This Week Downtown
ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead is one of Tom Stoppard's earliest plays, and probably his best known. Don't miss your chance to catch a showing at the Santa Cruz Actor's Theatre this month only. Click below for ticket information.
FILM SCREENING: HELLO MAGGIE | 418 PROJECT
Meet iconic Disney animator Willie Ito, a Japanese American artist known for his work in Lady & The Tramp, presenting his newest short film, Hello Maggie. Next Wednesday, August 26. Doors open at 6:30PM, event at 7PM at The 418 Project. Click below for ticket info.
CREATIVEMORNINGS SANTA CRUZ | AUGUST 28
On Friday August 28 at 8:30AM, CreativeMornings Santa Cruz is back at the MAH. This month's theme is NAHKLAH (Arabic for palm tree) featuring creative community leader Mireya Gomez-Contreras. Everyone is welcome to join for free coffee and goodies, a short talk and live performance, plus curated opportunities to connect and collaborate with local creatives.
SIDEWALK SALES | AUGUST 28-30
The forecast for the weekend is sunny shopping and scoring great deals during Downtown's monthly Sidewalk Sales. Friday through Sunday, August 28-30, head to Downtown Santa Cruz for great sales from Old School Shoes, Pacific Wave, Toque Blanche, Artifact, Sockshop & Shoe Co. and more!
DUCK ISLAND FESTIVAL | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
The inaugural Duck Island Festival is a family-friendly community music event taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at San Lorenzo Park in downtown Santa Cruz, California. Tickets are $20 ($15 for early bird), and kids under 12 get in free. Presented by Moe's Alley, The Crêpe Place, and Redwood Records, the one-day festival features live performances, food trucks, local vendors, and a full bar.
VALLEY OF THE MOON FIDDLE CAMP | SEPT 4
The Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle & Dance Camp is back at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium with the same infectious energy that’s made it legendary. This spectacular gathering of over 200 fiddlers, cellists, guitarists, and more returns to the Civic Auditorium for an unforgettable night of music, dance, song, and audience participation on Friday, September 4. Doors open at 6:30PM with a pre-show dance introduction. Showtime at 7:30PM.
NEW TECH | PRESENTATION AND NETWORKING
Santa Cruz's innovators are ready to show you what's next. On September 9, at River Row, six local ventures will share what they're building: transit systems that fly above traffic, tech turning waste into opportunity, Wall Street-grade intelligence for mid-market companies, indie games born from grit and creativity, and visual spectacles built for the world's biggest audiences. Stick around for food and drinks and connect with the people building the future right here at home.
HARVEST FESTIVAL | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
Harvest Festival returns to Downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday, October 3 from 12PM-4PM. We'll be throwing up tents, popping popcorn, stacking hay bales and setting up a slew of silly, throw-back games and fun activities for all of you. Think of a sweet nook version of county fair meets a school fair but, filled with local farms and businesses. This vibrant community event is produced in partnership with The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets .
