If you want a decadent weekend, consider bringing some samples from the 8th Annual Chocolate Festival along with you on your Santa Cruz Mountain wineries Passport Day.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
3rd Friday: Magic
When: Friday, 1/16 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
How Much: $3-$5, FREE for MAH Members and Children under 3
A lot of things can be claimed under the wide heading of “Magic,” and the MAH’s event celebrating magic will have a little bit of everything, from demonstrations from Santa Cruz’s alternative spiritual community to a visual presentation from UCSC’s astronomy and astrophysics department.
Thoroughly Modern Millie
When: Friday, 1/16, and Saturday, 1/17 at 7:00 pm. Additional performances on 1/22 – 1/24.
Where: Louden Nelson Center
How Much: $13-$20
If you love the classic film musical about a woman hellbent on marrying her boss, you’ll love All About Theater’s youth production of the Tony winning stage adaptation.
Performers range from 8 – 13 years old.
The Mother Hips
When: Friday, 1/16 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $22-$25
Praised as the creators of “California Soul,” The Mother Hips recently celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band, but they’re still putting out fresh music like their 2013 album Behind Beyond. Come catch the band and see what two decades of making music can lead to.
Tribal Seeds
When: Friday, 1/16 & Saturday, 1/17 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst Club
How Much: $18-$22
The members of San Diego reggae band Tribal Seeds claim SOJA and Rebelution as influences, so they’re sure to fit right in at The Catalyst.
8 Tens @ 8 Festival
When: Friday, 1/16 through Sunday, 1/18. Show runs through 2/8.
Where: Center Street Theater
How Much: $22-$40
Some scientists say the average human attention span is about ten minutes, so this collection of ten minute one act plays should keep the audience engaged all night. If you want to experience some theatrical variety, this is the perfect event for you.
Santa Cruz Warriors D-League Showcase
When: Thursday, 1/15 through Monday, 1/19
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
How Much: $5-$75
Here’s your chance to watch up and coming, potential NBA stars from all over the country in a 19 game tournament. Come cheer on the warriors to ensure they have a true home court advantage.
Will Swim for Food
When: Saturday, 1/17 at 8:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
Thanks to Nick for leaving this tip in the comments section…
Eighty people will be swimming around the Wharf Saturday morning to raise money for food banks nationwide. “Will Swim for Food” begins at 8:00 at the bandstand on the end of the Wharf. Swimmers will parade down the Wharf led by the Santa Cruz Pipes and Drum bagpipers. They will enter the water from Main Beach, swim around the Wharf and come out at Cowells Beach. Post-swim festivities will be at Vino Prima Wine Bar on the Wharf.
Passport Days
When: Saturday, 1/17
Where: Participating Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries
How Much: $45
Take advantage of these all access pass days, where $45 will get you tastings at over 50 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Once you buy a passport, it’s good for two whole years!
Grateful Dead Tribute
When: Saturday, 1/17 at 8:30 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $15
No weekend in Santa Cruz would be complete without a Grateful Dead tribute performance, but this week brings something fresh with Bay Area musicians Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, who put their own spin on the classic tracks.
8th Annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival
When: Sunday, 1/18 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Cocoanut Grove
How Much: Tasting tickets are $15
Support the UCSC Women’s Club and sample a wide range of chocolates from around the world at one of Santa Cruz’s tastiest annual festivals. If you want to avoid the line, buy your tickets ahead of time online!
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- War & Peace Exhibit Open Reception
- Island Breeze at Pono
- Jerry Miller Band with Terry Haggerty and Terry Hiatt
- Harbor House, Sweet Plot, Ice Cream
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Sin Sisters Burlesque
- Underwater Parks Day Beach Cleanup at Capitola Beach
- A Musical Residency with Tess Dunn
- The Wood Brothers
- Adopt-a-Levee Cleanup: Riverside Avenue Neighbors
- Earl Zero + Pure Roots
- Charmas, Skyline Special Bluegrass Band
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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Eighty people will be swimming around the Wharf Saturday morning, January 17th to raise money for food banks nationwide. “Will Swim for Food” begins at 8:00 at the bandstand on the end of the Wharf. Swimmers will parade down the Wharf led by the Santa Cruz Pipes and Drum bagpipers. They will enter the water from Main Beach, swim around the Wharf and come out at Cowells Beach. Post-swim festivities will be at Vino Prima Wine Bar on the Wharf.
Come join the fun!!
Sounds fun. Thanks for the tip!