Santa Cruz Festivals

The afternoon is for kids collecting candy at the local shops, but in this town, it’s the adult party in the streets that embodies the vibrant Santa Cruz culture. You haven’t truly experienced Halloween until you’ve enjoyed it during the lively Santa Cruz events.

JUNE; DEL MAR THEATRE AND TANNERY ARTS CENTER; SANTA CRUZ

Each year for one week, local festivals celebrate Santa Cruz culture as movie theaters and unique venues across town host exciting and often locally produced films. While the movies are the main event, the Festival also ushers in a wave of parties, special panel discussions, and independent movie-lovers from all over the county, state, and world, making it one of the highlight Santa Cruz events.

Every year in late June, classic woodies cruise to the Santa Cruz Wharf, buffed, polished and ready to show off their woody wonderfulness. This event is a highlight of local festivals that celebrate Santa Cruz culture, featuring over 200 woodies along with woody apparel, tasty food, and plenty of photo ops with these retro autos. It's one of the must-see Santa Cruz events that brings together car enthusiasts and the community.

In early August, revelers from across Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties flock to Scotts Valley to bask in the sun at the Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival held in the local SkyPark. This two-day celebration showcases local festivals, featuring a juried selection of fine art by talented local artists, delicious food, and wine from renowned Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, along with award-winning local craft beer. The event also offers live music, engaging activities for kids, and performances by Scotts Valley Performing Arts, making it a vibrant highlight of Santa Cruz culture and a must-visit among Santa Cruz events for summer fun.

AUGUST; SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL WHARF; SANTA CRUZ

This mid-August celebration showcases local festivals that bring a taste of the islands to Santa Cruz, featuring hula dancing, slack key guitar, and rare Hawaiian treats like laulau and poi. Newbies can climb into long, sleek outrigger canoes with expert paddlers for the Aloha races, making it a vibrant part of Santa Cruz culture and an exciting highlight among Santa Cruz events.

OCTOBER; VARIOUS LOCATIONS; SANTA CRUZ

Artists working in almost every imaginable medium open their studios to the public during one of the most anticipated local festivals in the area. The Santa Cruz Open Studio takes place over the first three weekends in October at various art studios and venues throughout the city, showcasing the vibrant Santa Cruz culture. Local artists are excited to display their works to art-loving patrons who travel from all over the Monterey Peninsula and Bay Area for this delightful Santa Cruz event.

SEPTEMBER; SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS; WATSONVILLE

Featuring games, rides, displays, and livestock, the Santa Cruz County Fair is one of the most anticipated local festivals that showcases the vibrant Santa Cruz culture. This family-friendly event is held each year, beginning the third week of September, making it a highlight among Santa Cruz events.

SEPTEMBER; CAPITOLA VILLAGE

As everyone in Santa Cruz knows, our real summer begins in September, when the days turn golden and mild, and the water is finally warm enough for swimming. This is the perfect time to enjoy local festivals, and every Labor Day weekend, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival kicks off this joyful season with two full days of browsing and sipping in the sun, celebrating the vibrant Santa Cruz culture and bringing together the community for memorable Santa Cruz events.

DECEMBER; 400 BEACH ST., SANTA CRUZ

On weekend nights throughout December, the Roaring Camp Railroad invites holiday revelers to experience Santa Cruz culture with a magically lit tour of town, complete with hot cider and carolers. This enchanting event is one of the many local festivals that highlight the festive spirit of Santa Cruz events during the holiday season.

WINTER; WEST CLIFF DR., SANTA CRUZ, CA

Experience four days of competitive surfing in California's true surf city, where local festivals celebrate Santa Cruz culture. The Cold Water Classic takes place the fourth week in October, culminating in finals on Sunday. Even those not planning to take a plunge into the cold October water should bundle up—Santa Cruz is pretty chilly this time of year. Don't forget your binoculars to enjoy all the Santa Cruz events happening around.

Every August, the street in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium comes alive with a vibrant street fair that showcases the best of Santa Cruz culture through a diverse array of musical and dance performances. This exciting event is organized in collaboration with the Cabrillo Music Festival. In addition to fantastic live shows, visitors can explore arts and crafts booths, sip on local wine and beer, and enjoy fun activities for the kiddos, making it one of the must-see local festivals and a highlight among Santa Cruz events.

APRIL; SAN LORENZO PARK; SANTA CRUZ

This environmentally-minded gathering in San Lorenzo Park is one of the vibrant local festivals that celebrate Santa Cruz culture by honoring Mother Nature's gifts during the peak of springtime. The event features dancing, music, arts and crafts, and cultural performances. Earth Day aims to educate, motivate, and activate the community, raise environmental awareness, address concerns, showcase solutions, and present balanced modes of living, making it a highlight among Santa Cruz events.

OCTOBER; VARIOUS LOCATIONS; SANTA CRUZ

SCMF is more of a music marathon than a festival. An impressive lineup of over 100 internationally known acts and the best of local talent come together in downtown Santa Cruz for 13 hours of non-stop sound at more than a dozen local venues, making it one of the most exciting local festivals that showcases the vibrant Santa Cruz culture and a highlight among Santa Cruz events.

