First Friday, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, a Beer Festival, and a downtown street fair highlight this weekend’s list of events.
Read on to see the our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
First Friday
Today is the First Friday of the month, which means it’s time for the First Friday Art Tour. As usual, there is plenty on tap for First Friday, but this month we mean that literally. Be sure to check out Design on Tap, a free beer tasting event, hosted by Design by Cosmic. Here are some of the events you’ll find this month for First Friday:
- First Friday Art Tour
- Design on Tap
- Free First Friday at the MAH
- First Friday Free Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Plein Air Art in Action
- Tentacles: Art, Skateboards, and Surfboards
- Animal Instinct
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach: Y&T
When: Friday, 8/7 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Bay area heavy metal band Y&T will rock the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk tonight.
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
The 2015 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music continues with four performances this weekend. See a full list of events for this weekend here. All performances at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Haunted Topography – Opening Night Orchestra Concert
When: Friday, 8/7 at 8:00 pm
How Much: $32-$59
Yellow Earth
When: Saturday, 8/8 at 8:00 pm
How Much: $32-$59
Kronos Quartet in the Blue Room
When: Sunday, 8/9 at 8:00 pm
How Much: $30-$40
Free Family Concert | Cabrillo Festival Orchestra
When: Sunday, 8/9 at 1:00 pm
How Much: Free
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Whether you’re in the mood for some humor or drama, Santa Cruz Shakespeare has you covered this weekend. Performances include Much Ado About Nothing, the Liar and Macbeth.
Much Ado About Nothing
When: Saturday, 8/8 at 8:00 pm
Where: Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
The Liar
When: Saturday, 8/8 at 2:00 pm and Sunday, 8/9 at 8:00 pm
Where: Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
Macbeth
When: Friday, 8/7 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, 8/9 at 2:00 pm
Where: Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
Summer Concert Series: Hawaiian Music & Dance Michelle Kiba
When: Saturday, 8/8 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: New Brighton State Beach
How Much: Free (parking is $10)
You’ll feel like you’re spending the evening in Hawaii as you dance on the beach while being serenaded by Michelle Kiba and the her ukulele.
California Beer Festival
When: Friday, 8/7 through Sunday, 8/9
Where: Aptos Village Park, Santa Cruz
How Much: $10 – $75
This beer bonanza starts on Friday and continues through Sunday. Come out to the Aptos Village Park for craft beers, live music, and lots of fun.
2nd Saturday on the Farm
When: Saturday, 8/8 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Project
How Much: Free
Santa Cruz and Watsonville both have strong agricultural roots that extend into the present day. Learn more about these roots and enjoy interactive exhibits for the whole family at Second Saturday.
Church Street Fair
When: Saturday, 8/8 & Sunday, 8/9 from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Where: 307 Church Street
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.
In Case You Missed It
Take a look back at the month of July in Santa Cruz. Catch any news you may have missed, and see the best local social media posts. This month’s edition of Santa Cruz Connected also takes a look at the heartbreaking loss of Madyson Middleton, including a couple of touching tributes.
Hikes
- Rivers and Redwoods
- Meteor Trail Hike
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley
- History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area
- Nature Walks – “Quiroste Shopping”
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks
- Guided Walk of the Grey Whale Cove Trail
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Shadowbrook Stroll
- Berry Creek Falls Hike
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Madam Bliss, Indovisual, Hubsmoke: BREATHLAB & ARTISTREE FIRST FRIDAY AFTERPARTY
- Whitey Morgan + Tony Martinez
- Happyness (UK), Jackie Zealous
- CHUM, Light the Band
- We Are the West, FREE In Store performance at Streetlight Records
- Plena Libre at the Kuumbwa Jazz
Friday & Saturday
Saturday:
- Life on the Ranch: Family Living History Day
- Where’s Waldo Grand Finale Party
- Campfire Program: “How do Bats Fly?”
- The Jerry Celebration Band
- ZONGO JUNCTION + Buyepongo
- Ails (ex Ludicra), Son of Auraleous, Attic
- This Is It! featuring Lori Rivera & Alan Heit
- Esperanza Spalding Presents: EMILY’S D+EVOLUTION
- Sin Sisters Burlesque
- Meet the Composers: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music at the Civic
- Cabrillo Stage Presents: Mary Poppins
- Free Outdoor Movie Night – Monsters Inc.
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Begonia Festival Fundraiser
- TRI SANTA CRUZ by Finish Line Productions
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Downtown Antique Fair
- Bloom of the Present Meditating with the Redwoods Daylong Retreat – The Interconnected Thread of all Life: Beyond the Separate Self
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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