Cruz into the weekend with Friday Night Bands on the Beach…we’ll see you on the sand!
Saturday’s family-friendly lineup features a street fair, summer kick-off festival, and our favorite Woodies on the Wharf.
The celebrations continue on Sunday with O’neill Sea Odyssey and Art & Music at the Beach…where else?
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach
When: 6/22 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
It’s like I toooold you, only the lonely can play… Friday Night Bands on the Beach continues with The Motels performing two free concerts back to back at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Come early and claim your spot on the sand for one or both of the evening’s shows. Guaranteed you won’t be lonely!
Shawn Colvin
When: 6/22 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $32 Gen, $47 Gold Circle
This promises to be a special evening at the Rio. Enjoy an intimate solo acoustic performance by three-time Grammy Award winner Shawn Colvin. If you love Shawn’s voice, guitar picking, and lyrics like we do, you’re in for a treat.
The BIG Westside Block Party 2018
When: 6/22 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Haut Surf Shop
Cost: Free to attend but must register
Celebrate the beginning of summer at this year’s Block Party. Local brews, fabulous food and plenty of unique items from local vendors. Lot of surprises are in store! Admission is free, but registration in advance is required for this event and is expected to fill up.
Flynn Creek Circus Presents: “Adrift”
When: 6/21 – 6/24
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cost: $12 – $50
First, Flynn Creek Circus is an all human production and appropriate for all ages. International award-winning aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and more weave an extraordinary story while displaying tremendous skill mastery. Prepare for a hilarious Circus Odyssey filled with incredible stunts and surprising twists.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Donavon Frankenreiter @ The Catalyst
- Gyyps @ The Catalyst
- Carie and the SoulShakers @ Seabright Brewery
- LIVE MUSIC BY JOHN MICHAEL BAND @ Abbott Square
- Decades @ Crow’s Nest
- Flor De Cana @ Moe’s Alley
- Acoustic Alchemy @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- ROMANCING THE WEST @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- The Harmed Brothers with in/PLANES and Willy Tea Taylor @ The Crepe Place
- Block Party (Rock & Roll) @ Severino’s
- Bananarchy, The Mudlords, Analogue Spirit @ The Blue Lagoon
- Al Frisby @ Michaels on Main
- Locomotive Breath @ Michaels on Main
- The Victor Ohana Band @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Santa Cruz contra dance @ Live Oak Grange
- Salsa Night @ Palomar Ballroom
THEATRE/ARTS
- Spektrum – an immersive exhibit @ lille æske
- Casey Anderson, RADIOS @ Idea Fab Labs (2879 Mission St. Ext., Santa Cruz)
- GENDER REVOLUTION: A POP UP QUEER & TRANS ART SHOW @ Abbott Square
OUTDOORS
MORE
- 6th Annual Santa Cruz County Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament @ Seascape Golf Club
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
24th Annual Woodies on the Wharf
When: 6/23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
Cost: Free
Stroll the historic Santa Cruz Wharf and feast your eyes on over 200 classic, wood-bodied surf wagons, many in perfect condition. Enjoy music, Polynesian dance, raffle prize drawings, and more. Be sure to stay for the parade of Woodies as they leave the Wharf promptly at 3:30 pm.
6th Annual Pleasure Point Street Fair
When: 6/23 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Portola Drive between 41st and 38th
Cost: Free
The Pleasure Point Street Fair is back again for it’s sixth year! Join the party on Portola Drive for live music, a beer garden, delicious food, a kid zone, and plenty of local vendors selling arts, crafts and services. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Live Oak Education Foundation.
Andy Irons: Kissed by God
When: 6/23 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $15
This film tells the untold story of the “People’s Champion”, surfing legend Andy Irons, who battled bipolar disorder and opioid addiction. View the trailer below:
Summer Kick-Off Festival
When: 6/23 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free and open to the public
Calling all families! The Museum of Natural History and its partnering organizations are kicking off summer with nature-filled family fun. Enjoy free admission to the museum and outdoor festivities that will have your kids playing, creating, and exploring. To top it off there will be live music from Andy Z and a great food lineup including G’s Mexican Tacos, Gary’s Hot Dogs, and the Penny Ice Creamery.
