Summer vacation is quickly waning, but you can make the most of it with lots of special events to choose from.
Full Moon madness at Henry Cowells is always a thrill, but you can also catch an amazing Broadway variety show, a concert at the beach or sample local cuisine and music at the Food Lounge.
Saturday and Sunday’s offerings are just as varied; you can be outside or inside, learning, listening to music or watching art take place before your eyes.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Full Moon Madness
When: 8/9 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free
By the light of a silvery moon… is a dreamy and exciting way to experience Henry Cowell Redwoods. The evening includes guided night hikes, kids crafts and an Astronomy talk. The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club hauls out the big ‘scopes for gazing (and howling) at the moon and stars.
Get more info here.
A Night Among the Stars
When: 8/9 at 8:00 pm
Where: Aptos High School Performing Arts Center
Cost: $50
Another kind of star shines on the stage. For one night only, you can catch some of the brightest Broadway talent performing live in Aptos. This is your chance to experience your favorite Broadway tunes right here at home.
Get more info here.
Living Colour
When: 8/9 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Living Color will be playing two shows for the Boardwalk Free Concert series this week. This band is best known for their big hit, “Cult of Personality”, but their blend of funk, rock and hip hop promises a fun evening.
Get more info here.
Foodies Event: Delicious Vegan Spanish Tapas
When: 8/9 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Cost: $6
The Food Lounge is a kitchen incubator where local chefs “pop up” serving their most delectable creations. This month Chef Ellie concocts an array of mouth watering tapas, which happen to be vegan. Craft cocktails available along with live music by Ryan Price from 6-8 round out the ambiance.
Get more info here.
Cabrillo Festival
When: Concerts & events throughout the weekend Thursday – Sunday
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $0 – $65
This world-class festival features some of the best living composers and performers and it’s closing weekend. Don’t miss out on FREE open rehearsals, a FREE student staff concert, and closing tribute dedicated to and featuring great American composer Wynton Marsalis.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Dirty Revival @ Moe’s Alley
- Behold the Arctopus @ The Catalyst
- Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- The Messiahs @ Crow’s Nest
- Ignant Benches w/ Buddha Trixie and Guest @ The Crepe Place
- Nora Cruz Band @ Severino’s
- Kool Bop @ Michael’s on Main
- The Jerry Celebration Band @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers: Mission Building Methods @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Campfire Program @ New Brighton State Beach
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Saturday
42nd Annual Musical Saw Festival
When: 8/10 – 8/11 from 2 :00 pm Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA
Cost: Free admission
Although this festival appropriately kicks off downtown by the Scribner Statue in front of the Bookshop, to get the full effect of this old-timey musical tradition, head down to Roaring Camp. The open jam at the statue begins at 2:00 pm on Saturday, with a potluck and more jamming at Roaring Camp in the evening. An all-day concert and contest will take place Sunday, culminating in the crowning of the best Sawplayer of 2019!
Carmina Escobar: Feast of Beams, Keepers of Light
When: 8/10 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Lighthouse Point / Surfing Museum
Cost: Free
Carmina Escobar, local artist in residence, weaves together strands of music, dance, street performance, community organizations and more to form an interactive public art event. Celebrating the lighthouse as a symbol of our connectedness, processionals and performances will converge in the evening for a new work by Escobar.
Open House at the Castro Adobe: Evenings on the Rancho
When: 8/10 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Cost: Free
The historic Castro Adobe is thankfully being restored, but this means that you can only see it during special events, and experiencing the house at nighttime is a rare treat. Step back in time and imagine life in this gorgeous adobe home on a fine summer’s night in 1848. Please carpool, if possible.
Power of Flower Music & Cannabis Festival
When: 8/10 from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $30 in Advance, $40 the Day of the Event
A first of its kind, this multi-genre music festival aims to bring together bands, businesses and the public to support small local cannabis producers in a safe and fun festival. 100% of proceeds are donated to community development programs, and to those affected by the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting.
Get more info here.
Cabrillo Festival
See Description Under Friday Section.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Coffis Brothers + David Luning Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- Light the Band w/ Apple City Slough Band @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Ted Welty @ Severino’s
- Matt Masih & The Messengers @ Severino’s
- Gary Blackburn Band @ Michael’s on Main
- Woodstock Turns 50 with Zebop, Liquid Sky, Piece of My Heart @ Michael’s on Main
- INDUBIOUS and Sol Seed @ The Catalyst
THEATER/ARTS
- Into The Woods @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
OUTDOORS
- River Health Day @ Coastal Watershed Council
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso
- Drawing for the Love of Nature @ Rancho del Oso
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Star Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workship @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Little Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ridge Loop @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Evenings on the Rancho @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- Guided Hike: Insects and More at Mima Meadow @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sempervirens Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Evening Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Experience @ Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
MORE
- 2019 POP-UP BREAKFAST SERIES: WESTSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET FEATURING CHEF KATHERINE STERN @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PROJECT – 2ND SATURDAY ON THE FARM – ROUND UP ON THE FARM @ Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
- Stand Up (Comedy) For Planned Parenthood @ Nourish
- Daniel Van Kirk @ DNA’s Comedy Lab
Sunday
Pancake Breakfast
When: 8/11 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: SCO – 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $8.00/Adult – $4.00 Children under 10.
SCO stands for Senior Citizen Opportunities; they provide support to local seniors in the form of classes, activities, social opportunities and every second Sunday of the month (except September) they serve up a delicious, low-cost hot breakfast. Members of the community are invited to partake in the pancakes, which helps support this worthy non-profit. Don’t forget to visit “Grannie’s Attic” thrift store; maybe you’ll find a treasure!
Garden Railroad Open House
When: 8/11 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: 419 Ocean View Ave. Santa Cruz
Cost: No Tickets Required!
Head over to Ocean View Avenue and prepare to enter a miniature world. Model trains run throughout the garden of this private home, transforming it into a maze of towns and tunnels, landscapes, and train stations!
Get more info here.
Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour
When: 8/11 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Free
Reservations are recommended for this free 90-minute tour of one of our unique marine habitats. Learn about how scientists work to study and protect these special places.
SUNDAY ART & MUSIC AT THE BEACH
When: 8/11 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
It’s always fun to browse the arts and crafts of local vendors with talented local musicians serenading you by the beach!
Get more info here.
42nd Annual Musical Saw Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Cabrillo Festival
See Description Under Friday Section.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with TBD @ Severino’s
- Don McCaslin & The Amazing Jazz Geezers @ Severino’s
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Hides and Tallow @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwoods and Climate Change @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
- 27th Annual Day on the Monterey Bay Regatta @ Santa Cruz Yacht Club
- DOWNTOWN ANTIQUE FAIR @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Tri Santa Cruz USA Triathlon Sanctioned Event @ Depot Park – Parking Lot
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Monterey Bay Dahlia Society Annual Show
When: August 24 & 25
Where: Museum of Art and History
Cost: Free
The MAH will be all dressed up in dahlias for this special exhibit and celebration of the diverse and colorful flower. Enjoy the beauty of over 1000 blooms as you browse, take photos and learn from the experts.
7th Annual Mole and Mariachi Festival
When: September 7, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Cost: Free admission; Mole tasting kits will be available for purchase.
A feast for all senses, the Mole and Mariachi festival brings together several local chefs and food vendors to treat your taste buds, as well as gorgeously adorned dancers and musicians, crafts, piñatas and fun! Proceeds support programs, education and restoration at the mission.
PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…
Hi Meridith!