Take your pick of festivals each day this weekend, from film to Japanese culture to Santa Cruz Pride. It’s true, event season has begun in Santa Cruz!
In addition to the unveiling of a new skate park, treat yourself to the symphony with a surf-themed twist, and of course, First Friday is always a fun way to get things started.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
A Touch of Africa in Santa Cruz
When: 6/2 – 6/5 from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: $17/class, $20/performance
A Touch of Africa in Santa Cruz starts on Thursday and runs through Sunday. The event will feature African art, dance and musical performances, along with workshops, arts and crafts, and an African fashion show. Local favorites, SambaDá will perform on Saturday, and dance troup, Diamano Coura (see video below) will perform on Sunday.
Santa Cruz Film Festival
When: 6/1 – 6/5 at 12:00 pm
Where: The Tannery Arts Center
Cost: General Admission@ $11.00 each, Student/Senior (65+) @ $10.00 each
The Santa Cruz Film Festival begins mid-week, but will still be going strong this weekend. This year’s venues range from the expected (Rio Theatre) to the unexpected (restaurants, surf shops, museums, redwood meadows!).
42nd Annual UCSC Student Print Sale
When: 6/3 – 6/4 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center
Cost: Free, Parking $4
At the end of every school year, the art students at UCSC show off their best work and sell a wide variety of affordable prints, handmade books, etchings, woodcuts, and much more. You just might find your new favorite living room decoration right here.
Also on Friday
- The Itals @ Moe’s Alley
- Live Harp Music with Robin Mills @ Hidden Peak Teahouse
- Bad Religion at the Catalyst @ The Catalyst
- The Sun Kings @ Don Quixote’s
- Locomotive Breath @ Crow’s Nest
- Crow and the Canyon, The Crafters, The Wail Always @ The Crepe Place
- Barely Alive @ Catalyst Club
- Beach Cowboy Band @ Severino’s
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Billy Elliot The Musical @ Rio Theatre
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”n” @ Park Hall
- Dangerous Neighbor’s The Dream Killers @ Center Street Theater
- First Friday Santa Cruz @ Downtown Santa Cruz
- Concert Photography by Brandon Oleksy @ Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios
- Live Artist Demonstrations @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
- Free First Friday at the MAH @ Museum of Art and History
- Savvy Seafood: An Art and Science Family Evening @ Sanctuary Exploration Center
- 2-Woman Print Show: Nature and State of Mind @ Cafe Iveta
- 86th Annual California Land & Sea exhibit @ Santa Cruz Art League
- In Search of Other Giants @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Program: Nature’s Supermarket @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Fit for the Fight @ Seascape Village Fitness
- City of Capitola Blood Drive @ Capitola Community Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series 2016 @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
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Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival 2016
When: 6/4 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Bonny Doon Equestrian Park
Cost: $49 until June 3 and $69 at the gate
Enjoy wine and craft brew tastings in the redwoods with great live music from Abalone Trio and Extra Large. Proceeds from this event benefit Bonny Doon Elementary School.
Redwood Mountain Faire
When: 6/4 – 6/5 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp
Cost: Adults $29, Student/Senior $20, Kids 12 and Under is Free
The Redwood Mountain Faire comes to Roaring Camp this Saturday and Sunday. This two-day festival includes great music, locally made food and drinks, arts & crafts, and a kid zone.
11th Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show
When: 6/4 at 9:00 am to 6/5 at 2:00 PM
Where: Esplanade
Cost: Free
A wide variety of over 300 classic cars, from coupes to roadsters, will be on display at this weekend’s show. There will also be vendors, live music, a raffle, awards, and much more.
30th Annual Japanese Cultural Fair
When: 6/4 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Cost: Free
Celebrate our neighbors across the Pacific by gathering at the Mission Plaza and participate in cultural festivities, including traditional dancing, food, and arts and crafts. Additional workshops and demonstrations will be held at nearby Aikido of Santa Cruz and the Zen Center.
Surfin’ with the Symphony & Special Guests Papa Doo Run Run
When: 6/4 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $27 – $72 A Buy One, Get One offer has just been announced!
