Entertainment & Events in Santa Cruz, California

Night Life

Callahan's Pub 831-427-3119
507 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Pub and cocktail lounge featuring blues on Thursdays and punk and rock music from Friday to Sunday. A hub for motorcyclists. Open until 2:00 a.m.
Moe's Alley 831-479-1854
1535 Commercial Way
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
This nightclub features live world, blues, jazz, reggae, and more seven nights a week as well as a full bar. India's Clay Oven offers Indian fare for you to enjoy while you attend a performance. more
Crepe Place, The 831-429-6994
1134 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Neighborhood bar offering unique drinks and daily happy hour, not to mention the best crepes around. Enjoy the HD sports bar area or the live music and entertainment.

Santa Cruz County Symphony 831.462.0553
307 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
This symphony presents exotic and contemporary music, as well as familiar and new music, throughout their season. more
Santa Cruz Chorale 831-427-8023
P.O. Box 272
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
This diverse group of singers, who live throughout the Santa Cruz area, performs a wide variety of music from the 16th century to modern day music. more
Catalyst, The 831-423-1338
1011 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
A live music venue. more
Kuumbwa Jazz 831-427-2227
320-2 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
"Kuumbwa Jazz provides opportunities for residents and visitors in the Santa Cruz area to enjoy and appreciate the full spectrum of jazz music through live performance and education." more

Shakespeare Santa Cruz 831-459-2159
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
This repertory theater company that is in residence at the University of California performs from July through August. Performances are held at the UCSC Theatre Arts Mainstage and outdoors in the Festival Glen. more
Rio Theatre 831-423-8209
1205 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
This theatre is a venue for music, dance, and theatre productions, as well as a lecture hall and educational venue. more

Art on the Wharf 831-420-5273
Located at Municipal Wharf
More than 40 artists will be displaying original paintings, photography, and other works in this outdoor showcase of fine art which takes place in July. Live jazz entertainment provided.

Santa Cruz Baroque Festival 831-457-9693
P.O. Box 482
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Located at UCSC Music Recital Hall
Each season, usually running from February through May, this Italian Folk and Baroque festival features sonatas and tarantellas from Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Europe; the festival explores Baroque music from its roots to its final flowerings, as well as offering some performances that blend modern ideas and twists with traditional baroque music and instrumentation. more
Juneteenth Celebration 831-420-6177
301 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Louden Nelson Community Center
Join in the one day celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, a tradition among African-Americans, during this festival which takes place in June. Highlights include food, crafts, music, and speakers.
Japanese Cultural Fair 831-462-4589
103 Emmett Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Located at Mission Plaza Park
This one day fair takes place in June and features colorful performing arts, crafts, ethnic demonstrations, martial arts, a variety of Japanese food, folk dancing, and rice pounding. more
Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival 831-420-5273
Located at Santa Cruz Wharf
Discover the excitement of outrigger canoe racing, designed for new and novice paddlers during this festival that takes place in August. The festival follows the race and features fresh flower leis, Hawaiian shaved ice, Maori face painting, and dance performances.

Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational 831-684-1551
1011 Steamer Lane
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Each year in late near Memorial Day, surf clubs from California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii compete in six amateur divisions during this two-day event.
Roughwater Swim 831-420-6015
323 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Located at Municipal Wharf
This legendary one mile ocean swim around the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is held annually in August.