This weekend is full of big events, from the Capitola Art & Wine Festival and the Greek Food and Cultural Festival, to live music and movies on the beach, a ton of tribute concerts, and much more.
Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
The Sun Kings – Beatles Tribute Band
When: Friday, 9/11 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Check out the Beatles’ greatest hits, performed live on the Boardwalk’s beach bandstand by Northern California’s premiere Beatles tribute band.
Community Free Day at Seymour Marine Discovery Center
When:Friday, 9/11 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Free
Explore ocean life and more at the Seymour Center’s free day, which only occurs once every few months. This is the perfect event for the whole family to enjoy.
Movies at the Beach in Capitola Village: Endless Summer 2
When: Friday, 9/11 at 7:30
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
If you have any surfers in your family, then this weekend’s Movies at the Beach will definitely be of interest. Enter the world of shortboarding and international surfing in this follow up to the 1960s classic.
Santa Cruz Greek Food and Cultural Festival
When:Friday, 9/11 through Sunday, 9/13
Where: 223 Church St., between Cedar & Center
Cost: Free
The Greek Food and Cultural Festival has been a beloved Santa Cruz tradition for years, and it isn’t difficult to see why: delicious savory and sweet bites, fun rhythmic dancing, and a great sense of community. Experience it all for yourself this weekend.
In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute To The Beatles
When: Friday, 9/11 at 7:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $30 – $45
Critics and musical professionals alike agree that In My Life is one of the most creative Beatles projects in recent memory. This weekend, you can see the rise of the world’s most popular rock band from the point of view of manager Brian Epstein.
Artisan Food Market at Food Lounge
When: Friday, 9/11 from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge (1001 Center Street)
During summer in downtown Santa Cruz, the only after work activity to rival happy hour is the farmers market. This Friday evening, you won’t have to choose, as the Artisan Food Market will bring both local produce and creative cocktails to Center Street.
Counter Cultures: A Fermentation Celebration
When: Saturday, 9/12 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: $20-$50
When you think of fermentation, you likely think of beer, wine, and maybe kombucha. But what about fermented cheese, tempeh, and bread? You can experience the many facets of fermentation at this diverse, interactive event.
Ohlone Day
When: Saturday, 9/12 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free ($10 parking)
Long before any of us lived in Santa Cruz, the area was populated by the Native American Ohlone people. Learn about their culture, history, and music at this fun and enlightening event.
BRAZILIAN DAY 2015
When: Saturday, 9/12. Doors open at 8:00 pm, show at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $22-$25
If you enjoy Brazilian culture, or just like to dance, then Moe’s Alley has the perfect concert event for you. The lineup will include Unidos de Bahia, Feathered Samba Dancers and Namorados Da Lua.
2nd Saturday on the Farm
When: Saturday, 9/12 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Project (2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville)
Cost: Free
Learn how to milk a cow, let your kids try out tractor driving, and learn more about Santa Cruz agriculture in this monthly event, which will also feature interactive history exhibits.
33rd Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival
When: Saturday, 9/12 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm & Sunday, 9/13 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free
Enjoy live music, beautiful local art, and a wide selection of wine samples this weekend at this annual end of summer event. About 20 wineries will be featured, including Bargetto Winery, Soquel Vineyards, and Domenico Winery.
Downtown Identity Project: Engaging the Community Voice
When: Saturday, 9/12 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Veteran’s Memorial Building (846 Front Street) / Various locations
Cost: Free
Downtown Santa Cruz has been actively working to shape and enhance its community, and now it’s your turn to get involved. If you live, work, or play downtown, take some time to participate in this crucial movement for the neighborhood.
2015 East-to-West Scavenger Race
When: Sunday, 9/13
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: Race registration is $30-$60. Raffle tickets begin at $2
This scavenger race is one part scavenger hunt, one art bike race, and one part exploration of the different neighborhoods and attractions of Santa Cruz. Get a team together and register today!
Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market
When: Sunday, 9/13
Where: Downtown Felton
Cost: Free
Head up to Felton for the final Makers Market of 2015. Browse a wide selection of local arts and crafts, sip on some local wine and beer, and enjoy great live music.
This Week on the Santa Cruz Life Blog
We just published a guide to a family friendly Highway 1 road trip this week, and if you’ve got little ones you won’t want to miss this post. If festivals aren’t your thing, or you just feel like getting out of town this weekend then load the kids in the car and head up Highway 1 to explore our family-friendly coast. Click here to read the post.
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- 2nd Annual Camp Out for Cancer
- The Leftovers plus Soulwise
- Time Spent Driving, Beach Fuzz, Wally Joyner
- A Stellar Experience — Star Gazing at Quail Hollow Ranch
- Wine & Watercolor Club
- Da `Ukulele Boyz at Pono
- 7:30 pm – Carolyn Sills Combo – A Tribute To Patsy Cline
- PUNK ROCK KARAOKE members of Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Dickies play and you sing, in the Catalyst Atrium
Saturday:
- Life on the Ranch: Family Living History Day
- Archaeology Demonstration
- Snake Park Saturday
- Junior Rangers
- Evening Campfire Program
- 8:00 pm – Heather Houston – Prayers for the Water CD Release Concert
- Charmas, Michael Mullen
- Blackalicious
- Ethnic Dance Festival Free Family Days: Hawaiian Style Music and Dance with Leolani Lowry
- Thriller Dance Classes
- WBFA 2015 SANTA CRUZ CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Fifth Annual Farm to Fork
- The Jean Genies – David Bowie Tribute plus Debased – A Tribute to The Pixies
Sunday:
- IRONMAN 70.3 SANTA CRUZ
- San Francisco Comedy Competition
- LIBERATION MOVEMENT (9 Piece) + Marya Stark & Friends featuring members of HAMSA LILA, HEAVYWEIGHT DUB CHAMPION & INDUBIOUS
- Downtown Antique Fair
- Music on the Mountain
- Lavender Day Open House
- The Santa Cruz Post Card & Paper Collectibles Show
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest
- Cleanup Cowells Project- Please see alternate check in location!
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Soul Majestic
- Bloom of the Present Meditating with the Redwoods Daylong Retreat – Engaging with the Wild Elements of Nature
Hikes & Guided Tours
- Meteor Trail Hike
- Guided Walk of the Grey Whale Cove Trail
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours
- History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area
- Big Basin Nature Club
- Redwood Loop Walk
- A Year in the Life of the Quiroste
- Nature Wander
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods
- Berry Creek Falls Hike
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve “Slough ‘n Easy” Walk
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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