This Weekend in Santa Cruz: May 19th – 21st, 2017

By Valerie Lemke

Late spring weather is here, which means beautiful sunny days after the fog has burned off. There are many choices to make this a fun-packed weekend.

Take an educational hike at Arana Gulch or listen to a concert in the park a-cappela style. You can also Celebrate Oaxaca, Mexico at Harbor High or shop for antique treasures at the fairgrounds.

If you want to stay indoors, take a stroll through an artwalk at the mall, or enjoy a concert by a popular legendary rock tribute band. You can also get a rare look at how surfboards are designed at a workshop open house.

Friday

Third Friday ArtWalk – Art of Santa Cruz

When: 5/19 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: 1855 41st Street, Capitola Mall, Capitola, CA, 91050 ( inside Mall next to Target)
Cost: Free

Art of Santa Cruz hosts their monthly event with a walking art tour displaying work from more than 60 local artists. Take a stroll through the mall to meet the artists and see what our local talent has on display this month.

Get more info here.

Taylor Steele’s Proximity, produced by Teton Gravity Research

When: 5/19 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $12

This action sports film puts surfing’s living legends from the past together with today’s top surfers in different locations around the world. This film explores the progression of the sport through different generations with plenty of action visuals. Doors open at 7pm.

Get more info here.

11th Annual Santa Cruz Greek Food Faire

When: 5/19 – 5/21
Where: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free Admission

You will definitely eat like a Greek at this authentic food fair that features traditional specialty dishes—spanakopita, souvlaki, and baklava to name a few—including plenty of vegetarian options. There will be live music and dancing too…Opa!

Get more info here.

Free Movie in the Park!

When: 5/19 Dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Movie at 8:30 pm
Where: Skypark, Scotts Valley

The weather is perfect for dinner and a movie in the park! Arrive early to set out your blankets and chairs, and grab some eats from participating food trucks including Holopono, G’s Mexican Tacos, and Aunt LaLi’s.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

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

Hightones in the Park: Spring Acappella Showcase

When: 5/20 at 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Duck Pond at San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $10 or $5 with student ID

UCSC’s renowned all-female a-capella group will perform their last show of the year this Saturday. Grab your picnic basket and a lawn chair and head to the duck pond at San Lorenzo Park to enjoy a late afternoon concert of voices in harmony.

Get more info here.

Aptos Artists & Shapers Open Workshops

When: 5/20 – 5/21 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 800 Estates Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Cost: Free

This is your chance to get a unique behind the scenes glimpse at the workspace of some of our local surfboard shapers and artists. Artwork will be on display and you can even take a tour of the woodshop of Ventana Surfboards as well as the shaping bays of Ashley Lloyd and Locust Surfboards.

Get more info here.

House of Floyd presents 50 years of Pink Floyd

When: 5/20 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $25 Gen, $40 Gold Circle

Are you missing the days of rock concerts and laser light shows? Well, then here’s a treat for you. This San Francisco Bay Area based tribute band performs the best music of Pink Floyd from the last 50 years. The band showcases the distinct sound and visual show you’d expect to see from the legendary rock band.

Get more info here.

Getting to know Arana Gulch: Guided Hike

When: 5/20 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Where: Arana Gulch
Cost: $15 Adult | $10 Children | 50% off for Museum Members

Did you know Arana Gulch is part of a rare coastal terrace prairie ecosystem? Do you want to learn more about one of Santa Cruz County’s natural treasures? Learn all about this special area on this family-friendly 1.2 mile hike. Wear your sturdy shoes and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Get more info here.

Farm Fresh Fest: 2nd Annual Homeless Garden Project Food & Wellness Fair

When: 5/20 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Homeless Garden Project Farm
Cost: Free

Come on out to this family event that supports a great local food project. This is a family friendly event with cooking demos, nutrition and gardening workshops, kids activities, Qi Gong, yoga and more. Free light lunch, too.

Get more info here.

Goat Hill Fair – a Vintage Market

When: 5/20 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm & 5/21 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Cost: $10 for General Admission (At gate) or $25 for Early Entry (Online)

Want to do some treasure hunting this weekend? Then this popular and highly anticipated antiques/vintage show is for you! This artisan fair is considered to be one of the most attended in Northern California and boasts a wide variety of antiques, vintage and upcycled items. Early entry tickets are available online or general admission at the gate.

Get more info here.

Fantastic Figures Festival

When: 5/20 from Noon to 4:00 pm
Where: Site of future Felton Library, Gushee and Hihn
Cost: Free

The Fantastic Figures garden art represents library goers in our community who are awaiting the new Felton library to open. Join in the celebration at the installation of the garden figures that were made by local artists and represent our diverse community. Learn about the new library and share in the festivities. The figures will be sold on online auction to help support the new library.