Flynn Creek Circus Presents: “Adrift”
See description under Friday.
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Local by Locals @ Hotel Paradox
- Petty Theft – Tom Petty Tribute @ The Catalyst
- Blueprint @ The Catalyst
- Mira Goto’s Album Release Party @ Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse
- SoulShakers @ the Poet
- Plateau Jazz: Afternoon Concert @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Sasha’s Money @ Crow’s Nest
- Katdelic @ Moe’s Alley
- Anemone w/ TBD. @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with Bobby Love @ Severino’s
- John Michael Band @ Severino’s
- Spun @ Michaels on Main
- DANCE PARTY! Santa Cruz Social Dance Convocation @ Market Street Theater
THEATRE/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- 6th Annual TAC Skimblast @ Seabright Beach
- Connect with Nature Program @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Waddell Valley Watercolor Workshop Series @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Cove Landing Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Tidepool Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Family Discovery Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Libro Castro @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
- Kid’s Summer Splash & Dash @ San Lorenzo Valley High School Performing Arts Center
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Cabrillo College
- Public Brewery Tour of Santa Cruz – Westside Route @ Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
SUNDAY ART & MUSIC AT THE BEACH
When: 6/24 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Make your way to Capitola Village…Sunday Art & Music at the Beach is back. Enjoy the acoustic harmonies of 7th Wave as you view and shop artwork by local artists including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media. If you can’t make this first event in the summer series, there will be five more throughout the summer—mark your calendar!
O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s 100,000th Student Celebration and Dedication
When: 6/24 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Cowell Parking Lot
Cost: Free
O’neill Sea Odyssey is about to reach its 100,00th student milestone and that calls for a celebration! Planned festivities include presentations honoring Jack O’Neill, live music and Polynesian dance performances, food trucks and Mission Hill Ice Creamery, a beach cleanup, and activities for the whole family. Cheers to the Sea Odyssey!
Flynn Creek Circus Presents: “Adrift”
See description under Friday.
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Particle @ The Catalyst
- Beres Hammond @ The Catalyst
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Commander Cody & His Modern Day Airmen @ Moe’s Alley
- Fareed Haque & His Funk Bros @ Moe’s Alley
- DAVID HOLODILOFF @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- OPEN BLUEGRASS JAM @ The Crepe Place
- Highland Eyeway w/ Shoobies and Miranda & the Beat @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustics with John Michael @ Severino’s
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Amy Rigby plus Alex Lucero @ Michaels on Main
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michaels on Main
OUTDOORS
- Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Guided Hike in Burleigh Murray State Park @ Burleigh Murray State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Twilight Adaptation Adventure @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Felt Story Workshop @ Downtown Branch Library
- Understanding Children’s Emotions II: Setting Limits & Play Listening @ Live Oak Branch Library
- SUNDAY PLAY: THE NEST POP UP @ Abbott Square
- Raw to Ripe: A Pu-erh Tea Journey @ Hidden Peak Teahouse
- Sip & Shop: A benefit for the Coastal Watershed Council @ Coastal Watershed Council
- Tea Time is Timeless @ Hidden Peak Teahouse
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Public Brewery Tour of Santa Cruz – Westside Route @ Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Santa Cruz Derby Girls: Battle of the Bays
Where: Saturday, June 30th — doors open at 4:00 pm. Game times at 4:30 & 6:45.
Where: Santa Cruz Derby Girl Stadium (Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium), 307 Church St.
Join us on Saturday, June 30th for a special Derby Doubleheader. The action starts off at 4:30 when the Seabright Sirens take on the Monterey Derby Dames.
The main event features the Santa Cruz Derby Girls’ top team, the Boardwalk Bombshells, against the Oakland Outlaws.
If you want to see Derby at its best, this is the place to be. Our very own Boardwalk Bombshells are currently ranked #17 in the world!
Tickets are selling fast so grab yours today! Use promo code SCLife18 for 10% off tickets. We’re also giving away a pair of FREE tickets. Find out more and enter to win, here.
PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…
