Destination Guides: Santa Cruz, United States - Events & Entertainment

February

Clam Chowder Cook Off

Beach Boardwalk

831-420-5273

Admission Free; Admission Charged for tasting kits

Teams vie for the title of best Manhattan (red) and Boston (white) chowder chefs in Northern California. Teams decorate booths and themselves as they show off their clammy culinary skills.

Call for exact date and time

April

Celebrate Spring Break

Beach Boardwalk

831-426-7433.

Daily operation! Rides open at 11 a.m. each day; closing times vary

Call for additional information

May

Santa Cruz Blues Festival

Aptos Village Park

100 Aptos Creek Rd. Aptos CA 95003

831-479-9814 or 831-479-1854

Admission Charged.

The Blues Festival advertises  a stellar roster of talent that showcases the very best of the blues.

Gates open at 10:00am; Show starts at 11:00am and ends approximately 7:00pm

May-October

Sunny, dry weather is perfect for sea kayaking, SCUBA diving, boating and surfing.

Humpback whales and blue whales visit the Marine Sanctuary, May through October.

Guided tide pool field trips at Natural Bridges State Park, weekends through

September, call for times.

831-423-4609

 

Summer

The Boardwalk’s weeknight wonders
Every Monday and Tuesday night after 5 p.m., all Boardwalk ride prices are reduced dramatically. Hot dogs, Pepsi, and cotton candy are also at a substantial savings these nights.


 

Late June – Early September

The Pepsi Presents: Free Friday Night Bands

831-423-5590

Brings exciting free Friday night concerts to the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand.  

Two shows each Friday, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Look for classic bands from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s

Shakespeare Santa Cruz

Festival Glen and Main Stage Theatre.

Theater Arts Center, UCSC

1156 High Street, Santa Cruz

831-459-2159

Admission Charged.
Experience lively, innovative theatre performed in the spectacular outdoor Festival Glen and the intimate indoor Main stage Theatre. Under the majestic redwoods of coastal California, see one of the top ten Shakespeare Festivals in the country.

Call for ticket and additional information

August

Aloha Races & Polynesian Festival

831-420-5273

Admission Charged

At the Santa Cruz Wharf.

Novice outrigger canoe races in the morning, followed by a Polynesian cultural festival at 11:00am. Get a taste of the tropics.

With food, dance, music and more

Call for additional information

September

Big Kahuna Triathlon

Beach Boardwalk

831-477-0965

Admission to Participate
Nearly 1,000 entrants participate in the annual event, which starts and finishes at the Boardwalk.

Call to register and for additional information

USA/Boardwalk Youth Cheerleading Competition

Beach Boardwalk Bandstand

831-426-7433

Give us a ‘B’ for Boardwalk during annual Youth Cheerleading competition. Cheerleaders from throughout the state compete during this annual spirit day.

Call for additional information

October


 

Santa Cruz Birthday Fireworks Spectacular!

Main Beach, Boardwalk & Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

831-423-5590

Admission Free.

Celebrate Santa Cruz's birthday with the breathtaking Fireworks Spectacular.  Watch from the Boardwalk as the skies light up with a dazzling display of pyrotechnics.

Call for exact date and time

Hot Rods at the Beach

Beach Street parking lot opposite Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz.

831-423-3720

Admission Free
This event is a local non-profit car show benefiting the Santa Cruz Police Officers Association. A family-oriented event featuring 500 classic/hot rod vehicles 1973 and older. Raffle, food, music and more!

Call for additional information

 

Santa Cruz Youth Band Review

831-423-5590
Admission Free.

The Youth Band Review marches from downtown Santa Cruz to the Boardwalk. Watch high school bands from all over California.

Call for additional information

Halloween on the Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf
831-420-5273  
Little witches, goblins, and ghosts and their parents can enjoy safe and sane trick-or-treating at the Parks and Recreation Department’s Halloween celebration on the wharf. Treats for kids provided at wharf businesses. A costume contest from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and a photo booth at the wharf stage are all part of the fun.

Call for exact time

December

Lighted Boat Parade At the Santa Cruz Harbor 

831-475-6161

Admission Free

Kick off the holiday season with the festive sight of brightly lit boats parading through the harbor.

1st Saturday in December, 5:30 pm, rain or shine.

December 31

A First Night

Downtown Santa Cruz

831-425-7277

Admission Charged.

A First Night is a community celebration of the New Year through the arts. It is an alcohol-free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new with art, ritual and festivity. All First Night Celebrations are licensed by First Night International and adhere to a set of standards.

Santa Cruz, nearly 20,000 people celebrate New Year's together by enjoying a variety of entertainment including theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and community art installations.

Call for additional information