Events in Santa Cruz today

Ninja Mountain Bike Performance brings a full weekend of mountain bike skills clinics to DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz. Sessions are available for beginners, intermediate riders, and experienced trail users, with options ranging from half day and full day clinics to a comprehensive two day camp that brings the Ninja curriculum together over the weekend. Clinic choices include a two day camp, Co-Ed Fundamentals half day, Women’s Only Fundamentals half day, Fundamentals Trail Application half day, a Fundamentals Full Day Combo, a Jumping Mini Clinic half day, and an Intermediate and Advanced full day clinic. Offerings can vary by location and date. After registration, participants receive an email with the exact meeting spot for their selected clinic.

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.

A freeform dance session comes to the Palomar Ballroom in downtown Santa Cruz, hosted and DJed by Daniel Mollner. The space invites movement in whatever way feels right, with the option to dance solo or connect with others at your own pace. The session lasts two hours, attendees are encouraged to stay for the full experience, and entry is available only during the first hour. Admission is $20 cash at the door. Children attend at no cost, and dancers receive free entry during their birthday week. Community guidelines emphasize authenticity, respect for the space and everyone in it, and a drug and alcohol free environment, with conversations kept off the dance floor to support embodiment, creativity, and connection. Participants are responsible for their own well being and safety. Everyone is welcome, including People of Color and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or same gender loving, along with seniors and neurodiverse dancers. All bodies, ages, sizes, and abilities are valued.

Scrumptious brings its award-winning 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, Scrumptious serves its signature fish and chips alongside other options like shrimp and bangers. There are also three loaded chip dishes, including one for vegan diners. While at the brewery, orders can be placed through DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Join a conceptual abstract mixed-media art class where you’ll experiment with color, movement, texture, and personal expression. The session encourages playful, intuitive creation using everyday materials and creative prompts, with time to explore your own visual language. It’s designed for teens and adults to connect, reflect, and enjoy making art together.

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.

Part four of the nine part series Growing Up Twisted unfolds in the garden at the Cayuga Stage, presenting 13 coming of age tales from a time of innocence before adult cynicism. Storyteller and impresario Kevin Keelan, a genial troublemaker who has performed across California and Ireland, weaves memories drawn from school days, neighborhood rites of passage, improvised tools, altered states in a dusty garage, family clubs, swashbuckling imaginings, clubs both wholesome and not, a peer’s puzzling bravado, secret fizzies rituals, an underground fort collapse, a peanut butter predicament, and the awkward intersection of sports and puberty. A $1 cover helps with attendance tracking, and additional contributions support the ongoing effort and soloist George Demarest. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, fostering an easygoing sense of fellowship and a brief mental getaway.

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.

Catch Much Ado About Nothing at Audrey Stanley Grove in Santa Cruz. It’s scheduled for Saturday evening at 8:00 PM.

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.

A participant is checking whether the regular group swim is still happening after recent visits with low turnout that led to swimming alone. To help coordinate, anyone planning to swim is asked to reply with the word IN so it is clear who will be there. This is a simple roll call to confirm interest and make sure the group connects.

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.

Scrumptious brings its traditional British-style fish and chips to Humble Sea Brewing Co., backed by five consecutive Best Take Out/Seafood honors from Santa Cruz’s Good Times. Alongside the signature dish, look for shrimp and bangers, plus three loaded chip choices that include a vegan-friendly option. Ordering via DoorDash and Uber Eats is available while they are at Humble Sea for added convenience.

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+.

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.

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.

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.

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 a performance of Macbeth at Audrey Stanley Grove. The show is scheduled for Sunday evening, with tickets available through showtime.

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.

This book club focuses on titles in the news and the latest book buzz. Conversations center on controversial works, new classics, and books that might feel overexposed, with plenty of space for thoughtful discussion among fellow readers. Registration is required.

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.

Local players gather for a weekly One Piece tournament, competing for the coveted Pirate King title. The entry fee is $10.

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

A midweek freeform dance gathering returns to Palomar Ballroom in downtown Santa Cruz, guided by host and DJ Daniel Mollner. This is an open movement space where participants can move however they wish, choosing to remain solo or connect with others as feels right. Attendees are encouraged to stay for the full session. Doors close after the first hour. Admission is $20, cash only, at the door. Kids attend free, and dancers receive free entry during their birthday week. Community care shapes the experience. Be yourself and honor others, respect the space and everyone in it, keep the dance floor free of conversation, and keep the gathering free of alcohol and drugs. Everyone is welcome, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ and same gender loving community members, seniors, and neurodiverse participants. People of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities are wanted here, with each person responsible for their own health and safety. This Wednesday night session is part of twice-weekly dances held at the same venue, with an additional gathering on Saturday mornings.

A warm, candid conversation about end-of-life planning brings together attorneys from Fine Point Law with two local experts for a practical, compassionate panel. Kathy Berry of Santa Cruz Memorial will share insights into traditional memorials and how to pre-plan local arrangements that align with personal values. Raina Stoops of Sea Spirit Memorial will discuss eco-friendly maritime options on the Monterey Bay, including ceremonies conducted by chartered boat and the specific considerations of full-body ocean burials. The discussion is intended for anyone reflecting on the future, organizing their affairs, or navigating end-of-life choices. Expect a welcoming setting with coffee, local snacks, and time to explore how to record wishes and put the necessary legal documents in place. Admission is free. Space is limited, and reservations by phone are requested at (831) 471-5293.

Set among the redwoods at Land of Medicine Buddha, this retreat offers four days and three nights to shift from constant doing to simply being. The experience centers on slowing down, reconnecting, and remembering what matters most through yoga, meditation, mindful movement, unhurried time in nature, delicious meals, meaningful conversations, and plenty of free time for deep rest. In supportive conditions like these, stress eases, the breath deepens, perspective returns, strength is remembered, and joy comes back into view. Whether the intention is renewal, inspiration, friendship, or a much needed recharge, participants will find a welcoming community and a beautiful setting that supports body, mind, and spirit. Bringing a friend can make the time even more meaningful and fun.

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