Enjoy local traditions like Surfing Santa in Capitola Village or a steam train ride at Roaring Camp. Shop small and local at an array of holiday craft fairs from Humble Sea Brewing Co. to Felton. Take the family out to a Warriors game—perfect for a rainy Saturday!
Enjoy the holiday!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Sip & Shop Small at Humble Sea
When: 11/29 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Drink beer. Get your holiday shopping done. Be happy. It’s that simple! So grab a humbly delicious brew and check out the variety of high quality wares from local makers including Valley Botanicals, Mountainside Jewelry, Fiber Punk Studio, Tiny House Chocolate, and more.
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
When: 11/29 & 11/30, 12/7 & 12/8, 12/14 – 12/23
Where: Departs from Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train is your chance to enjoy some old fashioned holiday cheer aboard vintage train cars. Sip hot spiced cider as you listen to holiday music, partake in carols, and visit with Santa Claus. Arrive back at the Boardwalk in style and enjoy arcade games, rides, and even ice skating!
Roaring Camp Railroads: Holiday Tree Walk
When: 11/29 – 11/30, 12/1, 12/7 – 12/8
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Start your adventure at Roaring Camp, where you’ll board the steam train to Bear Mountain. Once you make it to the summit, you’ll be treated to hot cider as you walk through the beautifully decorated trees. Guests are encouraged to bring new toys to benefit Santa Cruz County’s Toys for Tots program. For each toy donated, guests will receive $2.00 off the price of their train ticket.
SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS VS. IOWA WOLVES
When: 11/29 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Always thrilling to watch up close, the Santa Cruz Warriors have the home court advantage, so come out and cheer on the home team! The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Draymond Green San Francisco Edition bobblehead.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Pawn Shop Soul @ Crow’s Nest
- Live Music by Luckless Pedestrians @ Abbott Square
- AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT, RATTLECAN, LINDSEY WAL @ Moe’s Alley
- Judo No w/ Soul Bloom Collective and Lyrical I @ The Crepe Place
- Stormin Norman & the Cyclones @ Severino’s
- Harpin’ & Clark @ Michael’s on Main
- Spirit of 76 @ Michael’s on Main
- J.D. Puli @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
MORE
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Santa Cruz (Witch) Craft Fair
When: 11/30 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Concrete Rose Salon
Get a tarot reading while shopping the magical gifts from local artisans and witches, including candles, oils, jewelry, art, locally designed tarot and oracle decks, skincare and more!
SCM Holiday Makers Market
When: 11/30 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Felton Community Hall
Shop the art, music, and tastes of the Santa Cruz Mountains community. This free public event is held indoors and features live local music while you discover treasures and gifts from over 40 local artists and crafters. Best of all, your shopping dollars help benefit a local non-profit, Mountain Community Resources.
SURFING SANTA
When: 11/30 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Watch Santa and his reindeer arrive on Capitola Beach via outrigger canoe. Once settled in his beach chair, Santa will visit with all the children and listen to their holiday wishes. Stick around all afternoon to enjoy festive entertainment with the fairies from Happily Every Laughter, magic from The Surfing Magician, refreshments, and the community tree lighting ceremony.
Tree Lighting Party
When: 11/30 from 6:00 pm
Where: Crow’s Nest Beach Market
Extra Large provides the tunes, Santa and Mrs. Claus the photo opps, and Crow’s Nest Beach Market the festive tree lighting. The store will be open for food, bevs, and holiday shopping.
SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN
See Description Under Friday Section
ROARING CAMP RAILROADS: HOLIDAY TREE WALK
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- SEAN HAYES, Nels Andrews @ Moe’s Alley
- Ill.Gates @ Felton Music Hall
- OMB Peezy @ The Catalyst
- John Michael Band @ Severino’s
- Phoenix Rising @ Crow’s Nest
- Dallas Hodge @ Michael’s on Main
- Live Music by Soul Doubt @ Abbott Square
- Do-It-Ourselves Presents: Emily Afton, Getaway Dogs & Joe Kaplow @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- What They Wore @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Shop Small @ Flora and Fauna
- SEASCAPE BEACH RESORT: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY @ Seascape Beach Resort
- Meet the Grinch on Small Business Saturday! @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- KIANTI’S HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE (FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS) @ Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Holiday Glass Ornament Show
When: 12/1 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Grange
Shop fabulous hand-blown glass ornaments, all locally handmade by Chris Johnson Glass. Other vendors joining this event include Bloomglass – fused glass jewelry, and Matthew Stout – pottery.
Holiday Makers Market at Abbott Square Market
When: 12/1 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square
Street fair meets craft fair at Abbott Square! Enjoy live music while checking out the goods from over local 20 artists and artisans. From body care products to hand-stitched leather to culinary rubs, you’re sure to find some great gifts.
SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN
See Description Under Friday Section
ROARING CAMP RAILROADS: HOLIDAY TREE WALK
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Jim Breuer: Live and Let Laugh @ The Catalyst
- MIGHTY MIKE SCHERMER @ Moe’s Alley
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
- Smith and Tegio w/ Bobcat Rob and Turkey Buzzards @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
OUTDOORS
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Redwoods and the Changing Climate @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Paradigm Sport Winter Baseball Clinic @ Paradigm Sport • 120 Dubois Street • Santa Cruz CA
- Integrity Wines Winemaker-led Tasting @ Integrity Wines, 135 Aviation Way, Suite 16, Watsonville, CA 95076
- The Fish Lady Grand Opening Celebration @ Capitola Produce
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
What: Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
Where: Pacific Avenue from Laurel to Water St.
When: Saturday, December 7, at 10:00 am
Nothing captures the holiday spirit like the Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade! There will be floats, marching bands, classic cars, horses, crowd favorites like the Santa Cruz Public Library Precision Book Truck Drill Team, and naturally, Santa Claus. The parade takes place rain or shine.
34th Annual Lighted Boat Parade
What: Lighted Boat Parade
Where: Santa Cruz Harbor
When: 12/7 at 5:30 pm
The Lighted Boat Parade is a Santa Cruz tradition and always one of the most anticipated events of the season. Dress warm, grab some hot chocolate, and find a spot to take in “Holidays on the Harbor”.
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