Events in Santa Cruz, CA

Martha High's Funky Divas team up with Fred Wesley and The New JBs for a high energy celebration of the hits they performed with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. The lineup heads back to Kuumbwa Jazz Center with a dynamic set of those hits. Two shows are scheduled.

Thompson Square brings a Nashville-style night to the courtyard at Chaminade Resort & Spa, pairing the energy of a large-scale performance with the closeness of an intimate show beneath the stars. The duo, celebrated with awards and multi-platinum success, takes the stage in an outdoor setting that keeps the audience near the music. More than a standard concert, it offers a true taste of Nashville in a beautiful resort courtyard. All ages are welcome. Tickets and overnight packages are available.

Enjoy an inviting evening of contra dancing at Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange with caller Koren Wake and live music by The Nettles. The band features Laura Brophy on fiddle, Kev Nettles on guitar, Michael Proctor on bass, and Julie Bennett on drums. A brief newcomers introduction gets things started, followed by a full night of dancing. Admission is a sliding scale of $15 to $30, with all proceeds supporting operating costs and the performers. It is pay what you can, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Please bring cash if possible, with Venmo or PayPal available when needed. Only the caller, musicians, and sound technician are paid, and community help with setup, cleanup, or a short door shift is appreciated. The dance is alcohol free, drug free, and smoke free. It is also scent free to accommodate those with chemical sensitivities, so avoid scented products on clothing and belongings. The community prioritizes consent, communication, and safety, and harassment is not tolerated; assistance is available from managers, the sound technician, or the caller if any concerns arise. Attendees are asked to stay home if unwell or if they have tested positive for COVID 19, and to understand the inherent risk of illness when participating. If the main lot is full, overflow parking is available nearby at Harbor Light Church, which has an arrangement for extra parking. Comfortable, light clothing and clean, non marking dance shoes are recommended.

Colby Acuff brings a live show to the Felton Music Hall stage. Tickets are available for purchase.

Enjoy a welcoming yoga session on the sand that is suitable for all experience levels. Breathe with the ocean air, settle into the earth, and move together under the open sky. This gathering is donation based, pay what you can. Please bring a mat and water, and come with an open heart.

The fifth installment of this offbeat cabaret series brings together an eclectic lineup of poets, actors, musicians and singers, dancers, and stand-up comics. Expect surprises that could range from mind reading to fire eating or contortion, all in a setting that invites unexpected moments to unfold. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and their favorite beverages and settle in for performances by artists who share their craft out of passion. This is a pay-what-you-can event, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Proceeds support the Performer’s Fund to bring in professional talent and to help with upkeep and equipment improvements. Wheelchair access can be arranged with advance notice for those with mobility needs. The gathering takes place at a private residence in the Seabright neighborhood, where respectful behavior helps keep live performances going. The venue is smoke free, with a designated smoking area on the front porch. Dogs are not permitted. Parking may require a short walk of a block or two, and attendees are asked to be considerate of neighbors.

A family dance glow party at The Grove: Santa Cruz Event Center features a DJ, plenty of dancing, magic, face painting, and food for a fun-filled experience. Tickets will go on sale, with more details to come.

Fall Ball League brings together boys and girls divisions at Branciforte Middle School for skill-building lacrosse sessions designed for both newcomers and experienced athletes. Participants move through small-group stations and structured clinics where returning players can sharpen technique, improve spacing and field awareness, and try new skills without the pressure of interclub competition. New players receive dedicated instruction on fundamentals to build confidence and stick skills, then blend into shared drills and friendly scrimmages that tie everything together.

Settle into a soothing sound bath guided by Taia Sound Healing, where sacred instruments foster deep relaxation, meditation, and restoration. The session concludes with warm tea. To reserve a spot, contact Ariella Laver at 650-9969484 or ariellabresler@gmail.com. The cost is $15 by cash or Venmo, and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring your own mat and anything else you need to stay comfortable.

Scrumptious is at Humble Sea Brewing Co. with its award-winning seafood, celebrated by Good Times with Santa Cruz's top takeout and seafood honors for five years running. The menu highlights classic British fish and chips. Other offerings include shrimp and bangers, along with three loaded chip dishes, one designed for vegan diners. Door Dash and Uber Eats ordering is available at the brewery while Scrumptious is on site.

NextStage Productions presents a storytelling program about chance encounters and the perspective changes they spark. Directed by Brad Roades in the spirit of The Moth Radio Hour, the event features two separate casts sharing personal stories on stage. It takes place at Actor's Theater in Santa Cruz. Admission is $20 at the door.

