This weekend brings Easter Sunday and the first full weekend of spring, meaning it’s time to get your brunch and egg hunting on!
Plus, don’t miss other local celebrations…from a Sweet 16 to a welcome back party for bees.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
We’ve sprinkled a few Easter celebrations below, but hop on over to our 2016 Easter Event Guide and see our full list of brunches, egg hunts, and more happening in and around Santa Cruz County!
Friday
Spring Bunny Photo Booth
When: Friday, 3/25 through Sunday, 3/27 from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: New Leaf (Friday: Westside, Saturday: Capitola, Sunday: Downtown)
Cost: Free
The Easter Bunny will be setting up shop at various New Leaf locations over the weekend. Stop by your local New Leaf to snap photos with the Easter Bunny.
Ventana Surfboards & Supplies Pop-Up Sale
When: 3/25 – 3/27 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where: 1543 Pacific Avenue
Stock up on surf gear, kitchen supplies, and more at this not-so-secret pop-up sales event with proceeds benefitting Save Our Shores. The folks from Humble Sea Brewery will be on hand to unveil their new Ventana Spruce Beer on Saturday.
Painted Mandolin: Joe Craven, Matt Hartle, Larry Graff, Roger Sideman
When: 3/25 at 8:00 pm
Where: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Cost: $17/Advance $20/Door
Dead Heads and fine music aficionados alike will appreciate this acoustic journey through Jerry Garcia’s entire musical career, from Jug Band to Garcia/Grisman. Musicians from Spirit of 76, the China Cats, and the Banana Slug String Band will participate.
The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin
When: 3/25 at 9:00 pm
Where: The Crow’s Nest
Cost: $7
Santa Cruz’s very own Idol will team up with Lake County natives The Lost Boys to deliver a night of 100 percent rock n’ roll. At just seven bucks, this show is a steal.
Also on Friday
- A Lot Like Birds @ The Catalyst
- Pat Travers Band @ Moe’s Alley
- Joe Ferrara @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- Pōmaika’i @ Pono Hawaiian Grill
- Jesse Autumn’s Piano Night & EP Release Party @ The Art Bar & Cafe
- Monkey Boys plus SPUN @ Don Quixote’s
- Powwers, Powers, Dairy Queen @ The Crepe Place
- Kottonmouth Kings @ The Catalyst
- Phoenix Rising @ Severino’s Bar and Grill
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Young Frankenstein” @ Park Hall
- Master Class @ Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- Spring Break @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Downtown Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Santa Cruz
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
Capitola Branch Library’s 16th Birthday Party!
When: 3/26 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Public LIbrary – Capitola Branch
Cost: Free
Capitola has a new library to look forward to, but in the meantime, show your appreciation for the existing branch by coming out for its Sweet Sixteen. Attendees can view a 3D printing demonstration, check out plans for the new library, enjoy live music and an appearance from the Book Bunny, and much more. Birthday cake provided by Gayle’s!
Balinese Dance: I Gede Oka Artha Negara
When: 3/26 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Scotts Valley Library
Cost: Free
Looking to expand your horizons and do something active this weekend? If so, you might want to check out this authentic Balinese dance demonstration, which will include live music and basic instruction.
Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt
When: 3/26 and 3/27 various times
Where: Roaring Camp Railroads
Cost: $27 Adult, $20 Child
Step your typical Easter egg hunt up a notch by turning it into an adventure on wheels. First, you and your little ones can enjoy a scenic train ride through the Redwoods, before embarking on an epic chocolate egg hunt at the top of Bear Mountain.
Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen
When: 3/26 – 3/27 at 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $54 – $95
These two legendary singer-songwriters also happen to be close friends, and are teaming up for an intimate night of lovely music and storytelling. Second show added – see Sunday, March 27!
Welcome Home Our Bees
When: 3/26 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History
Cost: Free with museum admission
Just in time for spring, the Museum of Natural History’s bee hive exhibit has been restored and is opening this weekend. Learn more about this important creature, and take part in family friendly crafts and activities.
Also on Saturday
- Sunflower Bean, Weaves @ The Crepe Place
- An intimate evening with Langhorne Slim and Jonny Fritz @ The Catalyst
- Lara Price Blues Ban @ Severino’s Bar and Grill
- To Linda With Love @ Don Quixote’s
- The House Rockers @ The Crow’s Nest
- Claudio Melega in the Rockroom Lounge @ Shadowbrook Restaurant
- I Set My Friends On Fire @ The Catalyst
- Animo Cruz @ Moe’s Alley
- Aptos Farmers Markets @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ PetSmart
- Archery Tag @ Louden Nelson Center Park
- QuickBooks Basics @ Cabrillo College
- Spring Break @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- She.is.Beautiful 5K/10K Run @ West Cliff Drive
- Surf Angels – Photo Exhibit @ New Bohemia Brewing Co.
- Opening Reception of “Rain Percussions” @ Radius Gallery
- Mountain Community Theater Presents: “Young Frankenstein” @ Park Hall
- Master Class @ Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walks @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Outlook from Mt. McAbee @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Birding and Photography @ Antonelli Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
Santa Cruz Warriors vs Austin Spurs
When: 3/27 at 6:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost: $17 – $40
Will the Warriors prevail in causing the Spurs to spin right out of their boots, or will Austin prove that you really can’t mess with Texas? Snag tickets to this Easter Sunday basketball game to find out.
All fans receive a prize-filled Easter egg…will you receive a special golden one?
Easter Sunday Brunch
When: 3/27 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: $61.95 Adults, $18.95 Children 6-12, Under 6 dine for free
What better way to celebrate the joy of Easter and the beginning of Spring than with a brunch at Chaminade’s lovely grounds? Be sure to make a reservation, as this will likely be a popular event.
Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt
See Description Under Saturday Section
Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen
See Description Under Saturday Section
Also on Sunday
- Live Comedy @ The Crow’s Nest
- Snowapple @ Don Quixote’s
- Kai Killion and the Getaway Dogs, RANN @ The Crepe Place
- Self Defense Family @ The Catalyst
- Spring Break @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Master Class @ Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center
Featured Upcoming Event
Mark your calendar for this family-friendly event showcasing local student marine debris art and featuring a lecture by environmental artist Lee Lee. Complimentary food and beverages will be served so be sure to RSVP.
What: Sanctuary Speaker Series
Where: Sanctuary Exploration Center
When: Friday, April 1 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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