Santa Cruz Weekend Events for September 19th

santa cruz weekend events

This weekend offers a lot of free events that will put you in touch with the community, like the Coastal Cleanup and two different local tours. Take the opportunity to learn more about your own backyard, or venture down to Monterey for the 57th annual Monterey Jazz Festival.

The 2nd annual Mole & Mariachi festival also takes place this Saturday at the Mission Santa Cruz, and it sounds delicious!

Read on to see the rest of Santa Cruz Life’s top picks this weekend.

3rd Friday: PechaKucha Night on the theme “Making It”!

When: Friday, 9/19 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Museum of Art & History
How Much: $3-$5, Free for MAH Members & Children Under 12

PechaKucha nights at the MAH are a bit like local TED talks, where different speakers from the community all talk about a chosen theme. The “Making It” night will include speeches from artists, scientist, policy makers, and more.

Get more info here.

Birding Along the Santa Cruz River Walk

When: Saturday, 9/20 from 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History”
How Much: Free

Did you know that over 200 bird species live along the San Lorenzo River? Come to the free river walk on Saturday and learn more about some of the creatures who also call Santa Cruz home.

Get more info here.

Coastal Cleanup Day

When: Saturday, 9/20 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Multiple Beach Venues
How Much: Free

Last year, volunteers collected over 17,000 pounds of trash from our beaches on Coastal Cleanup Day. Be a part of the team beautifying and preserving our best asset this year and see if you can beat that number.

Get more info here.

Harry Hooper History Tour

When: Saturday, 9/20 at 9:30 am
Where: Location provided to registrants
How Much: Free

Local baseball legend Harry Hooper went on to play for the Chicago White Sox, but before that he called Capitola his home. Come see the town as Hooper did, and learn more about a local hero on this tour, led by Capitola Historical Museum Curator Frank Perry.

Get more info here.

Mole & Mariachi Festival

When: Saturday, 9/20 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission Historic State Park
How Much: Free

Enjoy the second annual celebration of Mexican culture (and food!) at the Santa Cruz Mission this Saturday. Parking may be scarce, so click the link below to learn about a free shuttle from downtown.

Get more info here.

FashionART Santa Cruz 2014

When: Saturday, 9/20 at 7:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
How Much: $20.50 – $24.50

It may not be New York Fashion Week, but Santa Cruz’s FashionART show does feature a number of aspiring Bay Area fashion designers as well as talented local models. If you see a designer you particularly admire, stick around for the trunk show in the Civic Auditorium’s parking lot after the show.

Get more info here.

57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

When: Friday, 9/19 – Sunday, 9/21
Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds
How Much: $15-$360

The Monterey Jazz Festival is widely respected as a great place to hear some of the best jazz and blues musicians around. It’s even been named “World’s Best Jazz Festival” multiple times by JazzTimes Magazine! Take advantage of your proximity to greatness and come enjoy some of the 500 or so artists who will be performing this weekend.

Get more info here.

16th Annual KIDRAGEOUS Carnival

When: Sunday, 9/21 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Watsonville City Plaza
How Much: Free

Jacob’s Heart, a foundation benefitting children with cancer, is continuing their September events with the KIDRAGEOUS Carnival. Come enjoy live music, face painting, and fun for the whole family while supporting a good cause.

Get more info here.

National Drive Electric Day – Monterey Bay

When: Sunday, 9/21 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Mall Parking Lot
How Much: Free

Celebrate National Drive Electric Day and learn more about the future of automobiles by test driving an electric car in the Capitola Mall parking lot. Or just come to take a gander at Stella, the solar/electric concept car. There will also be a kids zone, food, and free raffle drawing.

Get more info here.

Crow’s Nest: San Francisco Comedy Competition

When: Sunday, 9/21 at 9:00 pm
Where: Crow’s Nest
How Much: $10

The San Francisco Comedy Competition has several rounds, with one of them stretching out all the way to Santa Cruz. Come and watch some of the Bay Area’s best up-and-coming comedians show their stuff.

Get more info here.