Felton Music Hall hosts Spafford for a night of adventurous improvisation and expansive jams. Known for creating music in the moment, the band relies on a shared musical language and a broad palette of influences, from 90s alternative rock to Steely Dan and The Crystal Method, so every performance becomes its own journey. Their track record includes a long run of sold out headline shows and standout appearances at major festivals such as Bonnaroo and Firefly. Spafford is also marking the release of Cat Shop, available on streaming services, with physical editions on double vinyl and CD. The vinyl pressing includes exclusive demos and a special Fire Alarm Jam that can be heard only on that format.

A welcoming circle of readers gathers on the fourth Monday of each month to listen to poems and talk about what gives them their particular force. Discussions are guided by Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman, and Jessica Cohn. Registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome. Throughout 2026 the series highlights a different poet each month, with featured voices including Joy Harjo, Billy Collins, Eavan Boland, Arthur Sze, Emily Dickinson, Gary Snyder, Dean Young, Lucille Clifton, Sharon Olds, Juan Felipe Herrera, Ada Limon, and Jericho Brown. In May the meeting shifts to the third Monday because of Memorial Day.

Ronstadt Revolution presents an evening celebrating the music of Linda Ronstadt at Santa Cruz Shakespeare as part of the Monday Night Revels series. The Monday Night Revels program features varied performances on Mondays, a night when the mainstage is usually dark, staged in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park. Tickets are on sale.

Aldous Harding will perform live at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, presented by (((folkYEAH!))). The event is open to all ages. All sales are final.

Trivia Night at Johnny’s Harborside blends tasty food, refreshing drinks, and a friendly challenge where groups can put their knowledge to the test while soaking up a relaxed harbor vibe.

Felton Music Hall presents a concert featuring Raynes & Wimbish. This live show spotlights the artists on the Felton Music Hall stage.

Felton Music Hall presents a live concert featuring Groundation with The Quasi Kings. Both acts share the stage for a night of music in this special showcase.

The Jury Room in Santa Cruz hosts a night of music featuring Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, SF Rejects, Enemy of My Enemy, and Screaming Bloody Marys performing a semi acoustic set.

Wharf Invasion brings a showcase of vintage Volkswagens to the Santa Cruz Wharf. Registration for show vehicles is closed, and admission for the public is free. Attendees can take part in People’s Choice voting from their phones, with three votes to award to their favorite cars. Expect raffle prizes, event merchandise, and opportunities to explore the Wharf’s shops and restaurants.

Celebrate toys, anime, and comics at a fan-friendly convention held at Santa Cruz Elks Lodge. Enjoy a cosplay costume contest open to all ages, with same-day signups available near the admissions table. Cameras are allowed, and parking is free. General admission is $10, or $8 when you mention the event flyer or coupon. Payment is accepted by cash, debit, credit, and Apple Pay. Children 10 and under get in free.

The 5th Annual Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair is a free, family friendly nonprofit celebration of culture, community, and connection at Scotts Valley Skypark. Powered by volunteers and donations, the event features interactive cultural booths that share traditions from around the globe, live performances curated by choreographer Tandy Beal, and an international fashion show highlighting style and heritage from many cultures. Guests can explore hands-on activities and crafts at no cost for all ages and enjoy a variety of international foods from participating vendors. Created to deepen understanding of diverse cultures and strengthen positive connections, especially for youth, the fair fosters a welcoming atmosphere where community joy, unity, and a sense of belonging take center stage in Scotts Valley and beyond.

Ten Oclock Lunch Band performs a Motown set at Vino By The Sea. The show highlights the signature sound and style of Motown.

Felton Music Hall presents a show featuring Mike Dawes. Tickets bought for the previously scheduled January 13 date will be honored for this event.

Rickie Lee Jones appears at the Rio Theatre, bringing a celebrated body of work from a career that spans decades. The American musician and storyteller is a two-time Grammy winner and eight-time nominee who first rose to prominence with her breakout self-titled debut and the follow-up Pirates. In 2023 she released Pieces of Treasure, an album that earned a Grammy nomination and reunited her with Russ Titelman, the producer behind her first two records. Her memoir, Last Chance Texaco, was recognized by MOJO as its top book of the year and also appeared on best-of lists from outlets such as NPR and Pitchfork. Critics have praised her distinctive, dreamlike voice and a defiant artistic spirit, hallmarks of her lasting impact on pop culture.

