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!
The Miracle Pop-Up at Front & Cooper: Dec 1 - 31
Miracle at Front & Cooper is bringing Santa Cruz its 2nd 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 mugs—think Santa boots, Christmas dinosaurs, and unicorn reindeer.
A Christmas Carol: Nov 26 - Dec 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 November 23 through December 24, 2025, in the Veterans Memorial Hall at 846 Front St in Downtown Santa Cruz. Catch one of 28 performances. Shows at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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
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.
Downtown Holiday Parade: Saturday, 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 6 at 10AM.
To volunteer, please click here.
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!
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.
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.
Santa Cruz Symphony Holiday Concert: Dec 13 & 14
The Santa Cruz Symphony is jumping right in with its Holiday Concert at the Civic Auditorium on the weekend of December 13 and 14. The Saturday performance is at 7:30pm, with the Sunday performance at 1:00pm. This is a lively concert that attracts music lovers of all ages.
Free Family Movie Matinees: Dec 12 & 13
Enjoy FREE admission to see A Christmas Story , at the historic Del Mar Theatre!
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.
Holiday Market at Abbott Square, Dec 14
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.
Toy Trains at the MAH: Dec 18-29
Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 20th 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. 1409 Pacific Avenue from 12-5PM.
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.