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: Nov 24 - Jan 3
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 28 - 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 28 - 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 6
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.
Holiday Bake Sale: Saturday, Dec 6
Grab some delicious baked goods at the annual Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.
Golden Envelope with Surprise Elf: Dec 6, 7, 13, & 14
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 10
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.
Family Trivia at Abbott Square: Dec 13
Get ready for some festive fun with our Family Trivia! This lively event offers a classic hosted trivia game, but designed especially for families and multigenerational groups to play together as a team. Questions cover holiday movies, music, traditions, and winter wonders, so everyone from kids to grandparents can join in. Bring your holiday spirit, test your knowledge, and compete for cheerful prizes during this afternoon of laughter and jovial competition!
Free Family Movie Matinees: Dec 13 & 14
Enjoy FREE admission to see Elf, starring Will Ferrell, at the historic Del Mar Theatre!
Visits with Santa: Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 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.
Dreidel Painting, Dec 14
This free event at Lupulo offers a variety of easy and enjoyable crafts including Chanukah card making and dreidel painting. Open to all ages!
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 - 23
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.
Reindeer Games: Christmas Championships, Dec 18
Take all the games that gave you PTSD at Christmas and now turn into sport with Reindeer Games: The Christmas Championship.Teams of 4, compete in various stupid competitions to win. Up to 8 teams total.Tons of prizes will be handed out and one lucky team will be named CHAMPIONS of The Reindeer Games.The Reindeer Games will consist of 5 rounds of silly holiday inspired relay races/competition.The Games will test your agility, your wit and most importantly, your ability to have fun playing completely pointless holiday games.
Doggie Holiday Photo Shoot: Dec 21
Bring your pup to Abbott Square for Doggie Photoshoot Day... Holiday Edition! Enjoy food + drinks, and enter your pup into our holiday dog photoshoot. The photographer will style your dog to look festive, funny, or irresistibly adorable.
Nutcracker Ballet, Dec 20 & 21
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.