Photo courtesy of @hendrypieter
Whether you’re a Shakespeare fan, a wine lover or fancy yourself a scavenger hunt expert, this weekend has got a little something for everyone. There are festivals, music and exercise in the sunshine to be had. Get out and have some fun!
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Santana Original Lead Singer Gregg Rolie
When: 7/15 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free
Santana co-founder and original lead singer, Greg Rolie, will perform with his band Santana classics like “Black Magic Woman”, “Evil Ways” and “Oye Como Va” at The Boardwalk’s free Bands on the Beach series. Choose to come to the first or second show or both.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When: 7/15 at 8:00 pm, 7/16 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Where: The Grove at DeLaveaga Park
Cost: $16 – $40
What a great way to spend a summer evening, watching Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy set perfectly with The Grove at DeLaveaga Park as a backdrop.
3rd Friday: Race Through Time
When: 7/15 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Cost: $25 per team, $20 per team with a MAH member
Santa Cruz will become a playground of fun! Choose to create a team that travels by foot or bike then set out to solve clues, earning points and learning local history along the way. Bonus points are earned for participation in surprise challenges and for the best-dressed team. Prizes are based on points. Beer and snacks served back at the MAH at the finish. May the best team win and may all have a ton of fun!
Also on Friday
- Terence Blanchard E-Collective @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Eric Morrison & The Mysteries @ Don Quixote’s
- John David @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Los Amigos Invisibles @ Moe’s Alley
- Jesse Daniel & The Slow Learners, Ella & Henry Ward @ The Crepe Place
- D’ oh Bros @ Severino’s
- Eight Dice Cloth @ The Catalyst Atrium
- Isaac and the Haze @ Crow’s Nest
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Friday Night Wine Tasting, BBQ, Live Music @ The Fish Lady
- Dine and Dance Popup @ The Food Lounge
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Beer & Cheese Tasting with Drake’s Brewery @ New Leaf Community Market Westside
- Summer Baking Camp for Kids & Teens @ New Leaf Community Classroom
- Iron & Sand Series @ Steamer Lane
- Recycling Center Tour @ Resource Recovery Facility
- Food Truck Friday @ Skypark in Scotts Valley
- DIY Family Camp at Little Basin @ Little Basin Cabins & Campground
- Full Moon Madness @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Campfire Programs @ New Brighton State Beach
- In Search of Other Giants @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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
Boomeria Organ Extravaganza!
When: 7/16 at 1:00 pm
Where: Boomeria
Cost: $50; admission is free for children 14 and under when accompanied by parent or guardian
Beloved high school physics and chemistry teacher, “The Boom,” restored and built upon the Boomeria pipe organ with his students. A labor of love, over the years it became an impressive 2500 pipe instrument. Set up in the forest of Bonny Doon, you can listen to and even crawl through the organ itself. Beer, wine, soda and snacks will be available.
Passport Weekend
When: 7/16 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Participating Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries
Cost: $55
Here’s your chance to visit a selection of 50+ Santa Cruz wineries, some of them not normally open to the public. It’s a special time that occurs only four times a year. Your purchased passport grants you a unique experience at each winery. Call wineries ahead of time to check hours.
Wacky Carnival Fun
When: 7/16 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free
July is Parks and Recreation month and to help celebrate, Laurel Park will transform into a carnival. There will be fun for the whole family with game booths, face painting and a gigantic blow up slide.
Bargetto Winery 28th Annual Art & Wine Festival
When: 7/16 – 7/17 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Bargetto Winery
Cost: $10.00 Festival Glass
Bargetto Winery’s beautiful grounds become an art and wine fest this weekend. Buy a keepsake festival glass for $10 and taste to your heart’s content. Live music and lots of local art on hand. Food available for purchase.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls Boardwalk Bombshells vs BADG Team Gold
When: 7/16 from 5:45 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: $10 – $32
The Derby Girls’ all-star team, the Boardwalk Bombshells take on Bay Area Derby’s Team Gold for what’s sure to be a thrilling battle. The Bombshells are undefeated on their home turf. Will their winning streak continue or will Team Gold bust that streak?