This weekend symphony fans will be treated to an “only in Santa Cruz” symphony experience. Surfing with the Symphony is a family-friendly Pops Concert, featuring Papa Doo Run Run. Come early for a street party in front of the Civic beginning at 6:00 PM.
Grand Opening and Dedication of the Monte Family Skateboard Park
When: 6/4 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: McGregor Multiuse Park
Come out and celebrate the opening of our newest skate park this weekend with the grand opening of the Monte Family Skate Park at McGregor Multiuse Park in Capitola.
A Touch of Africa in Santa Cruz
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Film Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
42nd Annual UCSC Student Print Sale
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Painted Mandolin ACOUSTIC GARCIA @ Don Quixote’s
- Stamina! All-Stars @ Crow’s Nest
- The David Nelson Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Club Kuumbwa: Sap Laughter @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Kevin Morby, Jaye Bartell @ The Crepe Place
- The Hush Sound @ Catalyst Club
- The Budos Band @ Catalyst Club
- The Playthings @ Severino’s
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Fusion 360 Basics @ Idea Fab Labs
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- First Saturday Arboretum Tours @ Arboretum Gift Shop
- Relay For Life of Scotts Valley @ Skypark
- Santa Cruz Beach Soccer Championships @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Free Flat Fixing Class @ Spokesman Bicycles
- Elfquest Signing with Wendy & Richard Pini @ Atlantis Fantasyworld
- Santa Cruz Garage Sale Weekend @ Various Santa Cruz locations
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- A Walk in the Past @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Felling the Giants @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Nature’s Reading Room @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Castro-Coastal Connection: A Community Campfire @ Sunset State Beach
- A Walk in The Past @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Volunteer Work Day @ Elkhorn Slough
- Billy Elliot The Musical @ Rio Theatre
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “The Mystery Plays”n” @ Park Hall
- Dangerous Neighbor’s The Dream Killers @ Center Street Theater
- Will Durst at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall @ Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
AVANT GARDEN PARTY
When: 6/5 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: “The Garden” 2701 Monterey Ave., Soquel
Cost: $20 – $25
Support local musical troupe New Music Works at this event which is tucked away in the heart of Soquel in an idyllic garden. The Avant Garden Party Benefit will welcome a wide range of talented musicians, along with Hula and Polynesian dancers, to the stage. Tasty treats will be provided by Chef Jozeph from India Joze.
2016 Santa Cruz Pride Parade & Festival
When: 6/5 at 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
Over the years, Santa Cruz Pride has grown from a small gathering to a whole downtown celebration. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ community or a proud ally, you’re welcome to join in the fun this Sunday which includes a parade down Pacific Ave. and festival where the Wednesday Farmers Market meets.
A Touch of Africa in Santa Cruz
See Description Under Friday Section
Santa Cruz Film Festival
See Description Under Friday Section
Redwood Mountain Faire
See Description Under Saturday Section
11th Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Toby Gray at the Pono @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Michelle Chappel plus Michael Gaither @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Thriftworks, Mihkal, Smasheltooth & PartyWave @ Moe’s Alley
- Pieces, Thunderegg @ The Crepe Place
- Prong Treachery, Among the Torrent @ Catalyst Club
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Can You Survive? (Part 1) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Meteor Trail Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Mark’s Mud Meander @ Elkhorn Slough
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Center
- Weekly Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Main Beach
- Relay For Life of Scotts Valley @ Skypark
- Santa Cruz Beach Soccer Championships @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Santa Cruz Garage Sale Weekend @ Various Santa Cruz locations
- Hidden Gems Film Club: Not Your Ordinary Film Club! @ Santa Cruz Public Library
- Vida Juice Release Party @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
Featured Upcoming Event
Celebrate the life of Santa Cruz waterman Jay Moriarty and paddle in his honor at the 15th Annual Jay Race, a paddle board race and benefit for Santa Cruz County Junior Lifeguards, Ocean of Hope, and Ride-A-Wave.
What: Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race
Where: Capitola-by-the-Sea
When: Saturday, June 18 at 7:00 am
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