Santa Cruz Weekend Events for August 1st

The Cabrillo Music Festival is the main event in Santa Cruz this weekend, but there’s plenty of other fun stuff for everyone to enjoy.

Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.

First Friday Events

Today is the First Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the First Friday Art Tour. Here are a few First Friday perks to pique your interest:

Music & Art @ The Mission: Mystic Truebudoors Music & Erika Perloff Art

When: Friday, 8/1 at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
How Much: Free

The Free Summer Series at the Santa Cruz Mission continues this Friday with the coupling of Erika Perloff’s art and live music from the Mystic Troebudoors. Perloff paints gorgeous California landscapes, and the Mystic Truebudoors create a kind of calming landscape of sound, so the pairing should be perfect.

Get more info here.

Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach – Y&T

When: Friday, 8/1 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free

Y&T are originally from Oakland, Santa Cruz’s neighbor, but the heavy rock band’s success has reached much further than that. Come out to the Boardwalk to hear them lay down now classic tracks like “She’s a Liar” and “Don’t Stop Runnin’.”

Get more info here.

A Tribute to Jerry Garcia

When: Friday, 8/1 at 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz
How Much: $20-$25

Santa Cruz can’t get enough of the Grateful Dead — there’s even an exhibit honoring the band at UCSC‘s library. Come hear an awesome jazz tribute to the Dead’s legendary frontman.

Get more info here.

Oliver!

When: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
How Much: $18-$45

See the Dickens classic Oliver Twist brought to life and put to music at Cabrillo College, which is well known in the area for its musical theater productions. If you love A Christmas Carol, this tale of an orphan in despair is right up your chimney.

Get more info here.

A Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine!

When: Friday, 8/1 through Sunday, 8/3
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
How Much: $16 – $24

Your kids will never forget the day their favorite train came to life at Roaring Camp Railroads. Taking a train ride is the perfect outing for the whole family, and the fact that you’ll be riding Thomas makes it especially fun for the kids in your tribe.

Get more info here.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz

When: Friday, 8/1 – Sunday, 8/3
Where: Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16 – $48

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s ultimate comedy of errors, built on layers of misunderstandings and double meanings. The Merry Wives of Windsor, another production from Shakespeare Santa Cruz, centers around Sir John Falstaff, Henry IV’s knight, and his thwarted attempts at love and financial solvency. Both of these plays make for a great date night.

Cabrillo Music Festival

When: Begins Friday, 8/1. Runs through Sunday, 8/10
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
How Much: Prices Vary

Cabrillo’s annual summer celebration of joyful noise will be happening all over the Santa Cruz area this weekend. From family–friendly fests to musicals and concerts, Cabrillo is offering something for everything, so check out the links below!

41st Annual Roughwater Swim

When: Saturday, 8/2 at 11:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
How Much: $40

Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, this swim around the Wharf and to the Dream Inn is sure to be an intense ride. Strong swimmers over 18, this is your chance to test your skills in the Pacific Ocean!

Get more info here.

Church Street Fair

When: Saturday, 8/2 through Sunday, 8/3, at 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Where: Church St., outside the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
How Much: Free

Cabrillo is continuing its tradition of holding a celebration downtown as part of its Contemporary Music Festival. Come enjoy live music from Cabrillo performers, food, art, and even wine in downtown Santa Cruz, just a few blocks away from Pacific Avenue.

Get more info here.

20th Annual Watsonville Strawbery Festival at Monterey Bay

When: Saturday, 8/2 through Sunday, 8/3, at 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Where: Watsonville’s Historic Downtown
How Much: Free

Life in the Santa Cruz area is just a bowl of strawberries, right? Watsonville is one of the country’s biggest producers of strawberries, and this weekend you can pay your respects to the sweet, juicy fruit at Watsonville’s 20th annual Strawberry Festival. Enjoy a stroll down Strawberry Lane, live music, and more!

Get more info here.

Sunday Art and Music at the Beach

When: Sunday, 8/3 at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
How Much: Free

Enjoy live music and plenty of art vendors at this Sunday’s Art and Music session at Esplanade Park, in Capitola. Ban Harpin & Clark will be playing their mellow harmonica and harp, an excellent accompaniment to strolling through different artist booths and enjoying the view of the Pacific.

Get more info here.