Special Events in Santa Cruz

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.

April
Celebrate Spring Break
Beach Boardwalk
831-426-7433.
Daily operation! Rides open at 11 a.m. each day; closing times vary

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
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
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.

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

September
Big Kahuna Triathlon
Beach Boardwalk
831-477-0965
Admission to Participate

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.