Labor Day weekend marks the final performance in the Shakespeare Santa Cruz summer season. This comes days after the announcement that Shakespeare Santa Cruz will close its doors after this year’s Holiday production.
This weekend also has plenty of other great events, including the always popular Capitola Begonia Festival. Here are our picks for the long weekend:
Grateful Dead Tribute Band at Don Quixote’s
When: Friday 8/30
Santa Cruz has a deep connection to the iconic band the Grateful Dead. This Friday, Bay area band Stu Allen & Mars Hotel will perform the Dead’s seminal work at Don Quixote’s in Felton. The show is 21 and up only, and you can buy tickets in advance or at the door for fifteen dollars.
Friday Night Bands on the Beach
When: Friday 8/30
Former Disney Land in-house band and Beach Boys touring companion Papa Doo Run Run will perform in the final Bands on the Beach of the season. As always, the concert is totally free — just show up to the Boardwalk and savor the last tunes of summer.
Capitola Begonia Festival
When: 8/30-9/2
The 61st annual Begonia Festival, held every Labor Day Weekend, is about a whole lot more than flowers. Free events like a fishing derby and a horseshoes tournament will fill the whole weekend, with the highlight being Sunday’s parade.
Labor Day Luau
When: Saturday 8/31
Addiction recovery organization Fleahab will host a proper Luau, complete with Hawaiian food, live music, and a Kid’s Zone. You can check out the prizes — including an awesome redwood surfboard — here.