Get more info here.

Caffeinate for the Coast

When: 5/20 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Alta Organic Coffee & Tea
Cost: Free

Get yourself caffeinated while supporting a great local cause. Save our Shores and Alta Organic Coffee and Tea are hosting this open house to offer samples of their new Save our Shores Ocean Blend coffee. Proceeds from sales help to support the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Get more info here.

US Air Guitar Championships – Santa Cruz

When: 5/20 at 9:00 pm
Where: The Blue Lagoon
Cost: $5

Do you play a mean air guitar? Maybe you just want to see what others can do. This is sure to be a fun and entertaining night out as you watch local air guitarists compete for the Official Qualifier spot for the US Air Guitar semi-finals competition later this year. You can also register online to participate.

Get more info here.

Davenport Festival de Mayo

When: 5/20 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: 150 Church Street, Davenport
Cost: Free Admission

Davenport’s annual May Festival is a laid back, family-friendly, community event that benefits the Davenport Resource Service Center. Expect a fun day filled with delicious food, kid activities, a silent auction, and plenty of music and dancing entertainment.

Get more info here.

38th Annual Multicultural Festival

When: 5/20 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: UCSC Lower West Field
Cost: Free Admission

Everyone is invited to enjoy food, music, and performances from many cultures at this family-friendly event on campus. Get your dance on with Astrologik & La Chamba Chicha!

Get more info here.

11th Annual Santa Cruz Greek Food Faire

See Description Under Friday Section.

Also on Saturday

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

VIVE OAXACA GUELAGUETZA

When: 5/21 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Harbor High School athletic field (corner of La Fonda and Soquel), Santa Cruz. Harbor’s address is 300 La Fonda Avenue, SC
Cost: $10 general; free for kids under 5

Spend a day feeling like you’re in Oaxaca, Mexico at this 12^th annual cultural festival. Enjoy music, food, dance and activities like those held each year in Oaxaca. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and have some fun with the entire family. Proceeds from this event go to support Senderos, a local all-volunteer non-profit.

Get more info here.

Inaugural Hike 4 Peace and Community Gathering

When: 5/21 at 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Land of Medicine Buddha- 5800 Prescott Road, Soquel, CA
Cost: FREE

Join Tara Redwood School Community & Friends at this event in support of collectively generating energy for a better world. Festivities include a hike, music, activities, refreshments, Qi Gong, yoga and more.

Get more info here.

Children’s Carnival

When: 5/21 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Highlands Park Child Development Center
Cost: Free Admission

Spend a fun day in the park with your family while supporting Community Bridges Highlands Park Children’s Center. Activities include face painting, arts and crafts, food, and a raffle and more at this fundraising event.

Get more info here.

Pie for the People – Santa Cruz

When: 5/21 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Homeless Garden Project Farm
Cost: $5+ donation per person to benefit the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project

A potluck of pie! Who doesn’t love pie? Bring a pie, savory or sweet, and join in on a feast that benefits this local cause. Also, bring a plate, utensils and napkins…and a friend or two.

Get more info here.

Open Streets Watsonville

When: 5/21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Downtown Watsonville
Cost: Free

Open Streets is a celebration of the great outdoors just beyond our front porches. Downtown Watsonville will be closed to car traffic on Brennan/Union St. from Callaghan Park (Freedom Blvd.) to the City Plaza. All walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, and anyone who wants to enjoy a beautiful, car-free Sunday are welcome. There will be free activities, performances, and raffles!

Get more info here.

Aptos Artists & Shapers Open Workshops

See Description Under Saturday Section

Goat Hill Fair – a Vintage Market

See Description Under Saturday Section

11th Annual Santa Cruz Greek Food Faire

See Description Under Friday Section.

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

What: Ebb & Flow River Arts Celebration
Where: Tannery Arts Center
When: June 3 at 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM PDT
Cost: Free Admission

A full day of fun and free entertainment for the entire family. Watch or participate in the Kinetic Art Parade that starts at noon at the Kaiser Permanente Arena and ends at the Tannery Arts Center where the River Arts Celebration begins at 1pm. There will be dance, music, food, kids’ area, face painting and even giant bubbles.

Get more info here.

PS – Get coverage of the best Santa Cruz events and other Santa Cruz Life content delivered straight to your inbox by signing up below…

Valerie Lemke

Valerie Lemke is a transplant from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz County over 25 years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She is a local freelance writer and photographer who loves writing about and photographing one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Central Coast.

X