Get ready for some house rockin’ Blues, Americana, and Country Music as the Santa Cruz American Music Festival kicks the summer into high gear on Memorial Day weekend. For more than 23 years, this festival has celebrated Santa Cruz culture by honoring the diverse nature of Traditional American Music. It brings together world-class artists for two fun-filled days of live music in this exceptionally beautiful park, making it one of the most anticipated local festivals and a highlight among Santa Cruz events.

JUNE; SKY PARK; SCOTTS VALLEY

Cheers! Sip suds in the sun at this local festival, a highlight of Santa Cruz culture, which brings over fifty craft breweries and cidermakers, two stages of live music, food, beer games, and a fun, family & dog friendly atmosphere to Sky Park in Scotts Valley on a Saturday in June. The following day, local homebrewers compete in the Beer Masters Cup, a key feature of Santa Cruz events, to be the crowd favorite.

JUNE; ROARING CAMP; FELTON

Dance the day away to live music with your friends and family while enjoying tasty locally made food, microbrews, and wine in an open field surrounded by redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This weekend-long music festival and arts & crafts fair, celebrating local festivals and Santa Cruz culture, benefits local service organizations and is a hootin' and hollerin' good time filled with Santa Cruz events.

Pacific Ave, Downtown SC

Every first Sunday in June, the Santa Cruz County Community comes together with the voices of LGBTQ communities and their allies around the world to celebrate Pride Month. This vibrant event, a highlight of local festivals in the area, is known as the Santa Cruz Pride Parade & Festival. For over 40 years, it has thrived thanks to the often brave contributions of time, talent, and treasure from members of our Santa Cruz culture, making it one of the most anticipated Santa Cruz events each year.

London Nelson Center

2nd or 3rd week of June

Juneteenth is a special day for anyone who believes in freedom and equality for all people. Join us for music, poetry, dance, delicious soul food, and arts & crafts as we celebrate local festivals that highlight Santa Cruz culture and bring the community together for exciting Santa Cruz events.

Enjoy free live music on Thursdays throughout the summer at the Beach Boardwalk’s Colonnade Stage, located beach-side of Neptune’s Kingdom. Experience the vibrant Santa Cruz culture as you rock out to Bay Area bands while savoring a variety of Boardwalk treats. This event is part of the local festivals celebrating Santa Cruz events, and there will be a dance area in front of the stage. Concerts run from 8:30 pm – 10 pm every Thursday from June to August 10.

There’s nothing like enjoying local festivals that celebrate Santa Cruz culture, especially when you can watch your favorite movies right on the beach with the delightful smells of kettle corn, corn dogs, and saltwater taffy in the air! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is excited to bring back Movies on the Beach in front of the Colonnade near Neptune’s Kingdom. Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair. Movies at the Beach are scheduled for Fridays at 9 pm from June to August, making it one of the must-attend Santa Cruz events.

Each Summer on Thursday evenings, the Crow’s Nest hosts its Summer Beach Party series, showcasing fun and funky live entertainment right on the beach, a highlight of Santa Cruz events. The party kicks off at 5:30 pm each week and continues until sunset. With live entertainment on the outdoor beach stage and Crow’s Nest’s famous BBQ and outdoor bar, these beach parties celebrate Santa Cruz culture and are a unique and popular attraction. Families are welcome, and there is no admission charge! After the sun sets, the excitement moves upstairs with dancing to the best of local live bands starting at 8:30 pm, all for just a $5 cover charge.

Popular local bands energize fun-loving crowds on Wednesday evenings in the Capitola Village, making it one of the highlights of local festivals that celebrate Santa Cruz culture. The free Twilight Concert Series offers a diverse lineup featuring everything from classic rock to funk, dance hits, and Latin fusion. All concerts are held from 6pm to 8pm at the Esplanade bandstand, where you can enjoy ocean views in the picturesque Capitola Village. Experience the vibrant Santa Cruz events by relaxing in your own low-back chair on the beach or by securing an outdoor table at one of the village restaurants.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is excited to host a Summer Concert Series as part of the vibrant Santa Cruz culture, taking place every 2nd Tuesday of the month from May to September! Join them for live music, games, local festivals, Wharf business pop-ups, photo booths, and more from 6pm to 8pm, celebrating the best of Santa Cruz events.

Come celebrate the vibrancy of Midtown at our Summer Block Party, a highlight of local festivals in Santa Cruz, happening every Friday! 

Enjoy Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors! This summer series of free events will showcase the talents of over 30 local bands, enhancing the rich Santa Cruz culture. In addition to live music, attendees will savor a selection of local eats and have the chance to explore the work of talented local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays kicks off in June and runs through September. These Midtown Friday Summer Block Parties are located at Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave, in Santa Cruz, starting at 5 PM and continuing until around 8:30 PM.