This Weekend in Santa Cruz: December 8th – 10th, 2017

By Valerie Lemke

Photo by Valerie Lemke

That holiday feeling is in the air again, which means there’s a lot to do this weekend.

You might want to take out-of-town guests to a performance or enjoy a day on the ranch. Maybe you really want to get some holiday shopping done from the many fairs and shopping events or take the kids to meet their favorite children’s author at her book signing event.

With so many great choices of fun things to do, it might be hard to choose. But don’t worry; we’ve put together a great list to help you decide. Don’t forget to check out our holiday guides, too!

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Looking for craft fairs, time-honored traditions, and all the best holiday events in Santa Cruz? We’ve got you covered.

Plan your itinerary with our local holiday guides, including our annual Holiday Event Guide & Holiday Craft Fair & Shopping Guide.

Jump to the Santa Cruz Holiday Guides

Friday

Jewel Theatre Presents: SCROOGE: The Haunting of Ebenezer

When: 12/8 – 12/10 7:30 pm & 2:00 pm
Where: The Colligan Theater
Cost: $35 preview and $40 all other performances

Bay area actor, Jeff Garrett, takes on all of the character roles in this one-man performance of this Charles Dickens’ classic. See this performer act in the characters of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley and more.

Get more info here.

AAT Presents You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown

When: 12/8 – 12/10 6:30 pm & 1:30 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Students & Seniors $13.00
General Admission $16.00
Reserved Seating $20.00

A fun and heartwarming musical featuring all of your favorite Peanuts characters in this youth production. This performance is of a collection of short scenes portraying a typical day for Charlie Brown.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit

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Saturday

Midtown Holiday Craft Crawl

When: 12/9 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Midtown, along Soquel from Pennsylvania to Seabright
Cost: Free

The Midtown Holiday Craft Crawl is back for a second year! Shop at your favorite local businesses while discovering awesome local makers! Just look for the red balloons along Soquel and shop a variety of goods from local talent.

Get more info here.

Petty Theft – San Francisco Tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

When: 12/9 at 9:00 pm
Where: The Catalyst
Cost: $20 IN ADVANCE / $22 AT THE DOOR

This band celebrates the life and music of Tom Petty. This special performance will honor the 40th anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers headline tour debut at the Catalyst in 1977. Doors open at 8:00 pm.

Get more info here.

Making Waves Art Exhibition

When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Idea Fab Labs
Cost: Free

A fun experience for the entire family as Idea Fab Labs hosts their first themed in-house art exhibition. Refreshments will also be served. Held in conjunction with the Westside Holiday Bazaar located in the Wrigley Building.

Get more info here.

Holidays on The Ranch

When: 12/9 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
Cost: Event is free; vehicle day-use fee is $10

Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday celebration at Wilder Ranch. The Holidays on the Ranch Festival takes you back to a simpler time with crafts, games, and music from the early 20th century. Get in the spirit and dress in your best turn-of-the-century costume and hop on a draft-horse carriage ride!

Get more info here.

Holiday Artisan Food & Gift Market

When: 12/9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Food Lounge

Shop local and take care of all your holiday needs, from unique gifts to food and holiday staples. Shop locally-made jewelry, body products, candles, scarves, textiles, and art. Artisan foods include olive oil, jams, honey, chocolate, and mole. There will also be fresh foods to enjoy as you shop—win win!

Get more info here.

Jewel Theatre Presents: SCROOGE: The Haunting of Ebenezer

See Description Under Friday Section

AAT Presents Your’re A Good Man Charlie Brown

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

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

Sunday

Author Jan Brett – The Mermaid

When: 12/10 at 5:00 pm
Where: MAH
Cost:

The MAH welcomes favorite children’s author, Jan Brett, for a book talk and signing to kickoff her latest release. “The Mermaid” is a different slant on a Goldilocks story and is full of Jan Brett’s creative illustrations that will delight children as well as adults.

Get more info here.

Jingle Shells Art & Craft Festival

When: 12/10 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Public: $6 adults, $4 kids and seniors, Children 2 and under FREE / Members: FREE

Get into the holiday spirit at this whale of a holiday party featuring ocean–inspired holiday gifts and decorations. There will also be several children’s activities and live music. Top it off with the traditional group sing-along and whale lighting!

Get more info here.

Succulent Arrangement Workshop

When: 12/10 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Annieglass
Cost: $80

Make a holiday gift for someone special or just keep this arrangement for yourself. Learn how to make a small succulent arrangement and how to care for your mini garden in this workshop. Supplies and starter plants included.

Get more info here.

Be Natural Music – Concert & Fundraiser

When: 12/10 at 5:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $3 at the door

The concept behind this concert is to encourage youth performers to be comfortable performing on a stage in front of an audience. Come out and give support to these young musicians and enjoy a wide range of music and skill levels.

Get more info here.

Healthy Holiday Fair

When: 12/10 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Cryotherapy, 1220 41st Avenue, Suite I, Capitola
Cost: Free

Give the gift of good health this holiday season with a variety of healthy lifestyle items and options at this gift fair. Raffles and prizes, too.

Get more info here.

Whole Foods Market Capitola – Holiday Tasting Event

When: 12/10 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Whole Foods Market Capitola
Cost: Free

Have some holiday fun and partake in some good food and drink after hours at this vendor tasting event. Enjoy cheese, wine, caviar, fruit and more.

Get more info here.

Jingle Bell Rock 5K Run

When: 12/10 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Begin and ends at River Lot at SC Boardwalk by the trestle
Cost: 10K – $40, 5K – $35, Kids 1K – $5 (Per runner/walker)

This is your chance to burn off some of those holiday calories while supporting a great cause—Toys for Tots. The 9th Annual Jingle Bell Rock 5K, now has a new 10K course option, and as always, the Kids 1K Fun Run. There will be prizes awarded for best dressed runner, best dressed team, ugliest holiday sweater, and best decorated stroller. This year’s goal is 1,000 toy donations, and all collected toys stay in our community.

Get more info here.

HOME in the Redwoods

When: 12/10 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA 95018
Cost: $85

A Farm to Table pop-up event featuring a 5-course dinner crafted and prepared by Chef Brad Briske of HOME Soquel. Relax with live music, local beer and wine and do some awesome holiday gift shopping from the artists of SCM Makers, too.

Get more info here.

Jewel Theatre Presents: SCROOGE: The Haunting of Ebenezer

See Description Under Friday Section

AAT Presents Your’re A Good Man Charlie Brown

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

What: Gulliver Unlimited
Where: The Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway
When: Dec. 14 & 15 at 7pm; Dec. 16 at 2pm & 4pm; Dec. 17 at 11am & 1pm
Cost: $10 at the door

Alternative Family Education presents a steampunk tale based on Gulliver’s Travels. Follow Samantha Gulliver in this coming of age story set in a steampunk industrial revolution. The show stars AFE 6th – 8th graders and runs approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with no intermission. Sweet and savory treats will be available for purchase before and after each show. Proceeds help support AFE’s theater program.

Get more info here.

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Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

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