Looking for a regular Trivia fix? Head over to Abbott Square every Wednesday at 6:30PM for an evening of silly trivia. Get there early to grab a table and compete for trivia prizes!Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes award-winning author Claire Oshetsky (Poor Deer) for a discussion and signing of their new book Evil Genius, an exuberant, brutally hilarious novel about a young woman's insatiable quest to carve her own path—even if she needs to step over a few dead bodies along the way. This Wednesday at 7PM at Bookshop Santa Cruz.Did you know that Downtown is attracting a diverse new mix of retail, dining, and service businesses? Several businesses opened up in 2025 with more opening up in 2026. New Businesses Opened in Downtown Santa Cruz in 2025: Botanic & Luxe Littles Cloud Nine Mattress Gabrielita Tamaleria Fusion Fare Insomnia Cookies Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Mane Kitchen & Cocktails Pastime Vintage Santa Cruz Gear Exchange Terra Superfoods The Salty Otter New Businesses Open in Downtown Santa Cruz in 2026 so far: Anthropologie Switch Bakery Coming Soon to Downtown Santa Cruz: Gran Gelato Cafe, 525 Cedar St. The Alley Oop, 320 Cedar Street Sunny California, 800 Pacific Avenue The Breakfast Club at Midtown, 1108 Pacific AvenueThis week, on February 19 at 6:30PM, watch: Just Mercy, based on a true story. This third installment of the BHM Film Series is for community. Watch some great films, learn a little something, and talk together. Every film in the series has been carefully chosen to be educational as well as entertaining. The intent is to build bridges and allow for conversation around the impacts of race, social justice, and the Black American experience. The film series takes place at The 418 Project every Thursday in February.We're celebrating love in Downtown Santa Cruz with a contest to win $100 Downtown Dollars. To enter our contest, please describe how you found love in Downtown Santa Cruz. LOVE can be romantic, platonic and friendship/bestie relationships. We want to hear them all. Love Stories with photos posted to Downtown Santa Cruz Instagram page and with the most likes by February 20th will receive $100 Downtown Dollars! Make sure to vote for your favorite story!February is Self Care Month in Downtown Santa Cruz! Several of our wellness providers are offering a discount and/or a special promotion for the entire month of February. Take advantage of these opportunities to give yourself the self care you deserve!
