This is one of those weekends that makes us so excited to live in Santa Cruz.
Comedy, makers market, heritage crafts, inspiring ways with nature, Latin percussion, bluegrass, brews and T-birds are just some of the great activities lined up.
Avoid traffic and start your stay-cation now. First Friday events will keep you busy celebrating the diversity, fun and history of Santa Cruz.
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. Open Studios is our favorite fall activity and we’re thrilled to visit North County artist studios 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: Human Shaped Animal, Artist #20.
Friday
First Friday: Natural History of Natural Disasters
When: 10/4 –Enjoy free admission throughout the day, with special events 5-7 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake and drop by for a free First-Friday exhibit with local natural disaster experts. Enjoy free refreshments while you ask all your questions about earthquakes, sea level rise, wildfires and emergency response.
October First Friday: Loma Prieta Anniversary
When: 10/4 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: The MAH
Check out a massive piñata style mural, get creative at the drop-in craft station, explore the exhibitions and be sure to visit the History Gallery for a new exhibit commemorating the Loma Prieta Earthquake.
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR
When: 10/4 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Various locations
Discover new artists at one of the many open galleries, shops or dispensaries or become an artist yourself at DrawFest. Click the link below and explore the possibilities.
Fantastic Fungi
When: 10/4 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Immerse yourself in the magical world of mycelium. Stunning cinematography will captivate you during this exploration of the fungi kingdom. Stay after the film for a conversation with the director and other special guests.
The 6th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival
When: 10/4 – 10/6
Where: Various locations
Everyone could always use a good laugh and the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival is gonna make it easy for you. New venues, fun free events and comedy deep dives all weekend long.
Also on Friday
FIRST FRIDAY
- Dany Fernandez & Alex Reveles @ lille aeske arthouse
- Terry Way Photography @ Stockwell Cellars
- 1st First Friday, 1st Anniversary & 1st Popup @ Fybr Bamboo
MUSIC/DANCE
- Fruit Bats @ Felton Music Hall
- Steel Pulse @ The Catalyst
- The Village Green @ Michael’s on Main
- Nigel & Clive @ Crow’s Nest
- LITTLE HURRICANE + BOBCAT ROB & THE NIGHTLY HOWL @ Moe’s Alley
THEATER/ARTS
- 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
MORE
- Boardwalk Fall Girl Scout Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- ASL@WOODSTOCK’S IN SANTA CRUZ @ Woodstock Pizza
Saturday
Open Studios
When: Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Artist Studios throughout North County
Our favorite annual fall event returns this weekend with the first week of Open Studios 2019!
Arts Council Santa Cruz County will begin their annual free self-guided art tour this weekend with open studios located throughout North Santa Cruz County. See what our local talented artists have on display this year.
Download the app or pick up a guide at select locations for a fall weekend of local art!
Piggie Pie: The Musical Play
When: 10/5 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am
Where: Aptos Branch Library
A hungry witch needs some piglets for her piggy pie, and they need you to cheer them on to safety. Perfect children’s theatre experience to build some Halloween excitement for Pre-K to 2nd graders.
Ka-Hon Latin Percussion Ensemble: First Saturdays Family Concert Series
When: 10/5 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building
Join Grammy award-winning Ka-Hon on an adventure in Latin percussion! Music, songs and global rhythms from Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Spain and Venezuela kick off the 2019-2020 First Saturday Family Concert Series.
Brewgrass Festival
When: 10/5 from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Listening to bluegrass, drinking fresh local beer and noshing on whatever you please from one of our many talented food truck artists on a lovely autumn day. Sounds pretty good, right?
ROARING CAMP: STEAM & HARVEST FESTIVAL
When: 10/5 -10/6
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Embrace some heritage craft fun for everyone. Stuff a scarecrow (yours to keep!), make a candle, pick pumpkins and pan for gold like they did in the olden days. Plus, some impressive steam and belt-powered equipment will be on display at this free event.
T-Birds on the Wharf
When: 10/5 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
It’s your chance to marvel at classic, vintage and retro T-birds (and find out what those classifications mean) at the annual Thunderbirds on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Keep an eye out around town too, because club members will be driving in from all over California and Nevada for this unique event.
The 6th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Crumb w/ Divino Niño & Shormey @ Felton Music Hall
- Derek Bodkin’s Hovering Breadcat @ The Crepe Place
- Live Music by The Rayburn Brothers Band @ Abbott Square
- TOO MANY ZOOZ @ The Catalyst
- Steel Pulse @ The Catalyst
- Blue Ocean Rockers @ Crow’s Nest
- LA MISA NEGRA @ Moe’s Alley
- Here Comes Sunshine @ Michael’s on Main
- Dave Mason – Feelin Alright Tour! @ Rio Theatre
- Cris Williamson with Barbara Higbie @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Hovering Breadcat @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
- 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
- UCSC ARBORETUM TOURS @ UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
- Ohlone Plant Use @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch Docents
- Castle Rock Loop Hike @ Castle Rock State Park
- Old Tree Trail Hike @ Portola Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tour @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Archaeology Day @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
MORE
- Gourmet Grazing on the Green @ Aptos Village Park
- The Santa Cruz Comedy Festival Presents: Comedians Writing Words in Bars @ Bookshop Santa Cruz
- ROARING CAMP: MOONLIGHT TRAIN DINNER PARTY @ Roaring Camp
- T9 Mermaid Triathlon & Duathlon Capitola @ Capitola Village
- Boardwalk Fall Girl Scout Overnight @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Sunday
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
When: 10/6 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Pacific Ave. between Water & Locust Streets
Hooray the holidays are coming up fast. Head downtown to the Makers Market to #supportthelocals and buy special gifts made right here in Santa Cruz County. There will be a free concert and over 40 amazing, hardworking, talented artists.
Squid-Fest West
When: 10/6 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Resource Center For Nonviolence
Beautiful music and community building join together in a benefit concert and silent auction to support KSQD Community Radio.
Pottery and Glass Seconds Sale
When: 10/6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Cabrillo College
Find that perfect, rare, likely one-of-a-kind piece for a great price at the pottery and glass seconds sale! Over 50 professional potters, jewelry makers, glass artists, and craftspeople from all over the central coast will be there with their beautiful wares.
Open Studios
See Description Under Saturday Section
The 6th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- JIMBO MATHUS’ INCINERATOR @ Moe’s Alley
- Futuristic @ The Catalyst
- Young Creatures w/ The Virtuals @ The Crepe Place
THEATER/ARTS
- Sondheim’s COMPANY @ Center Stage Theater
- Big Trees Exhibition @ San Lorenzo Valley Museum
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: Mamma Mia! @ Mountain Community Theater/Park Hall
OUTDOORS
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Toast the Coast 2019 Benefit Taste & Tribute @ The Chaminade
- Paradigm Sport Winter Baseball Clinics @ Paradigm Sport • 120 Dubois Street • Santa Cruz CA
- Open Mic @ SCO at Market Street Theater
- DNA’s Comedy Lab Live @ Abbott Square
- FLIP FOR WHALES 2019 @ Blue Ocean Whale Watch
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Wilder Ranch Heritage Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 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.
Water Harvest Festival
When: Sunday, October 20th, 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.
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