This is a great weekend for local food and wine enthusiasts, art fans, classic rock lovers, and families looking to spend some quality fun time together.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
Seymour Center Community Free Day
When: Friday, 10/17 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
How Much: Free
If you and your kids love all things underwater, then the the perfect affordable family outing for you is the Seymour Center Community Free Day, where you can interact with tide-pools, skeletons, wildlife and more.
Wine Harvest Dinner
When: Friday, 10/17 from 6:00 pm -9:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College
How Much: $55
Enjoy autumn Santa Cruz style with a wine harvest dinner, where you can rub elbows with fine wine crafters and sommeliers. This dinner is meant as a celebration to mark the end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Professional Wine Tasting, so get ready for lots of wine sipping, sniffing, and discussing.
The English Beat (Sold Out)
When: Friday, 10/17 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $24-$28
Classic 80s British band The Beat are reuniting for a tour after decades of silence, and lucky ticket holders of the now sold out show will catch them this Friday night at Moe’s Alley.
GLOW: A Festival of Light
When: Friday, 10/17 & Saturday, 10/18 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: MAH
How Much: $5-$10
Once a year the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History transforms the museum, the adjacent Abbott Square, and Cooper Street into a festival of fire, light, and illuminated digital art. Find out more and see some epic photos and videos from last year’s event on our recent blog post about GLOW.
44th Annual Santa Cruz Band Review
When: Saturday, 10/18 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Over fifty high school marching bands will participate in this review, which will begin and end at the Boardwalk.
Thrill the World Flash Mob
When: Saturday, 10/18 at 12:00 pm
Where: Pacific Avenue at Cooper Street
How Much: Free
Check out a flash mob dance to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” just in time for the Halloween season. This dance is organized by Motion Pacific, whose students will be performing, but all Thriller fans are welcome to participate. Bring your kids, and remember, zombie attire is highly recommended.
New West Guitar Group featuring Sara Gazarek
When: Saturday, 10/18 at 7:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz
How Much: $25
Santa Cruz jazz lovers won’t want to miss this performance from excellent young jazz guitarists. And the deep acoustics of Kuumbwa make it the perfect place to hear their steel string guitars.
Open Studios Art Tour: Encore Weekend
When: Saturday, 10/18 & Sunday, 10/19
Where: Santa Cruz County
How Much: Free
Open Studios continues with Encore Weekend, with artists from both South and North Counties showing off their best work. Take a peek at SCL’s Open Studios coverage for more info!
Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party
When: Saturday, 10/18 & Sunday, 10/19 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
How Much: $24
For the first time at Roaring Camp, Thomas the Tank Engine’s buddy Percy will join him on the rails to give an instructional and festive Halloween ride. The party will also include activities like face painting and storytelling, and kids and parents of all ages are welcome.
New Leaf 21st Birthday Bash
When: Sunday, 10/19 at 12:00 p – 4:00 pm
Where: New Leaf Community Markets – Capitola
How Much: Free
One of our favorite local grocery stores is finally coming of age! Celebrate New Leaf’s years of providing the area with sustainable, natural grocery options with this celebration. Entrance is free, and all food, wine, raffle and beer proceeds will go to Grind Out Hunger.
Beach Cleanups
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Beer Tasting Sail on the Team O’Neill Catamaran
- Faith Ako
- The Bad Light, Redlight District, Travelling
Friday & Saturday
Saturday:
- Free Retirement Workshop – How to Remain in Your Home Through the Decades
- Zumba Dance Party!!!
- Big Mountain + special guests OMANI & DJ SPLEECE
- Birding Along the Santa Cruz River Walk
- Archeology Demonstration
- Chardonnay II Brewmaster Charter
- The Wonder Years
- Sin Sisters Burlesque
- Joomanji, Kendra McKinley
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Family Walk in the Redwood Forest
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Coco Montoya
- Critter Crafts
- Alehouse Narratives – Season 3
- Science Sunday: Sand Wars – A documentary and presentation
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Free Wildlife Eco-Tours of the Santa Cruz Wharf (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Sunday Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center (weekly event – every Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…
