Live music in Watsonville, CA

Kick off Monterey Car Week with a downtown showcase from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Alvarado Street will feature a lineup of 30 classic race cars near the Monterey Conference Center and the Portola Hotel and Spa. Attendees can meet the drivers behind these historic machines, enjoy live music, and take part in giveaways as the celebration gets underway.

Midtown Fridays returns for its 6th year as a free weekly summer block party in Midtown Santa Cruz. The series features performances by 14 local bands across the season, a rotating selection of local food trucks, and a marketplace of artists, makers, and vendors. Specialty drinks, family friendly activities, and surprise elements are planned each week. The 2026 music slate includes James Durbin and The Lost Boys, Santa Cruda, Salsa By The Sea with DJ @its dancing time, El Sol, and DJ Monk Earl of Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz, 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 the Alex Lucero Band. 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.

Sammy Johnson brings smooth, soul-styled music to Golden State Theatre, with support from Lot 49.

Tiger's Tale presents a "Days Between" tribute to Jerry Garcia at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, drawing from the Jerry Garcia Band songbook with R&B, Motown, reggae, country rock, and soul. The lineup features Jim Lewin on guitar and vocals, Tatiana Peña and Diana Zitmanis on backing vocals, Josh Salesin on keyboards, Sebastian Hegenbart on bass, and Michael Owens on drums, with affiliations that include Edge of the West, Floratura, FunkUrSoul, Redwood Express, and China Cats. Admission is $10 per person or pay what you can, and all are welcome. The band name references Tiger, Garcia's most played guitar and the last he used with the Jerry Garcia Band. Co-sponsored by Mountain Music Productions.

Catch ALO live at Felton Music Hall for an evening show starting at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available through Tixr.

First Call performs at Bubbles & Brew in Morgan Hill, a wine bar and bistro featuring local wines, a wide selection of draft beer, and artisanal plates made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. Conditions are expected to be cool yet comfortable, with plenty of patio heaters and fire pits to keep things warm while the music plays. Beyond public shows, First Call also plays private events including parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate gatherings.

Shawn Colvin will perform at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. Expect a mix of pop, rock, and singer-songwriter style music for an evening with the headliner.

The Brotherhood Tour brings Los Lobos and Los Loney Boys to the Golden State Theatre for a concert featuring both bands on the same bill.

Returning to Slys, this night brings free live music with opportunities to dance, along with cocktails and tasty food. A special guest, Mr. Joe Birtola, will be featured.

Santa Cruz’s Craig Rayburn Band brings an afternoon of country and American rock to Woodhouse Blending & Brewing. The lineup includes Craig with Andrew Tuckman on drums, Nick Heinz on guitar, Tom Lavenhagen on bass, and Eliza James on backing vocals. There is a $10 cover. Please note that the David Outlaw Band will not be performing, as their booking has been canceled.

Enjoy an afternoon immersed in the timeless sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and more. Complement the music with a selection of artisan foods, along with beer and wine.

Get ready for an evening of rockabilly, roots rock, and outlaw country with The Beat Farmers. The show starts at 8:00 PM at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz.

Sports takes the stage at Felton Music Hall. Additional details are available for this event, including tickets, photos, video, and reviews.

After parties follow the Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series, offering a chance to continue the evening with fellow attendees. These gatherings extend the night beyond the stage and keep the concert spirit going.

Presented by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, Choose Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Wharf Tenants, Tuesday Night Live brings live music back to the Wharf Commons stage. Explore wharf business pop ups and consider making a dinner reservation before the shows. Attendees may want to bring a chair or lace up dancing shoes. After every performance, the festivities continue upstairs at Vino by the Sea. This season features a rotating lineup that includes SambaDá, The Viva Santana Show, The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, Sweet VooDoo, The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin, Fish Hook, formerly Santa Cruda, The Joint Chiefs, and Extra Large.

Unwind beside the fireplace in the lounge with live piano music from Dave Conley. Performances are available on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Following the summer concert, an after party at Vino By The Sea brings attendees together to meet up and continue the evening.

Smoked Out Soul channels a Bay Area sound where live band energy meets the pulse of a DJ set. Launched by Zebuel as a mixtape weaving 70s Motown, Stax, and contemporary rhythms, it has grown into a full-stage collaboration with musicians, producers, and DJs performing together. The show blends classic soul and funk with modern textures, featuring horns, guitar, drums, synths, and high-energy turntable work. With appearances at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Lightning in a Bottle, the group brings a kinetic, genre-crossing set that turns the plaza into a lively summer evening scene, rooted in soul yet looking ahead. Jazz on the Plazz is free to attend and open to all, with general admission areas throughout Los Gatos Town Plaza. Guests may bring lawn chairs and picnic items, however blankets are not allowed. Reserved seating directly in front of the stage is available for purchase and often sells out in advance.

Angelo De Augustine is performing live at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz. Show time is 7:30 PM. Tickets are available through Bandsintown.

A welcoming freeform dance gathering at Palomar Ballroom in downtown Santa Cruz, hosted and DJed by Daniel Mollner. Move in any way that feels right, choose whether to dance solo or connect with others, and, if possible, plan to stay for the full two hours. Doors close after the first hour, so please arrive before that. Admission is $20 cash at the door. Kids enter free, and dancing is free during your birthday week. Everyone is responsible for their own experience, health, and safety. Be yourself and accept others. Respect the room and the people in it. Celebrate embodiment, creativity, and community. Keep the space free of drugs and alcohol, and keep conversations off the dance floor. All are welcome, including people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, same gender loving people, seniors, and neurodiverse participants. People of all shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities are welcome and wanted here.

Free live music fills downtown Gilroy on Thursday evenings as part of the Downtown Live Music Series, bringing a summer soundtrack to the heart of town. Stroll between performances, soak in the lively atmosphere, and stop by the Town Cats booth to learn about adoptable cats, volunteer opportunities, fostering, and ways to get involved. It is a relaxed way to enjoy a summer night while connecting with the local community.

Pianist Dave Conley performs live in the lounge, where a nearby fireplace creates a relaxed setting for listening.