Events in Santa Cruz County today

Curious about technology? This weekly Tech Café at Watsonville Public Library offers a welcoming space to ask basic tech questions and try out a different device or tool each time. The featured technology changes monthly, with hands-on demos that may include Doodle Pens, Makey Makey circuit boards, a 3D printer, Spheros programmable robots, a Cricut, a Glowforge laser cutter, and iPad stop motion movie making. Most sessions take place at the Main Library, and the Glowforge activity is held at the Freedom Branch. Open to all ages.

This family friendly bingo night welcomes players of every age. Participation is free, and prizes are available for winners.

Todd Rundgren brings the Damed If I Do Tour to the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. The Philadelphia-born artist is a trailblazing musician, songwriter, and producer who first emerged with The Nazz in the 1960s, then launched a celebrated solo career and founded the progressive rock group Utopia. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist and widely influential producer, he helped shape Meat Loaf’s multi-platinum Bat Out of Hell and has long blended pop, soul, and experimental rock. His songbook includes hits such as Hello It’s Me and I Saw the Light. A pioneer in interactive performance and technology, he created the first interactive television concert in 1978 and introduced an early direct artist subscription service in 1998. His 2018 autobiography, The Individualist, looks back on his creative path and personal story. On this tour he continues to present expansive, career-spanning sets that reach back to 1970s favorites and incorporate modern multimedia elements.

A candlelit tribute to the music of Queen and ABBA transforms The Grove at the Santa Cruz Event Center into an intimate, multi-sensory concert. A Listeso string quartet performs favorites including Dancing Queen, S.O.S., Money, Money, Money, Voulez-Vous, Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Killer Queen, Waterloo, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Don't Stop Me Now, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight). The performance lasts 60 minutes, doors open 45 minutes beforehand, and late entry is not allowed. Seating within each zone is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must attend with an adult. The venue is ADA compliant. This is a tribute event with no affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship from the original artists, their estates, or official representatives.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live concert by Black Flag.

A Halloween-themed garden exchange hosted by the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange brings a playful seasonal twist to the swap at the Live Oak Grange. This edition spotlights Lauren’s Sourdough Kitchen, sharing award-winning sourdough pumpkins recognized with a first-place blue ribbon. Attendees can bring plants, cuttings, seeds, bulbs, and other garden items to exchange. Spooky picks like spider plants, carnivorous varieties, dark-leaved plants, and unusual succulents are especially welcome. Costumes for people and pets are encouraged, and Halloween treats will be shared. The exchange is free and open to everyone, and no contribution is required to participate. Guests are encouraged to bring a mug and reusable bags for anything they take home.

Cal4Wheel members and clubs gather for a Central District meeting hosted by the Santa Cruz 4 Wheel Drive Club at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Attendees can meet peers, hear updates from around the district, exchange ideas, and learn about opportunities to participate. Lunch will be provided on site, with a requested $10 donation.

A milestone 120th Anniversary Celebration recognizes the Watsonville community and its history. This special commemoration reflects on the legacy that shaped the area and looks ahead to the years to come.

Led by Eliza Veta, this 90 minute workshop introduces an Ayurvedic approach to postpartum nesting. Learn what the body truly needs after birth, how to organize your kitchen and home to support recovery, and simple grounding rituals that care for hormones and the nervous system. The session also covers postpartum nourishment, what to eat and why it matters. Whether you are expecting or newly postpartum, you will leave with practical tools for a gentler, more grounded fourth trimester.

Discover a different kind of speed dating in Santa Cruz, often described as yoga for your love life. Instead of trading small talk or trying to impress, participants move through playful, guided connection exercises that encourage ease, authenticity, and real chemistry. In one evening, you can meet up to 20 singles while exploring conversation, eye contact, movement, and connection in a way that feels natural. Many people find themselves laughing, feeling surprised, and realizing that dating does not have to be awkward or tiring. Since 2017, Tantra Speed Date has hosted more than 358,516 guided first dates in over 50 cities worldwide. Organizers report that 94.09% of attendees leave with at least one mutual match, and if not, the next event is complimentary. Attendees have called it the best singles event they have experienced, some say they met the love of their life, others describe it as transformative, and many share that it deepened their understanding of relationships.

Mark brings 70s favorites to Cocoa Vino in Capitola, blending live music with drinks along the Esplanade. Make a day of it at the beach and follow it with a relaxed set of nostalgic tunes. There is no cover charge.

Big Bad Wolf delivers dance-ready, blues-rooted classic rock that nods to Creedence, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Jon Hiatt, John Fogerty, The Hollies, and more. Expect a high-energy party with an off-the-beaten-path twist.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live performance by Balthvs.

