It’s a holiday weekend of firsts and lasts as summer begins to wind down and September makes a grand entrance.
Celebrate a special grand opening downtown, or head to the beach for the last installment of a summer concert series.
There will also be a final farewell this weekend to a favorite flower-filled festival that marks its 65th year. There’s a lot of local history to be shared, as well as a host of food and entertainment choices that will keep you satisfied on this long weekend.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Art Twistory: The Merry Widow(s)
When: 9/1 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Cost: $10 donation appreciated, $5 students and seniors
Enjoy a fun evening of art and history with a twist. Learn about the background of the legendary “Merry Widow” and her impact on society at this pictorial presentation. You might even want to wear your own Merry Widow to the event.
Papa Doo Run Run
When: 9/1 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Labor Day weekend kicks off with the last of the Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach summer concert series. This legendary band will have you rocking to classic tunes of the 60s and 70s as well as their famous re-creations of hits from the Beach Boys.
Capitola Begonia Festival
When: 9/1 – 9/3 at 5:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
Don’t miss the finale of this locally favorite festival! Join the celebration that will mark the 65th and final year. Watch the begonia-covered floats as they parade down Soquel Creek on Sunday, share your memories of the festival, enjoy a sand sculpting contest, a fishing derby, music and more.
Abbott Square Grand Opening Weekend (Thursday – Sunday)
When: Thursday, 8/31 through Sunday, 9/3
Where: Abbott Square
Cost: Free
Five restaurants and two bars are making their grand entrance to the newly completed Abbott Square. The four day grand opening celebration kicks off on Thursday with Salsa Night and continues through Sunday with a different themed event each evening. Festivities will include live music, free-t-shirts, exhibitions, and street performances.
Friday night is First Friday: Community Night and there will be a ribbon-cutting and ball-drop ceremony, a community drum circle and live music and dance performances.
See more info for Saturday and Sunday night’s events below.
First Friday Santa Cruz
When: 9/1 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Various Venues throughout the County
Cost: Free
Start your long weekend with an evening of local art on this monthly tour. Enjoy a relaxing night viewing the work of our very talented artists from all around the county.
Fiddle Extravaganza
When: 9/1 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $22.50 – $26.50 Children 8 and under are FREE!
It’s sure to be a fun evening of music and dance at this 34th annual concert by Alasdair Fraser and the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School. More than 170 musicians will fill the auditorium with music at this lively event for the entire family.
Also on Friday
- JUDO NO plus Light the Band plus Beat Tape @ Don Quixote’s
- Cosmic Pinball @ Crow’s Nest
- ANTHONY B + Sol Horizon @ Moe’s Alley
- Snake Oil Salesmen, Big Bad Rooster @ The Crepe Place
- ¡MAYDAY! @ The Catalyst
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band (Rock, R&B Soul, Blues) @ Severino’s
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
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Wings Over Watsonville 2017
When: 9/2 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Watsonville Municipal Airport
Cost: Free
Watsonville hosts their annual fly-in this Saturday with activities for pilots, aspiring pilots and enthusiasts. Tours of historic and antique aircraft, sky dive jumps, intro flights, food vendors and more. Parking on runway is $10.
Grizzly Bear Festival at Rancho Del Oso Nature And History Center
When: 9/2 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
Where: Rancho del Oso Nature & History
Cost: Free
Did you know that grizzly bears once roamed the Santa Cruz Mountains? Visit the “ranch of the bears” coastal section of Big Basin for a celebration of the bears that once lived there. There will be a ranger-led hike, family activities and a talk for all ages.
9th Annual Songfest for Prostate Cancer Awareness
When: 9/2 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: Free
Come to the 9th annual night of live music and support an important cause with the goal of raising awareness for prostate cancer. Doors open at 4:30.
Abbott Square Grand Opening Weekend: Music Night
When: Saturday, 9/2 from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Abbott Square
Cost: Free
The third night in Abbott Square is all about music. Come on down for live performances from The Trolley Drops, Papiba & Friends, and Pan Dulce.
Capitola Begonia Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Talking Dreads @ The Catalyst
- Kim Lenz & The Jaguars plus The Haywoods @ Don Quixote’s
- Jive Machine @ Crow’s Nest
- Charlie Musselwhite @ Moe’s Alley
- Steep Ravine @ The Crepe Place
- Berner @ The Catalyst
- Patio Acoustic’s with Toby Gray @ Severino’s
- Soulwise @ Severino’s
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Measure for Measure @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Star Strolls @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Building Methods at the Mission @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Free Guided Tour of the UCSC Farm
When: 9/3 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Where: University of California, Santa Cruz Farm and Garden Gate House
Cost: Free
Get outdoors on Sunday for this monthly docent-led tour through the UCSC Farm and Garden. Learn how to make fertile soil, control pests naturally, recycle waste into your garden and more. No reservations necessary.
Abbott Square Grand Opening Weekend: Boogie and Bubbles
When: Sunday, 9/3 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Abbott Square
Cost: Free
Parents, you won’t want to miss this one. Anyone who loves bubbles (and who doesn’t love bubbles??) will want to head to Abbott Square on Sunday for Boogie and Bubbles day. Scheduled activities include giant bubble making, live music, and a family funk dance party. Kids will also enjoy bubble print making, face painting and hula hooping. See you there!
Capitola Begonia Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
- Jason Richardson @ The Catalyst
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Tony McManus @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Steel Pulse @ The Catalyst
- Moondance @ Severino’s
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The 39 Steps @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Adobe Tours (afternoon) @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Featured Upcoming Event
What: 32nd Annual Ohlone Day Celebration
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
When: Saturday, September 9, 2017
Go back in time and learn about the Ohlone People and how they have lived in this area throughout history, past and present. Enjoy traditional dancing, music, basketry, fire-making, stories and history that is fun and educational for all. Event is free. Day-use parking fee is $10.
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