This Weekend in Santa Cruz: October 18th – 20th, 2019

By Stephanie Michelet

If you have not had a chance to attend a fall harvest festival or Open Studios, then this weekend is for you.

This month’s 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake brings nature walks and talks at the Forest of Nisene Marks.

And the Santa Cruz Wharf kicks off a 13-day countdown to Halloween.

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. This is the final weekend of Open Studios this year and artists from the entire county will be participating. 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: Kelsey Cerdas Artist #32

Friday

UCSC Comedian Grant Lyon Back in Santa Cruz

When: 10/18 from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Where: DNA’s Comedy Lab

Described as a the right balance between goofy and smart by On Magazine, Grant Lyon is doing something right because he is everywhere. When he’s not making appearances on Comedy Central, starring in movies or being featured in Funny or Die, you can catch him performing in Santa Cruz.

Get more info here.

Matilda the Musical

When: 10/18 – 10/19 from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre

Fan of Roald Dahl? Inspired by courage and cleverness triumphing over evil? Love a strong girl hero with extraordinary imagination, wit and intelligence? Then you won’t want to miss the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award winning musical version of Matilda! There will be dancing, singing and good times.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MORE

email icon

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

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR

Open Studios Santa Cruz 2019

When: 10/19 – 10/20 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Various locations

Encore weekend featuring artists from both North and South Counties. Missed someone on your list? Want to revisit a few favorites? If you are looking for inspiration, talent, or some art to adorn your space, this is your chance to see where the magic happens. You can pick up an Open Studios guide wherever the Good Times is available, or download the Open Studios App. Whether you are an art connoisseur or just appreciate beauty, meeting the artists, touring their workshops and seeing the process is unforgettable.

Get more info here.

Earthquakes and the Adobe: Castro Adobe Open House

When: 10/19 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park

Castro Adobe State Historic Park was almost lost after 1989’s Loma Prieta earthquake but is being lovingly restored. Come tour the property, learn about how earthquakes have impacted this beautiful rancho hacienda, and what is being done to protect it from future quakes.

Get more info here.

Heritage Harvest Festival

When: 10/19 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park

The fall harvest season is upon us and Wilder Ranch is getting in the spirit with a day of living history and harvest-time activities. Bring the family to enjoy blacksmith and machine shop demonstrations, children’s crafts and games, old time music and square dancing, hand-cranked ice cream, apple tasting, and wagon rides.

Get more info here.

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

When: 10/19 – 10/31
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf

Get stoked for Halloween with a spooky, family fun Halloween countdown! Head to the Wharf for 13 days of activities: Great pumpkin BINGO, festive photo booth, zombies, Thriller dance moves, and unique specials from Wharf restaurants and gift shops.

Get more info here.

UCMG Fall Fest & Plant Sale

When: 10/19 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: UC Cooperative Extension

Pumpkin meets succulent at the fall plant sale. Now is the time to take a mini-class about native plants, integrated pest management, and winter vegetable gardening and watch demonstrations about orchids, succulents, pruning or tool care. Shop the seed grown plants, make a fall centerpiece, let your kids get their hands dirty in a good way and eat some yummy food.

Get more info here.

Harvest Festival: Pumpkin Patch & Apples Bash

When: 10/19 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Live Earth “Lower” Farm, Watsonville

Experience the joy of fall on a farm—wander a pumpkin patch, pick apples, and ride a tractor. Or maybe take a workshop with Santa Cruz Master Recyclers or try a family yoga session. Enjoy live music and grab a bite to eat from Good Dogs Food Truck, Companion Bakery, and Fruition Brewing.

Get more info here.

SANTA CRUZ MUSIC FESTIVAL

When: 10/19 – 10/20
Where: Various locations

Been meaning to catch some live shows? This weekend gives you all the good excuses. There will be music playing at all the hot spots and venues, basically everywhere. Discover a new sound or revisit one of your faves. Click the link and you’ll see!

