Family events in San Benito County, CA

Put your dog’s skills to the test at the PWDCNC all-breed agility trials at Manzanita Park. There will be runs each day, and the first run in Novice for each dog each day will be free to the entrant. Entry is through Abbadogs.com.

The 19th Annual WIC Breastfeeding Walk and Health Fair brings families together to honor World Breastfeeding Week and highlight the importance of human milk and its impact on health. Attendees can learn about services from WIC and community partners, enjoy activities for all ages, listen to music, share healthy snacks, and find raffle prizes on offer.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca brings a showcase of classic race cars to the heart of Monterey to kick off Monterey Car Week. Thirty vintage machines line Alvarado Street near the Monterey Conference Center and the Portola Hotel and Spa. Attendees can meet the drivers, take in live music, and enjoy giveaways.

Gilroy Rodeo Weekend is a multi-day festival happening in Gilroy, California. The event runs across three days, so you can plan for a weekend full of rodeo action and festival atmosphere.

Catch a seaside screening of The Goonies as part of the free beach movie series on the sand in front of the Colonnade. Settle in with blankets or low-back chairs and enjoy nostalgic Boardwalk treats under the stars, with a 15-minute intermission built into the show. Seating is first come, first served, so please be considerate of others’ space and sightlines. Smoking is not permitted on the beach or Boardwalk, and alcohol and glass are not allowed on the beach. A limited number of assistive listening devices are available for checkout at the Mini Golf Kiosk inside Neptune’s Kingdom. For additional accommodations or to request closed captioning, contact the Manager on Duty at (831) 423-5590 at least 48 hours in advance. Admission is free. This series is presented with support from KDON, KOCN, KWAV, KCDU, and the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Bring your Biewer Terriers out for the Golden State Biewer Terrier Fanciers event at Manzanita Park. Enjoy the show atmosphere with local exhibitors and fans gathering at the park.

Enjoy harvesting your own produce at the UC Santa Cruz Farm. Check in near the tent cabins to pick up containers, then head into the fields to gather your favorites. Payments are cashless only, so bring a smartphone and a credit card and be ready to enter your card number on your own device. Free parking is available in lots 115 and 116 and in the Hay Barn lot during u-pick hours, and parking in the dirt lot by the back gate is not allowed. One ADA parking space is available on the farm for visitors with a valid placard. The landscape includes hills and uneven ground. For accommodation requests, email agroecology@ucsc.edu. Pets should stay at home, though service animals are permitted.

The Kruz3r Mob Annual Monterey Ride traces a scenic route along the Monterey Peninsula from Seaside Beach to Lovers Point, with a lunch break at Cannery Row. The plan includes additional stops for refreshments and photo opportunities. The ride welcomes families, and sunscreen and locks are suggested.

Join the Late Night Gym free program for students in grades 6 to 12 at the Centennial Recreation Center. There will be a mix of activities including video games, board games, basketball, homework help, and an activity of the day. Since this is a weekly program, be sure to verify the schedule if it lands on a holiday.

At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the fifth annual hillclimb sends drivers up the Corkscrew in the opposite direction. Over a 90-minute session, a mix of specialty cars and race cars tackles the climb while chasing the benchmark, with each run aimed at surpassing the world record time of 29.535 seconds set in 2025.

A free outdoor movie series at Abbe Park Field, presented by the City of San Juan Bautista, offers six evenings of family-friendly films beneath the stars. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and the whole crew for a relaxed night on the grass as the series showcases Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, Hoppers, How to Train Your Dragon, GOAT, and Wicked: For Good. Admission is free, parking is available nearby, and guests are asked to dispose of trash properly to help keep the park clean. For questions, call (831) 623-4661 or email recreation@san-juan-bautista.ca.us.

