Memorial Day Weekend is here and Santa Cruz is remembering with the Felton Remembers Parade, Civil War reenactments, and a ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.
This 3-day weekend also brings a major surfing competition at Steamer Lane, a few shopping events, and we even have a new circus coming to town.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Friends of SCPL BIG Spring Book Sale
When: 5/24 from 4 pm to 8 pm & 5/25 from 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: Most books: $1-$3. $5/bag or $10/3 bags
With over 10,000 gently used books, The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries annual BIG Spring Book Sale has something for everyone. Stock up on comfort reads, explore new genres, or pick up an audio book for your daily commute. Insider Tip: the famous $5/Bag or $10/3 Bags deal takes place on Saturday from 3 – 6 pm.
MCT’s Rapture, Blister, Burn
When: Runs through June 9
Where: Mountain Community Theater/Park Hall
Cost: $15 – $20 + service fee
What does it mean to be a woman in this millennium? Is the grass always greener on the other side? Prepare for thought-provoking laughs as Rapture, Blister, Burn explores feminist perspectives through the ages, with a focus on two characters who chose opposite paths: a professional career woman versus stay-at-home mom.
Venardo Circus
When: 5/24 – 6/9
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $15 – $45
Aerial, acrobatic, and magical thrills await those who enter the famous red and white striped circus tent. Bring the family for this musical production that features a cast of critically-acclaimed human performers (Hint: no animals).
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Suborbitals: Acoustic in the Art Cave @ The Art Cave
- Santa Cruz contra dance @ Live Oak Grange
- Anthony Arya with Casey Wickstrom @ Britannia Arms Capitola
- Live Music by The Live Oak Jam Band @ Abbott Square
- Slaid Cleaves @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Sol Nova @ Crow’s Nest
- B-Side Players @ Moe’s Alley
- Village of Spaces w/ The Lodestones and Meadow Singers @ The Crepe Place
- THE FRIGHTS @ The Catalyst
- JOHN KADLECIK’S FELLOWSHIP OF THE WING @ The Catalyst
- Joint Chiefs @ Severino’s
- The Blues Mechanics @ Michael’s on Main
- Extra Large @ Michael’s on Main
- The Island Breeze Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
Saturday
Rockin’ Pop-Up at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
When: 5/25 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History
Cost: Free with Admission
Rock-talk days are held once a month at the Museum of Natural History and are led by a team of UCSC PhD students known as the “Geology Gents.” Swing by this Saturday to learn how our ocean’s currents and circulation impact local wildlife.
35th Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational
When: 5/25 & 5/26
Where: Steamer Lane
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.
38th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
When: 5/25 – 5/27
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: $28 – $37. Infants under 2 ride for free
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.
Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival
When: 5/25 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Covered Bridge Park
Come for the parade, stay for the festival! This is an annual Felton community tradition you don’t want to miss. The event starts with a parade along Hwy 9, honoring those who have died while serving our country, as well as surviving veterans and families of fallen soldiers. Following the parade, gather at Covered Bridge Park for a family-friendly festival where you can enjoy live music, a variety of food vendors, and fun activities for kids.
Friends of SCPL BIG Spring Book Sale
See Description Under Friday Section
MCT’s Rapture, Blister, Burn
See Description Under Friday Section
Venardo Circus
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Plan B @ Abbott Square
- Live Again @ Crow’s Nest
- Melvin Seals & JGB @ Moe’s Alley
- Van Goat w/ Fulminante and Salt Petal @ The Crepe Place
- MUSTACHE HARBOR @ The Catalyst
- Nora Cruz Band @ Severino’s
- Ten O’clock Lunch Band @ Michael’s on Main
- Planet Exploding Rock Show @ Blue Lagoon
- 12th Annual Music in May Chamber Music Festival @ Cabrillo Samper Recital Hall
SHOPPING
MAKE/CRAFT
- Annieglass Leather Image Transfer Patch Baseball Cap Workshop @ Annieglass Incorporated
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Avocado Dyeing @ All Hands Workshops, 514a Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Hammered Brass and Tassel Earrings @ All Hands Workshops, 514a Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Upcycled Plastic Hawiian Style Weaving with Local Environmental Educator and Artist Rachael Kippen @ Sanctuary Exploration Center (35 Pacific Ave.)
OUTDOORS
- SANTA CRUZ WHARF EXPERIENCE @ Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
- What They Wore @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Hike to Ocean View Summit @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sempervirens Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Tidepool Tour @ Natural Bridges State Beach
MORE
- Imagining and Making a University Campus at Santa Cruz @ Downtown Branch Library
- Aptos Young People’s Annual Chess Tournament @ Aptos Branch Library
Sunday
Memorial Day Wagon Rides at Wilder Ranch
When: 5/26 & 5/27 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Update: Wagon rides cancelled 5/26 due to weather forecast. Wagon rides on 5/27 still scheduled. Yeehaw! Head to Wilder for a wagon ride and meet the new team of Belgians, Margaret and Millie.
MCT’s Rapture, Blister, Burn
See Description Under Friday Section
Venardo Circus
See Description Under Friday Section
38th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Rupa & The April Fishes + LoCura @ Moe’s Alley
- The Live Oaks w/ Bobcat Rob and Dan Too @ The Crepe Place
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
SHOPPING
OUTDOORS
- Tidepool Tour @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Monday
Memorial Day Remembrance
When: 5/27 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Evergreen Cemetery
Cost: Free
Join the MAH along with local military and veterans 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.
Memorial Day Wagon Rides at Wilder Ranch
See Description under Sunday section.
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Japanese Cultural Fair
When: Saturday, June 8
Where: Mission Plaza
Cost: Free
Celebrate our neighbors across the Pacific and the Japanese community in Santa Cruz! Enjoy booming Taiko drum performances and traditional crafts, dancing, and food. Additional workshops and demonstrations will be held nearby at Aikido of Santa Cruz and The Zen Center.
Friday Night Bands on the Beach
Photo Credit: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
When: Friday Nights from Jun. 14 – Aug. 30
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Here comes summer! We’re less than a month away from the first free Friday Night Bands on the Beach at the Boardwalk.
This year’s lineup includes some of the regulars that we’ve come to expect, like Smashmouth and Papa Doo Run Run, along with newcomers like the 10,000 Maniacs.
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