It’s very clear that we’re in the midst of the holiday season this weekend with toy drives, a chance to eat waffles with Santa, ocean-inspired holiday craft fairs and more festive surprises! There’s even a bar crawl/scavenger hunt for adults led by Santa himself!
And if you’re not quite ready to get into the holiday spirit just yet, watch the Santa Cruz Warriors play the Austin Spurs on Friday, try a cedar wood inspired beer from a local brewery, or check out a free screening of the newest full length video from the people that brought you the “screaming hand,” legendary Santa Cruz Skateboards.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Holiday Events in Santa Cruz
Want to jump straight to the best holiday events? We’ve got you covered. The guides below will keep you full of holiday cheer this weekend and throughout the month of December.
Holiday Event Guide
Catch every holiday event in Santa Cruz County with our Santa Cruz Holiday Event Guide.
Holiday Craft Fairs & Shopping Events
There are dozens of local craft fairs and shopping events in Santa Cruz County, many of which take place this weekend. You’ll find them all here.
Friday
Santa Cruz Warriors vs. Austin Spurs
When: 12/9 at 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $20 – $51
Get in on the action of the Santa Cruz Warriors taking down the Austin Spurs at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz. Bring the whole family to experience an elite professional basketball game at an affordable price. Plus, it’s a fun environment with snacks, drinks and plenty of entertainment between the slam dunks and free throws. A great Friday evening event to start off the weekend!
Nibs & Hops
When: December 9 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Mutari Chocolate
Chocolate and beer, need we say more? Yes…it’s also a benefit for the Coastal Watershed Council in support of a healthier San Lorenzo River.
Santa Cruz Holiday Contra Dance
When: 12/9 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Grange 1900 17th Ave
Cost: $12 regular, $11 for members, $8 for full-time students w/student ID card.
Put your dancing shoes on and get into the holiday spirit at the last Santa Cruz Contra Dance of 2016! Pull out that gold sequined party dress, too, because this is a festive affair and semi-formal and holiday attire is encouraged. Don’t know the steps? Who cares! Everyone is welcome and partners and dancing experience are not necessary. Dance forms during the evening are taught and prompted, so just follow the lead. However, if you are a beginner, the introductory lesson at 6:40 is encouraged. There will be holiday lights, decorations and plenty of treats too!
Also on Friday
- Mike Stern Band with Bob Franceschini, Tom Kennedy, Dave Weckl @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- SunSquabi @ The Catalyst
- Hari Kondabolu @ The Catalyst
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Patterson Hood of The Drive-By Truckers @ Don Quixote’s
- Back to Nowhere @ Crow’s Nest
- PURE ROOTS + Earl Zero, Sound Reasoning & Dee Jay Spleece @ Moe’s Alley
- Mylo Jenkins @ The Crepe Place
- Phoenix Rising @ Severino’s
- Santa Cruz Night Market @ Santa Cruz Food Lounge
- Celebrate the Season in Local Style @ Homeless Garden Project Store, Santa Cruz Art Center
- Boardwalk Holiday Bash @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Gingerbread House Making Workshop for Kids @ New Leaf Community Markets
- Holiday Train Rides @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Strike Out Hunger and Bowl for FREE! @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Mountain Community Theater Presents “Other Desert Cities” @ Mountain Community Theater
- Jewel Theatre presents: Next to Normal @ The Colligan Theater
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- SMALL WORKS @ Radius Gallery
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Off The Block Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting @ Capitola Mercantile in Capitola Village
- Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-up @ First Christian Church
- Dad’s Club Basketball Tournament @ Civic Auditorium
- 3 tools for ending “Communication Tug of War” and enjoy the holidays together @ Garfield Park Community Church
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
Breakfast with Santa
When: 12/10 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: $36.95 Adults, $17.95 Children 6-12, $11.95, Under 6 years
Santa Claus is as big of fan of brunch and he’ll be at Chaminade Resort & Spa this Saturday to enjoy a holiday buffet of waffles, omelets and more in the beautiful dining area overlooking the Monterey Bay. Dress your best for photos with the man himself and if you’ve been nice this year, bring your wish lists to share with Santa. Insider tip: he’s in a much more Christmas wish giving mood after a couple cups of coffee.
2nd Annual Downtown SANTA Cruise
When: 12/10 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $20 in advance / $25 of the event
Santa Cruise is a holiday scavenger hunt for adults, back by popular demand. If you like your hot toddies with a side of adventure and mystery, then this is the event for you. Your journey starts with a Santa hat and a cryptic message from Santa himself, leading you on an outrageous treasure hunt through the streets of Downtown Santa Cruz. Get a group together to hunt for the goods and drink at Santa’s favorite spots along the way.
Santa Cruz Skateboards Presents “Right To Exist”
When: 12/10 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: Free
Santa Cruz Skateboards presents it’s newest full length video for free! Come see what the legendary skateboarding company, known for it’s screaming hand logo, has in store for viewers. If it’s anything like the rest of their brand, its sure to be a thrilling time that will leave you feeling like a rebel.
Cedar Saison Beer Release Party
When: 12/10 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: 925 41st Ave.
