This weekend offers a few opportunities to get up close a personal with local art, as well as festivals honoring books and cacti.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach: Soul Asylum
When: Friday, 7/24 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Alternative rock band Soul Asylum put out a couple of platinum records in the late 80s and early 90s, with such memorable singles as “Runaway Train” and “Misery.” If you remember those songs first coming out, you’ll be able to relive the memories this Friday at the Boardwalk.
Farm to Table Wine Dinner – Featuring Storrs Winery
When: Friday, 7/24 at 6:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
How Much: $110
Each summer, Chaminade hosts a series of simply elegant farm to table dinners that show off the best offerings from local farms and vineyards. You’ll want to book your spot as soon as possible, as these events have been known to sell out.
DNA’s Pop Up Comedy Club: Twilight Zone Live on Stage & The Last Late Night Show
When: Friday, 7/24 and Saturday, 7/25
Where: Center Stage Theatre
How Much: $10-$20
The band of thirty local comedians performing at this pop up are definitely doing their part in keeping Santa Cruz weird… and funny! This wide-ranging night of comedy is sure to have something for everybody, and will be appropriate for audiences 16 and older.
The Liar: Opening Weekend
When: Friday, 7/24 – Sunday, 7/26 (runs through 8/29)
Where: Sinsheimer-Stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
UCSC alum Josh Saleh leads a cast of gifted humorous comedians in this farcical play that was written a few decades after Shakespeare’s death. If you want to support SSC but have had enough Shakespeare, this play presents a nice alternative.
A Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine!
When: Friday, 7/24 through Sunday, 7/26
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
How Much: $16-$24
If your kids can’t get enough of the Thomas TV show and books, bring their passion to life by going to Roaring Cap Railroads this weekend, where families can ride Thomas and get to know the whole gang.
Cabrillo Stage Presents: Mary Poppins
When: Friday, 7/24 through Sunday, 7/26 (runs through 8/16)
Where: Cabrillo College Crocker Theater
How Much: $18-$49
What kid doesn’t dream of having a nanny like Mary Poppins? Now you can bring back your own childhood memories and introduce your kids to this beloved literary figure by taking them to the live stage version.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
When: Saturday, 7/25 through Sunday, 7/26
Where: Sinsheimer-stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
Shakespeare essentially laid the groundwork for the modern day romantic comedy, and never is that more apparent than when viewing Much Ado About Nothing. Watch contempt turn into love seemingly out of thin air in this masterful take on gossip and romantic rivalry.
Bonny Doon Art Tour
When: Saturday, 7/25 & Sunday, 7/26 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Bonny Doon artist studios
How Much: Free
Checking out artwork in galleries and museums is great, but you can’t match the intimacy and creative background information you get when you visit artists’ personal studios. This weekend, you can take in local art fresh from the source by participating in the Bonny Doon Art Tour.
Festival of the Book
When: Sunday, 7/26 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Harvey West Park
How Much: Free
The start of a new school year is right around the corner. Refresh your kids reading skills and get them excited about a new year of books by bring them to this festival, which will feature music, food, and, of course, plenty of kids books.
Wharf To Wharf Race 2015
When: Sunday, 7/26 from 8:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf/Beach Street
It’s too late to participate in the Wharf to Wharf race, but you can still take part in the fun and cheer your friends on by observing from the sidelines. Proceeds go to support several different local worthy causes.
Makers Market Santa Cruz in Abbott Square
When: Sunday, 7/26 from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square
How Much: Free
There’s something special about buying locally made, one-of-a-kind art, crafts, and knick knacks. The MAH provides a great venue for local markers to show their stuff and for those interested to peruse a wide variety of items and styles.
6th Annual Festival Del Nopal/Cactus Festival
When: Sunday, 7/26 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: 176 Lincoln St. (same lots as farmers market)
How Much: Free
Nopales, or prickly pear cacti, are a considered a national plant in Mexico. This festival will celebrate the nopal in all its different culinary and symbolic forms.
Hikes
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Big Basin “Nature Tails”
- Family Discovery Walk
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
- Hike the Last Chance Trail
- Meteor Trail Hike
- Shadowbrook Stroll
- Ohlone Walk at Butano
- Coast Nature Walk
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks
- Ohlone Guided Walk
- Evening Campfire Program
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Ka Nalu at Pono
- Evening Campfire Program
- Old Fashioned Campfire at the Mission
- Moonalice plus Achilles Wheel
- Katdelic
- The SHE’s, Pyromids, Emotional
- I THE MIGHTY, Hail the Sun
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Weekend Brunch at SCMB
- Ed Smiley Studio 56 Building 4: Pop Up Show
- Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge
- Sketching through the Seasons: Nature Sketching Workshop at at Schwan Lake
- Guided Adobe Tour
- Summer Concert Series: Simmons Family Band
- Soquel Pioneer Picnic
- Locomotive Breath
- LA SANTA CECILIA + Karikatura
- Neil Hamburger- America’s Funnyman!
- Spank Rock
- Kehlani
- Great American Secchi Dip-In
- Redwood Wind Quintet: an Offshoot of the San Lorenzo Valley Band
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Hangover Sundays at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing! NOW SERVING BRUNCH!!
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Circus of Nations
- Fourth Sundays at San Lorenzo Park
- Edan Lepucki, California
- Zach Deputy plus Light theBand
- Dust In My Coffee, The Wallflowers
- Sticky Fingers
- Mbira Master Series Concert – Zimbabwe
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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