We all know that Memorial Day Weekend brings big crowds to town, but it also brings some great events.
This weekend’s events include a star studded music festival, a major surfing competition, and a milestone anniversary for an iconic local institution.
Beer lovers will be excited to learn about a big grand opening this Friday (choose from 60+ craft beers, and pour your own beer!). And if you’re looking to stock up on some summer reading material, then be sure to check out the Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries annual Spring Book Sale.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
For the kids: week-long summer camps on a local farm. For the parents: an exclusive 15% discount (only for Santa Cruz Life readers) if you enroll by June 3rd.Friday
Pour Taproom Grand Opening
When: 5/27 from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Where: Pour Taproom (Downtown)
If you’ve been downtown lately you may have noticed the paper covered windows and the “Pour” sign outside this soon to open business. If you’ve wanted to peek behind that paper and see what’s inside then this weekend is your chance. This Friday is the grand opening of Pour, Santa Cruz’s first pay by the ounce, self-serve taproom. Choose from 60+ craft beers, 8 wines and craft soda. Cheers!
Lightbulb Ensemble plays Mikrokosma
When: 5/27 at 8:00 pm
Where: Radius Gallery
Cost: $15 General / $10 Students
Looking for experimental music played on custom-built instruments by a gamelan percussion style ensemble? Look no further than the Radius Gallery at the Tannery where Lightbulb Ensemble will perform Mikrokosma, an hour-long suite exploring BaliHindu cosmology.
Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Spring Book Sale 2016
When: Library donors: 5/27 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. General public: 5/28 from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
Choose from 20,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks at the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries annual Spring Book Sale. Friday evening is a preview for Friends donors from 5 – 8 pm, and the sale opens to the public on Saturday at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. Proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
Also on Friday
- Stephen Marley @ The Catalyst
- Carolyn Sills Combo and Miss Lonely Hearts Double CD Release Party @ The Catalyst
- Jerry Miller Band @ Don Quixote’s
- Joint Chiefs @ Crow’s Nest
- The English Beat @ Moe’s Alley
- The Evangenitals @ The Crepe Place
- Block Party @ Severino’s
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Billy Elliot The Musical @ Rio Theatre
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”n” @ Park Hall
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- 2016 Artist of the Year @ Museum of Art & History
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- It’s Mayhem! at the Boardwalk Bowl @ Boardwalk Bowl
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Santa Cruz
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 American Music Festival
When: 5/28 – 5/29 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Aptos Village Park
Cost: General Admission: $65 / Gold Circle: $100 / Child: $25. 2 day Tickets – General Admission $120 / Gold Circle $190
Big name acts like Buddy Guy, Josh Turner, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band will all descend on our very own Aptos Village Park this weekend for the Santa Cruz American Music Festival.
35th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment at Roaring Camp
When: 5/28 – 5/30. Check website for times.
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: Adult: $30 / Child: $23
Bring the kids to Roaring Camp for a unique history lesson. This weekend’s Civil War reenactment is bound to get every kid in attendance engaged in a crucial part of America’s past. You’ll be able to see how soldiers lived, slept, ate, and fought back in the 1800s.
32nd Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational
When: 5/28 – 5/29 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Steamer Lane & Cowells
Cost: Free
Considered “the best longboard contest in the US,” this invitational attracts 200 surfers from all over and provides for some riveting entertainment for spectators. You can even enter a raffle for a chance to win a one of a kind longboard of your own.
30th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
When: 5/28 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Come celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum this Saturday. Harry Mayo of the original Santa Cruz Surfing Club and other special guests will be on hand. There will also be a display of surfboards and woodies from the Santa Cruz Woodies club.
Memorial Day Parade and Festival in Felton
When: 5/28 at 10:00 am
Where: Felton
Cost: Free
The Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival is a community tradition in Felton. You can expect live music, great food, local beer and wine, vendor booths and fun activities for kids. The event starts with the parade along Hwy 9, and culminates with the Festival at the Covered Bridge Park on Graham Hill Rd.
Spring Book Sale 2016
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ The Catalyst
- Ugly Beauty @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- John Kaizan Neptune Shakuhachi Jazz Fusion @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- Tumbleweed Wanderers, Scary Little Friends, Tango Alpha Tango @ The Crepe Place
- The Mowgli’s Pom Poms, The Greeting Committee @ The Catalyst
- Kaye Bohler Band @ Severino’s
- Mustache Harbor @ Don Quixote’s
- The House Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- The English Beat @ Moe’s Alley
- A Very Pleasure-able Point Summer 1-Day Pop Up @ New Bohemia Brewing
- SwitchBackWomensRelayRace#1 @ De LaVeaga Park
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ PetSmart
- Westside Farmers Market @ Western Dr. and Mission St. Ext.
- Archery Tag @ Louden Nelson Center Park
- It’s Mayhem! at the Boardwalk Bowl @ Boardwalk Bowl
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Aptos Young People’s Chess Tournament @ Aptos Branch Library
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee, Books and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wool, Spinning and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Parks and Beaches
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Roof of Big Basin @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Photography Workshop: The Natural Wonders of Rancho del Oso @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Billy Elliot The Musical @ Rio Theatre
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”n” @ Park Hall
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Communities of Castle Rock
When: 5/29 at 10:00 am
Where: Castle Rock State Park
Cost: Event is free; Parking is $8
Explore Castle Rock State Park with this moderate hike that offers expansive views from Skyline Blvd.
The Coffis Brothers
When: 5/29 at 8:00 pm
Where: Severino’s
Cost: Free
Join local favorites, The Coffis Brothers, for the American Music Festival afterparty at Severino’s. Best of all? This show is free! Actually, the best part is the great music, but the free part is pretty nice too.
Santa Cruz American Music Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
35th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
See Description Under Saturday Section
32nd Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Richard Stockton Comedy with Carle & Crainer @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Toby Gray @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- KZSC Presents: Sugar Candy Mountain, Jackie Zealous, Luke Sweeney @ The Crepe Place
- Music and Art Festival @ Boulder Creek Junction Park
- Weekend Brunch at SCMB @ Kelly’s French Bakery
- Alehouse Narratives 2016 @ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
- Hangover Sundays @ Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Bi-Monthly Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Main Beach
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”n” @ Park Hall
- It’s Mayhem! at the Boardwalk Bowl @ Boardwalk Bowl
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Monday
Veterans Memorial Building Open House
When: 5/30 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: 846 Front Street, Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: free
This Memorial Day you can tour a historic landmark, meet your local veterans, and experience a piece of history at the Veterans Memorial Building Open House. In addition to free support services for veterans, you’ll learn about the different spaces available for rent by the general public to hold events. All are welcome and admission is free.
149th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance
When: 5/30 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Evergreen Cemetery
Cost: $5
Join the MAH along with local military and veterans organization to honor those who have served our country. In addition to musical and spoken tributes, there will be a Pop Up Museum and the public is encouraged to contribute objects, photos, or memorabilia of their loved ones who have served or are serving our country’s armed forces. After the program, a BBQ lunch will be served at the Portuguese Hall.
Movies on Mondays in the Beer Garden
When: 5/30 at 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Head over to Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing for the latest in their Movies on Mondays series. Movies are shown outdoors in the Beer Garden. Children of the 80s can wax nostalgic with this week’s selection; RAD. How has RAD held up over the years? Grab a beer and find out.
35th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
See Description Under Saturday Section
Featured Upcoming Event
The Redwood Mountain Faire comes to Roaring Camp on June 4th & 5th. This two day festival includes great music, locally made food and drinks, and arts & crafts.
What: Redwood Mountain Faire
Where: Roaring Camp
When: June 4th & 5th
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