Downtown Santa Cruz is the place for festive holiday time! Bring the whole family Downtown for a flurry of fun.
Click on each event title to get more details!
Reindeer Round-Up: Nov 27 - Dec 23
Oh no! Santa's reindeer couldn't resist visiting all the great places Downtown, and now they're nowhere to be found! Help find them by getting a passport at the Downtown Information Kiosk. Find 12 reindeer and win a small token. Find them all and be entered in to a prize drawing!
North Pole Mailbox: Nov 27 - Dec 23
Drop your letters to Santa at the North Pole Mailbox located in front of Super Silver on Pacific Ave and Walnut Ave. Santa and his elves will checking for your letters on a regular basis.
Miracle Pop-Up at Front & Cooper: Dec 1 - 31
Miracle at Front & Cooper is bringing Santa Cruz its 3rd annual holiday-themed cocktail pop-up! Step into this cozy winter wonderland at Abbott Square filled with festive decor, holiday tunes, and whimsical drinks served in the cutest holiday themed mugs.
A Christmas Carol: Dec 3 - 24
Santa Cruz Shakespeare present a new holiday tradition for the whole family with its production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring Mike Ryan as Ebeneezer Scrooge. The production runs from December 3 through the 24th, in the Veterans Memorial Hall at 846 Front St in Downtown Santa Cruz. Catch one of 29 performances.
A Magical Motown Christmas: Dec 4
Journey through Motown's best including: The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and a set of your Christmas favourites!
Downtown Holiday Parade: Dec 5
This popular Santa Cruz tradition brings thousands of people Downtown to celebrate the season! The Downtown Holiday Parade runs along Pacific Avenue, from Laurel Street to Water Street. Don't miss this rain-or-shine extravaganza on Saturday, Dec 5 at 10AM.
To volunteer, please click here.
Golden Envelope with Surprise Elf: Dec 5, 6, 12 + 13
Shop Downtown the first two weekends in December and you'll be eligible to win one of 400 Golden Envelopes at participating Downtown businesses. Our undercover Elf will surprise shoppers. Each envelope will contain prizes, like gift cards valued at $10-100, vouchers for a free hot chocolate at your favorite coffee shop, LOTS of Downtown Dollars, and many more special surprises.
Ornament Making & Dreidel Painting: Dec 6
This free event at Abbott Square offers a variety of easy and enjoyable crafts including ornament making, holiday card making and dreidel painting. Open to all ages!
Visits with Santa: Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 + 23
In Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa is our middle name! Families flock to see the jolly old man during the holidays and take a picture with this seasonal celeb. Stop by Childish Toy Shop to say hello and take a photo.
Chanukah Story Hour at Bookshop Santa Cruz: Dec 10
Join Temple Beth El at Bookshop Santa Cruz for a Chanukah Story Hour! Gather together to read stories and sing songs. Perfect for families with children of all ages!
The Naughty List: Dec 11
Celebrate your status on The Naughty List with this fun holiday-themed pub crawl and scavenger hunt. On December 11th, Downtown bars are offering EXCLUSIVE drink & food discounts to ticket holders. There'll be exclusive access to naughty activities, bar games & raffle prizes at the end of the evening.
Family Holiday Trivia: Dec 12
Families and multigenerational teams can put their knowledge to the test in a festive trivia event featuring questions about holiday movies, music, winter themes, and world traditions at Abbott Square
Free Family Movie Matinees: Dec 12 + 13
Enjoy FREE admission to see A Christmas Story at the historic Del Mar Theatre! No advanced tickets are needed. This free screening starts at 10:30AM both days.
Holiday Market at Abbott Square: Dec 13
Find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones while supporting incredible local artists this holiday season. Come experience Abbott Square Market during its most festive time of the year, you won’t want to miss it.
Bad Elf Trivia: Dec 16
Mark your calendars for a special holiday edition trivia: BAD ELF TRIVIA at Front & Cooper inside Abbott Square Market. Prizes for winning team. Bonus prizes for team wearing the most awkward holiday attire.
Toy Trains at the MAH: Dec 17 - 28
Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 21st anniversary of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH.
Free Holiday Gift Wrapping: Dec 19 - 24
To show how much we appreciate your decision to shop local and support Downtown businesses, the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz provides FREE holiday gift wrapping! Bring your gifts & receipts from any Downtown Santa Cruz business, and transform them into beautiful presents for your friends and family.
Nutcracker Ballet: Dec 19 + 20
Experience Santa Cruz's most spectacular holiday tradition with Santa Cruz Dance Theater's production of The Nutcracker. Two days of magic and wonder as Clara embarks on a dreamlike journey filled with dazzling costumes, enchanting choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. Perfect for the whole family, this breathtaking performance will transport you to a world of holiday splendor.