Designed for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and their families and friends, this overnight brings a full lineup of Boardwalk fun. Camp on the Boardwalk, enjoy exclusive arcade free play, watch a movie outdoors, and take advantage of special ride time on the Looff Carousel and the Pirate Ship. Dinner and breakfast are provided. Creative spirits can compete in a sand sculpture contest, and participants receive an event patch and a ride wristband. Discounted parking is available. The price is $99.95 per person, and registration remains open until capacity is reached.

Set among the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this three-day sacred plant medicine retreat focuses on cultivating healthy, heartfelt relationships. Aligned with the Libra new moon, it invites participants to recalibrate the nervous system, release unhelpful relational patterns, and welcome connection grounded in balance, harmony, and authenticity. Traditional Andean despacho offerings honor the cosmos and Pachamama, while holistic care supports the experience with nourishing, plant-based meals, comfortable accommodations, and attentive guidance. The program includes lodging, meals, and ceremonies with sacred medicines such as Mother Divine and San Pedro Father Divine, along with despacho rituals that foster gratitude and alignment. Optional one-on-one shamanic consultations are available. Ancient Andean shamanic energy sacraments and traditions are shared in a contemporary setting in Santa Cruz, creating space for renewal beneath the calm of the dark moon and the wisdom of the redwood canopy.

Two internationally touring folk and Americana duos, Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble, team up at The Ugly Mug Café for a Rough Romance show filled with high energy, four part harmonies, catchy hooks, and plenty of laughter. After more than a decade and 500,000 miles of crisscrossing the indie folk circuit and spotting each other’s posters, one meeting led to a text thread and the idea that became this collaborative tour. The evening centers on open-hearted, deep-in-the-belly songs that feel both intimate and universal, with the four musicians sharing the stage throughout. Flagship Romance, the married duo of Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson, is known for breathtaking vocal blends, inspired songwriting, and an energetic live presence. Their on and off stage chemistry underpins a larger than life sound powered by just two voices and an acoustic guitar. The Rough & Tumble, Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, bring accordions, guitars, ukuleles, close harmonies, and quirky percussion to performances that never unfold the same way twice. Their candid storytelling and well crafted melodies have endeared them to audiences, especially following the 2024 release of Hymns For My Atheist Sister and Her Friends To Sing Along To, a set of personal, unifying humanist gospel songs.

Ninja Mountain Bike Performance brings a full weekend of skills instruction to San Francisco at DeLaveaga Park, welcoming first-time riders, intermediate cyclists, and seasoned trail users. Sessions range from half-day and full-day classes to an immersive two-day camp that brings the full Ninja curriculum together for one comprehensive experience. Options include a two-day camp, coed fundamentals, a women-only fundamentals session, a class focused on applying fundamentals on the trail, a full-day fundamentals combo, a jumping mini clinic, and a full-day intermediate and advanced clinic. Availability can vary by location and schedule. After registering, participants receive an email with the exact meeting spot for their selected clinic.

Etienne Franc and the Mosaik Project bring a late afternoon concert to the garden at Cayuga Stage, led by an upright bassist who has delighted local audiences for decades and backed by a group of skilled musicians. The performance spans jazz, funk, and high energy pop, with a few surprises along the way. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite beverages and healthy dishes for a shared potluck table, and are asked to clearly label any items that contain meat for vegetarian attendees. A $20 donation is suggested, and everyone is welcome regardless of ability to pay.

Blue Note Presents brings Acid Bath to the Quarry Amphitheater on the UC Santa Cruz campus, with High On Fire, Melvins, and Windhand also on the bill. This event is open to all ages. Shaped within a former limestone quarry in the 1960s, the amphitheater reopened in 2017 after a significant renovation and celebrated its return with an evening performance by Los Angeles outfit Chicano Batman. Its history includes appearances by Angela Davis, Ravi Shankar, Alfred Hitchcock, and Cesar Chavez, and it continues to serve as a gathering place for live music and community. Often nicknamed the Red Rocks in the redwoods, it is the largest outdoor venue in the greater Santa Cruz area that features a built-in stage and seating. The terraced, asymmetrical layout offers clear sightlines and can be set up as either open floor or reserved seating, accommodating up to 2,600 attendees. On-site parking is available for $20 per vehicle and includes shuttle service to the venue. Parking tickets are not offered in advance.

