Santa Cruz Events

Annual Events

Address: Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Category: Food / Drink Event - Tasting (food or drink) Dates: June 6 - June 14, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

There's no better way to experience the bountiful cuisine and premium wines of the Santa Cruz area than to have "A Taste of the Mountains" at the annual Vintners' Festival. Spread over both sides of the Santa Cruz mountains, the scenic wineries and local eateries invite you to sample and savor their new releases,...

Address: Soquel Avenue, Aptos Village, Aptos, CA 95003 Category: Community Event - Holiday / Seasonal Dates: July 4, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

While this parade route may be just a quarter of a mile long, The World's Shortest Parade is a local favorite for celebrating Independence Day as well as their town's individuality. Vintage cars, moms with strollers, funky floats, kids with dogs and always a few surprises parade past hundreds of parade-goers, who...

Address: Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola Wharf, Santa Cruz and Capitola, CA 95062 Category: Sports Event - Running Dates: July 26, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

"The best little road race in California" starts at the Santa Cruz Wharf, passes the roller coaster at the Beach Boardwalk, winds along beaches, ocean bluffs and hilly neighborhoods and culminates at the Capitola Wharf - a total of six miles. While casual joggers (some with strollers, pets and costumes) make up most...

Address: Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Category: Fair / Festival - Other Dates: August 16, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

Santa Cruz celebrates the spirit of Aloha on the scenic municipal wharf at this festive annual event. There's an Outrigger Canoe race, Hawaiian music and dancing and Island-made crafts and food. Novice paddlers can join the fun, and kids can learn lei-making and have their faces painted like a Maori warrior's. This is...

Address: Capitola Village, Capitola, CA 95010 Category: Children's / Family Event - Film Dates: September 4 - September 7, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

The Begonia Festival, held in the tiny seaside village of Capitola, celebrates the end of summer and the blooming season of the lovely, locally hybridized Pacific Begonia. An outdoor film festival, sand sculpture contest, live music, rowboat races and a fishing derby are just some of the activities leading up to the...

Address: Stockton Ave & Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010 Category: Food / Drink Event - Tasting (food or drink) Dates: September 12 - September 13, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

Widely regarded as one of the best juried art and crafts fairs in the area, the Capitola Art & Wine Festival has the added bonus of 16 local wineries presenting their world-class wines. Browse the booths of 185 fine artists while sipping a Santa Cruz Mountains wine from your souvenir wine glass. Gourmet food booths...

Address: Artists' studios throughout Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County, CA 95060 Category: Gallery Event - Open Studio Dates: October 3 - October 18, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

The Open Studios Art Tour is a self-guided event held during the first three weekends of October. Three hundred artists throughout Santa Cruz County open their homes and studios to exhibit and sell their work. Photography, paintings, sculpture and jewelry are just some of the media on display. This is an excellent...

Address: Steamer Lane, West Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Dates: November 4 - November 10, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

Northern California's most prestigious surfing competition, The O'Neill Coldwater Classic, draws professional surfers, sports media and surfer wannabes from all over the world. The frigid waters and rocky cliffs of Steamer Lane add drama to the four-day competition, and locals and tourists jockey for the best views...

Address: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Category: Community Event - Holiday / Seasonal Dates: November 28 - December 20, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

For a truly unique holiday excursion, board a vintage train ablaze with thousands of Christmas lights for a one-hour ride from the Beach Boardwalk through the streets of Santa Cruz. Join in the carol singing, sip hot cider and visit Santa and Mrs. Clause while enjoying musical entertainment. Afterwards, the fun...

Address: Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Category: Community Event - Holiday / Seasonal Dates: December 5, 2009 User rating:      (Rate It!)    |    Add to a Suitcase

One of the most anticipated local holiday events is the Lighted Boat Parade each year at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Fifty boats, ranging from small, human-powered kayaks to large luxury yachts, are decked out with Christmas lights, music and even a few animated sea creatures and singing reindeer. Adults and children...