This weekend kicks off Kids Week Downtown, and brings the annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival, and a special family showing of Cabrillo’s Mary Poppins, another Free Friday night band at the beach, and much more.
Read on to see the rest of our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach: Wang Chung
When: Friday, 7/31 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
How Much: Free
Everybody Wang Chung tonight! This week’s free Boardwalk concert will feature a band with 6 Top 40 hits, a strong background in New Wave, and some songs that you just can’t help but sign along with.
Twilight Zone: Live on Stage & The Last Late Night Show
When: Friday, 7/31 through Saturday, 8/1 at 8:00 pm
Where: Actors Theatre
How Much: $15-$20
This band of local comedians are definitely doing their part in keeping Santa Cruz weird… and funny! This wide-ranging night of comedy is sure to have something for everybody, and will be appropriate for audiences 16 and older.
Cabrillo Stage Presents: Mary Poppins Family Discount Night
When: Friday, 7/31 through Sunday, 8/2
Where: Cabrillo College Crocker Theater
How Much: $22-$44
What kid doesn’t dream of having a nanny like Mary Poppins? Now you can bring back your own childhood memories and introduce your kids to this beloved literary figure by taking them to the live stage version.
Summer Concert Series: Hula Halau O Mahina Kai
When: Saturday, 8/1 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: New Brighton State Beach
How Much: Free
Polynesian dance music is the perfect background music of summer on the beach, and this Saturday night you can celebrate it for free, with the experts. Just remember to bring some sweaters and blankets!
Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
When: Saturday, 8/1 at 2:00 pm
Where: Sinsheimer-stanley Festival Glen
How Much: $16-$52
Shakespeare essentially laid the groundwork for the modern day romantic comedy, and never is that more apparent than when viewing Much Ado About Nothing. Watch contempt turn into love seemingly out of thin air in this masterful take on gossip and romantic rivalry.
Watsonville Strawberry Festival
When: Saturday, 8/1 through Sunday, 8/2 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Where: Downtown Watsonville
How Much: Free
Watsonville is one of the largest strawberry producers in the world, and your chance to celebrate this local crop comes with weekend. This family friendly event will include food, live entertainment, and a full carnival.
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach
When: Sunday, 8/2 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park, Capitola Village
How Much: Free
Brazilian tunes, local art, and the beautiful coastal views you can only find in our region; this perfect blend of local and international culture will happen this weekend at Sunday Art & Music at the Beach in Capitola.
Jerry Garcia Birthday Bluegrass Bash with Dave Holodiloff Band
When: Sunday, 8/2 at 7:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $10
Celebrate the birthday of a beloved musical icon by hearing his songs beautifully reinterpreted in Bluegrass form. This event only comes around once a year, so be sure to not miss it!
Second Harvest Hunger Hoedown 2015
When: Sunday, 8/2 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
How Much: $15-$50
Help support struggling families in our area by having a blast with your own family this Sunday afternoon. This event will feature live music, food, drinks, and a whole lot of awesome, authentic Star Wars memorabilia.
Kids Week Downtown, August 2 – 9
When: 8/2 through 8/9
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
This weekend kicks off Kids Week in Downtown Santa Cruz, and it’s starting with a bang. Sunday’s events include a free screening of The Sandlot at the Del Mar, a bike safety class at Spokesman Bicycles, and a gaming event at Mythic Games.
Hikes
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Nature Walk: “Plants and Animals of Butano”
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods
- Guided Walk through Pescadero Marsh
- Hike to Ocean View Summit
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Full Moon Madness
- Junior Rangers
- Birding at Schwan Lake
- Grampa’s Chili plus Acoustic Shadows
- Tarrus Riley + Upful Purpose & DJ Spleece
- Dizzy Burnett “A Tribute to Billie Holiday”
- Mountain Tamer, Dark Seas
- E-40
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare Noon at the Nick: Macbeth
- Hilo Ben Kaili at Pono
- Santa Cruz Shakespeare Noon at the Nick: Macbeth
- Social Documentary Screening
Saturday:
- Guided Adobe Tour
- Chick Jagger plus Pretending
- Charlie Musselwhite
- A Tribute to Jerry Garcia
- Dan St Germain
- COLLIE BUDDZ, Rastan & Caleto
- The Suborbitals at The Reef Bar
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! presented by Cabrillo Stage
- Pixar Animators Andy Beal, Rob Thompson and Sequoia Blankenship at Atlantis Fantasyworld
- Tide Pool Treasure Hunt
- Carie & the SoulShakers do Santa Cruz
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Historic Davenport Jail open today from 11am to 4pm
- KOOL JOHN, P-LO, Nef The Pharaoh, HBK Skipper, Ace Dough
- Cleanup Cowells Project
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
- Free movie – The Sandlot – at the Del Mar Theatre
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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