Fall is a beautiful season in Santa Cruz. The hubbub has died down, but there is no shortage of entertaining and enlightening activities.
Friday’s options are a musical journey through time and space, a sound odyssey through the ocean, or the awesome Surf Film Fest.
An annual favorite, Open Studios, continues this weekend in South county. Take a farm tour while you’re there!
Harvest festivals, Oktoberfest, Open Streets and fireworks are all on this weekend as well, so pace yourself!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
This week’s roundup is sponsored by Arts Council Santa Cruz County & the Open Studios Art Tour. We had a great time touring artist studios last weekend and are looking forward to visiting South County artists this weekend. Look for the free Open Studios guide around town, download the “Open Studios Art Tour” app, or just follow the green signs around town.
Click here for more information about Open Studios.
Photo: Paul DeSomma & Marsha Blaker Artist #187.
Friday
Fire & Grace Gala Art Party
When: 10/11 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: R.Blitzer Gallery
What does Medieval music have in common with Bluegrass? You’ll find out when you hear William Coulter, Grammy-winning guitarist, and Edward Huizinga, eclectic virtuoso violinist, playing from diverse musical traditions representing different times and regions of the world. Playing in an intimate setting, these consummate performers will shine. Organic refreshments and beverages will add to the sensory delights.
Listen in on the Sounds of the Sanctuary
When: 10/11 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Sanctuary Exploration Center
Have you ever wondered how whales find their way in the dark ocean depths? “Listening to the Sounds of MBNMS”, will explore the science of sound waves in the ocean and how marine animals use sound to survive. Celebrate the opening of this intriguing new exhibit which explores the sound landscape of our precious marine sanctuary. Marine music and yummy appetizers round out the party.
Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival
When: 10/11 – 10/12 from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Our town has the honor and distinction to host this gorgeous homage to the ocean, surfing and film. For two days, you can immerse yourself in the beauty, innovation and awe of the sport and art of the surf lifestyle. Ticket holders will have a chance to win prizes from sponsors.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Lowest Pair Concert @ lille æske arthouse
- Pete Yorn @ Felton Music Hall
- Riot Ten Hype Or Die Tour @ The Catalyst
- Blind Rick @ Michael’s on Main
- Getaway Dogs plus Asari @ Michael’s on Main
- KRS-One @ The Catalyst
- Tsunami @ Crow’s Nest
- Marshall House Project w/ Lost Ox @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
- Jon Leidecker: “United Feedback Plus: A Retroactive Manifesto for the Early Decades of American Electronic Music” @ Design by Cosmic
- Free Open Rehearsal of the Santa Cruz Symphony – ASCENDANCE @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
- Sondheim’s COMPANY @ Center Stage Theater
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: Mamma Mia! @ Mountain Community Theater/Park Hall
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
OUTDOORS
- Bird Watching for Beginners @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Saturday
OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR
When: 10/12 – 10/13 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Various locations
Our favorite fall event continues this weekend. If you are looking for inspiration, talent, or some art to adorn your space, this weekend’s Open Studios features the artists of South County. You can pick up an Open Studios guide wherever the Good Times is available, or download the Open Studios Ap. Whether you are an art connoisseur or just appreciate beauty, meeting the artists, touring their workshops and seeing the process is unforgettable.
Santa Cruz County Catio Tour 2019
When: 10/12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: All around Santa Cruz County
Some local cat owners have a creative solution for letting their feline friends play outside without endangering birds or feeding coyotes. The “catio” is an enclosed outside play area for lucky kitties to prance and play. Get an inside peek into the best kitty playgrounds in the area on the catio tour. A $5 donation will give access to 15 deluxe Catios in Santa Cruz and proceeds support the county animal shelter and Native Animal Rescue.
Oktoberfest!
When: 10/12 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St. Santa Cruz
Raising money for special-needs children, the Elks are putting on a party to remember! With beer provided by NUBO, a real German Oompah band playing polkas and waltzes, and a big German dinner, this will be as close to the real thing as you can get without traveling to Bavaria.
Pacific Garden Mall Historical Walking Tour
When: 10/12 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Take a walk back through time and learn how downtown Santa Cruz looked before the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Stroll down Pacific Avenue with historian Ross Gibson as he points out the old landmarks and recalls the scene of this picturesque commercial center back when it earned the name Pacific Garden Mall.
Pleasure Point Sip & Stroll
When: 10/12 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Pleasure Point, 41st Ave.
Take a relaxing afternoon stroll and enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite brew while perusing the many shops at Pleasure Point. Registration is at Rocky’s Fitness, but buy your tickets in advance, as this event does sell out. Once you have your glass, follow the yellow balloons to over 20 locations for a tasting.
Open Farm Tours
When: 10/12 – 10/13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Participating farms and Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop
One of the joys of living in Santa Cruz County is the fresh organic produce available to us from so many local family farms. This weekend, more than a dozen farmers will open their barns, fields and produce stands to the community for tours, tasting, talking and eating. At the center of all the fun, Aladdin Nursery will be serving up lunch from several food vendors. Local wine, beer and cider will be available, plus live music and a family photo op!
