This Week Downtown
SOULARUS | DANCE PARTY AT PALOMAR BALLROOM
Freeform movement dance every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning at the Palomar Ballroom in downtown Santa Cruz. Participants are invited to move freely, either solo or in connection with others, in a welcoming, choice-based environment. Doors close after the first hour, so arriving early is recommended to enjoy the full two-hour session. Admission is $20 cash at the door, with free entry for kids and anyone celebrating their birthday week.
OPENING | CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Music Director Cristian Măcelaru will lead the Festival Orchestra in the opening of Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music's 64th season, beginning with a free pre-concert picnic and talk at 6:30 p.m. featuring a brass sextet and welcome remarks. The program includes world premiere music by Vivian Fung and Pedro Emanuel Pereira, along with the West Coast premiere of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 Lincoln featuring baritone Zachary James. The concert explores themes of national ideals, identity, democracy, and history through powerful contemporary works
CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
BEACH GOTH NIGHT | THIS FRIDAY | THE BLUE LAGOON
Beach Goth Night brings its touring goth dance party to The Blue Lagoon in downtown Santa Cruz on Friday, July 31, featuring an all-night DJ set by "JPEG." Blending classic goth, darkwave, and alternative favorites, the event celebrates West Coast alternative nightlife in a high-energy, rave-inspired atmosphere. The 21+ event runs from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with $8 presale tickets and $13 admission at the door. Guests are encouraged to embrace the goth aesthetic and join a welcoming community of music and dance enthusiasts.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW | VET'S HALL
Renegade Theater Company is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live production of The Rocky Horror Show, running for four weekends beginning in late July at the Santa Cruz Vet’s Hall downtown. Featuring a live band, costume contests, and raffle prizes, the production brings the cult classic's outrageous characters and unforgettable music to the stage. Audiences are encouraged to join the legendary interactive experience by purchasing a $10 goodie bag that includes props like rice, a squirt gun, a newspaper, and other themed items. General admission tickets are $30, student tickets are $25, and all tickets are $15 on Community Night, August 13. Don't miss this raucous celebration of one of the most iconic musicals of all time!
SCULPTOUR CURATOR RFP | APPLY NOW
Santa Cruz City Arts is seeking a curator to lead the SculpTour program downtown. The selected curator will manage a Call for Artists for four sculpture pad locations, develop an equitable selection process aligned with Arts Commission values, and coordinate installation and an oversight plan for a three-year rotating outdoor gallery. Open to curators, museums, non-profits, arts organizations, and artist teams. Apply now through August 14.
ICE CREAM MONTH COLORING CONTEST | JULY
July is Ice Cream Month and we're celebrating with our annual Ice Cream Coloring Contest. The winner of the coloring contest will win 30 ice cream scoop vouchers. During the month of July, families can pick up blank contest coloring sheets at Gran Gelato Cafe, Izzy's Ices, Mission Hill Coffee & Creamery, Pacific Cookie Company, Penny Ice Creamery and the Downtown Information Kiosk. Drop off your finished coloring sheet to the Info Kiosk by July 31 to be entered into the contest. Our volunteer judges will award a winner, to be announced the first week of August!
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WHERE'S WALDO SCAVENGER HUNT | JULY You'd think Waldo would know better than to get lost in Downtown Santa Cruz again, however... Waldo is back! This July, find Waldo in Downtown! Where's Waldo is a fun and free annual scavenger hunt. To find Waldo, pick up a map at Bookshop Santa Cruz, the Downtown Info Kiosk or any of the participating businesses for your Waldo Passport and join in the fun! He's hiding in over two dozen businesses in Downtown Santa Cruz. Find them all and enter to win prizes! WHERE'S WALDO |
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN THROUGH OUTDOOR MARKETS
Everyone loves an outdoor market. From vintage clothing to handcrafted jewelry, antique furniture to quirky souvenirs, each market holds a secret waiting to be discovered. Downtown Santa Cruz has so many opportunities shop outside during the many pop-up markets.
Farmer's Market - Every Wednesday - Cedar St. / Church St.
Antique Faire - Second Sunday of the month - Pacific Ave. / Lincoln St.
Artisan Faire - Second Sunday of the month - Abbott Square Market
Maker's Market - Third Sunday of the month - Pacific Ave. / Lincoln St.
Sidewalk Sales - Last weekend of the month - Throughout downtown
COMING SOON!
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 .