Jump Jam at New Polo Grounds Bike Jumps
When: 7/16 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Polo Grounds
Cost: Free
Bring the family and marvel at riders as they take on impressive jumps at the newly rebuilt dirt course at the Polo Grounds. A variety of food will be available by local sponsors and a ribbon cutting ceremony is set for 3pm.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
- Grace Kelly @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Stuart Buie @ Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
- Samba Cruz: Cool Brazilian Jazz @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Melvin Seals & JGB @ Moe’s Alley
- Van Goat @ The Crepe Place
- Vinnie Caruana @ The Catalyst
- Tsunami (Classic Rock, R&B) @ Severino’s
- Patio Acoustic’s with Bret Fowler @ Severino’s
- Foreverland @ Don Quixote’s
- The Megatones @ Crow’s Nest
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ Delaware St. and Natural Bridges Dr.
- Tasting: Summer Party Foods @ New Leaf Community Markets
- Shared Adventures Day on the Beach @ Cowell Beach
- Wine & Olive Oil Pairing @ Annieglass in Watsonville
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair @ PetSmart
- BirchBark Foundation @ Surf City Coffee Company
- Beer Garden @ The Food Lounge
- Campfire Programs @ New Brighton State Beach
- Horse Tails @ Big Basin Park Headquarters
- Pogonip Park Guided Hike @ Pogonip
- Clean the Streets- Moran Lake @ Moran Lake
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Paws in the Park
When: 7/17 at 10:00 am
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free
Parade with your pup along the San Lorenzo River! Partnered with the Coastal Watershed Council and joined by local dog group, Woof Pack Santa Cruz, these walks take place the 3rd Sunday of every month throughout the summer. Enjoy the beauty of the river while getting some exercise for you and your furry friend.
Art & Music at the Beach 2016
When: 7/17 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free
Capitola’s beachside Esplanade Park transforms into a vendor artist’s fair today and multiple Sundays throughout the summer. This Sunday, Samba Cruz aims to have you swaying or all out Samba-ing. It’s a fun and relaxing atmosphere by the water.
Watsonville Obon Festival
When: 7/17 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Watsonville Buddhist Temple YBA
This annual tradition commemorating our ancestors will be filled with colorful dancing, lots of food, kid activities, and Watsonville Taiko drumming. This is one of several fun and informative events held at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple throughout the year.
Bargetto Winery 28th Annual Art & Wine Festival
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Kaye Bohler Woman In the White House CD release party @ Moe’s Alley
- Toby Gray Highway Buddha @ Reef @ The Reef Bar & Restaurant
- PATO BANTON & The Now Generation Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- Paul McKenna Band @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Brunch Benefit @ Teen Kitchen Project
- Live Oak Farmers Market @ 15th Ave. & Eastcliff Dr.
- Sangiovese Wine & Food Pairing Class @ Wargin Wines
- WholenessWorks Launch Party and Tour! @ Westside Santa Cruz location provided upon RSVP
- Corralitos Farm and Garden Market @ Corralitos Cultural Center
- Caring for Our Sacred Earth @ Resurrection Church
- Rich & The Rhythm Roustabouts at Swing Set Lounge @ Pacific Arts Complex
- Beer Garden @ The Food Lounge
- Science Sunday @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Junior Rangers @ New Brighton State Beach
- Can You Survive? (Part 1) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Featured Upcoming Event
A celebration of 20 years in Watsonvile and 33 years in business, the Annieglass annie-versary will feature glass-making demos, factory tours, live music, and dance entertainment. Enjoy specialty foods, wine, beer, and cider along with a raffle—ticket sales benefit Digital NEST which provides equal access to technology to youth in poor and under-served communities.
What: Annieglass Annie-versary
Where: Annieglass in Watsonville
When: 7/30 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free admission
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