CalPoly Swanton Pacific Ranch Day
When: 10/12 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Swanton Pacific Ranch, Davenport
Swanton Pacific Ranch is CalPoly’s living laboratory and they invite the public to explore and learn about the activities that take place on the historic 3200 acre ranch. The ⅓ scale railroad is being repaired this year, but the trains will be on display and you can tour the roundhouse and shops, as well as learn about the sustainable forestry, agriculture, fisheries and livestock programs that take place here. An old fashioned country picnic lunch will be served, which includes grass-fed beef from the ranch while an old-time fiddle band plays.
GLOW: A Festival of Fire & Light
When: 10/12 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: The MAH
As October nights grow darker, the MAH reminds us to light up the night and rekindle wonder at this one-of-a-kind spectacle. Interactive arts, crafts, performances, music, science and exhibits all swirl around the themes of fire and light in a festive atmosphere spilling into multiple locations. Tickets are required for full festival access.
Santa Cruz Surf Film Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- No. Dancing @ The Cellar, 140 Encinal St. Santa Cruz
- Brandon “Taz” Niederauer with August Sun @ Felton Music Hall
- Ashe @ The Catalyst
- Manila Killa @ The Catalyst
- FRENCHY & THE PUNK @ Serpent’s Kiss
- Sound Reasoning @ Michael’s on Main
- Groovity @ Crow’s Nest
- The Builders and the Butchers w/ Hangtown @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
- Sin Sisters Burlesque: Halloween ShowBUY @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Sondheim’s COMPANY @ Center Stage Theater
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: Mamma Mia! @ Mountain Community Theater/Park Hall
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Drawing for the Love of Nature @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Volunteer with the Trail Crew @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Lobster Feed: Fundraiser for Mountain Parks Foundation @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Backcountry Hike @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wool, Spinning, and Weaving @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Tour the Base of Pigeon Point Lighthouse @ Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
MORE
- Monterey Home & Garden Expo @ Monterey Fairgrounds
- Day Out With Thomas: Halloween Party! @ Roaring Camp Railroads
- 2019 California Bodysurfing Championships @ Lagunas Beach
- Santa Cruz County Open School Gardens Day @ Santa Cruz County School Gardens
- USA/Boardwalk Cheer & Dance Competition @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Educators Breakfast @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Comedy vs Cancer Taking The Bad Guy Down @ Michael’s on Main
- MIDNIGHTS AT THE DEL MAR @ Del Mar Theater
Sunday
Open Streets Santa Cruz – West Cliff
When: 10/13 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: West Cliff Drive
Imagine if West Cliff Drive were one continuous park for pedestrians, bikers, skaters, singers and dancers and community organizations to meet up and exchange smiles, ideas and information. For one day only, this vision will come true, so join in the fun!
Welcome Back Monarchs Day
When: 10/13 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Natural Bridges State Beach
How lucky are we that we get to host the migrating monarch butterflies as they journey southwards? Celebrate as the fluttering insects begin to arrive in their favorite eucalyptus grove. To kick things off, Natural Bridges State Park is going to throw a little party with ice cream, crafts and live music to welcome the monarchs home.
Crystal Bay Farm Pumpkin Harvest Party Featuring The Steven Graves Band & Doug Surfing Magician
When: 10/13 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Crystal Bay Farm, Watsonville
Party in the pumpkin patch! What better way to celebrate the beauty of autumn than to eat lots of organic food and drink a beer while listening to a fine band play under the fall skies? Art and crafts activities will entertain the kids, and of course, everybody loves a surfing magician!
MONTE FOUNDATION 25TH ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!
When: 10/13 at 8:00 pm
Where: Capitola Village
This spectacular fireworks show is a community favorite, not just because it’s an amazing and free event, but also because it raises thousands of dollars to benefit US. Each year the Monte Foundation gives money for important projects like skateparks, libraries, tennis courts and the like. The money is raised through local sponsors, so all you have to do is bring your beach blanket and your family and enjoy the dazzling show.
OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR
See Description Under Saturday Section
Open Farm Tours
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Aaron Lee Tasjan with Johnny Gallagher @ Felton Music Hall
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
- Santa Cruz Contra Dance @ Veterans Memorial Building
THEATER/ARTS
- Sondheim’s COMPANY @ Center Stage Theater
- DOSED Documentary – One Show Only – Santa Cruz, California @ DNAs Comedy Lab
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Mountain Parks Foundation: Lobster Feed Fundraiser @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwoods and the Changing Climate @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
MORE
- Paradigm Sport Winter Baseball Clinic @ Paradigm Sport
- Santa Cruz Downtown Antique Street Faire @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Monterey Home & Garden Expo @ Monterey Fairgrounds
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches: 2019 Guide
It’s that time of year again— jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pies, and hay mazes, oh my! Carve out some time this season to visit a pumpkin patch or two, from local favorites to family farms.
Here’s our guide to pumpkin patches in Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls – Halloween Double Header
When: Saturday, October 26
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Come cheer on the Santa Cruz Derby Girls at their last home game of the season. It’s a Halloween themed double-header and dressing up is strongly encouraged! May we suggest unicorns, vampires, skeletons, and monsters? As always, there are some very special half time shows planned for both games, food trucks onsite, and full concessions.
Purchase tickets below and use Discount Code: SCLife19 for 10% off.
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