Get more info here.

Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

When: 10/19 & 10/20
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads

Straight from the Island of Sodor, Thomas the Tank Engine and his buddy Percy are hosting a Halloween party that includes a 20-minute train ride, storytelling and video viewing, temporary tattoos, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, and photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt.

Get more info here.

Life Is A Cabaret – Great Gatsby Party

When: 10/19 Doors open 7:00 pm; Show 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge

Party Great Gatsby style! Dress up in period costumes (highly encouraged), enjoy gourmet food, fine wine and songs that will have you dancing the night away.E

Get more info here.

Matilda the Musical

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

MAKE/CRAFT

Make a Ceramic Utensil Holder Workshop -Annieglass @ Annieglass Incorporated

OUTDOORS

MORE

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Water Harvest Festival

When: 10/20 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Anna Jean Cummings Park (Blue Ball Park)

Soquel Creek Water District is celebrating the season with an educational, water-themed day of fun for the family. The Water Harvest Festival features interactive hands-on activities, bounce houses, face painting, and must-see performances by ZunZun and Earthcapades.

Get more info here.

Science Sunday—Tales from the Intertidal: Living Where Ocean Meets Land

When: 10/20 at 1:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center

You’ve probably been delighted and amazed by the local tide pools. But how much do you really know about them? Take an hour this Sunday to learn more about this diverse habitat and the fascinating intertidal creatures that call it home.

Get more info here.

Doggo Dreamland

When: 10/20 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Abbott Square at The MAH

Dog friendly event! You don’t have to leave puppers at home to go enjoy Abbott Square’s cool scene. Bring your pup or give some love to one from the SPCA.

Get more info here.

Floating Pumpkin Patch at Simpkins

When: 10/20 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Simpkins Family Swim Center

If you’ve ever wondered if pumpkins sink or float in water, spoiler alert…they float! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of swimming, games, waterslide fun, and pumpkin picking with a twist from the floating pumpkin patch.

Get more info here.

Loma Prieta Earthquake: 30 Years of Recovery Hike

When: 10/20 at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm
Where: The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Commemorate the 1989 earthquake with a hike to its epicenter near the ghost town Loma Prieta. Share your stories about where you were during the quake that impacted so many of us 30 years ago.

Get more info here.

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

See Description Under Saturday Section

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR

See Description Under Saturday Section

Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

See Description Under Saturday Section

SANTA CRUZ MUSIC FESTIVAL

See Description Under Saturday Section

Also on Sunday

MUSIC/DANCE

THEATER/ARTS

OUTDOORS

MORE

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Goat Hill Fair

When: November 9 & 10
Where: Santa Cruz Co. Fairgrounds

This unique antiques and artisan fair features over 100 vendors showcasing vintage treasures, up-cycled junk, antiques, and collectibles. It’s fun, nostalgic, and full of DIY inspiration.

11th Annual Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival 2019

When: Saturday, November 2
Where: Cocoanut Grove Sunroom on the Beach Boardwalk

Calling all sea glass lovers and ocean enthusiasts! Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts featuring authentic sea glass and coastal art from over 40 artists. Your entry fee includes a chance to win a gift basket filled with sea-inspired goodies, and a portion is donated to ocean conservation through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

Derby Ticket Giveaway

The final home game of the 2019 Santa Cruz Derby Girls season is next weekend. If you haven’t been to a derby game you’re missing out on the most entertaining sporting event in town.

We’ll be at the game next weekend and hope to see you there. If you want to attend there are a couple ways to save. The first way is to buy tickets online and use promo code SCLife19 to save 10%. Buy tickets here.

The other option is to enter our ticket giveaway. One lucky Santa Cruz Life reader will get a pair of free tickets.

PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…

Stephanie Michelet

Stephanie is a local maker and creative workshop leader. Find out what you can #makeinsantacruz by following along on Instagram at @smichelet

X