A participatory gathering centered on the piano invites people to sign together with the instrument. It offers a simple, shared moment focused on being part of the experience alongside the piano.

Felton Music Hall hosts Nekrogoblikon for a live performance. Tickets are available.

Acoustic Alchemy shares the spirit behind its music in a setting that highlights careful craftsmanship and stylistic range. The band favors a selective approach to releasing new work, sharing it only when it truly feels right, and the recent EP The Empire of Lights reflects that mindset with four distinct tracks, from the western lilt of 8,000 Miles and the reggae flavored Alisio to the buoyant Back to Back and the relaxed groove of Other People. With more than thirty five years of recording and touring, they have stayed true to making music they love rather than fitting a single mold, supported by listeners who understand their open display of influences. After shows they often hear how the songs have become part of people’s lives, and that connection remains central to what they do.

Bonnie Raitt brings her Live 2026 tour to Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, with Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen opening the show. An Another Planet Entertainment presale is available with the password myheart, and presale tickets are available online only.

Maryland’s Bumpin Uglies lead a reggae rock showcase at The Catalyst with Artikal Sound System and local favorites Pacific Roots, bringing touring and hometown talent together on one stage.

Celebrate the wrap up of Growing Up Twisted, a nine part series of childhood memoirs, alongside a big birthday in a charming garden setting. A bald, seasoned storyteller shares eight outrageous tales from the brink of adulthood, including Showdown with Dad, I Was an Elephant Boy for the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival, I Refused to Be a Gladiator for the Floral Industry, Living the Good Life on Haynes St., Earthquake, Rescuing Noberto Alcovitch, Memorable Travels with Steve and Jebus, and Shitfaced. The cover charge is $1, and additional contributions are invited in support of the evening’s featured soloist, Max Bortnick, with a special guest. After the stories, the festivities continue with a celebration for October birthdays of any age. Meal tickets for the first 30 arrivals provide access to catered dishes prepared by local culinary star Jozseph Schultz of India Joze, and a potluck table welcomes shared plates. Guests may toast the birthday celebrant with wine or beer. Gifts are discouraged, though those who feel moved may donate any amount to the Cayuga Stage General Fund to help kickstart the 2027 season. Volunteers for a three person food crew are also needed. The evening offers fellowship and a lighthearted mental getaway, and friends with October birthdays are especially welcome.

Megan Woods brings The Truth Tour to the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, offering an evening of songs and stories shaped by a year of growing momentum and a strong spring leg. The tour returns with an expanded 30-city itinerary across the United States, extending her first headlining run. Featured guest Jeremy Rosado, known from American Idol and The Voice, adds his warm, authentic presence. The program centers on worship, genuine connection, and a clear focus on God’s truth. Entry is staggered for VIP, Early Entry, and General Admission before the program begins, and plans may be adjusted. Tickets are available. To protect buyers and participants, third party resale is not permitted on TPR event pages. The organizer notes a rise in online ticket scams and advises purchasing only through the official outlet, since third party tickets are not guaranteed by TPR and may limit access to updates or assistance.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live concert featuring She Wants Revenge with Rosegarden Funeral Party.

Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation partners with the American Red Cross for a community blood drive at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Neighbors, families, and friends come together to donate blood in a warm setting that reflects the spirit of local parks, strengthening community ties while supporting lifesaving care. Each contribution helps patients in need, and every drop matters.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live concert by Black Flag.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live performance by Balthvs.

Corey Fonville, known for his work with Butcher Brown, and organist Sam Fribush unite in a newly formed collaboration that reimagines the R&B organ trio with the spirit of a 90s hip hop linkup. Guided by close friendship and keen ears, they push the format into a youthful take they call blue collar jazz. In the studio, the project features a rotating lineup of guitarists, including Charlie Hunter, Alan Good Parker, and Morgan Burrs. Songs like "I Couldn't Love You More" and "Blue Chips" evoke Atlantic Coast scenes tied to roots in North Carolina and Virginia. Their debut EP, R&B Organ Trio, features Charlie Hunter and captures the sound of this partnership.

Great Lake Swimmers takes the stage at Felton Music Hall for a live concert. Tickets are available.

The performance spotlights actor, composer, and singer Lyle Lovett, whose 14-album career has expanded what American music can encompass. With a storyteller’s touch, the Texas-based artist blends country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues into a seamless, genre-crossing sound. On stage, he showcases the depth of his talents and the breadth of his influences, distinguishing him as a standout figure in popular music. Since his 1986 debut, he has become an enduring presence, earning four Grammy Awards, the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award, and the honor of Texas State Musician. His catalog remains varied and widely cherished.