Cost: $5-$39
Popular local brewery, Humble Sea Brewing Co. will be releasing its unique cedar-infused saison beer, inspired by its collaboration with Ventana Surfboards and Supplies, maker of reclaimed wooden surf crafts. The event will feature live “western swing/ party music,” Gordo Gustavo’s BBQ, and of course delicious beer. And it’s for a good cause too! 10% of profits go to Save Our Shores.
Toys for Tots Breakfast
When: 12/10 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Hotel Paradox
Cost: Come with a new unwrapped toy [$15 value]
Drop off a new unwrapped toy at Hotel Paradox for a local child in need, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the Sequoia Ballroom. The NBA Santa Cruz Warriors D-League and the UCSC Women’s Basketball team will be there to meet and greet all generous gift givers. This is your chance to help spread holiday cheer while experiencing something a bit out of the ordinary. It’s not everyday you get to eat pancakes with the Santa Cruz Warriors, right?
Also on Saturday
- Hollywood Holidays — A Youth Vocal Journey @ Don Quixote’s
- Painted Mandolin @ Don Quixote’s
- Tsunami @ Crow’s Nest
- B-SIDE PLAYERS @ Moe’s Alley
- Jim Kweskin & Geoff Muldaur @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Fast Asleep, Dusted Angel @ The Crepe Place
- Wild Child @ The Catalyst
- Joint Chiefs (funk, acid jazz and classic R&B) @ Severino’s
- Downpour, Fountain of Bile, Drain, Moirai @ The Blue Lagoon
- Live Music @ Little Owl Italian Kitchen
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Mountain Community Theater Presents “Other Desert Cities” @ Mountain Community Theater
- Jewel Theatre presents: Next to Normal @ The Colligan Theater
- SMALL WORKS @ Radius Gallery
- Strike Out Hunger and Bowl for FREE! @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Holiday Train Rides @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Tech Teach-Ins @ Your Library: eReaders @ Aptos Library
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Westside Farmers Market @ Delaware and Natural Bridges Drive
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- Santa Cruz LGBTQ Youth Meet-up @ Diversity Center
- Trans Girls Group (12-18) @ Diversity Center
- Dad’s Club Basketball Tournament @ Civic Auditorium
- Festivos en el Rancho (Holidays at the Ranch) Open House @ Castro Adobe State Historic Park
- Birding for Beginners in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Volunteer with the Trail Crew @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Hike to Buzzard’s Roost @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- 2nd Saturday on the Farm @ Agricultural History Museum
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Jingle Shells Art & Craft Festival
When: 12/11 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: Entrance fees to the Center are reduced during the entire day. Adult admission is $6; seniors and students $4; kids 2 and under are free.
Find the perfect gift for that special someone while supporting ocean conservation and learning about marine science in the Monterey Bay! This holiday event features ocean-inspired gifts created by local artists, as well as live music, festive treats, free gift wrapping and activities for kids. You’ve heard of holiday tree lightings, but are you ready for a whale lighting? At 5:30 head outdoors and gather ’round Ms. Blue, the largest displayed whale skeleton in the world, for a group sing along of Jingle Shells.
Jingle Bell Rock 5K
When: 12/11 at 7:30 am
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Prices for adults vary between $30 and $40
Good for your health and your conscience! Bring a toy and run to support this annual holiday event that donates toys to Toys for Tots, bringing smiles to children in our community. Dress in your best holiday attire because there will be prizes given to best dressed runner, best dressed team, best dressed canine, and best decorated stroller. This short 5k around San Lorenzo Park will be your most impactful and memorable work out of the season!
Also on Sunday
- McCoy Tyler & The Mountain Men + The Grahams @ Moe’s Alley
- Jesse Autumn’s “Farewell Santa Cruz” Concert Party @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Krimer @ The Catalyst
- Elvin Bishop to Perform in Santa Cruz @
Moe’s Alley - Bone Thugs N Harmony @ The Catalyst
- Toby Gray Highway Buddha @ The Reef Bar & Restaurant
- Uncle Bonsai @ Don Quixote’s
- Dave Holodiloff Band Enchanted Winter Holiday Hoedown! @ Don Quixote’s
- THE BOX @ The Blue Lagoon
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Mountain Community Theater Presents “Other Desert Cities” @ Mountain Community Theater
- Jewel Theatre presents: Next to Normal @ The Colligan Theater
- National Theatre Live: War Horse @ Del Mar Theatre
- SMALL WORKS @ Radius Gallery
- Strike Out Hunger and Bowl for FREE! @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Holiday Train Rides @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Community Rental: THE NIGHT BRIDGE Book Launch @ MAH Auditorium
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Monarch Butterfly Tours @ Natural Bridges State Beach
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Nature Wander @ Rancho del Oso Unit
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Drop-in Family Craft @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Bi-Monthly Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
Featured Upcoming Event
What: Holidays on the Ranch
Where: Wilder Ranch State Park
When: 12/17/2016
We like any excuse to go to Wilder, and this is a good one. Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday celebration on the ranch with activities such as wreath making, singing around the player piano, and draft-horse carriage rides. Get in the spirit and dress in your best turn-of-the-century costume!
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