This is the first official weekend of fall, and Santa Cruz is hosting an Octoberfest, a Sausagefest, and a Harvest Festival to help welcome in the new season!
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival
When: Friday, 9/26 from 6:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: $13
The final day of the Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival will feature Out in the Line Up, a documentary about queer surfers, and The Fortunate Wild, a quirky travel flick that is sure to please Wes Anderson fans. Be one of the first 25 people in line and receive a free prize!
10th Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival
When: Friday, 9/26 through Sunday, 9/28
Where: Various Locations
How Much: $10-$75, some events are free
If David Sibley is your celebrity idol, then you won’t want to miss the 10th Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival, which is comprised of several different events for beginning and expert bird watchers alike.
Retirement Workshop
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 9:30 am – noon
Where: Live Oak Senior Center
How Much: Free
Admittedly not the sexiest event this weekend, but it’s the one most likely to make a lasting impact on your future. This is the second in a series of free Fall retirement workshops. Topics for this week’s workshop include, When Can I Retire, and Tax Strategies. Admission is free, but space is limited so you need to RSVP.
Get more info, and RSVP, here.
“Santa Cruz Style” Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
How Much: Free admission
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church hosts this traditional German celebration with a California beach town flair. Come enjoy local beer, live music, a variety of food options, and more!
3rd Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
Where: Downtown Boulder Creek
How Much: Free
Come benefit Greener Thoughts Productions, a Boulder Creek organization that raises funds for worthy non–profits, at the 3rd Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Harvest Festival. Enjoy a bounty of food, drink, and more from local merchants.
2014 Habitat Festival and Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center Building, at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus in Watsonville
How Much: Free
This is your opportunity to learn more about plants native to the Santa Cruz area, and maybe even gain the knowledge necessary to start your own sustainable garden! There will also be face painting, films, and more, so you can bring the whole family along.
Santa Cruz Art League: Open Studio Preview
When: Exhibit opens Saturday, 9/27. Public Reception: Sunday, 9/28 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Where: Santa Cruz Art League
How Much: Free
It’s almost that time of year when the whole town Santa Cruz transforms into one huge gallery. Get a sneak peak into this year’s Open Studios, courtesy of the Santa Cruz Art League.
T-Birds on the Wharf
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Wharf
How Much: Free
Bring your favorite car enthusiasts out to the annual T-Bird show on the Wharf this Saturday. Or if you have your own T-Bird, come and show it off!
Big Basin Founder’s Day!
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
How Much: Free
Santa Cruzans are lucky to have Big Basin Redwoods State Park right in our own backyard. Come honor Big Basin, and all California State Parks, this Saturday with historical storytelling, hikes, skits, a campfire, and more.
Imagine Short Film Festival
When: Saturday, 9/27 from 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
How Much: $15
Come support Imagine Supported Living Services, an organization that helps people with developmental disabilities to live to their full potential, and take in some great local filmmaking at the MAH this Saturday night.
The Coffis Brothers Tribute to The Everly Brothers
When: Saturday, 9/27 at 7:30 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz
How Much: $21-$36
Come feel the brotherly love this Saturday at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, where Santa Cruz Mountain locals The Coffis Brothers and Mountain Men pay tribute to The Everly Brothers with their own melodic style.
Music at SkyPark
When: Sunday, 9/28 from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Skypark
How Much: Free
Santa Cruz bands The Joint Chiefs and Extra Large will perform at this weekend’s free concert at Sky Park. As always, this is a family friendly affair.
8th Annual SAUSAGEFEST: A Benefit for Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
When: Sunday, 9/28 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: Westside Farmer’s Market Lot
How Much: $10
German food and beer go together like Santa Cruzans and nature. All of these things will be incorporated into Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing’s Sausage Fest, which will serve as a benefit for Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Buy your tickets now!
32nd annual Santa Cruz Triathlon
When: Sunday, 9/28 at 8:00 am
Where: See website for route information
How Much: $75-$180
Swim, bike, and run your way to glory this Sunday, or just watch others compete from your comfortable lawn chair. The scenic route goes right along the coast, providing inspiration to participants and spectators alike.
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales
- Stu Allen & Mars Hotel: Grateful Dead Tribute
- Conversations with Beer at the Tannery Art Bar
- 12th Annual Women’s Leadership Forum
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Walnut Ave Women’s Center Yard Sale (303 Walnut Ave.)
- The Killer Queens All Girl Queen Tribute plus The Jean Genies – David Bowie Tribute
- Gourmet Grazing on the Green
- Radical Reels Tour 2014
- Open House & Native Plant Fair
- Third Annual Santa Cruz Storytelling Festival
- On the Waterfront: Celebrating 100 Years of Wharf History with Geoffrey Dunn
- Chardonnay II Brewmaster Charter
- The Wailing Souls
- Free Retirement Workshop
- The Gritty Girls Tour tailgate party and trunk show
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Chris Guillebeau, The Happiness of Pursuit
- TCM presents: Gone With the Wind (2 shows)
- Crow’s Nest: San Francisco Comedy Competition
- Monthly Xstream Cleanup at Panther Beach
- Weekly Cowell Beach Cleanup
- Farm Dinner at Prevedelli Farms
- Marine Mammal Research Tour
- KIDRAGEOUS Golden Family 5k
- Gypsea Life Pop-Up Shop
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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