You don’t have to spend a dime to have a full-schedule of fun this holiday weekend. We are lucky to have a plethora of free events from movies and concerts to playtime and art!
And if you are bursting with talent yourself, you’ll have the opportunity to show it off to your friends and neighbors at Big Basin’s Talent Show.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
This Weekend starts early with 4th of July celebrations throughout Santa Cruz County. You can find them all in our 2019 Santa Cruz 4th of July Guide.
See all the 4th of July events in our 2019 4th of July Guide.
Friday
Friday Night Recess
When: 7/5 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Cooper Street
Cost: Free
Games and toys take over the streets on a grand scale as the MAH and the city and county parks call Recess! Come on down for some mini-golf, cornhole, tetherball and more playground fun with music by a live DJ. Cooper street will be closed but the fun is open to all.
Get more info here.
FREE Family Movie Night
When: 7/5 from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Heart of Soquel Park
Cost: FREE
Make the July Fourth holiday last a little longer watching Captain Marvel on the big outdoor screen. Come as early as 6:30 with your picnic dinner and low-back chairs to enjoy this community gathering to its fullest.
Get more info here.
Pride & Joy
When: 7/5 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
This is the premier party band of the Bay Area and no one can resist the lure of their music. Get outside and dance on the beach!
Get more info here.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Toby Gray @ Sushi Garden Scotts Valley
- FishHook @ Crow’s Nest
- LUTAN FYA & THE RIDDIM REBELS + Norris man & DJ Spleece @ Moe’s Alley
- (((folkYEAH!))) Presents: HAND HABITS w/ TBD @ The Crepe Place
- Otis Coen & Friends @ Severino’s
- Groovity @ Michael’s on Main
- Rising Appalachia @ Rio Theatre
THEATER/ARTS
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Beehive, The 60s Musical @ Cabrillo Crocker Theater
- First Friday at the Museum @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Sun & Sea: A First Friday Art Opening @ Cava Wine Bar
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Guided Hike @ Butano State Park
- Campfire Program @ Butano State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods
- Junior Rangers @ Portola Redwoods
- Campfire Program @ Portola Redwoods
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin
- POP-UP CAMPFIRE! @ Big Basin
Saturday
Free Family Movie Night
When: 7/6 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: Free
Gather at the Civic Auditorium with your beach blanket and low back chair (chairs also provided) for another showing of Captain Marvel. Concessions will be available for sale, including beer and wine, and the popcorn will be FREE! Doors open at 5:00 pm.
Big Basin’s Talent Show!
When: 7/6 at 7:00 pm
Where: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Cost: Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Gather round the campfire, and bring your family-friendly talent to share with the world. Big Basin will provide the marshmallows and roasting sticks and YOU provide the entertainment!
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Old Blind Dogs @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Hall Pass @ Crow’s Nest
- DIEGO’S UMBRELLA + Dreaming Ghosts @ Moe’s Alley
- Spun @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustics with Bret Fowler @ Severino’s
- Space heater @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Family Room Art Class: Majestic Lion for ages 7+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint & Sip Art Class: Diamond Head for ages 21+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint and Sip Art Class: Monet’s Waterlilies #1 for 21+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges
- Little Rangers @ Butano State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Butano State Park
- Guided Hike @ Butano State Park
- Campfire Program @ Butano State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods
- Little Rangers @ Portola Redwoods
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods
- Junior Rangers @ Henry Cowell Redwoods
- Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Ask Us!: Visitor Center Staffed @ Big Basin
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Experience @ Santa Cruz Wharf
- UCSC ARBORETUM TOURS @ UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
MORE
Sunday
SUNDAY ART & MUSIC AT THE BEACH
When: 7/7 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Make the most of a beautiful summer Sunday as you browse the booths of talented local artists. Listen to the music of Seventh Wave on the Esplanade stage as the ocean waves lap gently on the nearby shore.
Get more info here.
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
When: 7/7 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Located right downtown Santa Cruz, with over 40 local makers, massage and free live music by AJ Lee and Blue Summit, this market is the hip place to score a unique find.
Get more info here.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Cate Le Bon @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Dave Muldawer @ Severino’s
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Family Room Art Class: Mystic Unicorn for ages 7+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
- Paint and Sip: Sailing at Twilight for ages 21+ @ The Painted Cork Art Studio
OUTDOORS
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Disc Golf at Pinto Lake Park @ Pinto Lake Park
- Little Rangers @ Butano State Park
- Variety Pack Guided Hike @ Portola Redwoods
- Sunday Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center @ Seymour Center
MORE
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- C.P.D.E.S 91st Annual Portuguese “Holy Ghost” Parade @ Meet at Parking Lot (Cathcart and Cedar Streets)
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
42nd Annual Saw Festival
What: 42nd Annual Saw Festival
Where: Roaring Camp in Felton, CA.
When: August 10-11, 2019
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!
Free Family Concert
What: Free Family Concert
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
When: Sunday, August 4, 1:00pm
Beginning with a tour of the orchestra, this special concert features the Brazilian composer, musician and storyteller Clarice Assad whipping her audience into soccer fever in the musical tale of one of the world’s best female footballers, Marta Vieira da Silva. Prepare to learn, be inspired and sing along in this fun, family friendly event.
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