Lacrosse Fall Ball at Branciforte Middle School in Santa Cruz offers training for both beginners and experienced players. Sessions feature rotating skill stations and structured clinics to build stick work, team spacing, and overall field awareness. Returning athletes can refine technique and explore new skills in a low pressure setting away from club competition. New players receive dedicated instruction on the fundamentals to build confidence, then integrate into shared drills and friendly scrimmages alongside experienced teammates. Separate divisions are available for boys and for girls.

Settle into a soothing sound bath led by Ariella Laver, as sacred instruments carry you into a deep, meditative calm and a sense of restoration. Bring a mat, a blanket, a pillow, and any other items you need for comfort, and plan to arrive a few minutes early to get settled. To RSVP, contact Ariella at ariellabresler@gmail.com or 650-9969484.

Sunday Sound Bath offers a nurturing experience where sacred instruments guide participants into a deep, meditative state of calm and restoration. Warm tea is available afterward. Please bring your own mat and anything else needed for comfort. The cost is $10 by cash or Venmo. To RSVP and get location details, contact Ariella Laver at ariellabresler@gmail.com or 650-9969484.

This monthly outdoor sound bath is guided by Taia Wellness, a community for self growth and connection. A soothing mix of gongs, singing bowls, chimes, and other sacred instruments is used to calm the mind, ease tightness, and support deep relaxation. Please plan to arrive a little early to get settled. Since it takes place outside, bringing a jacket can help you stay comfortable. The cost is $10, payable by Venmo or cash. Pre-registration is required to receive the location details. For information or to register, contact ariellabresler@gmail.com or 650-9969484.

Scrumptious brings its celebrated British-style fish and chips to Humble Sea Brewing Co. Recognized by Good Times as Santa Cruz’s Best Take Out/Seafood for five consecutive years, the menu highlights its signature fish and chips alongside other options like shrimp and bangers. There are also three loaded chip dishes, including one suitable for vegan diners. Ordering through DoorDash and Uber Eats is available while at Humble Sea.

A welcoming circle of readers gathers on the fourth Monday of each month to read and listen to poems, then delve into what they reveal and how they resonate. Conversations are guided by Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. Advance registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome. Across the series, each meeting spotlights a different poet, with selections from voices such as Joy Harjo, Billy Collins, Eavan Boland, Arthur Sze, Emily Dickinson, Gary Snyder, Dean Young, Lucille Clifton, Sharon Olds, Juan Felipe Herrera, Ada Limón, and Jericho Brown. Please note that the May gathering takes place on the third Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Drummer Corey Fonville of Butcher Brown joins organist Sam Fribush in a fresh collaboration that blends the bounce of 90s hip hop with the soul of an R&B organ trio, arriving at a youthful, blue collar jazz sound. The project features a rotating cast of guitarists in the studio, including Charlie Hunter, Alan Good Parker, and Morgan Burrs. Songs such as I Couldn't Love You More and Blue Chips draw on Atlantic Coast moods rooted in North Carolina and Virginia. In 2026 they released their first Fonville x Fribush EP, R&B Organ Trio, featuring Charlie Hunter.

This eight session workshop is designed for adults over 60 who have a fear of falling or have experienced a fall. The award winning A Matter of Balance program, led by volunteer coaches from the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, uses an evidence based approach to help reduce fear of falling and encourage staying active. Participants practice simple balance and strength exercises, receive home safety tips, and take part in small group discussions that introduce practical techniques for building confidence and preventing falls. Space is limited and registration is required. For registration or more information, contact Lisa Macon at (831) 427-5070 x 130.

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley presents a monthly series of community classes at the Main Library focused on nutrition and physical well-being. Led by nutrition professionals, each session explores how balanced meals support overall health, explains the role of nutrients in the body, and shares practical ways to make healthier choices every day. Topics include fiber, low sodium options, balanced meals, and more, and participants can sample the wholesome foods prepared during class. This program is open to people of all ages. ¿Desea aprender sobre nutrición y bienestar? Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley ofrece un programa mensual en la Biblioteca Principal centrado en la salud nutricional y física. Especialistas en nutrición explican por qué una alimentación equilibrada es importante, el papel de los nutrientes en el organismo y consejos prácticos para adoptar hábitos más saludables. Se abordan temas como la fibra, las opciones bajas en sodio y las comidas equilibradas, y las personas asistentes podrán degustar los alimentos saludables preparados durante la clase. El programa está abierto para todas las edades.