Santa Cruz Weekend Events for April 11

Santa Cruz Weekend Events:, April 11-13, 2014

This weekend’s events will delight wine lovers, surf fans, and treasure hunters.

If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your home you won’t want to miss the Arboretum’s annual Spring Plant Sale.

Kids will be treated to some early Easter festivities, and those in the mood for a good laugh can head to the Civic Auditorium to see the legendary Bill Cosby.

Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.

Bill Cosby

When: Friday, 4/11, 8 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
How Much: $41.25-$73.75

The legendary Bill Cosby will be performing at the Civic Auditorium on Friday night. Surprisingly, at the time of this writing, there are still a few tickets available. They likely won’t last long though. Buy tickets here.

Pinot Paradise 2014

When: Friday, 4/11 – Sunday, 4/13
Where: Various Locations
How Much: Prices for daily events range from $25 – $100

Pinot Paradise is a three day event in the Santa Cruz Mountains where attendees will learn about, and taste, local Pinot Noirs. Each day will have a unique event, culminating on Sunday with the Pinot Cruz Grand Tasting. Over 40 local wineries will be showcasing their Pinot Noirs, along with plenty of gourmet food. Learn more about the event, and see the full three day lineup of events by visiting the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association website.

Women on Waves

When: Saturday, 4/12, contest starts at 8 am
Where: Capitola Beach

Women on Waves is a women’s longboard surf competition in Capitola. Proceeds from the event benefit local charities. Learn more about the event here.

Kennolyn Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, 4/12, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Kennolyn Camps
How Much: Free

Start you Easter festivities a week early at the Kennolyn Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday. The event is free, and includes kids crafts and a photo op with the Easter Bunny.

Easter on the Farm

When: Saturday, 4/12, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
How Much: Free

The 10th annual Easter on the Farm will be held this Saturday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. There will be a Easter egg hunts, starting at 11:15. Other events include hat and basket making, face-painting, hayrides, games with stilts and hoops, and chalk drawing. Get all the info here.

UCSC Community & Arts Festival

When: Saturday, 4/12, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Cooper St. & Abbott Square (next to the MAH)
How Much: Free

This street festival in Downtown Santa Cruz is a celebration of the arts, and projects taking place at UCSC. Music and dance groups will provide entertainment in Abbott Square. Cooper Street will be closed to traffic and will feature displays showcasing research projects and collaborative projects between the university and the community.

Get more info here.

UCSC Arboretum Spring Plant Sale

When: Saturday, 4/12, noon – 4 pm
Where: UCSC Arboretum
How Much: Free Admission

The Arboretum’s annual Spring Plant Sale will feature over 200 different plant varieties. There will be an emphasis on drought tolerant plants including native California plants, succulents, and plants from Australia and South Africa. Learn more about the plant sale here.

James Durbin Free In-Store Performance at Streetlight

When: Saturday, 4/12, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Streetlight Records
How Much: Free

James Durbin will play a free in-store show at Streetlight Records on Saturday afternoon. His new album, Celebrate!, came out last week and fans who purchase the album in the store will be guaranteed a priority spot in line for an autograph. There will be an acoustic performance at 2:00, followed by a meet-and-greet. Get more info here.

Karina Denike with Ian Bell at the Crepe Place

When: Saturday, 4/12 at 8:30 pm
Where: The Crepe Place
How Much: $8

Ian Bell, a Santa Cruz singer-songwriter will open for San Francisco based singer Karina Denike Saturday night at The Crepe Place. The two should combine to display an evening of powerful vocals and songwriting talents. Ian Bell just released a new album, Live at the Wrigley, which you can find on iTunes, and Denike just has one of those voices that you’ll instantly fall in love with. Give each of them a listen below:

Ian Bell

Karina Denike

Santa Cruz Half Marathon / 10K / 5K

When: Sunday, 4/13, 8 am
Where: Races start at Beach & Main Streets

If you’re on the Westside this Sunday you will be well aware of the Santa Cruz Half Marathon race. The half marathon, 10K and 5K races get started at 8:00 am in front of the Boardwalk and runners will wind their way along West Cliff for one of the most picturesque races any runner could ever hope for. Registration is closed, but you can learn more about the event here.

Antique Faire

When: Sunday, 4/13, 8 am – 5 pm
Where: Downtown (on Lincoln St. between Pacificc Ave. & Cedar St.)
How Much: Free

The Santa Cruz Antique Faire takes place the second Sunday of each month in downtown Santa Cruz.

Learn more here.

Additional events this weekend

Friday & Saturday:

Annie Jr.

Friday through Sunday:

Watercolor “The Best of the Central Coast” at the Art League – exhibit runs through 4/19

Friday, April 11:

Saturday, April 12:

Sunday, April 13:

Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend

Free Wildlife Eco-Tours of the Santa Cruz Wharf (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
Sunday Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center (weekly event – every Sunday)
Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)

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Santa Cruz Weekend Event Roundup for April 11th -13th, 2014