Family events in Santa Cruz, CA

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.

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.

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.

This all-ages event offers free participation and the chance to win prizes. Take part at no cost and compete for rewards.