Get in the spirit this weekend with a few fun holiday shows, a chance at redemption for the Warriors, and crafts galore!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
The Last Noel
When: 11/20 & 11/21 at 8:00 pm
Where: Mountain Community Theater
Cost: $20 General Admission/$17 Seniors (60+)/Students
If you head straight to the mystery section when you visit Bookshop Santa Cruz or Logos, then The Last Noel is the perfect holiday show for you. It’s part Grisham, part Dickens, and a whole lot of fun.
Tandy Beal’s Nutz RE-Mixed!
When: 11/20 thru 11/22 at 7:00 pm
Where: UCSC Theater Arts Mainstage Theater
Cost: $13.50-$28.50
Tandy Beal is once again putting her own modern spin on the beloved Nutcracker, complete with folklorico dancing, hip hop, and even a bit of juggling. This is a great new holiday tradition for old and young viewers alike.
Guys & Dolls
When: 11/20 thru 11/22 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater at The Tannery
Cost: $32-$38
If you have not seen the classic musical Guys & Dolls, then now is your chance to see it right here in Santa Cruz. Considering that it’s put on by the acclaimed Jewel Theater Company, the performers will be sure to do it justice.
Warriors vs Los Angeles
When: 11/20 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $40
The Warriors lost to LA’s D-Fenders last Sunday by only three points, so Friday night’s rematch will likely be a nail biter in its own right. Fuel up before the game on food truck fare provided by Ate 3 One and get ready to cheer on the home team!
3rd Friday: Radical Craft Night
When: 11/20 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Museum of Art and History
Cost: Free
This ain’t your grandma’s crafting — that is, not unless your grandma prefers taxidermy to knitting. This month’s 3rd Friday brings us Radical Craft Night at the MAH, with odd and intriguing features such as blacksmith podcasting and activist fashion. Get your non-traditional craft on in hands-on workshops and demonstrations.
Surfin’ Staches
When: 11/20 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Cowell’s Beach at Collin’s Cove
Cost: Free
Whether you come for the sick waves or the sweet staches, this special “No Shave November” will likely be one of the wackier surfing competitions you attend this year. All proceeds will go toward the fight against prostate cancer.
Also on Friday
- The Odd Numbers@The Catalyst (Atrium)
- Pepper@The Catalyst
- Tom Petty, Heart & Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute@Don Quixote’s
- Michael Rose@Moe’s Alley
- Abalone Grey // The Painted Horses@Kuumbwa
- Beach Fuzz, Wally Joyner, Nerves @The Crepe Place
- Wind Ensemble@Music Center, UCSC
- Mi Casa Es Tu Casa 2015 – A Celebration of Dia de los Muertos@Pajaro Valley Arts Council
- Third Fridays Walking Art Tour@the Capitola Mall
- Ageless Art Exhibit@Scotts Valley Library
- Bitch n’ Stitch@Tannery Arts Center
- SMALL WORKS: opening reception@Radius Gallery
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Westlake Winter Wonderland Artisan Fair
When: 11/21 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Westlake Elementary School
Cost: Free
Every year, just before the holidays, Westlake Elementary School fills its gymnasium with local artists and vendors for their annual Winter Wonderland Artisan Fair. This year’s event will feature 32 local artists and is a great way to kick off your holiday shopping.
Planet Cruz Comedy
When: 11/21 at 7:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $20
Planet Cruz Comedy’s tagline is “Think Globally, Laugh Locally,” and they achieve this by hosting progressive standup acts and comedy sketch artists from all over the Bay Area. If you want comedy for and about Santa Cruz, you’ll want to hit the Rio this Saturday night.
Comedy, Chicken & Waffles
When: 11/21 at 6:30 pm
Where: The Food Lounge
Cost: Free
Local popup sensation Kickin Chicken will be providing refreshments at this night of comedy at the Food Lounge, where some up and coming local comedians will also be showcasing their best stuff.
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum’s Gift and Wreath Sale
When: 11/21 & 11/22 from 10:00 am to 4pm
Where: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
Cost: Free
Welcome the holidays Santa Cruz style by hitting UCSC’s arboretum sale, where you can find carefully crafted gifts perfect for the nature lover in your life, as well as one-of-a-kind wreaths.
Nature Hike: The Natural History of Coast Dairies
When: 11/21 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: $20
Learn more about some of the natural wonders in your own backyard, and enjoy another beautiful Santa Cruz day by taking part in this hike, which will focus on the natural history of the Coast Diaries.
Get more info here. Sorry this event is full.
Passport Days
When: 11/21 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Various Wineries
Cost: $55
Prepare your palette and break out your tasting notebook to celebrate the last Passport Days of the year! Your passport will provide access to dozens of wineries, including those that are generally closed to the public.
Live Raptor Presentation
When: 11/21 at 1:00 pm
Where: Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center
Cost: Free
Birds of prey are among the most difficult creatures to observe up close, but you will get your chance at Rancho del Oso, where Jenny Papka of Native Bird Connections will be showing and giving out information about raptors.
Also on Saturday
- Celebrate Swing and Ballroom Dancing at The 3rd Saturday Dance@Market Street Theater
- Saved by the 90s@The Catalyst (Atrium)
- The Story So Far@The Catalyst
- Sharon Knight & Winter@Serpents Kiss
- The Beggar Kings@Don Quixote’s
- The Carolyn Sills Combo, Sharon Allen & The Dusty Boots@Moe’s Alley
- (((folkYEAH))) Presents: Baby Gramps, Jayme Kelly Curtis@The Crepe Place
- UCSC Orchestra & Chamber Singers@Music Center Recital Hall, UCSC
- El Niño Preparedness Workshop
- Meteor Trail Hike@Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Tours of the Monarch Butterfly Grove@Natural Bridges State Beach
- Santa Cruz Mineral and Gem Society Holiday Gift Sale@Live Oak Grange
- Stewart’s Floral Holiday Open House
- Luck of the Draw – Santa Cruz Art League Fundraiser
- Save Our Shores: Clean the Streets with Sanctuary Steward Katy!@Live Oak Library
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair@Petsmart
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Ozomatli
When: 11/22 at 8:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst
Cost: $23
Originally formed back in the 90s, Ozomatli is now considered practically a classic in the Latin American rock genre. Stop by their show at the Catalyst this Sunday, and it will be easy to see why.
If Houses Could Talk – A Ranch House Tour
When: 11/22 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Quail Hollow Ranch
Cost: $2
Quail Hollow Ranch is home to a quintessential old ranch house that has been featured in Sunset Magazine. You can get a glimpse of this old gem for yourself, and learn about the ranch’s history, on this enlightening tour.
Also on Sunday
- Immortal Technique@The Catalyst (Atrium)
- Gina Sicilia 2pm Matinee@Don Quixote’s
- Tish Hinojosa@Don Quixote’s
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats@Moe’s Alley
- The Delphi Piano Trio@Peace United Church
- Baroque Festival: Emerging Artists Showcase@Holy Cross Church
- Sunday Seaside Crafts@Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Cleanup Cowells Project@Cowell Beach
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks
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