This Weekend in Santa Cruz: Dec. 4th – 6th, 2015

By Blair Stenvick

With big holiday events, multiple holiday gift sales, two Warriors games, and famous author Jenny Lawson coming to town, this is shaping up to be another great weekend in Santa Cruz.

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Holiday Events in Santa Cruz

Want to jump straight to the best holiday events? We’ve got you covered. The guides below will keep you full of holiday cheer throughout the month of December.

Holiday Event Guide

Catch every holiday event in Santa Cruz County this month with our Santa Cruz Holiday Event Guide.

Holiday Craft Fairs & Shopping Events

There are dozens of local craft fairs and shopping events in Santa Cruz County, many of which take place this weekend. You’ll find them all here.

Friday

Pivot: The Art of Fashion – Fashion Show

When: 12/4 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $25.00-$35.00

If you believe that fashion is wearable art, then you won’t want to miss this showcase of local designers’ fascinating use of color, line, and concept in clothing. If you like what you see, you can check out the designers’ market all weekend at the old downtown beauty school.

Get more info here.

Enduring Power: The Middle Eastern and Iranian Woman’s Story

When: 12/4 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Resource Center For Nonviolence
Cost: Free

The women who shot and are featured in the photography on display in Enduring Power come from vastly different backgrounds and cultures, including Iran, Yemen and Kuwait. But their strength through revolution and unrest binds them together in this striking exhibit.

Get more info here.

Free First Friday at Santa Cruz MAH

When: 12/4 from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: Free

Sure, you probably love having mushrooms in your salad or on a veggie burger, but did you know they could also be used as dyes, bricks, cleaning tools, and more? Learn all about that (and yes, also about their psychedelic properties) at the MAH this Friday.

Get more info here.

Warriors vs Texas

When: 12/4 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: Starts at $17

Cheer on your Santa Cruz Warriors as they take on the Texas Legends.

Get more info here.

Jenny Lawson: Furiously Happy Tour, at Bookshop Santa Cruz

When: 12/4 at 7:00 pm
Where: Bookshop Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

Popular bloggess Jenny Lawson’s new book centers around a hopeful and intriguing concept: that those who suffer from depression can also enjoy an extreme happiness that other people cannot understand. If you like a little tears mixed in with your laughter, you’ll want to check out this signing event.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

Strike Out Hunger and Bowl for Free! @ Boardwalk Bowl

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Saturday

Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale

When: 12/5 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Various businesses in Watsonville
Cost: Free

If you missed Small Business Saturday last weekend, don’t worry; the Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale is a great opportunity to purchase locally crafted gifts for all your loved ones, including wines, collectibles, skincare and more.

Get more info here.

Downtown Holiday Parade

When: 12/5 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free

Welcome Santa to town on a horse drawn carriage and enjoy some local holiday spirit at the annual Downtown Holiday Parade. This is a great event for the whole family to enjoy.

Get more info here.

Warriors vs Texas

When: 12/5 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: Starts at $17

Two games in one weekend means twice the cheering for our home team!

Get more info here.

Lighted Boat Parade

When: 12/5 at 5:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor
Cost: Registration Fee $40

This annual tradition is a favorite for boat enthusiasts and land dwellers as well. Hot drinks and snacks will be available as you watch 50 beautifully decorated boats parade through the harbor. And don’t forget to bring donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Get more info here.

Bargetto Winery Art in the Cellars

When: 12/5 & 12/6 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Bargetto Winery
Cost: Free

Finding presents for all your loved ones can be a bit stressful, but it becomes a lot more enjoyable when you can taste wine while you shop. Unique local art and wonderfully crafted local wines will converge at Bargetto Winery this Saturday and Sunday.

Get more info here.

Family Free Winter Open House

When: 12/5 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free

Santa Cruz has no lack of natural history, but do your kids know about it? At the local Museum of Natural History, you can educate them and take part in family-friendly activities like crafts, investigation stations, and more.

Get more info here.

Also on Saturday

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Watsonville Multicultural Celebration

When: 12/6 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Watsonville Public Plaza
Cost: Free

Celebrate and learn more about different cultures while your whole family enjoys music, dancing, a tree lighting ceremony, and plenty of delicious food.

Get more info here.

2015 Artisans Holiday Gift Sale – All Items $25 or less

When: 12/6 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: The Veterans Memorial Building
Cost: Free

Buying locally made and original gifts for your family and friends doesn’t have to be expensive. If you are shopping on a budget, you will want to check out the artisanal gift sale.

Get more info here.

Monthly XStream Beach Cleanup

When: 12/6 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Davenport Main beach
Cost: Free

Those who crave adventure and enjoy giving back to the community will enjoy this extreme spin on the beach cleanup. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, and come ready to help make a difference.

Get more info here.

Bargetto Winery Art in the Cellars

See description under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

It’s official! Celebrate the highly anticipated grand opening of Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources this Saturday with giveaways, crafts, face painting, and more!

Get more info here.

What: Grand Opening of Wonderland Toys
Where: 4101 Soquel Drive, intersection of Soquel and 41st
When: 10 am to 2 pm

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Blair Stenvick

Blair Stenvick is a freelance writer who has lived in Santa Cruz for four years.

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