Events
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
