! That is, it’s going to be Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. Doors open at 3pm for open seating and the concession stand will be open for all your popcorn and soda needs. Bookshop Santa Cruz will be on hand selling tickets to their upcoming event with Captain Underpants creator, Dav Pilkey, who will be visiting Santa Cruz on September 27th.
San Francisco Comedy Competition
When: 9/10 at 9:00 pm
Where: Crow’s Nest
Cost: $10
Head over to the Crow’s Nest this Sunday for some laughs at the Santa Cruz leg of the San Francisco Comedy Competition.
Santa Cruz Greek Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Jewel Theatre Presents: ALL MY SONS
See Description Under Friday Section
35th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- The Magpie Salute @ The Catalyst
- Café Musique @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Mark Lettieri (of Snarky Puppy) + Points North @ Moe’s Alley
- Mark Hummel’s Golden State/Lone Star Revue @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- NO WARNING @ The Catalyst
- THE BOX AT THE BLUE LAGOON @ The Blue Lagoon
- Weaving Workshop with Stephanie Michelet @ Wallflower Boutique
- Santa Cruz Contra Dance @ Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Hall
- Walls by SF Mime Troupe @ San Lorenzo Park
- NEXTSTAGE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:BINGO! A WINNING MUSICAL @ Mid-County Senior Center
- IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz @ Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Fair @ Downtown Farmers’ Market
- Community Rental: Solidarity Sundays @ MAH
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Nature Wander @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Behind-The-Scenes Tours @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Featured Upcoming Event
What: Maker Showcase
Where: 2879 Mission St. Ext.
When: Saturday, September 16 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Idea Fab Labs is hosting its first Maker Showcase, a family-friendly and free event celebrating what Santa Cruzans make, how they make it, and why they’re passionate about it. Head to the Wrigley Building to check out the gallery of community submitted art, demonstrations, and craft vending booths.
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