As November and December roll around, Downtown Santa Cruz starts to feel festive! You'll have a lot of opportunities to bring the whole family Downtown for a flurry of fun.
When the holiday season rolls around, here's what you'll have to look forward to:
Reindeer Round-Up: November 29 - December 23
Oh no! Santa's reindeer couldn't resist visiting all the businesses Downtown, and now they're nowhere to be found! Kids can help by getting a passport at the Downtown Information Kiosk
Downtown Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 7, 10:00 AM
This popular Santa Cruz tradition brings thousands of people downtown to celebrate and kick off the season! The Downtown Holiday Parade runs along Pacific Avenue, from Laurel Street to Water Street. Make time for this rain-or-shine extravaganza on Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 AM.
To volunteer, please click here
Golden Envelope with Surprise Elf - December 7, 8, 14, & 15
Shop Downtown on December 7, 8, 14 & 15 and you'll be eligible to win one of 400 Golden Envelopes at participating Downtown businesses. An undercover Elf will surprise shoppers. Each envelope will contain special prizes, for example, gift cards valued at $10-100, vouchers for a free hot chocolate at your favorite coffee shop, LOTS of Downtown Dollars and many more fun surprises.
Free Family Movie - December 14 & 21, 11:00 AM
Together with the folks at the Del Mar Theater, we offer a free family movie and all proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Families are encouraged to bring a donation of food or money.
Visits with Santa - December 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22
We can’t help saying it: in Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Is our middle name! Families flock to see the jolly old man during the holidays and to take a picture with this seasonal celeb.
The Naughty List - Holiday Pub Crawl - December 14
It’s a little bit naughty, a little bit nice, and it’s a tradition that could only come from Santa Cruz. Back by popular demand, this scavenger hunt / pub crawl has grown in popularity every year.
Free Gift Wrapping - December 19 - 23
To show how much we appreciate your decision to shop local and support Downtown businesses, the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, Bring your gifts & receipts from any downtown Santa Cruz business to receive FREE gift wrapping at our Gift Wrapping Pop-Up station (location announced soon)!
Holiday Bingo - announced soon!
Spend at least $20 at a participating business (in-store) between November 22, 2024 and December 22, 2024 and save the receipt. If you complete a single row (5 in a row), turn in your Bingo Card to the Downtown Info Kiosk, 1130 Pacific Avenue by Dec 22, 2024 to be entered in to our drawing to win Downtown Dollars. Every completed row (5 in a row) is an additional entry. The middle space is for purchasing $20 Downtown Dollars. (hint: many businesses accept Downtown Dollars.)