Santa Cruz Warriors Lacrosse (SCCLA) offers a no-travel, once-a-week summer league at Harbor High School for boys and girls ages 4 to 10 in PreK through 4th grade within Santa Cruz County. New and experienced players are welcome. Weekly sessions combine skill development with a game in a supportive, community-minded setting that emphasizes the fundamentals of lacrosse. Teams are grouped by grade level, with separate divisions for girls and boys when there are enough players, or coed if needed. Rosters are finalized before the season begins, and loaner sticks are available at the start.

A monthly outdoor dance gathers at Oceanview Park with silent disco headphones and a welcoming, family friendly vibe. People of all ages are welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed, drug and alcohol free, and centered on movement, creativity, and community care. Headsets are $10 each. Cash is preferred, with Venmo available if needed. Feel free to bring a blanket, a picnic, dogs, kids, hoops, a slackline, or other items that support expression and respectful connection. The dance floor is an open movement space where you can move in whatever way feels right and choose whether to dance on your own or with others. Expect a two hour DJ guided musical journey by Daniel Mollner, beginning with a gentle downtempo warmup for about 10 to 15 minutes, building gradually to an energetic peak in the second half, then easing into softer music for relaxation and rest as it wraps up. Community guidelines encourage everyone to be themselves, accept others, and respect the space and the people in it. Conversations are kept outside the dance area to maintain focus, and the event remains drug and alcohol free. Care is taken to foster a setting that feels reasonably safe and welcoming for all, especially those who have been marginalized, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, people of diverse body types, neurodiverse participants, and seniors. Attendees are asked to help uphold these values, and those from traditionally marginalized groups are encouraged to take part as the community learns and grows.

Little Bellas offers a weekly Santa Cruz program for girls ages 7 to 13 that centers on exploring local trails by bike, playing skill based games, and building confidence in a welcoming setting. Designed for riders of all abilities, this Play & Explore series rotates between DeLaveaga Park, Glenwood West Trails, and Wilder Ranch State Park so participants experience a variety of singletrack, doubletrack, and open areas suited for challenges and fun. Riders pedal with a team of Mentors who emphasize guidance and encouragement rather than formal coaching, progressing skills in a positive, non competitive environment. Each session blends trail rides, group activities, and games to foster new abilities, friendships, and a love of riding together. The series spans eight weeks with a focus on exploration and skill development through time on the trail. If a rider needs a bike or financial assistance, those needs can be noted on the registration form.

Concours for a Cause returns as an early highlight of Monterey Car Week, turning a charming village setting into an open-air showcase of vintage, classic, and collector cars. Visitors can wander among the displays, take in work by local artists and community exhibits, and enjoy boutique shopping, dining, and other cultural experiences. The event supports charitable initiatives, and admission is free.

The Adaptive Social Club is a fun, interactive program for teens and adults ages 14 and up with special needs. Participants can enjoy a variety of activities, including multiple-choice options, and use the Teen Center’s equipment like a pool table, ping-pong table, computers, and video games. Caregivers are encouraged to help guide and engage participants. Come to hang out or meet new friends.

Explore the Hollister Farmers' Market, where the Hollister Artisans showcase handmade gifts from local makers. Browse their creations and enjoy something to eat while supporting local businesses.

Drop in for Adaptive Teen Hangout Wednesdays, a weekly hangout for teens in grades 6-12 designed for participants with disabilities. Each Wednesday runs from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and includes a variety of activities, with time to use Teen Center equipment like ping pong and pool tables, computers, and video games. Bring friends along, and a parent must stay on site for the duration of the program. No registration or fee is required.

The program features songs and storytelling, followed by Stay & Play activities for continued fun.

The Futuro Clásico class at Concours Carmel highlights Ferrari models from 2021 to 2026 in a prime showcase. Participation includes a $50 donation that supports Rancho Cielo’s student automotive program. Capacity is limited for this featured display.

Enjoy a free double-header night of live music in downtown Gilroy. The lineup includes Isaiah Pickett and Pinky Ring Party, plus a Bruno Mars tribute, with DJ Paz Cali as well. Grab dinner at local restaurants and vendors beforehand, then head downtown for the event activities. The event runs from 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM, with music typically starting around 7:00 PM.