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City of Santa Cruz Events

Things to do in the City of Santa Cruz: festivals, concerts, farmers markets, holiday events and more, with links straight to each organizer.

Category:AllArt & Wine / Food & DrinkArts & CultureFarmers MarketFestivalHoliday & SeasonalMarket / BazaarSports

15 events

Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Cruz Holiday Lights Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (in front of the Merry-Go-Round), Santa Cruz
Nov 27-28, Dec 5-6 and Dec 12-23; departures 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM (60-minute round trip)
Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland

Farley's Christmas Wonderland, Santa Cruz
Nightly Nov 27, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027, 5:30-8:30 PM (later just before Christmas; closed when raining)
A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (Santa Cruz)

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz
Wed Dec 2, 2026, 7:30-10 PM (doors 6 PM)
A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

A Christmas Carol (Santa Cruz Shakespeare)

Veterans Memorial Hall, Santa Cruz
Dec 3-24, 2026 (preview Dec 3, opens Dec 4); most shows at 2 PM and/or 7 PM; Dec 24 at 11 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 10 AM
Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 5, 2026, 5:30 PM (rain or shine)
Isaiah J. Thompson: A Guaraldi Holiday

Isaiah J. Thompson: A Guaraldi Holiday

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz
Tue Dec 8, 2026, 7 PM (doors 6 PM)
Chanukah Train

Chanukah Train

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad

Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 10, 2026, 7 PM and 9 PM (doors and dinner 6 PM for the 7 PM show)
How The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour

How The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour

The Catalyst, Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 12, 2026, 9 PM (doors 8 PM)
Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (Santa Cruz)

Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas (Santa Cruz)

UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, Santa Cruz
Thu Dec 17, 2026, 7:30 PM
Krampus Celebration at The 418 Project

Krampus Celebration at The 418 Project

The 418 Project (Large Theater), Santa Cruz
Sat Dec 19, 2026, 6-9 PM
The Nutcracker (Santa Cruz Dance Theater)

The Nutcracker (Santa Cruz Dance Theater)

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz
Sat-Sun, Dec 19-20, 2026, two performances each day; showtimes not posted yet
Hotel Paradox Holiday Market

Hotel Paradox Holiday Market

Hotel Paradox, Santa Cruz
Sun Dec 20, 2026, 11 AM-5 PM
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
2026 dates coming soon