School’s out for summer and the weekend is here! Celebrate outdoors with food trucks, art and music at the beach, a summer block party and more.
And remember, it’s UCSC graduation weekend, so plan your activities and driving routes accordingly.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Santa Cruz Food Truck Event in San Lorenzo Park
When: 6/10 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: Free Admission
It’s been a long workweek and this may be just the thing to roll you into the weekend. Santa Cruz Food Trucks will bring a delectable array of dinner and dessert offerings to San Lorenzo Park, along with a beer and wine garden to pair with your meal.
Also on Friday
- Davina & the Vagabonds @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Giant Sand featuring Howe Gelb @ Don Quixote’s
- The Messiahs @ The Crow’s Nest
- Katdelic @ Moe’s Alley
- (((folkYEAH))) Presents: Mattson 2, Pearl Charles @ The Crepe Place
- Mac Sabbath @ The Catalyst
- Louis The Child @ The Catalyst
- Tsunami @ Severino’s
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Star and Moon Gazing at Quail Hollow @ Quail Hollow Ranch
- Dangerous Neighbor’s The Dream Killers @ Center Street Theater
- Argentine Tango Dancing @ Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville Plaza
- Artisan Food Market & Warriors Game Viewing @ The Food Lounge
- Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Critter Safari @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Saturday
Summer Block Party
Soquel Tower Plaza is turning into a pretty happenin’ place—you can send off a package, get your hair styled, buy some educational toys, start a koi pond, take your pet fish to the vet, and eat a delicious sandwich. Talk about one-stop shopping!
Come out and celebrate summer with the businesses that call this plaza home and enjoy a day of music, food, and fun.
When: 6/11 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Soquel Tower Plaza (top of 41st Ave.)
Cost: Free admission
Castro Adobe in the 20th Century Open House
When: 6/11 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Cost: Free Admission
Step back in time to 1900 Mexican California as you explore this restoration-in-progress multi-family historic home. Visitors can tour the kitchen and taste handmade tortillas cooked on the stove. Rangers will be there to answer any questions.
Juneteenth 25th Anniversary in Laurel Park
When: 6/11 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Louden Nelson Community Center
Cost: Free Admission
No doubt an important day in United States history, this event commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery. Reflect and rejoice with the community over music, speakers, food, vendors, crafts, a free health fair and a basketball skills contest.
Santa Cruz Derby Girls Organic Panic vs Redwood Rebels
When: 6/11 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: Civic Auditorium
Cost: Tickets $16-$32, with discounts available for kids, students, and groups of 10+
Get ready to witness Santa Cruz’s two home teams battle it out on the track during Derby Girl Month. It’s sure to be an exciting match!
New Brighton Summer Concert Series
When: 6/11 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: New Brighton State Beach
Cost: Parking at New Brighton is $10 and supports the park
Come gather around the Campfire Center at New Brighton State Beach campground and listen to some classic jazz performed by Steve’s Jazz Kitchen. Layer up as we know our coastal town can cool down quick whether with fog or sundown.
Also on Saturday
- Dej Loaf @ The Catalyst
- House of Floyd @ Don Quixote’s
- FishHook @ The Crow’s Nest
- Flor De Caña + Pellejo Seco @ Moe’s Alley
- Sacri Monti, Supernaut @ The Crepe Place
- Sin Sisters Burlesque @ The Catalyst
- Joint Chiefs (funk, acid jazz and classic R&B) @ Severino’s
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Mango Mania: Master the Mango! @ New Leaf Community Market Westside
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Cabrillo College
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Community Center
- Westside Farmers Market @ 2300 Delaware (New temporary location)
- Grand Opening and Dedication of the Ozzi’s Memorial Dog Park @ McGregor Multi-Use Park
- Sandcastle Workshop with Kirk Rademaker! @ La Selva Beach Library
- Dangerous Neighbor’s The Dream Killers @ Center Street Theater
- TWDCC’s June Dance Showcase/Show #1 @ The Colligan Theater
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ PetSmart
- Pro-Am Beach Soccer @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snake Park Saturday @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Birding in Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley @ Rancho del Oso State Park
- Campfire Program: Nature’s Supermarket @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Junior Rangers @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Big Basin Nature Club @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Volunteer with the Trail Crew @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Here Comes the Sun! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Sunday
Aptos Brunch Benefit
Can’t say enough good things about the Teen Kitchen Project, which has delivered over 50,000 meals to Santa Cruz County families in crisis due to illness since 2012. Start your Saturday with a delicious, intimate brunch and support this wonderful program.
When: 6/12 at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Where: 8061 Aptos Street
Cost: $15 – $40 Limited Tickets Available
The Little Craft Pop-up
Top off your weekend with something fun for the littles… a family-friendly event featuring the work of local artisans who create products for babies and children. Kids can enjoy face painting and art activities while parents shop, and the whole family can strike a pose in a mini photo session.
When: 6/12 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Childish Santa Cruz
Cost: Free Admission
Sunday Art & Music at the Beach – Jazz with a Twist/Jazz, Swing & Latin
When: 6/12 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Park
Cost: Free Admission
Capitola’s beachside Esplanade Park transforms into a local artist’s fair today and multiple Sundays throughout the summer. This Sunday, Jazz with a Twist, playing a mixture of jazz, swing and Latin will perform so bring your dancing shoes!
Also on Sunday
- Dengue Fever @ Don Quixote’s
- Live Comedy @ The Crow’s Nest
- Guitar Shorty @ Moe’s Alley
- Dead Recipe, Pregnant, Seemway @ The Crepe Place
- Graduation Celebration Sunday Brunch @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Fair @ Pacific Ave. & Lincoln St.
- Pro-Am Beach Soccer @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Campfire Programs @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Nature Wander @ Rancho del Oso 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
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Can You Survive? (Part 2) @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Berry Creek Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Shadowbrook Stroll @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Center
- Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours @ Seymour Center
- Bi-Monthly Cleanup Cowells Project @ Cowell Beach
- Weekly Davenport Beach Cleanup @ Davenport Beach
Featured Upcoming Event
What: Annual Medicine Buddha Festival & Cultural Fair
Where: Land of Medicine Buddha
When: Saturday, June 18, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free – Everyone is welcome!
If you’ve been curious about Land of Medicine Buddha, this annual festival is a great opportunity to check it out. Take in music and dance performances, food and drink, information and healing booths, and shopping for unique gifts, along with plenty of activities for the kids.
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