PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, SEASONAL AND ONGOING
All the upcoming promotion sign-ups in one convenient location. Many of the options have limited availability so don't delay getting on board! Click here for an overview of annual events and promotions.
Great news! Not only do downtown districts attract more visitors than other areas of commerce, but operating within the downtown district makes your business an automatic member of the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz. Being a member has many perks including opportunities for increased marketing through year-round promotions and events that the Downtown Association manages.
We're here to support you.
2026 Sponsorship Packet
Click below to learn how you can contribute to making lasting memories in Downtown Santa Cruz, while also expanding your brand.
ONLY 3 EVENTS LEFT TO SPONSOR.
Harvest Festival Sponsorship packet
Tons of sponsorship opportunities available for Harvest Festival for all budgets.
Click below to view the packet and then message marketing@downtownsantacruz.com to confirm your participation.
Get your brand in front of UCSC students - DEADLINE Sept 24
The Downtown Association will be tabling at the Boardwalk during the UCSC takeover where thousands of students are expected to attend.
If you would like to offer a coupon/voucher or product for students for us to hand out during the tabling, please see instructions below. DEADLINE: September 24.
2nd Annual County Wide ALL Business Mixer
Join the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz County Business Council, and the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz for a collaborative business mixer open to members of business assocations across Santa Cruz County.
Be at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, on Thursday October 22 from 5:30PM - 7:30PM .
UCSC Family Weekend Offerings Nov 6-8
UC Santa Cruz Family Weekend is a three-day event designed to immerse students AND their visiting families into local life.
Over 4000 visiting families expected to attend with check in at the MAH on Friday. Offer an incentive for the weekend that gets them in your business.
Paid Social Media with Local Influencer Daniel J
new paid Instagram reel partnership with local influencer Daniel J. known locally from his widely popular Double Meat Please food review account.
$250 for the video interview plus a business spotlight in This Week newsletter.
$300+ Holiday Shopping Ad | December Guides with Parks & Rec
Guide Distribution:
- Distribution Date: December 5
- Print Distribution: 5,000 copies distributed to local elementary schools and strategic locations throughout Santa Cruz
reserve your space by September 11.
New Digital Billboards Downtown | How To Get Featured
Your business can now be featured across 30 high-traffic TV screens inside restaurants, coffee shops, student housing, gyms, retail stores, and other community spaces — including our Downtown Information Kiosk — for $199/month.
Partner with UCSC Athletics
UC Santa Cruz Athletics is looking for local businesses interested in helping increase student engagement at home athletic events while encouraging students to support businesses in the downtown Santa Cruz community.
Your businesses can offer a small discount, special, or perk to UCSC students tied to attending a home athletic event. This could be something as simple as a percentage discount, free add-on with purchase, or any promotion of your choice.
Library Donor Wall
The Downtown Library Capital Campaign ends in September. Every gift matters.
Name recognition on the prominent donor wall starts at $1,000.
Take part in this feel good moment! Your participation matters and your contribution makes a difference. You will feel the impact every time you step into our new library Downtown. Visit this page to learn out more.
Holiday Parade Registration
The annual Holiday Parade is Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Registration opens September 7, 2026.
Registration fee for Downtown Businesses is only $55.
Reindeer Round-Up Scavenger Hunt
Reindeer Round-Up Scavenger Hunt
Sign up begins Oct 1.
Only 25 spots.
The Naughty List Scavenger Hunt
Holiday Themed Scavenger Hunt and Bar Crawl
Business sign up opens October 1, 2026.
Golden Envelope with Surprise Elf
The Holiday's silliest cross promotion returns.
The Elf will be surprising downtown shoppers with golden envelopes on Dec 5, 6, 12 & 13.
Sign your business up to participate starting Oct 1.
Limited to 35 businesses.
Student Discounts
Join the many downtown businesses
and offer a year-round student discount
DOWNTOWN DOLLARS
Sign up to accept Downtown Dollars!
$120K sold every year. Don't leave money
on the table.
Street Festival Subsidy Program
Street Festival Subsidy application
Limited to 10 grants per calendar year.
Application window is January 1 - April 30 each calendar year.
DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
Join the many downtown businesses
offering discounts to other downtown employees.
Downtown employees contribute greatly to our
downtown economy. Give them a perk!
LIST YOUR EVENT SPACE
Add your venue to the Gathering Spaces page. Help people find you to book their holiday parties, meeting space, etc.
Women Run Business Profiles
Submit your profile to be featured on our website and social media.
Write a few sentences in first person about inspires you to do your work.
And send your favorite photo.