The holiday season is officially upon us! This weekend brings two tree lightings, two parades, and the Jungle Bell Rock 5k. Stay up to date with all the best holiday events this month with the Santa Cruz Life guide to Santa Cruz holiday events.
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. While the art tour is always a highlight, it isn’t the only perk that comes with the first Friday of each month:
- First Friday Art Tour
- Free First Friday at the MAH
- First Friday Free Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- First Friday: Art Wall at the Swift Street Courtyard
- First Friday Reception at the Government Center
- Cosmic Hosts: Framed – An Art Show by Thieves
- Art of Dance at the R. Blitzer Gallery
First Friday Frosty Fun Fest
When: Friday, 12/5 at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
How Much: Free
Turn Louden Nelson’s community art gallery into a winter wonderland, make your own holiday cards and wrapping paper, enter a gingerbread house competition, and join holiday carolers at the free, family friendly celebration. Don’t forget to do your favorite holiday sweater!
Holiday Craft Fairs & Shopping Events
If Black Friday isn’t really your thing, you’ll probably be more enthused about the quaint local holiday fairs happening around town this weekend. SCL’s got the whole list covered, so all you have to do is pick which ones are calling out to you!
Lighted Boat Parade
When: Saturday, 12/6 at 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor
How Much: Free
Santa Cruz’s annual lighted boat parade is always a unique way to get into the holiday spirit on the beach. You can watch, or, if you have access to your own boat, sign up to participate!
Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
When: Saturday, 12/6 at 2:00 pm -7:00 pm
Where: Scotts Valley Community Center
How Much: Free
Enjoy holiday refreshments and activities as you watch the biggest Christmas tree in Scott’s Valley light up for the first time this year. If you bring a can of food to support the food drive, you get a free horse wagon ride from 3 to 6 pm!
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
When: Saturday, 12/6 through Sunday, 12/7 at 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: $22-$28
It’s a tradition in many families to drive around looking at holiday lights, but this year you can do something different and ride around inside of the lights. The Holiday Lights Train will light up the streets of Santa Cruz this weekend, and you can make a night of it by playing mini golf or arcade games at the Boardwalk afterwards.
Downtown Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, 12/6 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
How Much: Free
This Santa Cruz tradition always serves as the official kick off of the holiday season in town, and this free event is a great way to start off a day of holiday shopping downtown.
Santa Cruz Wharf 100th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremonies
When: Friday, 12/5 at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
How Much: Free
It’s been a year long birthday celebration at the Santa Cruz Wharf, but the Commemorations Ceremonies are, finally, the main event. Taking place on the Wharf’s actual 100th birthday, the Commemoration Ceremonies will honor Santa Cruz’s past and look forward to its future, and the Wharf’s own role in all of it.
Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus presents Music For The Feast Of Christmas
When: Friday, 12/5 through Sunday, 12/7 at 8:00 pm
Where: Holy Cross Church
How Much: $19-$23
Feast your ears on the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus’ lovely interpretation of classic holiday tunes. If you want to get your kids more into classical music, this is a great way to transition them into it.
Cabrillo Winter Dance Concert
When: Friday, 12/5 through Sunday, 12/7 at 7:30 pm and 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo Crocker Theater
How Much: $6-$14
Take in salsa, hip hop, contemporary, ballet and more at the Cabrillo Winter Dance Concert, which will feature brand new choreography from several different Cabrillo dance faculty members.
Capitola Village Holiday Tree Lighting and Open House
When: Saturday, 12/6 at afternoon
Where: Capitola Village Esplanade
How Much: Free
With its wide variety of shops and restaurants, Capitola Village is a great place to do some holiday shopping, and doing it during the annual tree lighting will certainly get you in the spirit. If you need any more incentive, different businesses will be giving away over $2500 worth of gift certificates!
Jingle Bell Rock 5k
When: Sunday, 12/7 at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
How Much: $25-$35
If you want to actively combat the holiday belly bulge, consider joining the Jingle Bell Rock 5k. It’s a great way to both get in a workout and support Toys for Tots, which will provide holiday presents for Santa Cruz area kids in need.
Free Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Every once in a while we go outside the bounds of Santa Cruz County when recommending events. While the Aquarium isn’t in Santa Cruz, they are currently offering free admission to residents of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties during “Community Week” which runs from the 6th through the 14th. You must present proof of local residence to receive the deal.
When: December 6 – 14
Where: Monterey Bay Aquarium
How Much: Free!
Beach Cleanups
- Tide Pool Exploration & Beach Clean-Up
- San Lorenzo River Cleanup with The Tannery
- Waddell Creek Beach Cleanup with Sate Parks
- Weekly Cowell Beach Cleanup
- Monthly XStream Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- An evening with Judy Collins
- INSPECTOR + La Misa Negra
- The Sagittarius Ball Slugs N’ Roses Grateful Dead Tribute plus Achilles Wheel
- Eric Hutchinson
- A Night of Folk n’ Funk: Kuckaw! and American Nomad @ the Crepe Place
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- The Return of the Aimee Mann Christmas Show with Aimee Mann, Ted Leo and Many Special Guests
- Guided Adobe Tour
- Winter Gala at Whole Foods Market Capitola
- The Red Ball
- UCSC Concert Choir
- Be Natural Music Kid’s Rock Benefit Concert, Not My Fault, Diamond Wire, The Sumthings, TBA
- Fleetwood Mask
- Shimshai – Benefit Concert for Tibetan Orphans
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Gingerbread House Workshop
- Holiday Gift Making Workshop at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
- Mike Birbiglia
- The Cabrillo Symphonic Winds – A Festival Of Ancient Music for Wind Bands
- Holiday Open House
- 11th Annual Children’s Christmas Tree Trimming
- A Christmas Carol and Christmas in Connecticut (2 showings)
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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)
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