Live music in Santa Cruz, CA

Now in its sixth year, Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party is a free neighborhood celebration in Midtown Santa Cruz featuring live local music, a rotating lineup of favorite and new food trucks, local artists and makers, vendors, specialty drinks, family friendly activities, and fresh surprises. The music lineup includes James Durbin and The Lost Boys, Santa Cruda, Salsa By The Sea, Ribsys Nickel, Kentucky Mule, Santa Cruz Latin Collective, Hijinx, Ancestree, Ripatti Rose Band, Amp Melo with a special guest, Trestles, Fire Peach, The Rumba Madre, and Alex Lucero Band. Over the last five years it has grown into a favorite tradition that highlights local music and businesses, creativity, and community. Presented with support from the City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Department and partners including Caitlin Phillips, Realtor, Santa Cruz Warriors, Santa Cruz Vibes Magazine, The Starving Musician, Lookout Santa Cruz, Moe’s Alley, Good Times, and Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Fully Charged delivers a high-energy performance at Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley as part of a summer music series. Expect a lively, dance friendly atmosphere with a strong party vibe.

A Days Between tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band arrives at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, featuring R&B, Motown, reggae, country rock, and soul selections from the Jerry Garcia Band songbook. Tiger’s Tale features Jim Lewin on guitar and vocals from Edge of the West, Tatiana Peña on backing vocals from Floratura, Diana Zitmanis on backing vocals from Edge of the West, Josh Salesin on keyboards from FunkUrSoul, Sebastian Hegenbart on bass from Redwood Express, and Michael Owens on drums from China Cats. The band name nods to Tiger, the guitar most played by Jerry Garcia and the last he used with the Jerry Garcia Band before his death. A cover charge applies. Co-sponsored by Mountain Music Productions.

Catch Bria Skonberg for an evening of jazz at Kuumbwa Jazz. The show is scheduled for 7:00 PM, with local venue times listed on the page. Tickets are available via Bandsintown.

ALO takes the stage at Felton Music Hall for a show. Tickets are available.

Catch Empire Grade live at The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz. The show gets underway at 8:00 PM.

Head to Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown Santa Cruz for a live performance by Kanekoa, an electrifying Hawaiian ukulele-powered band. Expect a mix of traditional Hawaiian sounds and other upbeat genres, all driven by Kanekoa’s signature four-string style. It’s a two-hour in-person show with no refunds listed.

Experience a free chamber program of original pieces created, curated, and performed by the adventurous 16 to 24 year old musicians of Cabrillo Festival's 2026 Youth Ensemble. No tickets are needed, and planning to arrive about 15 minutes before the music begins helps avoid disruptions. The Student Staff Ensemble includes Michael Chang, Kaydyn Drake, Benjamin Goodwin, Arden Hardy, Zoë Huet, Logan Manildi, Manuel Mattila, Andrew Neal, Emiliano Ramirez, Jack Roche, Jacob Stone, Ava Storm, Olivia White, and Estella Ye.

Shawn Colvin performs at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. Expect a mix of pop, new wave pop, mainstream pop, rock, and singer-songwriter sounds for an evening of great music.

Experience CONTROL at the 2026 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, featuring Cristian Măcelaru and a lineup of contemporary works. The program includes Clarice Assad’s Kontrol with violinist Philippe Quint, Jackson A. Waters’ Defending Greenwood, Hannah Ishizaki’s Spin, and Dan Dediu’s Concerto for Orchestra. The concert explores power, agency, and the forces that shape contemporary life.

Get ready for another big night of 90's rock live at Bruno’s. Expect an energetic show on the best stage around and plenty of throwback vibes.

Felton Music Hall hosts a live performance by Mickey Avalon. Tickets are available for this show.

Soul Titanium and Cat Alley Street present an intimate Santa Cruz night as Colette brings her Sunshine Tour celebrating 30 years of Om Records to the city for the first time. An internationally recognized DJ, producer, vocalist, and founder of Candy Talk Records, Colette has spent more than three decades shaping house music through productions, performances, and collaborations. With roots in Chicago’s house scene, Billboard-charting releases, and five studio albums, she remains a significant presence in dance music. The tour is inspired by her contribution to Om Records’ 30th anniversary project, The Sunshine. The program features an extended headlining set from Colette. Mike Soultanian opens the night, and the event also marks his birthday, bringing together friends, music lovers, and the local dance community while benefiting the LA County High School for the Arts Foundation. The foundation supports arts education for more than 550 student artists from over 80 schools and communities across Los Angeles County. Capacity is limited, and tickets will be available soon. Event artwork by Marisa Cooper.

Enjoy a rockin' Sunday matinee with the Gary Blackburn Band at Moe's Alley. The show features roots rock and high-energy performances, mixing familiar rocking covers with some of the band’s originals. Doors open at 1:00 PM, with the band set to take the stage at 2:00 PM. This event is for ages 21+.

The David Outlaw Band is back at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, setting the tone for an afternoon filled with Southern blues, honky tonk, soul, and bluegrass. Admission is a $10 cover.

Celebrate the Leo spirit at a festive party at Vino with Richie The Lip. It is a cheerful gathering focused on Leos and a chance to honor the sign together.

The Cabrillo Festival brings its 2026 season to a close with a program focused on shared possibility, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Eunike Tanzil’s "Ascending Creatures" receives its first West Coast appearance, exploring the relationship between the individual and the collective through the flight of birds. Violinist Tessa Lark draws on her Appalachian roots in Lisa Bielawa’s "Pulse", also new to the West Coast. Elena Kats-Chernin’s "Rainbow Promise" makes its United States premiere with a jubilant nod to marriage equality. Sean Shepherd’s "Wanderlust" debuts on the West Coast and drives the season to a bold finale. A Post Season Reflection follows, supported by Bookshop Santa Cruz in honor of its 60th anniversary. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove joins for a special closing moment, performing original poetry that honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. alongside Barber’s "Adagio for Strings". The poetry is heard on the West Coast for the first time, offering a thoughtful coda to a season of remembrance, reckoning, and looking ahead. An annual street party wraps up the night with cake and bubbly.

Catch The Beat Farmers live at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz. The show is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Sports performs at Felton Music Hall in Felton. Presented by the venue, event details include ticket information, photos, a video, and reviews.

An after party follows the Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series, giving concertgoers a chance to continue the evening together after the music ends.

Tuesday Night Live brings Fish Hook, previously known as Santa Cruda, to the Wharf Commons stage. Presented by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, Choose Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Wharf Tenants, this installment of the concert series features live music and a lively Wharf atmosphere. Explore business pop ups along the Wharf or make a dinner reservation at a Wharf restaurant before the show. Local's Tuesday perks include two hours of free parking with a stamp from any Wharf business. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair or wear dancing shoes. After the performance, the celebration continues upstairs at Vino by the Sea.

Following the summer concert, the celebration continues with an after party at Vino By The Sea. Connect with fellow concertgoers and extend the night after the show.

Live music fills the shoreline at sunset as the bandstand in Capitola Esplanade Park hosts a mix of talented bands with views of Capitola Beach. Bring a beach chair, lace up your dancing shoes, and enjoy an easygoing summer evening by the water. Admission is free, made possible by sponsor support.

Angelo De Augustine brings his indie-folk sound to Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz. The show starts at 7:30 PM.