This weekend is jam packed with events, from concerts and stand up comedy to the beloved Greek Food Faire.
Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.
The NEXTies (+ Special for SCL Readers)
When: Friday, 5/15 from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
How Much: $40 online, $50 at the door
This annual awards ceremony rounds up and honors the Santa Cruz area’s most innovative, creative, and altruistic people and organizations. If you want to be on top of what happens “NEXT” in Santa Cruz, buy your ticket before they sell out. 
Get more info here or pick up the most recent edition of the Good Times and read the cover story, all about this year’s NEXTies winners.
Special for Santa Cruz Life Readers
We have a special 20% offer, just for Santa Cruz Life readers. Just enter the promo code SantaCruzLife at checkout to get 20% off the regular ticket price. Or, you can click here to go directly to the checkout page with the discount already applied.
John Craigie plus McCoy Tyler: Humorous Storytelling, Serious Folk
When: Friday, 5/15 at 8:00 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $20
Part satire, part folk music performance, and part live storytelling, this show is difficult to nail down, but easy to enjoy. John Craigie has been touring the country and observing human nature for over a decade, and now you can benefit from his journeys.
Emily Heller live at The Vets Hall
When: Friday, 5/15 at 8:30 pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Building
How Much: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Banana Slug alum Emily Heller has worked with John Oliver, Conan O’Brein, and Chelsea Handler. That’s quite an impressive comedic resume, but you can see her perform her own style right here in Santa Cruz this weekend.
3rd Friday Festival: Beyond Borders
When: Friday, 5/15 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: MAH
How Much: $3-$5, FREE for MAH Members and Children under 4
Wether they be physical, emotional, or idealogical, the world is full of borders. If you’d like to help break them down in a constructive manner, stop by the MAH’s Beyond Borders festival this coming First Friday.
9th Annual Greek Food Faire
When: Friday, 5/15 through Sunday, 5/17
Where: Church & Center Street, Downtown
How Much: Free
The time has come again for one of everybody’s favorite downtown festivals: the Greek Food Faire! You can eat, dance, and celebrate like a Greek god for free this weekend only, so make sure you make it out.
20th Open Architecture Tour
When: Saturday, 5/16 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Various Locations
How Much: $36 ticket admits two
Whether you’re in the market for a remodel or just love surrounding yourself with creative design, this tour through nine different local architectural feats will be sure to inspire you.
Spirit of 76 celebrating The Jerry Garcia Band
When: Saturday, 5/16 at 8:30 pm
Where: Don Quixote’s International Music Hall
How Much: $12-$15
Almost 4 decades have passed since 1976, but you’ll feel like it was only yesterday when you step into Spirit of 76’s time machine and relive Jerry Garcia’s greatest hits. Tie dye is strongly encouraged.
HOT BUTTERED RUM + The Coffis Brothers
When: Saturday, 5/16 at 9:00 pm
Where: Moe’s Alley
How Much: $15-$20
Praised as “instantly familiar and inviting” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Hot Buttered Rum will play both original songs and beloved classics from the likes of Hank Williams and The Beatles at their show this weekend.
15th Annual 17th Ave Studios Spring Art Show & Sale
When: Saturday, 5/16 through Sunday, 5/17 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 980 17th Avenue
How Much: Free
The 17th Avenue Studios are home to a wide depth of Santa Cruz’s local art scene, and you can take it all in at once this weekend, at no cost to you.
Watsonville Open Streets
When: Sunday, 5/17 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Brennan/Union St. from Callaghan Park (Freedom Blvd.) to the City Plaza
How Much: Free
This car free street fair will feature pop up restaurants and businesses, murals, yoga, live music and more. If you haven’t been out to Watsonville in a while, this is a great opportunity to do so.
Spring Dog Festival
When: Sunday, 5/17 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Soquel High School
How Much: $10 per dog; $5 per person
Support local dog charities and causes and pet as many pups as you can at this annual K9 celebration. There will be activities for both kids and adults.
Surfers Path Marathon
When: Sunday, 5/17 from 7:00 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Cowell Beach
How Much: Registration is closed, but it’s free to watch!
It’s too late to register for this year’s Surfers Path Marathon, but you can cheer the runners on and take in Santa Cruz’s coastal beauty this Sunday afternoon.
Cleanups
- National River Cleanup Day
- Carmel Beach Cleanup
- Weekly XStream Beach Cleanup at Davenport Main Beach
Hikes
- Redwood Loop Walk
- Wildflower Walk
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks
- Old-Growth Redwood Walks
- The Road Less Traveled—A Dog-Friendly Walk
Additional events this weekend
Friday:
- Third Fridays Art Walk at the Capitola Mall
- Complications From a Fall, by Kate Hawley
- Indigenous + THE PLATEROS
- A Musical Benefit for Monarch Services
- Thanks Buddy, Mishka Shubaly, Michael Dean
- WAKA FLOCKA FLAME, DJ Aspect, Antdog Da Beast, Late Nite Krew
- Cabrillo VAPA Open House
- Cabrillo Jazz Series presents A Night of Vocal Jazz
- Cabrillo Classical Guitar Ensemble Spring Concert
- Ben Ka`ili at Pono
Friday & Saturday
Friday through Sunday
Saturday:
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Season Kick-Off
- Santa Cruz Library Spring Book Sale
- On the River Summer Concert
- Santa Cruz Derby Girls Yard Sale
- Face of the Digital Future
- Mary Poppins by All About Theatre
- The Tramp and the Roughrider
- Keith Greeninger and Band
- GRMLN, Dead Recipe, Darling
- The Cyphy – Hip Hop Cypher
- May Faire Celebration and Open House at Orchard School
- Santa Cruz Montessori Annual Spring Yard Sale
Saturday & Sunday
Sunday:
- Third Sundays at San Lorenzo Park
- MAH Around Town: Oaxacan Guelaguetza en Santa Cruz!
- Community Rental: Invention At Play
- Scotts Valley High School Music Production: High School Songwriters Rock The House and Raise Funds
- Night on Broadway
Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend
- Tours of the Reserve at Elkhorn Slough (weekly event – every Saturday & Sunday)
- Santa Cruz Farmers Markets (weekly events)
- Live Comedy at the Crow’s Nest (weekly event – every Sunday night)
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