Santa Cruz Events Radar

Joe Ortiz brings his personal musical memoir Escaping Queens–Over the Roof to Santa Cruz Actors’ Theater this summer, blending family storytelling...

Scotts Valley Kiwanis is rolling out family-friendly community events through fall 2026.

• July 4 Block Party: Hosts band Tsunami and drinks booth...

Woodies on the Wharf brings hundreds of vintage wood-paneled wagons to the Santa Cruz Wharf on June 27 for a free, nostalgic family gathering. The 30th annual event features a 3:30 p.m. parade send-off.

Vertigo 360 is now open at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, delivering a fresh thrill just in time for summer crowds. The ride launched Memorial Day weekend with strict rules banning loose items like glasses and sandals.

The Santa Cruz SPCA is hosting free pet adoptions on June 6 for California Adopt-a-Pet Day. Every adoption includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchipping, and staff help finding the right match, with pets ready to go home the same day.

Music & Nightlife

• 🔥 Catalyst 2026 Schedule: Full concert lineup through October now available including GZA on May 29, The Hu on June 5, Eagles...

The Catalyst at 1011 Pacific Avenue serves as Santa Cruz's go-to spot for live music with an 800-capacity room.

• May 29: GZA with J.Lately opens the...

Mad Vegan Collective, a Latina-owned bakery, returns to Santa Cruz VegFest on June 6 with vegan conchas and plant-based treats. Tickets at vegfestsantacruz.org.

No significant updates today.

No significant updates today.

After years of quiet following artist exodus and COVID shutdowns, live theater is returning across Santa Cruz venues.

• Santa Cruz Shakespeare...

Mark's Evening Singletrack Ride kicks off tomorrow at 6:15pm from Epicenter Cycling, offering local mountain bikers a fast-paced, recurring after-work loop on UC Santa Cruz upper campus trails. Bring a headlight and enjoy varied routes before dark.

Boardwalk Programming Updates

• 🔥 Evenings on the Colonnade: Recurring nightly programming of magicians, live music, movies, and DJ parties runs...

A timeless Santa Cruz family outing awaits at Roaring Camp Railroads' Redwood Forest Steam Train on May 26 from 10:30 am–3:00 pm. Journey through...

• Evenings on the Colonnade runs June 15–August 6, 2026, with nightly magicians, live music, movies, and DJ dance parties on the Colonnade Stage.
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Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz hosts a packed schedule of live music starting late May.

• May 27: Supersuckers + Scott H. Biram at 8 PM.
• May 29: The...

Free community concerts launch Music in May's 19th season with two string orchestra pop-ups at Bookshop Santa Cruz on May 27. Catch the 30-minute performances between 11:00am and 12:30pm—no tickets needed.

This weekend's lineup shows Santa Cruz's music scene thriving with diverse acts from 90s parties to jazz and chorale.

• 90s dance party hits Moe’s...

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum keeps its gardens buzzing with these ongoing events.

• First Saturday Tours start at 11am monthly for members or paid...

The Santa Cruz Film Festival returns October 14–18, 2026, with daily screenings from 5pm–9pm.

• 75+ films from international filmmakers across five...