This weekend is all about perfect matches: music and ocean, beer and jam, and a 50th birthday party and cake from Gayle’s—yum!
Kick it off with some Family Stone at the Boardwalk, celebrate local history in Capitola, shop local in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and see what cool things some locals are up to, such as building a tiny railroad empire.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
The Family Stone
When: 7/8 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Dance to the Music with Everyday People or make it a Family Affair…see what we did there? You already know the lyrics, just bring your moves and get ready for a fun night of dancing on the beach!
OluKai’s Anywhere Aloha Pop Up Shop Comes to Santa Cruz
When: 7/8 – 7/10 at 10:00 am
Where: O’Neill Surf Shop, Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Head to O’neill’s in Downtown Santa Cruz for a 3-day popup this weekend. Daily festivities include live music, açai bowls, pint night, giveaways, and a chance to win some great prizes from OluKai.
Also on Friday
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- The Wave Tones @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Hartle-Kaiser-Sunshine: 70’s Clapton Rebooted @ Don Quixote’s
- U-Turn @ Crow’s Nest
- The Coffis Brothers + McCoy Tyler @ Moe’s Alley
- Novarose, The Unending Thread @ The Crepe Place
- Intronaut @ The Catalyst
- Nora Cruz (R&B) @ Severino’s
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Food Lounge Artisan Market @ The Food Lounge
- Wine & Watercolor @ New Leaf Community Market-Westside
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Gerald Joseph Magic! @ Scotts Valley, Capitola, Felton Libraries
- Extreme Origami: Book Folding @ La Selva Beach Branch
- Artisan Food Market @ Food Lounge
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
HUSHfest: Santa Cruz Lighthouse
When: 7/9 from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Lighthouse Point Lawn
Cost: $15-$25, kids 12 and under free with ticketed parent
Spend the afternoon at Lighthouse Point enjoying two things that go so well together: music and ocean. If you think you can just walk West Cliff and enjoy the music, think again. This is a silent disco where attendees are given headphones with access to two channels of live house and DJ music.
Capitola Historical Museum 50th Birthday Celebration
When: 7/9 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Capitola Historical Museum
Cost: Free
You’re invited to a community birthday party honoring The Capitola Historical Museum’s 50th anniversary! Festivities include kid-friendly activities, souvenirs, outdoor displays, and a cake-cutting…Gayle’s cake to be exact.
A performance tribute to Professor Mary Zavanelli
When: 7/9 at 2:00 pm
Where: Digital Arts Research Center, UCSC
Cost: Free
Witness the journey of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) from the patient’s point of view and learn about vocal coaching and voice banking as tools to help those living with ALS prolong the ability to speak without technology. This solo performance takes place at UC Santa Cruz and is free and open to the public.
Beer & Savory Jam Pairing
When: 7/9 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Annieglass in Watsonville
Cost: $5
Anyone on a mission to discover what pairs well with beer will want to attend this delightful matchup between Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Friend in Cheeses Jam Company. On top of that, it takes place at Annieglass in Watsonville where we highly recommend the free 1:30 pm tours Thursday- Sunday.
Also on Saturday
- Kung Fu Vampire @ The Catalyst
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Spirit of ’76 @ Don Quixote’s
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- Jon Cleary @ Moe’s Alley
- Alex Abreu @ The Crepe Place
- Bonedrivers (Roadhouse Style Rock ‘n’ Blues) @ Severino’s
- Summer Concert Series @ New Brighton State Beach Campfire Center 7:30 PM
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Adolescence 2.0 by Dixie Lee Mills @ Center Stage Theatre
- Sin Sisters Burlesque, in the Catalyst Atrium @ The Catalyst
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Natural Bridges Dr. and Delaware
- Second Saturday on the Farm @ Agricultural History Project
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- Birding for Beginners @ Rancho del Oso
- The Road Less Traveled- A Dog Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Basket Making with Pine Needles @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Here Comes the Sun! Sun Telescope! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Food Truck Brunch
When: 7/10 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: Free Admission
Pack a picnic blanket but let Food Trucks A Go Go handle the picnic. A tasty variety of breakfast and lunch items—Ate4One, Aunt Lali’s, G’s Tacos, Indian Gourmet—means something for everyone! Super family-friendly venue…if you haven’t been to Skypark, you’ll enjoy all it has to offer.
Garden Railroad Open House
When: 7/10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Fern Creek and Western Garden Railroad
Cost: Free
All aboard! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to view working model trains in a garden setting filled with scale plants and structures. If you missed the mid-week open house, this encore is for you. Bring the kids, bring the grandpas, and everyone in between!
SCM Makers Market
When: 7/10 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Mountain Community Resources Lot, Felton
Cost: Free Admission
Over 40 artists and crafters will show their wares at the Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market. Enjoy food and live music (the Blues) while you shop and support Mountain Community Resources non-profit.
Also on Sunday
- Dangermuffin @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Rich & The Rhythm Roustabouts at Swing Set Lounge @ Pacific Arts Complex
- Sing the Body, Move the Voice Workshop w/ Rita Rivera @ The 418 Project
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- The Harmed Brothers, Chris Doud, Watson & Willis @ The Crepe Place
- Chicago, The Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Fair @ Downtown Farmers’ Market
- Live Oak Farmers Market @ 15th & Eastcliff Dr.
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Rancho del Oso
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Nature Wander at Waddell @ Rancho del Oso
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Center
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Center
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Beach
- Dip and Dash Aquathlon #1 @ Cowell Beach
Featured Upcoming Event
Calling ALL Harry Potter fans! Don’t miss the opportunity to transport yourself to the magical wizarding world complete with Butterbeer from the Penny Ice Creamery, Cauldron Cakes from Buttercup Cakes, Quidditch matches, wand making and so much more. This event is tied in with the release of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Parts I & II.
What: Harry Potter Festival
Where: Front Street behind Bookshop Santa Cruz
When: 7/31 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
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