Stanley Simmons performs at Felton Music Hall. Tickets are available.

Spend time cuddling with adoptable cats, dogs, and bunnies and learn more about the shelter and the many pets seeking loving homes. To request a reservation, email nga@scanimalshelterfoundation.org. As the county’s largest pet adoption agency, the shelter also shares adoption listings on its website.

Felton Music Hall presents Elijah Scott. Tickets are available.

Celebrate the launch of the One Piece TCG set EB-05 with a tournament centered on the new release. Bring sleeves and a Don!! deck to participate. Expect exclusive promotional items, packs with stamps, and prizes for top finishers. Products tied to the set may be available to buy afterward while supplies last. The entry fee is $40.

Set among the redwoods, this three-day New Moon plant medicine retreat offers a focused space for inner work and renewal. As the season turns toward reflection, participants explore release and fresh beginnings in rhythm with the lunar cycle, using the moon’s darkness to look inward and set intentions that grow with the returning light. Guided experiences include traditional Andean despacho offerings for gratitude and alignment, as well as ceremonies with Mother Divine and San Pedro Father Divine. Supportive care is woven throughout, with comfortable accommodations, nourishing plant-based meals, and experienced guidance. Optional one-on-one shamanic consultations are available for more personalized support. Hosted by Pachamama Sacred Paths, the gathering brings Andean shamanic energy traditions into a contemporary setting in Santa Cruz, California.

This celebration centers on Americana.

Drummer Brian Blade leads The Fellowship Band, the ensemble he cofounded with pianist Jon Cowherd after they met at Loyola University in New Orleans in 1988. In those formative years they learned from and performed alongside influential New Orleans artists including John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, and Harold Battiste. The group began recording in 1998 and, with bandmates Chris Thomas, Myron Walden, and Melvin Butler, has appeared at celebrated spots like the Village Vanguard as well as major festivals in Ottawa, Newport, and New Orleans. Over more than twenty-seven years together they have released seven albums, from their debut Fellowship and Perceptual to Season of Changes, Landmarks, Body And Shadow, the 2022 live from the archives release, and Kings Highway in 2023. For this performance, the lineup features Blade on drums, Butler on soprano and tenor saxophones, Walden on alto saxophone and bass clarinet, Cowherd on piano, and Thomas on bass.

Sandra Bernhard, an American actress, singer, comedian, and author, has influenced comedy, film, television, and the live stage for five decades. A groundbreaking force in the modern one-woman show, her performances blend stand-up, cabaret, rock and roll, and sharp social commentary. She is recognized by Comedy Central among the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians and has been featured in Netflix Is a Joke’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. Her stage work includes Without You I’m Nothing, I’m Still Here... Damn It!, Everything Bad and Beautiful, and #blessed. In 2026 she appears in the Oscar-nominated A24 film Marty Supreme opposite Timothée Chalamet and joins Season 4 of HBO’s The White Lotus. Recent screen credits include Season Two of Apple TV+’s Severance, a guest judge appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest with Michelle Buteau, and Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians as one of the Gray Sisters alongside Margaret Cho and Kristen Schaal. December 2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of her annual holiday residency at Joe’s Pub in New York City.

GRAMMY Award winning guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer Isaiah Sharkey brings a sound at the crossroads of modern soul, jazz, R&B, and the Black American guitar tradition. His playing extends a lineage that includes George Benson, Curtis Mayfield, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix while speaking with a voice all his own. Recognized for sophisticated harmonic ideas, a singular tone, and an easy command of multiple styles, he has become a leading figure of his generation. Sharkey’s work on D’Angelo’s Black Messiah earned a GRAMMY and underscored his role in shaping contemporary Black music. As a solo artist he crafts songs that fuse pocketed groove, high level improvisation, and storytelling. His album RED showcased a modern blend of soul, R&B, jazz, and guitar driven narrative, with subsequent releases broadening the palette for devoted instrumental fans as well as wider audiences. Forthcoming projects explore fresh mixes of analog and electronic textures, guitar centered harmony, and songwriting grounded in personal truth. In performance he is defined by precision, warmth, spirituality, and an unshakable groove whether presenting his own material or elevating the work of others.

This is an annual pub crawl with participants dressed in Santa gear. It takes place on First Friday. For more information, contact Rupert at 6508147873.