Our roundup of events is lighter than usual this weekend. Whether you’re recovering from the holidays or still celebrating, you’ll find great ideas to spend winter break, entertain out-of-town guests, and make new memories and family traditions.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
The White Album Ensemble presents “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary Concert
When: 12/27 & 12/28 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Come together, right now, over…at the Rio for an “Abbey Road” 50th anniversary concert performed by The White Album Ensemble. Adding to the “British Invasion” theme is opening act The Beggar Kings, a live recreation of classic Rolling Stones albums. If you can’t attend Friday, there’s another show on Saturday!
Toy Trains at the MAH
When: Daily through 12/29
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (The MAH)
All aboard! Bring the whole crew down to MAHvel at these mighty mini machines, speak with experts, master the controls, and even bring your own toy train to put on the track! Toy Trains is free and open to the public Friday, December 20th through Sunday, December 29th (some exceptions and early closures apply).
Farley’s Winter Wonderland – 13th Annual Holiday Lights Walk Through
When: Now – New Year’s Day; Check website for daily hours and cancellations
Where: Farley’s Winter Wonderland, 108 Seaview Avenue, Santa Cruz
The Christmas Spirit is alive and flourishing at this Seabright neighborhood home. Park your car and walk in; fantastical winter scenes await you, including miniature villages, fairy houses and giant nutcrackers. With a forest of 30 evergreen trees and lights throughout, this display has won the hearts of thousands over the years.
Boardwalk Holiday Ice
When: Now through January 5, 2020
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the best of both worlds this holiday season: ice skating and the beach! You can rent skates for an hour, or make a day of it with the Boardwalk combo. To add to the festive air, there is a magical snowfall every hour, festive food, arts and crafts, old favorite holiday movies and more. Reservations are recommended for skating.
Bowl for Free at the Boardwalk Bowl
When: Daily through Dec. 31
Where: Boardwalk Bowl
Bowl for free and for a good cause when you bring canned food donations to help “Strike Out Hunger” at the Boardwalk Bowl. Donations go to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County to help feed local families.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Santa Cruz Contra Dance @ Live Oak Grange
- Glory-ous Girl Grooves at Coaster’s @ Coasters Bar & Grill
- CRACKER AND CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN @ The Catalyst
- Blind Pilots @ Crow’s Nest
- FLOR DE CAÑA @ Moe’s Alley
- BIGRIG w/ ShamPain & Born Jealous @ The Crepe Place
- Mojo Cruz @ Severino’s
- Paperback Ryders @ Michael’s on Main
- Papiba and Friends @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MORE
- ASL@WOODSTOCK’S IN SANTA CRUZ @ Woodstock Pizza
- Guided Adobe Tour @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt: Licensed to Thrill @ Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt
Saturday
The White Album Ensemble presents “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary Concert
See Description Under Friday Section
Toy Trains at the MAH
See Description Under Friday Section
Farley’s Winter Wonderland – 13th Annual Holiday Lights Walk Through
See Description Under Friday Section
Boardwalk Holiday Ice
See Description Under Friday Section
Bowl for Free at the Boardwalk Bowl
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Viva Santana @ Crow’s Nest
- CON BRIO @ Moe’s Alley
- Cheap Horse w/ Mondo Chaga @ The Crepe Place
- Micro Mania Midget Wrestling @ The Catalyst
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Severino’s
- Not So Young @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- What They Wore @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
MORE
Sunday
SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS VS. TEXAS LEGENDS
When: 12/29 at 6:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Our Santa Cruz Warriors take on the Texas Legends in their last game of the year. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Golden State Warriors Snow Globe. ’Tis the season to cheer on the Warriors!
Toy Trains at the MAH
See Description Under Friday Section
Farley’s Winter Wonderland – 13th Annual Holiday Lights Walk Through
See Description Under Friday Section
Boardwalk Holiday Ice
See Description Under Friday Section
Bowl for Free at the Boardwalk Bowl
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Gimmie Gimmie Disco @ The Catalyst
- Peppino D’Agostino @ Michael’s on Main
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwoods and the Changing Climate @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Polar Plunge 2020
What: New Year’s Day Polar Plunge
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center
When: January 1, 2020
Start the new year with the most fun you can have for a good cause: Take the “plunge” down a chilly, twisty water slide to raise money for youth swim scholarships! This fundraiser for Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks is full of prizes, costumes, competitions, and many plunges.
ALL IN for the Ocean
What: ALL IN for the Ocean Challenge
Where: Seascape Beach Resort
When: January 1, 2020
Jump into the Bay on New Year’s Day at the Save Our Shores “ALL IN for the Ocean”challenge! To participate, you can choose to be “all in” for $5, or “chicken out” and donate $10 (or more) to the cause. Money raised supports Save Our Shores to protect the health of our ocean and planet.
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