Bands on the beach and the Hop N’ Barley Beer and BBQ Festival highlight this weekend’s events.
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: Blind Melon
When: Friday, 6/27 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two
and speak my point of view
But it’s not sane, It’s not sane
If you were a teenager in the ’90s then you no doubt remember those lyrics, along with the bee girl in Blind Melon’s video for the song, No Rain. Take an alternative fueled trip back in time with Blind Melon at this Friday night’s free concert on the beach.
Downtown Sidewalk Sales
When: Friday, 6/27 through Sunday, 6/29, from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Where: Downtown
How Much: Free
Downtown Santa Cruz hosts sidewalk sales the last weekend of each month. It’s the perfect shopping environment for those who want to take advantage of the great summer weather.
Cruz Fest in the Redwoods
When: Saturday, 6/28 from 3:30 pm – Midnight
Where: Camp Cruz, 2015 Eureka Canyon Rd. Watsonville
How Much: $10-$30
Cruz Fest is a benefit concert featuring music from B-Side Players from San Diego, locals reggae group Ancestree and “dub-hop” by Boostive will be playing for the adults. Afternoon entertainment for the kids headlined by Bubble Master, Tom Noddy. Proceeds go towards scholarships to Growing up Wild’s summer program, Boys in the Woodz.
3rd All Star Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament
When: Saturday, 6/28 through Sunday, 6/29
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
How Much: Adults: $10, Kids: $5, Seniors & Kids under 5: Free
The All Star Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament is a two day tournament at the Kaiser Permanente Arena. All belt levels are welcome to compete, and competitor ages range from kids through seniors.
Hop N’ Barley Beer and BBQ Festival
When: Saturday, 6/28 & Sunday, 6/29, at 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Skypark
How Much: $25-$80, free admission for non-tasters
60 breweries, BBQ, and live music on two stages are the highlights of this two day festival at Skypark in Scotts Valley.
Pro-Am Beach Soccer “World Cup” Tournament
When: Saturday, 6/28 through Sunday, 6/29, at 9:30 am
Where: Santa Cruz Beach
Celebrate the World Cup with beach soccer and the Pro-Am Beach Soccer “World Cup” Tournament. Games take place on Main Beach, in front of the Boardwalk.
Bikes on the Bay: Capitola Vintage Motorcycle Show
When: Sunday, 6/29 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Mall Parking Lot
How Much: Free
Hundreds of motorcycles will be on display in the Capitola Mall parking lot this Sunday, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Shop for a bike to purchase, get parts for your bike restoration project, or just enjoy the bikes on display.
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach
When: Sunday, 6/29 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
How Much: Free
Come down to the Capitola Village esplanade this Sunday for the Sunday Art & Music at the Beach series. Artists will have their work on display from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, and you can listen to live music from Laurent Fourgo at 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm.
C.S.I. – Creekside Investigation!
When: Saturday, 6/28 at 2:00 pm
Where: Rancho del Oso – Big Basin Redwoods State Park
How Much: Included in admission
Put your detective hat on (and some sunscreen) for this family friendly creek-side investigation at Waddell Creek. Meet at Ranger Station, then hike to Waddell Creek, all the while searching to solve the aquatic mysteries of Waddell Creek. You will use nets and other tools to find the tiny creatures in the water.
Sunday Beach Cleanups
There are three beach cleanups this Sunday:
- Monthly Xstream Cleanup at Panther Beach
- Weekly Cowell Beach Cleanup
- North Coast Cleanup at Bonny Doon Beach
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- McCoy Tyler Band, Mark Sexton Band
- AZA: CD Release Celebration
- Ryan Kamakakehau Fernandez
- Zeppelin Live formerly HEARTBREAKER
- Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones
Friday through Sunday
- Special Exhibit: The Art of Nature
- Planet Ord
- Visual Art: “In a Golden State” 84th Annual California Statewide Landscape Exhibit
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Altar Boyz
- Santa Cruz Mosaic Artists
Saturday:
- 10th Annual Santa Cruz Harp Festival
- Volunteer Day at the Slough
- The Black Tigers and Russ Rankin
- China Cats: Grateful Dead Tribute
- Southern Culture On The Skids
- The Coffee Zombie Collective, The No Good Redwood Ramblers
Saturday & Sunday:
Sunday:
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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